Never heard of Lee Vining? I hadn’t either before we set out to explore all aspects of the Eastern Sierras! This summer, we were fortunate to discover so many cool aspects of this relatively small, high elevation mountain town. It’s only 30 minutes north of Mammoth Lakes and 30 minutes south of Bridgeport, making it a worthwhile stop as you explore along the scenic Hwy 395.
Why Lee Vining Should Be on Your Road Trip Radar
Known as the gateway to Yosemite National Park and the home of Mono Lake, Lee Vining is a great base camp for outdoor lovers. If you love hiking, you’ll be hard pressed to find as many great trails as there are here. A fan of geological wonders? There’s no shortage of epic views that are unlike anywhere else in California. There’s also lots of local fishing options, as well as scenic drives for road trip lovers.
When to Visit Lee Vining
In the winter, there’s not much happening here as Tioga Pass (120) is closed, though it would make for a beautiful winter wonderland drive through the area. Once spring turns to summer, tourism picks up with the temperatures. The best time to visit in Lee Vining is from May until October, when you will have a pleasant temperature and limited rainfall.
Fun Things to Do in Lee Vining
Explore Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve
When in Lee Vining, make some time to explore Mono Lake, a million-year-old saline lake that covers over 70 square miles. It’s here that you’ll discover the tufa towers, scenic limestone formations, up close within this unique ecosystem.
While the tufa are really cool to see, the story why these geological wonders are exposed is not cool. Mono Lake levels fell after the City of Los Angeles bought the land and diverted water from the freshwater streams so much that it threatened this precious habitat. You see, millions of birds stop here as they migrate from Alaska to South America every year! And this environmental atrocity also exposed the once-underwater tufa. Once above the waterline, tufa can no longer grow and are susceptible to erosion.
Make sure to stop into the Visitor’s Center to learn more about this area. If you have kiddos, don’t forget to ask for a junior ranger book! See below for our recommended hiking trails near Mono Lake.
Visit Yosemite’s East Side
You cannot beat the proximity of Lee Vining to Yosemite National Park. The eastern side of this popular park is absolutely breathtaking. The drive alone will leave you in awe! (Keep in mind that Tioga Pass is closed during the winter season.) There are so many incredible hiking trails in Yosemite to satisfy your sense of adventure. For all of our recommendations on Yosemite, check out our posts on the best sights as well as our favorite family-friend hikes!
Take a Drive to Bridgeport
Just a short drive north of Lee Vining is the adorable small town of Bridgeport. There are fantastic hiking trails here, as well as hot springs and Bodie State Historic Park. Here’s our full blog post with more details on these natural attractions and more!
Mono Lake Scenic Vista Point
As you’re heading into Lee Vining from north, or heading south after a Bridgeport visit, make sure to stop at the Mono Lake Scenic View Point. It’s at the top of Conway Summit — 1,000-plus feet above Mono Lake! On a clear day, you can capture an excellent view of Mono Lake, Lee Vining and the Eastern Sierras below.
The Best Hiking Trails Nearby
Twenty Lakes Basin Loop Trail
Distance: 7.8 miles (loop) | Elevation Change: 1,096 feet
You will be hard pressed to find any better trail in the Eastern Sierras than this one. We backpacked two nights here this past summer, and fell in love with the epic scenery. It’s literally lake after lake on this trail, so make sure to charge your phone or camera to capture the most amazing photos. This is one trail I will hike every single time we come back!
Bennettville
Distance: 3 miles (out & back) | Elevation Change: 298 feet
Want to hike near Yosemite without needing a reservation? Check out Bennettville, a 3-mile trail that takes you by several lakes, creek crossings, a waterfall and an abandoned mining town! It’s off of Highway 120 near Tioga Lake, and is perfect for young kids. Just don’t forget the mosquito repellent! ?
Black Point Fissures Trail
Distance: 2.5 miles (out & back) | Elevation Change: 548 feet
Hiking uphill, in the sand, without a formal trail? Sure, why not — especially for the grand views of Mono Lake, Mono Valley and the Sierra Nevada to the west!
Black Point was once an underwater volcano that erupted under Mono Lake about 13,000 years ago. It’s now a low, rounded cone of ash and welded ash (tuff) about 500′ high. Although it was a challenge to get to, especially with the kids, we had a lot of fun exploring this very unique landscape!
After hiking to the top of Black Point, we were able to see the main geological attraction — the Black Point fissures!
Near Mono Lake, Black Point is a small volcanic hill that looks quite unremarkable from a distance. But once you’re on top, you can spot several deep, narrow fissures hidden beneath. These fissures are just like small slot canyons! We had a blast exploring, climbing and playing in this unique place.
If you plan on going here, bring lots of water and avoid the heat. Even though this hike is only 1.8 miles on All Trails it is designated as hard and can take up to 3 hours round-trip. Be safe out there!
South Tufa Loop Trail
Distance: 0.8 mile (loop) | Elevation Change: 29 feet
The Mono Lake is a short, family-friendly trail that delivers on cool views as well as an important history lesson for wildschool. If you visit here, make sure you leave no trace so others can enjoy these fragile formations!
Mono Lake Boardwalk
Distance: 0.7 mile (out & back) | Elevation Change: 9 feet
This is a quick and easy stroll along a boardwalk with views of Mono Lake. At the end of the boardwalk, if you are willing to get a little wet and muddy, you can walk to the water’s edge. This trail also connects with other hiking trails that will bring you to the Mono Lake Visitor Center. For optimal views, check it out at sunrise. FYI, there is a $3 parking fee.
Mono Lake Viewpoint
Distance: 2.7 miles (out & back) | Elevation Change: 334 feet
This is a paved path that takes you from the Visitor’s Center down to the edge of Mono Lake, or vice versa. There are spectacular views of the lake, as well as many trail signs to learn more about the area.
Mono Lake Park Nature Trail
Distance: 0.5 mile (out & back) | Elevation Change: 42 feet
This is a super short interpretive trail from the park to the north shore of Mono Lake. Beautiful views with plenty of wildlife make this a relaxing easily accessed area for all ages. The trail includes several signs to help you identify various birds. Bring your binoculars! There is also a really nice, shady park with facilities at the beginning of the trail.
Lundy Canyon Trail
Distance: 5.9 miles (out & back) | Elevation Change: 2,093 feet
When people talk about hikes in this area, more often than not they mention Lundy Canyon… but most people forget to stop here and check out this area. It offers a stunning array of wildflowers in the early Summer, as well as colorful autumn tones that are unmatched in the Fall. Lundy Lake itself is 100 acres, with the area being a great place to get away from the crowds. This short but challenging hike will take you directly into the Hoover Wilderness, where you’ll enjoy a waterfall, a beaver pond and beautiful meadows.
Where to Eat
Latte Da Cafe
It took me months to eventually stop here on one of my many drives through Lee Vining, and I’m mad at myself for waiting so long! Their coffee is fantastic, and they have delicious baked goods (gluten-free options!) and breakfast sandwiches. Don’t be like me. Go here and enjoy their amazing food!
Mono Cone
This was a favorite stop for us after hiking in the Eastern Sierras. The soft-serve ice cream cones at Mono Cone are sooooooo good! They also serve burgers, fries and other American staples. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself while in the area!
Whoa Nellie Deli
This is a popular stop for Yosemite visitors, and for good reason. Whoa Nellie Deli has a wide variety of menu items, including burgers, pizza, sandwiches and tacos. You can also fill up gas here or stop to refuel on snacks and waters before heading into the park.
Where to Stay in Lee Vining
We’ve always camped up in Bridgeport at Paradise Shores or boondock in the national forest. There are a few other options if you want to be in town.
El Mono Motel
This quaint little spot is connected to Latte Da Cafe, which is a big bonus in my eyes! The rooms are reasonably priced and have solid reviews on TripAdvisor. The rooms are clean, simple, and has everything that you need to get a hot shower and restful night’s sleep.
Local Campgrounds
There are so many camping options near Lee Vining that it would literally make this post super long! Plus, Mono County Tourism has a great website with everything you need to know. Check it out!
Summary
As you can see, there is no shortage of fun things to do in Lee Vining! If you plan on making a road trip this way, make sure to extend your stay to include Bridgeport, June Lake and Mammoth Lakes.This entire region makes for an epic summer vacay!
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