Major city · United States
Lee Vining
Spend a half‑day in Lee Vining to see Mono Lake tufa towers and grab a bite; add a night if you need a base for Tioga Pass or early park entry.
Lee Vining is a tiny gateway town (pop ~250) on US‑395 between Mono Lake and the Sierra Nevada. Its main draws are Mono Lake’s tufa formations, the Mono Basin Visitor Center, and a few eateries. Most visitors stop en route to Yosemite or Tioga Pass, so a half‑day is enough; stay overnight only if you plan early park entry or want a quiet night before the drive.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct (warm, road open)
- avoid Nov–Apr (snow, Tioga closed)
- Airports
- Mammoth Yosemite (MMH) · Reno-Tahoe International (RNO)
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lee Vining911 ▾
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lee Vining, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLee Vining is low‑risk; main concerns are winter road closures and limited winter services.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police/fire/ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMMH Mammoth Yosemite Airport (Nearest commercial airport, about 30 mi south on US-395; seasonal flights, so check schedules.).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; US‑395 runs through.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Budget bedMotel room, a night, per roomUS$58
- Mid-range bedMotel room, a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedMotel room, a night, per roomUS$133
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$55 · High US$100
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MMH Mammoth Yosemite Airport (Nearest commercial airport, about 30 mi south on US-395; seasonal flights, so check schedules.) · RNO Reno-Tahoe International (About 3 h 30 min north on US-395; year-round car-rental base.)
Map of Lee Vining
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
- Lee Vining
- Basic guide
Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps
Guides nearby
- Bridgeport, California · 35 km straight line
- Mammoth Lakes · 37 km straight line
- El Portal · 66 km straight line
- Fish Camp · 70 km straight line
- Hawthorne, Nevada · 77 km straight line
- Pinecrest · 81 km straight line
- Oakhurst · 84 km straight line
- Mariposa · 91 km straight line
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Avoid
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
May
Best
55°C (131°F)131°F (55°C)
Jun
Best
68°C (154°F)154°F (68°C)
Jul
Best
78°C (172°F)172°F (78°C)
Aug
Best
80°C (176°F)176°F (80°C)
Sep
Best
71°C (160°F)160°F (71°C)
Oct
Best
58°C (136°F)136°F (58°C)
Nov
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (80°C (176°F)176°F (80°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Dec (7 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lee Vining: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
5 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Apr
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5 rd
May
55°C (131°F)131°F (55°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
4 rd
Jun
68°C (154°F)154°F (68°C)
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
2 rd
Jul
78°C (172°F)172°F (78°C)
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
1 rd
Aug
80°C (176°F)176°F (80°C)
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
1 rd
Sep
71°C (160°F)160°F (71°C)
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
2 rd
Oct
58°C (136°F)136°F (58°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
4 rd
Nov
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; US‑395 runs through. YARTS shuttle stops here (weekends in Jun, daily Jul‑Aug). Rental car needed for Tioga Pass.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mono Lake tufa viewing
goDoor to door: 15 min
Walk 0.5 mi north from town on US‑395 to the Visitor Center
Free; boardwalk open seasonally.
Yosemite (Tioga Pass)
cautionDoor to door: 1 h 30 min
Drive west on CA‑120, 45 mi, 1 h 15 min (check road status)
Pass closed in winter; plan early arrival.
Bodie ghost town
goDoor to door: 45 min
Drive north on US‑395, 30 mi, 35 min
Self‑guided; limited services.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lake View Lodge
Close to US‑395, basic rooms, seasonal rates
Murphey's Motel
$58–133 per night, open year‑round
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–45 excl. bed
- Mid
- $45–80 excl. bed
- High
- $80+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room1 × 1 night × US$95 | US$95 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$55 | US$55 |
| YARTS shuttle (round-trip)1 × US$30 · check | US$30 |
| Car rental (1 day, economy)1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$25 |
| Trip total≈ US$275 per person per day, bed included | US$275 |
2026 estimate; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Burger at Mono Cone | $8–12 |
| Lobster taquitos at Whoa Nellie Deli | $12–15 |
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Gas (per gallon) | $4–5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Tioga Pass closes for snow November‑May; check road status.
- Mono Lake water level varies; tufa viewing best in summer.
- Limited services in winter; only Nicely's diner stays open.
Emergency numbers
- Police/Fire/Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Lee ViningLee Vining
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Embassy
US consulate in Los Angeles; nearest Mexican consulate in Bishop.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- YARTS shuttle Lee Vining ↔ Tioga Pass: about $30 round‑trip (check)
- Car rental (daily): ≈ $70 (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑koo‑lpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra‑see‑as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwahn‑toh kwehs‑tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the restroom? (don‑deh es‑ta el ba‑nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lee Vining. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct (warm, road open) · avoid Nov–Apr (snow, Tioga closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Murphey's for early Tioga sunrise.
- Use YARTS shuttle for park entry without a car (seasonal).
- Rent a car in Mammoth Lakes for flexible access.
Sources
Ask about Lee Vining
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