mono basin scenic area visitor center

Great exhibits, excellent movies and great views of Mono Lake. You can learn about its history, present and future.

The Mono Visitor Center is a great way to learn about the geological history of the surrounding basin. It is located just to the north of Lee Vining and the Highway 120 intersection on Highway 395. Make sure you take in the 20 minute movie "Fire & Ice". It tells the story of the geological formation of the lake and the people who inhabited the area. It is well done and there is no charge. The walk through exhibits are also well done. The bookstore has plenty of material on the history of the basin from Owens Valley to the Mono Basin. Well worth the time to stop by. Plenty of parking for cars and motorhomes. While there take in the tufa towers. A short ride south on 395 to the turnoff.

This is an exceptionally well done Visitor Center, which not only does a great job of informing you about Mono Lake, but also about ecology in general. It is appropriate for both very young children (several hands-on exhibits) and adults. There is a small but excellent gift shop, and the volunteer working there was quite helpful in terms of giving information about the area. The lake is beautiful, in a different sort of way. Save time to hike a bit if it isn't too hot, and definitely visit South Tufa, about 5 miles away. You can walk out to the tufas (1/2 mile) and really get a feel for what they are. Parking is easy at both sites. South Tufa does require a recreation pass (America Pass works).

Mono lake is just beautiful in the fall. Stopped here will visiting Yosemite area. It was educational and very calming visitt

If you are around you have to visit the lake. Beautiful nature worth a visit/hike in the afternoon/sunset

Very informative but as often the case far too much to read -would have preferred an audio tour (yes I can read but I can read but I prefer to listen or watch).Great views of the lake. Easy parking.

This is a really swell visitor center. Its been here awhile but looks brand new. The displays are kind of Disneylandish. The bookstore has a large selection of all books and publications about the whole Sierra region. Not just Mono Lake. I think the rangers are a bit burned out with us tourists by the end of Sept. They did not look friendly or welcoming. I guess they've heard all the typical questions a million times this summer....We especially love the 3 mile hike right off the back deck. It goes down to Lee Vining Creek, along the banks, and winds up in the middle of town. It's well marked and easy to follow. Hopefully the weather will be cooler when you hike it, as it is semi-desert like in places.( it was in the 70's for us. Quite pleasant )...We always stop for the excellent information at the visitor center when in the area. And discover new places to explore..

A tip if you are ever travelling the SLT to Yosemite route is to fill up at the gas station in Gardnerville which is in Nevada and is much cheaper than Lake Tahoe. From Gardnerville, the drive is through farming land. We continued to Mono Lake for a brief stop and photo shoot. It is a large, shallow, saline soda lake formed over 760,000 years ago and, as there is no outlet, the salts accumulate in the lake. Mono Lake has an unusually reproductive amount of brine shrimp in its' healthy ecosystem and provides nesting habitat for over two million migrating birds annually. You have to stay on the boardwalk and you can see the salt formations on land and in the lake. It was a nice break to stretch the legs and there was a building with a public toilet. We were not actually at the Visitor's Centre area of Mono Lakes but rather just at a stop slightly off the main road.

Mono Lake is magnificent on it's own but a visit to the visitor will round out your appreciation of the area. Displays interpret the unique ecosystem, geology, and conservation of this interesting area. Make sure to head out on the back deck for some great views of the lake.

It's OK, even if the Ranger looked very annoyed with everything: him having to be there, us, asking questions, the whole shebang, you know... They will give you maps and answer your questions about the Lake. They will even give you info about Yosemite.

The various rangers do an excellent job of dispensing information and giving novices guidance on the things to do in the area. The displays are excellent and is a stop not to be missed especially if you are a first time visitor to the area.

The center building is surrounded by an extensive network of trails beside and down to the lake. Some are wheelchair accessible. The building itself includes a variety of informative exhibits, a gift shop with a wide selection of maps, books, and of course tshotchkes, and the rest rooms (at the one I visited) were large and clean.

The Mono Lake Visitors Center is top notch! You will learn a great deal of history about the lake and why it is in its current predicament. The displays are really updated and interactive. We had a 7 year old to a 79 in our group and it was great for all. If in the area, its a must visit!!

Mono Lake Visitor Center is a nice place to stop to learn more about the lake when visiting the area. We have stopped there and seen the center's film Of Ice and Fire: A Portrait of the Mono Basin. It is a 20 minute film and is excellent on the lake and area.Do check the days Mono Lake Visitor Center are open and hours when visiting the area as some days it might be closed.This is one of several places to get a good photo of the lake.

I stopped the morning after photographing the Full Moon of October over Mono Lake. This might have been a better vantage point.