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Endorheic lake in California
Photo: Matt Frederick at Flickr, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Mono Lake is a massive lake that sits at over 6,000 feet (1,829 m) elevation in the Eastern Sierra region of California, just east of Yosemite National Park. There are no rivers or streams to drain the lake's waters, resulting in high saline (salt) concentrations. The lake is renowned for its scenic beauty, unusual tufa rock formations, and the estimated two million migratory birds that visit each year.
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The state reserve includes areas of the lake with the largest tufa towers. The section of the reserve located below the Mono County Park offers a boardwalk featuring interpretive information.
Offers guided morning kayak tours during the summer leaving from Navy Beach. Call or write in advance to set up a trip.
36 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. No drinking water available. Amenities include restrooms, non-potable water spigots, picnic benches, fire-rings, and bear lockers for food storage. Operated by Mono County.
60 sites available. No reservations. No drinking water available. Amenities include bear lockers for food storage and vault toilets. Operated by Inyo National Forest.
56 sites available. First-come, first-served. Sites can accommodate vehicles up to 40 feet in length. Amenities include drinking water, bear lockers for food storage and vault toilets. Operated by Inyo National Forest.
17 sites in a stand of trees next to the creek in Lee Vining canyon. No reservations. Vehicles up to 30 feet in length can be accommodated. Amenities include drinking water, bear lockers for food storage and vault toilets. Operated by Inyo National Forest.
The primary access to Mono Lake is provided by Highway 395, which runs north and south along the Eastern Sierra.
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Mammoth Lakes · Regional · MMH
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