Mono County, California
Mono County, California is the perfect destination for outdoor adventures. With its rugged terrain, beautiful lakes, and stunning mountain views, there are plenty of top attractions and activities to explore. From hiking and camping to fishing and mountain biking, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Popular attractions in the area include the June Lake Loop, Bodie State Historic Park, and Mono Lake. For a scenic view, head to the Mammoth Mountain Ski area or the Tioga Pass. For a more adventurous experience, check out the Rush Creek Trail or the Mono Pass Trail. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or an adrenaline-filled adventure, Mono County has something for everyone.
Top Spots in and near Mono County
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YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Fletcher Lake and Vogelsang Peak
19.03 mi / 2887 ft gainBefore you head out for the trip, you’ll need to get a wilderness permit. You can get one online from the Yosemite website or pick one up at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center or from the Wilderness Center in Yosemite Valley. Go to Yosemite and take Highway 120 up to Tuolumne Meadows. You ca...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Tuolumne Meadows
5.0Tuolumne Meadows at an elevation of 8,619 feet exemplifies the high country of the Sierra Nevada, with its sweeping sub-alpine meadows, granite domes, summer wildflowers and meandering rivers. When the forest opens up park along the side of the road and find a trail. There are also plenty of ne...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Camp at Tuolumne Meadows Campground
5.0Tuolumne Meadows is on Tioga road northeast of Yosemite Valley, at elevation 8,600 feet. Sites are available July-September at $26. Dogs are allowed but be sure to pack the leash! More info: https://www.nps.gov/yose/plany...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Backpack to Nelson Lake
17 mi / 1000 ft gainHead to any Yosemite wilderness station for a map, bear canister, and permit for Nelson Lake. The trail itself starts in the Tuolumne Campground at Elizabeth Lake trailhead. Follow the trail 2.2 miles up to Elizabeth Lake and remember the lake itself is in a no-camping zone, so you must continue ...Read more -
Crowley Lake, California
Emerald Lake
4.01.76 mi / 417 ft gainEmerald lake is a relatively short 1.7 mile out-and-back hike. There is ample parking at the parking lot and trailhead. There is also overflow parking at the upper lot for Duck Lake and Skelton Lake. The trail has a decent amount of uphill, but you should arrive shortly (<30 mins) at your de...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Heart Lake
5.02.11 mi / 492 ft gainYou will see a couple of trailheads starting by parking at the Coldwater Creek Campground parking lot. This one is specifically marked Heart Lake. There will be a couple of forks in the trail, but if you stay right and on the more obvious path, you will be up to Heart Lake in no time. (Going left...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Duck Lake via Duck Pass Trail
4.89.29 mi / 1880 ft gainThe Duck Pass trail in the John Muir Wilderness combines breathtaking views, wildflowers and plenty of icy mountain lakes for swimming into a trail that is moderate in both difficulty and distance. With multiple lakes along the way to pitch your tent and plenty of day hike options from a base cam...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Arrowhead Lake
5.02.25 mi / 538 ft gainIf you make your way to the Goldwater Campground there is plenty of parking. The trailhead you take leads to many lakes but the Duck Pass trailhead is the on you want to take. This is a easy trail to follow and walk with very little obstacles. You follow it along for around a mile and you won't ...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Pika Lake via Duck Pass Trail
5.09.41 mi / 1880 ft gainAs many of the other hikes start in this area, you start at the Goldwater Creek Campground where there is plenty of parking and restrooms. You will take the Duck Pass Trailhead for this hike. • I wanted to point out that this is not the easiest hike to do as a day hike. Many people do overnighte...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Skelton Lake Trail
5.03.2 mi / 804 ft gainThe hike to Skelton Lake in Mammoth Lakes, CA starts off at the Duck Lake Pass trailhead just past Lake Mary. The hike starts off with quite a few switchbacks as you climb through the John Muir Wilderness. About one mile up the trail, you'll see an option to veer off to Arrowhead Lake. Continue o...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Boothe Lake
5.016.83 mi / 1854 ft gainStarting at the Tuolomne Meadows Visitor Center you will head south to jump on the John Muir Trail, move east for 2.8 miles on the JMT until the trail intersects with the Vogelsang High Sierra trailhead, you head south when you reach this trail. Once you hit the Vogelsang trail you are 5.5 miles ...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Convict Lake Loop
4.92.46 mi / 56 ft gainIn 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 ...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Tulomne Meadows to Donohue Pass via JMT
5.027.56 mi / 2953 ft gainDonohue Pass lies on the border of Yosemite National Park and the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Both the John Muir Trail (JMT) and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) route through this pass at 11,056 ft. A challenging but beautiful hike that starts from Tuolumne Meadows and follows the JMT for 12.5 miles t...Read more -
Mono County, California
Fishing at Convict Lake
4.3Many people come to Convict lake for the fishing. Convict is located only 2 miles off the main highway in the Eastern Sierras. The lake is clear and pristine with beautiful views. There are various ways to fish here; some rent out boats or bring their own and cruise around the lake fishing. O...Read more -
Mono County, California
Summit Mount Baldwin (12,614')
15 mi / 5000 ft gainDirections The hike for Mount Baldwin starts at the Convict Lake trailhead. The turn off for Convict lake is about 4.5 miles south of the Mammoth Lakes exit along the 395 and roughly 35 miles North of Bishop, CA. Take this exit and follow the road West towards the mountains. Turn right at the ...Read more -
Wawona, California
Cathedral Lakes
4.89.04 mi / 1581 ft gainStarting at the Cathedral Lakes Trailhead near the Tuolumne Meadows parking lot (if parking is full at the TH), this trail wanders through the classic High Sierra forest with large white granite boulders and pine trees. After approximately 4 miles of quiet solitude in the forest, you will reach ...Read more
