The visitor's center is the place to take a break when traveling on Highway 395 between Bishop Ca and Reno LV, or when taking the Eastern approach to Yosemite. It is the place to start when visiting Mono Lake, whether you spend hours exploring the lake and it's surroundings or just stop for a short while. It has lots of... More

A must at Lee Vining. Great staff, facilities, amenities and book store. Well-sign posted, plenty of parking and lovely vistas out over the lake itself. Even if you don't have time to go to South Tufa for the self-guided walk (which we did, and loved), this is a good place to stop and appreciate a unique and beautiful landscape. If... More

If you are driving north on Hwy 395, the visitor's center is 5 miles beyond the turn-off for the Tufas of Mono Lake.

Stop here before you enter town for pamphlets and excellent info!

A stop here will give you all the information the need for the area. The rangers give great directions to anywhere you'd want to go along 395, and will give you a map too.

I love the calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs with the alkaline salt water. Took lots of pictures, learned that Mono Lake is an oasis in the dry Great Basin and a vital habitat for millions of migratory and nesting birds. I enjoyed a brisk swim in Mono Lake and visited June Lake the second day,... More

We visited Mono Lake since we were driving the Yosemite high country. We got some great pictures of the reflections on the lake. You should visit it as part of the trip. The entire trip should take a full day but you can spend thirty minutes here before you head back.

The Mono Lake Visitor Centre is a good 15-20 minute stop to stock up on information about the lake, its trails and areas of visitation as well as to learn about the history and geological formations of the actual lake. The staff were very helpful in explaining where you needed to go to visit the 'Tufa Colums' - the interesting... More

Mono (pronounced like no-no) Lake State Natural Preserve is very ccol. I never knew what tufas were before this visit. We arrived at 9am and had the place to ourselves. Easy stroll from parking lot to the water. Beautiful scenery. A very short distance from the east exit from Yosemite.