Mono Lake

Mono Lake is a saline lake located in Eastern California near Lee Vining. It has incredible, surrealistic tufa formations, starkly contrasting the calm blue water. Mono Lake has a fascinating geologic and bioligic history; the area has been molded and shaped by an extreme cycle of evaporation and refilling by snowmelt since a million years ago. Its salty water is two times as salty and 8 times as alkaline as the nearby Pacific Ocean!

Today, the lake provides an essential habitat for millions of brine shrimp and two species of migratory birds. A variety of activities can be enjoyed at Mono Lake such as kayaking, scuba diving, and hiking. Visitors may also explore the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area's Visitor Center, or take leisurely walks around the lake's South Tufa Beach.