CALIFORNIA · PLACES & PERSPECTIVES
Mono Lake
Tufa towers and birdlife beside the Eastern Sierra
Mono Lake lies near Lee Vining, east of Yosemite and beside the US 395 corridor. Its unusual limestone formations, called tufa, rise around a saline, alkaline lake. The combination of water, desert and mountain backdrop makes this a distinctive stop on an Eastern Sierra journey.
Understand the tufa landscape
Tufa forms where calcium-bearing spring water interacts with the lake’s carbonate-rich water. A shoreline visit is more rewarding when you look at both the formations and the wider basin. Use designated paths and avoid climbing the fragile towers.
Choose your access point carefully
South Tufa is a well-known place for a nature walk and photography; the Mono Basin visitor center provides regional interpretation. Access varies by season and location. As checked on November 1, 2026, California State Parks reports the County Park boardwalk closed following the Inn Fire. Consult the current notice before choosing a route.
MAKE IT YOUR JOURNEY
Plan your visit
Allow time for a shoreline stop rather than viewing the lake only from the highway. Bring layers for rapidly changing weather and check the exact access road in winter. Yosemite’s Tioga Road is seasonal; a nearby map location does not mean you can cross into Yosemite at any time of year.