Start here! If this is your first time visiting Mono Lake, this is the place you should start! The visitor center is full of wonderful information about geological, ecology and cultural history of Mono Lake and its surroundings. The Rangers working in the visitor center are extremely friendly and helpful. You can easily spend a couple of hours in there and not even feel the passing of time! The view from the back yard of the visitor center is great. If you step outside with a camera I am sure it will be clicking fast! If you are into hiking or photography, ask the rangers for a map of the area and their recommendations for best photo opportunity spots. read more

See all

The Mono Basin Visitor Center is the go-to spot to learn more about this amazing part of the state and its unique wildlife and history. I was on an epic trip through the area (stop over at the county park to the north of here for a secluded boardwalk into the lake) in the late summer and made this a destination. The views of the lake from here are outstanding, on a clear day you can see across the entire lake. I love the extensive displays available to learn about the geology, hydrology, geography and life of the lake. Watch out for the giant brine shrimp display, that isn freaked me out. The location is easy to find and the turnoff from the highway is easy to use (can get hairy in this part of the state crossing highways). I loved all the great native plant and stone displays around the center. This allows you to learn about the area even when it is closed. I liked the extensive info on the plantings and the different strategies they have adapted to live here. There are also a few info boards near the parking lot that go over the same stuff as inside. I did not take any hikes form here due to the hill it is on (who want's to walk back up?). Try other trails in the area, such as that near the south shore tufa. The staff are very helpful, answering any esoteric questions you may have to the best of their ability. Very nice gift shop as well, got my Mono Lake postcards here. Minus one star for an off-topic ranger talk, which instead of being about the hydrology of the area was all about climate change and guilt-tripping everyone. I don't need your proselytizing about my behavior if you don't see anything wrong with what I'm doing here at the center, what I need is natural history information to better understand this area. I left 20 mins into the talk after waiting around for an hour for it to start. Boo that! Anytime you would like to know more about Mono Lake, head over to the Basin Visitor Center for an extensive education and mostly friendly staff. read more

This center is a must stop along the 395. Not only are there (most importantly) clean restrooms, there are excellent exhibits and a wonderful view of Mono Lake from the center's back patio. Be sure and take the short nature trail around the side of the building. You can also get info on the not to be missed nature walk at the South Tufa location. Guided tours at that location add to the experience of walking along the lake and the amazing Tufa formations that are also displayed at the center. read more

US Forest Service - Lake view from back - Visitor Centers Near Me - Bishop, California

See all

Great museum. Great panoramic view of Mono Lake. Great topographical map. Great rangers with lots of relevant pointers to help your trip (whether passing through or staying a while) be as enjoyable as possible...and great gift shop. This is a must stop whenever we're passing through... The only thing it is missing is a small cafe or something. Then it would be a one-stop shop. If you have questions about weather, hiking options, what exactly are those strange flies swarming along the shore of Mono Lake, Native American history in the region, what types of wild animals are around, etc..ask a ranger. They are more than willing to talk. And if you're looking for a gift--whether jewelry, book, kid friendly, poster, t-shirt, etc..this is also a great spot. Also..as an aside, there's a lip balm near the cash register that I got once years ago. I noticed it was still for sale this autumn.. it was one of the best random lip balm purchases I've ever made. If your lips are chapped, take a chance on it--you will not be disappointed. read more

Any visitors to the eastern side of the Sierras would do del to stop by this beautiful visitors center before continuing on with their travels. It's set in a nice location right off Hwy 395 and overlooking beautiful Mono Lake. Inside are interpretive displays of the local ecology and wildlife. The rangers there are extremely helpful in helping you get the information you need to plan your adventures and journeys in the area. Whether you need a backcountry permit or a suggestion for places t visit, the staff here will get you what you require. While there, go for a stroll on the viewing patin and take a few photos of the lake. read more

The visitor's center is a great and welcome spot on 395 to absorb some of the most breathtaking views of Mono Lake. Everywhere outside is a prime spot for a photo. Also, you have to catch one of the movies here. They capture the relevant history of the area, both geological and anthropological. I particularly enjoyed the geological formation of Mono Lake movie. Ideally, even with the annoying birds around, this is THE ideal place to bring your lunch from the Whoa Nellie Deli or Mono Cone. You won't regret it!! read more

See all

Amazing Rangers and amazing view. The visitor center has a really nice self guided indoor tour that explains all about the toufa, flies, birds, and natives. The bookstore is small, but sufficient, and the ranger there was also super nice and helpful. They have a movie that plays every 20-30 minutes. There is also an are that shows the geology. The bathrooms were clean and there is a walkway that goes all around the visitor center with spectacular views. To see the amazing toufa, you need to drive south to the south toufa and you need to take a small hike. read more

Great location to get to know more about the Mono lake history. Watch the 20 min movies, very informational and give you the history of the place. Go out to the Terrance and you can take beautiful pictures. Leaving from the visitor center you can: 1) Turn left and continue heading on South 395 for about 10 miles and turn left on CA 120 EAST, drive another 5 or 6 miles you will arrive at the South Tufa visitor area, 3 dollar entrance fee, very beautiful, a loop trail you can walk around, look at the Tufas up close, take some great pictures. Most of the pictures you see are taken here. 2 Turn right (395N) and you should see county park about 4.5 miles on your right, it is the basically the same as the South Tufa area, but with lots more birds. After you are done and if you are heading towards Reno, I strongly suggest you visit Bodie, CA, a abandoned mining town. worth the trip! read more

I'm so glad this center is still open, since there was news a few years back about it being closed during the financial crisis involving the parks system. It's a very nice visitors center, and one can enjoy a great view of Mono Lakes also from the rear patio-like area. There's even a nature path going starting from here down towards the lake for those who want to stretch their legs. Like most park's visitors center, there's an auditorium where you can watch a video talking about the history of the area. read more

See all

If you are curious about the weird super salty alkaline lake that is Mono Lake, or just need a little break from driving, stop here!!! This stretch of road does not have cell service, (I know... gasp!). So my hubby and I were coming up with our own theories about why Mono Lake was so weird. Both of us had heard little tidbits about the lake. But really had no clue. And without Wikipedia to set the record straight, we indulged in our imaginations! But in my notes section of my phone, I typed "ask Siri what is up with Mono Lake". Then bam! We saw the visitors center! A beacon from the time before cell service, beckoning us to soak in its information! We had to indulge! We pulled in! Honestly not expecting much! Just wanted an answer and maybe a bathroom. Boy were we wrong! The building is stunning and new! The staff was informative and very friendly! The displays were amazing! very current! Very interesting! The bathrooms were super clean! No joke, possibly the best visitors center I've ever stopped at! And we found out why Mono Lake is so weird! read more

Every time I go backpacking in the Eastern Sierra, I stop by this visitor center. It's good to get information around this area, and also I like to spend a bit to see Mono Lake. It's a kind of tradition to stop by. Then I look at Mono Lake, and I really feel like, "Ah I came back to the Eastern Sierra!" From this center, the view of Mono Lake is gorgeous. People there are nice and informative. Also, the building is clean and the clean restroom is nice before going to the deep wilderness. read more

On the road again, lol ... This is beautiful stop. The view is great! Lots of kewl info inside the small museum. Some kewl goodies in the store. Most of all though again the view is amazing. Bathrooms are clean and there is lots of parking. Definitely a good place to stop and check out. Employees are friendly as well as the locals ... read more

See all

Great exhibits, excellent movies and great views of Mono Lake. You can learn about its history, present and future. read more

US Forest Service - One out many signs describing the vistas - Visitor Centers Near Me - Bishop, California

See all

Once you get to Mono Lake you feel like you are in a whole different world. It is warmer, you see no longer granite but tufas and your surrounded by sage bush and not a forest. We were given a small container to take some water out and see what we were able to see in the water. Brine shrimp and black flies thrive in this salt water. In this water there are brine shrimp species that are not found anywhere else in the world. I wish we could spend all day observing the brine shrimp. Did you know that the lake's alkalinity is pH 10. It is incredible how much hydroxide ions Mono Lake contains. I wish that we had brought our pH paper with us as well as our microscope. This is our third visit to Mono Lake and I can't wait to come here again and swim here because it is said that you can't sink in this water but instead you'll float without putting any effort. Now we just have to get past the idea of getting in water that is 2 and a 1/2 times saltier than the ocean and is covered with flies and shrimp. We will just have to make sure we will be able to take a shower right after it but I'm so up for the challenge. read more

See all

We were able to get in right before they closed. Even if you can't get inside it's worth a stop and look. Great view of the lake from here and it has a lovely garden outside. The center is close to the highway break to continue going south or west into Yosemite. If you are planning to visit Yosemite from the east, this is a great stop. read more

The Mono Basin Visitor center is a bit of history and explanations of a unique piece of California. Let me explain. The history of Mono lake can be interesting for the history buffs. The early people living here under the harsh conditions of the area give a vista into another era. The features that have been carved under the lake are unique. The intrusion of man and the draining of the lake to feed Los Angeles created a different set of problems. The current efforts to restore some of the lake have again changed the basin. The vistas from the center are wonderful. The history in the displays of the center are informative. The movies in the theatre are OK, however bit slow moving for me. The staff is ever so helpful. The bird life around the are is incredible! Be sure to get your maps and take a hike. It is well worth your time. read more

See all

This place is fantastic and informative. The guy working the info desk knew exactly what I was talking about when I tried to describe some place at the lake I'd been to 15 years ago and he served up solid directions back to that place. We flew kites in the parking lot. The Eastern Sierra's are gorgeous. read more

Excellent exhibit about mono lake, the ecology including the brine shrimp, flies, and lots of birds that nest here. They do a great job of showing how carbonate rich springs react with the alkaline lame water to create these tufas. They have displays about the native American people who lived here and ate the fly larvae. Also has amazing views of the lake. They offer a junior ranger book and US Forest Service passport stamp. A must stop if you are in the area. read more

US Forest Service - Visitor Centers Near Me - Bishop, California

Don't make the visit here during closing time! So sad. This stop made the trip to Yosemite horrifying because we had to drive all the way around since the connecting roads were closed due to snow! read more

If you're in the area you need to stop at this information center. We mostly stop because we were tired but we were glad we did. There was lots of information about this part of the country that we didn't know but we found out here. Also don't miss the nature trail that runs behind the visitor center and down towards the lake. We saw all kinds of wildlife and learned a lot about this environment that we would not have known otherwise. read more

Super cool architecture, informative exhibits, nice gift shop and great views. This was a great stop. I still wonder why even though it looks like it's a newer building, all the exhibits look like the same ones I saw at other museums when I was a kid (in the 80's) Can't anyone think of new fonts, materials or colors? Definitely worth going to. Will be back when I go to swim in the lake :) read more

Very interesting displays explaining the geology, ecology, and history of the area. I'm sure kids would find this a fun visit, and it does provide a greater understanding before venturing out to see the Mono Lake up close. I'd highly recommend a stop. I was there for just over 30 minutes to get a feel for the area, but I could have stayed longer if time had permitted. read more

The day that I passed thru the town of Lee Vining I stopped at the "Mono Basin Visitor Center". Mono Lake is an interesting place and this visitor center does an outstanding job in explaining its history. read more

Drove all of the way out here to a closed visitor's center. There was a sign on the door staring closed Tuesday's & Wednesday's. It would have been nice to know & have some information. There were many of people stopping & a tour bus showed up when we were leaving. Many people looking for a bathroom. read more

A really nice center that has many displays that show the Mono Basin's geology, ecology, and human history. A good, short film and two galleries of displays and art. Helpful rangers available to answer questions, and a bookstore featuring the natural and cultural history of the region. This visitor center is located at the south side of the lake, and the north end of Lee Vining. read more