Name of area/general location: Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area / South Tufa Fee Area
Land acknowledgment: The Mono Basin Forest Scenic Area and the South Tufa Fee Area are located within the ancestral homelands and traditional territories of the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a and Nüümü (Northern Paiute) Tribes. For more information, you can visit native-land.ca.
Trail/river/climb/ etc. rating and why (easy, moderate, hard): Easy
Trail/river/ etc. mileage (different options if available): The trail is approximately one mile long, making it an easy trail for visitors.
Dogs, horses, mountain bikes, others: Dogs are allowed in most areas apart from the State Natural Reserve boardwalk and the Mono Lake County Park. However, to protect the sensitive wildlife in the area, dogs need to be kept on a leash at all times. Please check in with the visitor center for more information when visiting with pets.
Description of area, sights, wildlife and any key markers on the trail/river/climb etc.
California is renowned for its rich biodiversity and diverse ecosystems, which attract millions of visitors worldwide. Mono Lake is . This place, which Mark Twain once called the “Dead Sea of California”, is brimming with life, both above and below the surface. For one, the lake is a critical stopover for millions of migratory shorebirds, like the Wilson’s and . These birds feed on the brine shrimp and alkali flies that reside in Mono Lake before migrating back home to South America or the Pacific Ocean.
The lake is important habitat for hundreds of other species of birds, including the , so it was designed as part of the Western Hemisphere (WHSRN) and it’s considered an amazing place for bird watching. Fun fact, around 50,000 California Gulls nest in Mono Lake each summer, making it one of the species largest nesting sites in North America. Similarly, an impressive number, between one to two million, of Eared Grebes flock to Mono Lake each year, so bring your binoculars and enjoy the day identifying some of the magnificent birds in the area.
The Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area is part of the Inyo National Forest and was established by Congress in 1984, making it the first National Scenic Area in the United States. It encompasses about 116,000 acres, including the South Tufa Fee Area, of public lands that surround Mono Lake. The Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitor Center, which overlooks Mono Lake, is a great place for sightseers to start their visit. Here, visitors will discover an interpretive trail and various exhibits unveiling the lake’s natural and human history.
The South Tufa Fee Area should be the next stop for visitors interested in exploring Mono Lake. While there is a three-dollar fee for visitors who are 16 and older, it is worth every penny. This area grants visitors access to the lake’s shore through an interpretive trail, which traverses through the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve too. Plus, it’s home to one of the lake’s largest “tufa” ; thus, making it one of the best places to view these unique tower formations. Throughout the year, the Mono Lake Committee hosts free naturalist-guided tours of South Tufa, which are great for all ages. Visitors can choose to learn about the area through a self-guided tour as well.
From here, visitors can either go home or visit any of the other unique destinations that are nearby, like Panum Crater. Swimming is permitted in Mono Lake as well as canoeing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. Note, the lake’s water is 2.5 times saltier than the ocean. Plus, it has a high pH of about 10, so swimming in Mono Lake is an experience like no other. In fact, there are no fish in Mono Lake due to the water’s unusual chemistry, but visitors might spot an abundance of brine shrimp and alkali flies as they walk along the shore. It is estimated four to six trillion brine shrimp inhabit the lake during the summer months, providing food for millions of migratory birds each year. Before you depart, be sure to use a cup to scoop up these brine shrimp and observe them up close. Just make sure to be respectful and return them to the lake after a few minutes.
How to get there:
The Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitor Center is located a mile north of Lee Vining, California. It is on the east side of Highway 395.
Areas to camp nearby:
There are no campgrounds in the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area, or the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, but dispersed camping is permitted in most of the National Scenic Area. Plus, established campgrounds are located nearby in places like Lee Vining, California or other locations in the Inyo National Forest.
More information (AllTrails link, etc.):
South Tufa Loop Trail, California – 672 Reviews, Map | AllTrails
Photo: Mono Lake Committee
