How to Visit the Mono Lake – South Tufa Area

When you travel to the Mammoth Lakes region, a visit to the Mono Lake – South Tufa Area becomes an almost inevitable side trip.

^{Last updated: February 19, 2025}

A Quick Guide to Traveling to the Mono Lake – South Tufa Area

Located roughly one hour away from Mammoth Mountain, the finest ski resort in California, Mono Lake is a spectacular sight on its own. Curiously-shaped tufa towers that reside at the south edge of the lake attract thousands of visitors every year.

I’d dreamed of visiting the South Tufa Area of Mono Lake for years. Somehow, this trip was always getting postponed. The place was either a long detour or off our travel route altogether. During our California road trip a few weeks ago, we made sure to swing by the Mono Lake – South Tufa Area. No excuses were allowed or accepted.

Visiting Mono Lake – South Tufa Area: Direction

Set about thirty miles north of Mammoth Lakes, the Mono Lake – South Tufa Area is a quick trip along US-395 N. After passing June Lake Junction, be on the lookout for a right turn onto Picnic Grounds Road. Make sure not to miss it like we did while heading to the Mono Lake – South Tufa Area for the first time. Driving farther down US-395 N takes you to Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center.

Know before Visiting: A small parking lot is located near the Mono Lake – South Tufa area. Although unstaffed, the parking is not free. You pay approximately $3.00, so make sure to have cash. Cards are not accepted here.

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Mono Lake

Interesting Facts: Formed no less than 760,000 years ago, Mono Lake is a saline soda lake in Mono County. Its water that never flows to the ocean periodically evaporates leaving dissolved salt and other minerals behind. These minerals make Mono Lake 2.5 times saltier than the ocean and 100 times as alkaline. The only other lake in the USA with similar behavior is the Great Salt Lake in Utah.

Things to Do at Mono Lake: Apart from enjoying the unique sites and ecosystem, you can make your heart pump while visiting Mono Lake. The lake provides numerous opportunities for boating, swimming, hiking and climbing the nearby mountains. On top of that, the area offers various self-guided and guided tours for different ages and activity levels.

The Mono Lake – South Tufa Area

The Mono Lake – South Tufa area is the main attraction of the lake. The place is breathtaking, especially at sunset, when the golden glow envelopes the tufa towers.

Resembling big rocks, the tufa formations are in essence limestone pillars composed of calcium carbonate. The pillars are formed when underwater springs that are rich in calcium mix with the water of the lake. Indeed, you may not notice or feel it, but the area right near the salt formations has many underwater springs.

TIP: The tufa towers are fragile. So, climbing on top of them is prohibited. Collecting small pieces of the tufa “rocks” is also not allowed. But you’re more than welcome to walk around and enjoy these natural wonders and their pristine surroundings.