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Benton, California

The best Trails and Outdoor Activities in Benton, California offer a unique blend of scenic beauty and physical challenge. One of the top trails to explore is the Benton Hot Springs Loop. This 5-mile trail is moderately difficult and rewards hikers with views of the stunning White Mountains and the Owens Valley. Along the trail, you'll encounter unique rock formations and the bubbling Benton Hot Springs, a must-visit attraction. For those seeking more outdoor adventures, the nearby Fish Slough Petroglyphs are a fascinating site of ancient art etched into volcanic rock. Benton, California is a gem for those who appreciate scenic landscapes and the joy of outdoor activities.

Top Spots in and near Benton

  • Dyer, Nevada

    Hike Boundary Peak

    5.0
    10.4 mi / 4000 ft gain
    Boundary Peak received its name because it straddles the border of California and Nevada. While technically in Nevada, just a few hundred feet away lies its taller neighbor Montgomery Peak (13,442') in California. Many people bag both peaks at once, but the rotten rock and unstable trail make Mon...
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  • Benton, California

    Photograph Wild Mustangs in Mono County

    Since these are wild horses, tracking them can be difficult. However, they tend to play and graze in a certain field in Mono County, right outside of Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite! From CA-395 turn onto CA-120 towards Mono Lake. Take this road for 21 miles until you reach Dobie Meadows Road, a one l...
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  • Wild Willy's Hot Spring, United States

    Wild Willy's Hot Spring

    5.0
    Also known as "Crowley Hot Springs", Wild Willey's is located a short drive from Mammoth Lakes. For more information on the hot springs and the public land restoration, check out the BLM's Website. From Mammoth Lakes, head south on the 395 for 3.5 miles until you make a left at Benton Crossing Rd...
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  • Mono County, California

    Explore Crowley Lake Columns

    4.0
    Starting from Mammoth Lakes you head South on Highway 395 until you get to Benton Crossing Rd. (Green Church on the corner) and make a left.From Bishop you head North for about 30-40 miles until you hit Benton Crossing Rd. and make a right.From here, continue West and bending South for close to 2...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Soak in Mammoth's Hilltop Hot Springs

    4.3
    Mammoth’s volcanic valley floor is peppered with these natural steamy tubs with panoramic views of the Eastern Sierra. It’s pretty damn whimsical. My personal favorite is the Hilltop Hot Tub, which is a man-made stone pool fed by a bubbling, steamy creek. According to some corner of the web, it i...
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  • Mono County, California

    Crab Cooker Hot Springs

    Getting There: Take Highway 395 heading toward Benton Crossing Road. Turn onto Benton Crossing and you’ll see an adorable wee green church. Continue two miles down the road. You’ll make a left turn and head down a dirt road. Cell service is scant in this area, so you'll probably want to...
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  • Mono County, California

    Shepherd Hot Springs

    4.0
    Located a short distance from US 395 near Mammoth/Yosemite Airport, Shepherd Hot Spring provides a great opportunity to relax while taking in spectacular views of the Eastern Sierras and surrounding area. After a hard day on the slopes or long day on the trail this hot spring provides a comforta...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Hot Creek Interpretive Trail

    5.0
    0.37 mi / 69 ft gain
    Hot Creek Interpretive Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a hot springs and good for all skill levels located near Mammoth Lakes, California.
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  • Mono County, California

    Hot Creek Geological Site

    4.8
    Hot Creek Geological Site is a must see when you are in the Mammoth Lakes area. It is just West of Highway 395 and only minutes form the town of Mammoth Lakes, which has great food, a ski resort, world class mountain biking, and a brewery. Bishop is about 40 minutes South which is well known for ...
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  • Bishop, California

    Climb White Mountain Peak

    4.3
    14 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Not surprisingly, White Mountain Peak is the apex of the White Mountains, which rise out of the desert floor just north of Death Valley. The White Mountains were aptly named as they are frequently covered in snow.The trailhead starts at 12,000ft and winds it's way over a few hills before the fina...
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  • Mono County, California

    Rock Climbing at Clark Canyon

    5.0
    Good quality volcanic tuff? That may somewhat of a contradiction, but nevertheless, Clark Canyon is indeed one of the best pocketed playgrounds in the Mammoth area.Be advised, however, that it is a little tricky getting there, and in certain spots you may need high clearance (a Prius won't make i...
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  • Bishop, California

    Patriarch Grove Trail

    0.44 mi / 95 ft gain
    Patriarch Grove Trail is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Bishop, California.
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Photograph the Fall Colors of McGee Creek

    5.0
    3 mi / 500 ft gain
    McGee Creek is one of my favorite spots in the Eastern Sierra to photography the fall color. Most people avoid the area because the best views require you to hike and explore but the rewards are worth it. Right close to the parking lot is McGee Creek which is a beautiful creek to photograph offer...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Hike to Steelhead Lake through McGee Creek Canyon

    5.0
    11.5 mi / 2510 ft gain
    Whether you’re looking for a dayhike near Mammoth Lakes, planning a backpacking trip along the JMT, or have a few extra hours to spare on a cross-California road trip, this is an easy and popular trail choice for killer mountain views.I was delighted to discover that this is one of the most easil...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Backpack to Red Slate Mountain

    22 mi / 5600 ft gain
    I would recommend you spend the night in the area to acclimatize, since the trailhead does start at ~8,000ft and you will be hiking up to ~10,500ft at the end of the first day and climbing up to 13,100ft on the second day. One option would be to reserve a spot at the nearby McGee Creek Campground...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Convict Lake

    4.9
    2.46 mi / 56 ft gain
    In 1871, a group of inmates escaped from a prison and were ambushed near the lake by a posse who had tracked them down. The inmates escaped the shoot out after killing two of the men in the posse and the lake now had a name – Convict Lake. You won’t witness a wild west shootout here, but if you ...
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Camping and Lodging in Benton

Tuff Campground
Tuff Campground Road

Tuff Campground

Coldwater Campground
Lake Crowley

Coldwater Campground

Pine Glen
Lake Crowley

Pine Glen

Lake Mary Campground
Lake Crowley

Lake Mary Campground

Aspen Group (Inyo)
Rock Creek Road

Aspen Group (Inyo)

Convict Lake Campground
Mammoth Lakes, California

Convict Lake Campground

Guides, Insights and Stories from Benton

Hot Spring Sunrises, Alpine Lakes, and Fall Colors: Autumn in the Eastern Sierras

Hot Spring Sunrises, Alpine Lakes, and Fall Colors: Autumn in the Eastern Sierras

Benjamin Canevari

Exploring the Desert in Mono County

Exploring the Desert in Mono County

Benjamin Canevari

Tips for Stand Up Paddlers With Dogs

Tips for Stand Up Paddlers With Dogs

Kristen Fuller

Backpacking into the Eastern Sierra: Honeymoon Lake via Piute Pass

Backpacking into the Eastern Sierra: Honeymoon Lake via Piute Pass

Kristen Fuller

An Epic Paddle Boarding Adventure at 9,000 ft. - July at Tioga Lake

An Epic Paddle Boarding Adventure at 9,000 ft. - July at Tioga Lake

Alexandra Graziano

Backpacking the Eastern Sierra's Evolution Loop

Backpacking the Eastern Sierra's Evolution Loop

Kristen Fuller