Places to Go

Yosemite National Park

You'll never forget the alpine scenery along the Scenic Byway from Lee Vining to Yosemite National Park. In only twelve miles, Hwy 120 climbs to Tioga Pass at almost 10,000 feet, then winds past lakes, meadows, and forests to Yosemite Valley. Trout-filled lakes and streams abound. Spend a few days exploring the Mono Basin before traveling into the park. Hwy 120 is usually open from late spring through late fall.

Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve

"Frost and fire working together in the making of beauty," is how John Muir described the Mono Basin. You too will be entranced by the strange but delicate tufa towers, spacious vistas, broad sandy beaches, and flocks of birds. Swimming in the dense, salty water is a delightfully bouyant experience. The best spots to visit are South Tufa and Mono Lake County Park. The State Reserve, US Forest Service, and Mono Lake Committee offer free public tours daily throughout the summer.

Bodie Ghost Town

Bodie is real wild west. In the 1870s it boasted 10,000 people, three breweries, and dozens of saloons and dance halls. There was more gambling, drinking, and shooting than any other mining camp. Those lawless days come alive as you wander through its deserted buildings. Bodie is considered to be the best, and most well-preserved, historic ghost town in the country just 45 minutes from Lee Vining.

The Mono Basin Scenic Area is full of geological wonders, and these spectacular young volcanoes look ready to erupt at any moment. The craters range in age from 600 to 40,000 years old. Panum Crater, on the south shore of Mono Lake, is easily accessible by car.

Things to Do

Winter Fun!

Make Lee Vining your headquarters for skiing, snowmobiling, ice climbing, and winter recreation. The region is a cross-country skier's paradise. Nearby June Mountain's downhill runs delight novice and expert alike. Winter rates are lower than those at other ski resorts. Most highways, with the exception of 120 and 108, are open year round.

Birdwatching!

A major stopover on the pacific flyway, Mono Lake hosts over 98 species of water birds and hosts the annual Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua every June. The diversity of habitats in the surrounding area creates a wide range of birding opportunities. Visit us in the summer and fall for the best birdwatching.

Vibrant Fall Colors

The Lee Vining area is spectacular in autumn. The crowds are light and the air is crisp and clean. In October the aspens are dressed in fiery golds and reds. It's worth a special trip ... every autumn.

Photography

For photographers of all skill levels the varied and scenic beauty of the Mono Basin offers endless opportunities. The Lee Vining region has everything from glacier-clad mountains and aspen-lined streams to ghost towns and tufa towers.

Idyllic Camping

You'll never find campsites more beautiful than those in Lee Vining and Lundy Canyons and along the June Lake Loop. Numerous campgrounds are maintained by the Forest Service and Mono County.

Great Fishing

Try your luck along Lee Vining, Rush, or Mill creeks, or at Ellery, Tioga, Saddlebag or Lundy lakes. Wherever you go, you'll find scores of lakes and streams stocked with trout. Lee Vining shops have bait, tackle ... and the latest information on where the fish are biting.