National park · United States
Mono LakeMono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
Give Mono Lake half a day: South Tufa at sunrise or after 16:00 (US$3 per person, 2026 estimate, self-pay), then the boardwalk at Mono County Park; skip the midday wind and the lake itself unless you have a kayak booked.Give Mono Lake half a day: South Tufa at sunrise or after 4:00 PM (US$3 per person, 2026 estimate, self-pay), then the boardwalk at Mono County Park; skip the midday wind and the lake itself unless you have a kayak booked.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
180 km²69 sq mi
approximate
Established
1984
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
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.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 180 km²69 sq mi
- The state reserve covers only part of the shoreline; the lake surface itself is about 180 km² and shrinks or grows with the diversion rules (check).
- Established
- 1984
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Mono Lake is a saline, outlet-free basin on the east side of the Sierra, just off US 395 and about 20 minutes from Yosemite's Tioga Pass gate. Its tufa towers are limestone spires left standing when the lake level fell after Los Angeles began diverting the feeder streams in 1941; a 1994 court order set a target level of 6,392 ft and the lake has been rising slowly since. The shoreline is a California state reserve, not a national park, so the America the Beautiful pass does not apply. Most visitors need half a day: South Tufa for the towers, the Mono County Park boardwalk for a north-shore view, and Panum Crater if there is time. The lake itself is best seen from a kayak on a morning tour out of Navy Beach, before the afternoon wind.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1984Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve; the basin is also a National Scenic Area.
Size and age
180 km²69 sq mi · national park since 1984
The state reserve covers only part of the shoreline; the lake surface itself is about 180 km² and shrinks or grows with the diversion rules (check).
Why go
- Tufa towers: limestone spires that only appear because the lake level dropped.
- Up to two million birds refuel here on migration, including most of California's breeding gulls.
- The water is roughly twice as salty as the ocean, so you float and the flies do not bite.
- It is a 20-minute detour off US 395 between Yosemite's Tioga Pass and the Nevada line.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold and windy; SR 120 west of US 395 closed (check)
- FebSnow possible; chains may be needed (check)
- MarCold wind; quiet (check)
- AprGulls nesting on the islands; islands closed 1 April – 1 August
- MayTioga Pass may open; long days (check)
- JunWarm and clear; flies hatch on shore (check)
- JulHot and windy by midday; afternoon storms (check)
- AugHottest month; dust when windy (check)
- SepMild and stable; grebes mass on the lake (check)
- OctCrisp and clear; first snow late in month (check)
- NovCold nights; roads usually still open (check)
- DecSnow and ice; check passes before driving (check)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eared grebes (mass migration)Aug–Oct · Up to 1.5–2 million birds stage on the lake in autumn. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| California gulls breeding on the islandsApr–Jul · Most of the state's breeding population nests here; islands closed to landings. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Wilson's and red-necked phalaropesJul–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Brine flies and brine shrimpJun–Sep · Flies swarm on the shore in summer but do not bite. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Lee Vining
Drive south on US 395, turn east on Test Station Road to South Tufa; the county park is north of town on Cemetery Road.
15–20 min
From Yosemite (Tioga Pass)
SR 120 east over Tioga Pass to US 395, then south; the pass is closed from the first big snow until roughly May–June.
1–1.5 h
From Mammoth Lakes
US 395 south along the east side of the Sierra.
45–60 min
From Bishop
US 395 north past Crowley Lake and the June Lake loop.
1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| South Tufa | The densest tufa towers, a gravel path and a small beach; the classic photo stop. | Open daily; day-use fee. |
| Mono County Park and boardwalk | North-shore viewpoint with interpretive panels over the tufa below. | Open; free day use. |
| Navy Beach | Launch point for kayak tours and the easiest swim. | Open; no lifeguard. |
| Islands (Negit and Paoha) | Breeding ground for gulls and other waterbirds. | Closed to landings 1 April – 1 August. |
Sketch map
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Tufa area day use | US$3 | person | 2026 estimate; self-pay envelope at the entrance kiosk, bring cash (check). |
| Mono County Park day use | Free | vehicle | 2026 estimate; the boardwalk and picnic area are here (check). |
| Guided kayak tour from Navy Beach | US$70–105 | person | 2026 estimate; cheaper per person with three or more, book ahead (check). |
| Camping, Inyo National Forest sites near Lee Vining | US$14–21 | night | 2026 estimate; no reservations at most sites. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
South Tufa entry permit or guide
Island landings permit or guide
Camping inside the reserve no permit
Park rules
- Island landings
- No landing on any island 1 April – 1 August to protect nesting birds.
- Tufa
- Do not climb, sit on or remove tufa; it is fragile and protected.
- Swimming
- Allowed at Navy Beach; no lifeguard, and the water is cold and very buoyant.
- Camping
- No camping inside the reserve; use forest campgrounds or dispersed sites above the lakebed.
- Dogs
- Keep dogs on a lead and out of the water and tufa areas.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Lee Vining motels
The only real town on the shore; many places close in winter, so book ahead in summer.
Near the park
Inyo National Forest campgrounds up SR 120
Lower Lee Vining, Aspen Grove and Big Bend; first-come, no reservations, bear lockers provided.
Near the park
Lundy Canyon Campground
36 sites up Lundy Lake Road, run by Mono County; no drinking water.
Near the park
Dispersed camping above the lakebed
Allowed in most of the scenic area outside the reserve; no facilities.
Safety
Wind and alkali dust medium
Winter driving over the passes high
Cold water and no lifeguard medium
Heat and altitude medium
Accessibility
- The Mono County Park boardwalk and South Tufa's main path are graded and usable with a wheelchair or pushchair.
- The beach at Navy Beach is sand and gravel; no accessible matting.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the paths at South Tufa; the crust around the towers is easily broken.
- Do not feed or approach birds, and keep away from nesting islands in spring.
- Take all rubbish out; there are few bins and the wind moves loose litter into the lake.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mono Lake?
The South Tufa area charges a US$3 per person day-use fee, paid by envelope at the kiosk. Mono County Park and the boardwalk on the north shore are free. A guided kayak tour is the big cost, roughly US$70–105 per person in 2026.
What are the best hikes in Mono Lake?
The South Tufa loop (about 1.6 km, easy) is the one to do. Add the Mono County Park boardwalk for a north-shore view and Panum Crater for a short volcanic climb. There are no long trails in the reserve itself.
When is the best time to visit Mono Lake?
May, June, September and October. Spring and autumn give mild temperatures and stable wind; July and August are hot and dusty by midday. Winter is quiet but SR 120 over Tioga Pass is closed.
Can you swim in Mono Lake?
Yes, at Navy Beach. The water is about twice as salty as the sea, so you float easily, but it is cold, there is no lifeguard, and the salt stings cuts.
Do I need a national park pass for Mono Lake?
No. Mono Lake is a California state reserve, not a national park, so the America the Beautiful pass does not cover the South Tufa fee.
How long do you need at Mono Lake?
Half a day. Two hours covers South Tufa and the boardwalk; add three to four hours if you book a morning kayak tour.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go