[2025 Mono County Attraction] Travel Guide for Mono Lake (Updated May)

During my summer trip through California’s Eastern Sierra Route, I had the chance to visit the extraordinary Mono Lake 🌊, one of the most iconic spots in the area! This lake, located near the Sierra Nevada, is a must-see on any California itinerary. The lake is famous for its eerie, otherworldly tufa formations—towering limestone pillars created by ancient underwater springs. These natural wonders make it a photographer’s paradise 📸! The great thing about Mono Lake is that it’s also free to visit! There’s a beautiful spot to enjoy the view of the tufa and the lake itself, and while it's a popular spot, it never feels overwhelmingly crowded.🗻 On top of that, the surrounding landscape is truly peaceful, making it the perfect place for a relaxing day. Whether you're into photography, hiking, or simply taking in the views, this place is a must on any California road trip! 🌄 #celebrateit

Mono Lake is located in the northeastern part of California, USA. It is located relatively close to Yosemite National Park. Mono Lake is said to have originated about 3 million years ago, and is known as the oldest ancient lake in North America. The water in this lake has a salinity about three times that of seawater, and carbon dioxide gas erupting from underground has formed a pure white rock forest called "TOFA". It is a mysterious sight in itself, but the moment of the sunset during the magic hour is simply other-dimensional, and you can enjoy the sight of being lost in another world. Some fans have been talking about this scenery as it resembles a flashback scene of Nagisa Kaworu, who appears in Neon Genesis Evangelion. It is a beautiful and mysterious scenic spot in California. By the way, be careful because places with extremely high salinity often smell so bad that it will make your nose curl. #tripoverseastravel #america #usa #spectacularview #animeholyland

It's time for the annual autumn viewing~ In addition to the famous Highway 1, California also has State Route 395, where you can immerse yourself in the autumn scenery. Driving along the highway is like being in a beautiful painting. ⏰Best time: October to early November. Due to the large altitude difference and the lakes scattered in the mountains, the autumn viewing time on California State Route 395 can last for more than a month. Check-in at attractions along the way📷 Around Bishop Town Departing from Los Angeles and driving north along State Route 395, you will first pass through the beautiful Bishop Town. The scenery along the way is beautiful~ There are two routes to play: ①Towards South Lake: The scenery along the way is super beautiful, Aspen is very dense, there are waterfalls and streams, and many people stop in the middle of the road to take pictures. ②Towards Lake Sabrinae: You can rent a boat for fishing, which is very leisurely. It is very close to SouthLake and has a small area, so you can take a look along the way. There are many large and small lakes around Mammoth Lakes, and a few are recommended below👇 Convict Lake: The hillside next to the lake is decorated with golden poplar leaves in autumn, contrasting with the blue lake. You can fish, hike and picnic June lake: The most popular autumn viewing spot, there are waterfalls and four different lakes. The eyes are full of golden leaves, and walking is very friendly to children and the elderly Mono Lake: A natural alkaline salt lake, the peculiar limestone towers by the lake are particularly spectacular in the sunset. McGee Creek: This sparsely populated autumn trail, the white poplar forest all the way is like a golden river flowing into the valley, very suitable for hiking 🏘️Hotel recommendation: Mammoth Mountain Inn, very close to these attractions, the cost performance is relatively high in the whole town, and the service is also very good

#freehotelstay

Mono Lake Upon arriving in the evening, we first enjoyed the peculiar tufa limestone columns of Mono Lake. However, the sunset view was not ideal when the sun went down. So we decided to wake up early the next day to watch the sunrise, hoping for a beautiful morning glow. Before going to bed at night, I set the alarm clock for 5 o'clock. But maybe because of something on my mind, both of us woke up before 4 o'clock. I pulled back the curtains and looked outside. Although it was still dark, the eastern sky had already turned a faint white. The surface of Mono Lake not far away reflected a bright white light like a mirror. So I said to my wife, "Let's get up quickly. The geographical location here is further north and east than our home. Maybe the sunrise here will be very early."

Monolake Mono Lake has a great view, the lake is very large, the entrance fee for the scenic spot is $3 per person, cash only, no change given, please prepare exact change. There is a payment guide at the entrance after getting off the car. For taking photos on the 1.6 miles trail inside the entrance, choose a sunny day with blue sky and white clouds for better photo effects. This area strictly prohibits flying unmanned aerial vehicles. Parking lot address: Parking lot Test Station Rd, Lee Vining, CA 93541 The first picture is the point of South Tufa Area. If you have more time, you can take a look around the lake.