This is a review of the general store and marina area. We did not stay in the campground here…read more I've been following Twin Lakes Resort on social media for sometime now due to the epic community and mountain culture they've cultivated here over the years. It's a place with real roots. Families make traditions of coming here and I can see why. Many of the lakes in the Sierra are hard to access due to limited development and parking, but Twin Lakes has struck the right balance offering opportunities for day trippers and campers the like. Coming up from the valley below the lakes, I never imagined there'd be quite the lively "town center" we came upon. The general store is clearly a central gathering place where fish stories are swapped and visitors can stock up on basics, grab a bite or a bloody marry, and snag all the local intel and tackle they'll need to catch a big one in the waters directly across the street. Unlike the other small stores I visited, the staff here was GOLD! They were incredibly friendly, full of info, engaging and welcoming too! Our kids got to participate in a scavenger hunt and after finishing it got to choose rad prizes. The merchandise in the store is also AMAZING! I decided I'd buy a hat or shirt after I get my first big trout out of the lakes. They also offer boat rentals at the marina with everything from kayaks and SUP to larger pontoon boats. We had hoped to rent a pontoon for the day but got there a bit later in the day and missed out. Apparently you can reserve online (I must've missed the link when looking) and the rates are super reasonable (less than $300 for the day on a pontoon for up to 8). It kind of worked out because the wind kicked up and that would've likely ended our day on the water, but I'd love to do a half day starting in the morning! This isn't a secret of any kind, but it's somewhere more folks from the Reno area need to explore.

Our family likes to visit Twin Lakes Resort. It's a nice place for the day, or stay at the trailer…read morepark or their cabin. The Twin Lakes are beautiful to take your boat out and fish. We haven't stayed here yet, looks nice in the trailer park and also the cabins.

This review is for Wapama Falls Trail which was a ~4.7 miles round trip that took ~2.5 hours to…read morecomplete. Located away from the busy and crowded hikes of Yosemite; this trail was worth the stop. Beautiful views of the reservoir and waterfall! Rocky at some parts of the trail with annoying flies. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/Xy-VTDD_Zpg

Wapama Falls is the second most powerful waterfall in CA! Definitely worth a visit if you're in the…read moreHetch Hetchy/Yosemite area. The hike is around 5 miles round trip, not bad at all. It's pretty hilly and not completely uphill which is great for beginners and intermediates alike! My coworkers and I finished the hike in around an hour and a half. The hike back to the O'Shaughnessy dam was a little less than an hour. You start at the dam and then walk through the tunnel. The trail is pretty well marked and clear, just note that when you get to the fork in the road with multiple signs, stay to the right! There's a bunch of picturesque places on this hike so remember to bring a camera! When you get to the falls, the bridge may or may not be covered in water! Keep in mind that it is very dangerous to cross the bridge if the waterfall is flowing over it... That should be a given, right?? Haha but thankfully it was open when I went, and I got to see so many views of Wapama Falls! The waterfall is so tall and majestic and absolutely beautiful! Surrounded by the beauty of Hetch Hetchy reservoir, you can't help but be amazed!

Most people coming to the Tufa reserve just go to the main area , but this side trip, follow the…read moresigns to Navy Beach, is worth the little side drive or walk. Here there's a different kind of Tufa formed under the sand and looks , like , well, out of this planet! The beach is secluded, so nude sunbathing seems to be tolerated. Not me, we just saw others there.

Cool place to stop and poke around outside mammoth. People were kayaking and the water makes…read moreeverything very buoyant. My dog enjoyed chasing the birds down the beach. Beautiful views of the Eastern Sierra's from here.

MONO BASIN VISITOR CENTER, NATIONAL FOREST SCENIC AREA, Lee Vining, CA, July, 2026. We were in Lee…read moreVining, CA on July 4, 2026, and were very pleasantly surprised to find this Visitor Center open on Independence Day. We were in Lee Vining, on our way to the Tioga Pass entrance to Yosemite National Park and, to be honest, we didn't know a lot about the Mono Basin area. What a helpful find! There were indoor exhibits, and a ton of information available from rangers and from dozens of informational sheets. Interestingly, beginning in 1941, stream diversions by the Los Angeles Dept of Water and Power caused the lake level to drop 45 vertical feet, severely threatening the health of the Mono Lake ecosystem. Mono Lake is now on the rise, but not yet there, to 6,392' above sea level in order to balance the needs of both people and the environment. The Visitor Center also has a nice Gift Shop (where I added to my collection of refrigerator magnets and got a cancellation stamp in my NPS Passport), has a nice viewing area of the lake from the back deck or from a short path, and restrooms that are accessible from inside or outside (even when the Visitor Center is closed). Parking is free and plentiful. Next stop (at the recommendation of the rangers: Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve!

This visitor center, located north of Lee Vining to the east of Hwy 395, is a must stop no matter…read morewhat time of year you pass by. While the visitor center is opened seasonally, they have restrooms in front that remain open year-round and have been clean and well stocked every time I've visited. I believe they close overnight--so please check first. The visitor center has a beautiful gift shop, a ranger desk where you can get all your local exploring and curiosity questions answered, a kids coloring table, places to sit, a film, and natural history exhibits. There is also a vast and beautiful back patio space which provides ample viewing options of Mono Lake, the tufa, and the surrounding mountains and hills. There is a nature trail you can follow with better views of the lake. Cell service is spotty in this area, but there are a few spots in the parking lot where the service comes through. I have really enjoyed visiting here during different times of year. Every time I do, I learn something new from the volunteers and staff... They have always been able to help me identify a new animal I've spotted or give me "insider" information about a new adventure worthy of embarking on.

I love that this place exists…read more Nature is so magical. As other reviewers have pointed out - it is a bit of a steep climb down - so I'd recommend bringing some good shoes with traction - in addition to a towel. It's also become quite popular - so be prepared to meet some new people, some of whom may be wearing more than others - as they soak. It's always nice to see people from all over - sharing in nature's healing water. Trust.

DO NOT GET IN THE WATER! This place is infested with e coli and tourists that are constantly…read moreurinating in the water. My crotch area has been itching for months after my last visit!

We did the first two miles of this trail in and out. Unfortunately the lakes don't start until much…read morelater, but we enjoyed the beautiful views and nicely maintained trail for the part that we did. We did this hike to look for the American goshawks that nesting around mile two. We heard two young calling to each other and we saw and heard many other birds along the way. Nice wildflowers around as well.

16.00.00. 2nd Trip to here…read more Multiple small lakes and ponds. The sweeping northern sierra view ... Before the final descend to the 1st lake is BREATH-TAKING Warning ... Moderate to slightly hard There are multiple lakes ... but not 10 lakes ... long story The main largest lake does contain pretty good size trouts. One of the nice semi deep backpacking spots. Plan on spending several days here and explore there other lakes in the basin and do some fishing.

This was my first official hike in Yosemite after coming here for years. Usually, my friends or…read moreHubs just want to do the usual sights around Yosemite Village, maybe walk to a waterfall or marvel at El Capitan, but not try a proper hiking trail. This trip, I am with a friend who came from France to REALLY see Yosemite. We chose this hike based on location, convenience and the "easy" rating it was given. The third was an exaggeration, but we didn't know. From the parking lot, it took us about 2 hours just to get to the lake, over terrain that was rocky and mostly sunny. My friend needed to stop frequently to monitor and slow her heart rate during the 1.2 mile ascent, which climbs about 500 feet above the approximate 8,710 ft elevation of the trailhead entrance in the parking lot. Speaking of the parking lot.... On this day, the Wednesday after Labor Day Weekend, the lot wasn't full and we easily found a spot. Wear sturdy shoes, have plenty of water, a hat and take your time. You'll be rewarded with a stunning lake and a cool dip before your descent, which took us less than 25 mins. Cheers! "CC"

This was a beautiful, short hike that's located off Tioga Road. If you're driving east towards…read moreTuolumne Meadows, the turn off to the trailhead is before Olmsted Point and Tenaya Lake. The road leading to the trail is narrow and riddled with potholes. You'll need to take it slow and yield to cars coming the opposite direction. The lot was rather full on a Friday afternoon, but I snagged a spot of someone leaving. The hike itself is 2.4 round trip with a steady, but not too steep climb to the lake. Beautiful views of Mt Hoffman on the way up, along with Yosemite's high country. The lake itself is magical and serene. No swimming allowed, as it's labeled as a public water source. It's a popular spot not only because it's a relatively short and easier trail to access a Sierra lake, but it also has one of the High Sierra Camps for back packers. Still, winding away from the camp along the shore, there was solitude to be found with a few nice rocks to relax on and and enjoy a snack before heading down. Well kept trail to a beautiful lake, in less hectic, quieter part of Yosemite (relatively speaking.)

I can't believe nobody has reviewed this awesome hike yet! The hike begins at Mono Village…read moreCampground which can be found by turning onto Twin Lakes road in Bridgeport and taking said road all the way to end, which is the Campground. You can park in the day use area if you're just doing a day hike but if you plan on doing backcountry camping, you'll need to pay them the $10 bucks to leave your car overnight. That $10 will buy you up to 7 days of parking. Follow the road between the maze of tents and motor homes until you reach the sign that marks the official beginning of the trail to Barney Lake. Take that trail roughly 4 miles up and you'll find it. It's simply gorgeous and an amazing view up there. From here, you can turn around and head back or continue up the trail to Robinson Lakes, Crown Lake, Snow Lake, and eventually, Yosemite National Park. The trail is very easy to follow and is mostly on an even level. There's switchbacks towards the end as you near the lake, but they're not bad incline wise. From car to lake and back to the car, it's just a hair over 9 miles. This is one of my favorite hikes in the area and I do it at least once or twice every season. Just please be respectful and leave no trace. Also, this area is known to be popular with Bears. I've personally never seen one here, but a lot of others have. That being said, you have nothing to be fearful of. If you do come across one, give it plenty of room and respect and you'll be fine and for god's sake DON'T FEED THEM! Or any wildlife for that matter. You have no idea how many moronic tourist I yell at for feeding squirrels and deer. Lol.