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Mono Lake

US 395, CA
760 647 6595
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Ranked #182 of 4,149 attractions in California
Type: Bodies of Water
Activities: Viewing wildlife, Walking, Birdwatching
138 visitor photos
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238 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
San Marcos, TX
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 May 2013 NEW

I had a difficult time rating this. I wish I could give it a 3.5, because it is certainly not average, and on a normal day, I would have rated checking out the Tufas on Mono Lake as an exceptional experience. Unfortunately, I was talked into cutting out a half-day hike in Tuolumne Meadows, when I originally planned to stop... More

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Bodfish, California, United States
Top Contributor
61 reviews 61 reviews
20 attraction reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
23 helpful votes 23 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2013 NEW

Be sure to start out at the Visitor Center so you have an idea of the history and formation of the Lake. They have some helpful and very informed staff to talk with. Make sure you watch the 20 minute movie "Of Ice & Fire" - well worth the time! You'll have a great view of the Lake on the... More

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Hawthorne, Nevada
Senior Contributor
38 reviews 38 reviews
18 attraction reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2013 NEW

There is a nice hike at the south lake tufa - daily fee may be required. On the north side is Mono County Park with a nice boardwalk and flush facilities and no charge. There is a great picnic area and a small creek flowing into the lake here.

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New York City, New York
Top Contributor
70 reviews 70 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 38 cities Reviews in 38 cities
84 helpful votes 84 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2013

Cruised over the Tioga Pass to the Eastern Sierra's. Had to see Mono Lake. Spent about 2 hours hiking the shoreline, checking out the Tufas. The place just seems a little alien. It's a must stop. Get here for sunset as the lighting from the lake changes at the light disappears. What I found so interesting was that so many... More

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Wildomar, CA
Senior Contributor
49 reviews 49 reviews
21 attraction reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
38 helpful votes 38 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 May 2013

Mono lake is an interesting microcosm with a whole lot of history.If you're just passing through, try to make a stop. The visitors center is full of fun things to see and it doesn't take a lot of time. Also, it's free! There's also a nice gift shop with a great collection of books.

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Portland, Oregon
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2013

When ever driving back to Bishop, this is a stop. The Tuffa columns are always interesting, and a great subject for photographs. Best early morning or last light.

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North Fork, California
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 April 2013

I was really surprised, not knowing exactly what to expect at Mono Lake. Several friends got together and went over. First I was in awe of the tufa spires, tall monuments created by the minerals of the lake over the centuries. The second thing that blew me away, was this "moving" black band at the edge of the water, which... More

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California
Top Contributor
119 reviews 119 reviews
35 attraction reviews
Reviews in 59 cities Reviews in 59 cities
78 helpful votes 78 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2013

I've driven by Mono Lake many times. It's always a beautiful sight, but this time it was amazing. I've never seen it that shade of blue before. Then add the snow covered mountains ringing the lake in the distance and you have an unforgettable view.

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Derby
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
12 attraction reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2013

We were skiing in Mammoth at the end of March and decided this would be a good destination for a trip out. It was easy to find the visitor centre but I can't comment on how good it was because it is closed on a Tuesday when we went. I can't recall seeing that in the literature before we went... More

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Forest Hill, MD
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 April 2013

Went to Mono Lake for sunrise photography of the tufas, but found many people had beat us there though it was still dark. I was still able to get some good shots, but found it hard to move around without getting into someone else's composition. Even came across one guy yelling at another for walking through his time-lapse series. Not... More

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