April 22, 2024

As we shift from winter to spring in Mono County, it’s not always clear what roads, activities, and attractions are open or not. Conditions can quickly in the mountains and as such, we will update this blog periodically this spring - so please check back.

Winter 2023-2024 is officially above average for snow water content, per the current conditions reported on April 2nd from the California Department of Water Resource’s automated snow sensors. This is wonderful news for the spring, summer, and fall ahead. The more water the better for fishing, wildflowers, waterfalls, and fall colors. 

Even though we had a very healthy winter (just above average snowfall), we thankfully do not expect any major impacts from snow this spring. We believe most, if not all, lakes will be ice-free in the next few weeks, we are optimistic that many roads will reopen from winter closures late May/early June, and we know many lower elevation hiking trails will be ready to hit very soon. 

Please scroll through for important information regarding visiting Reds Meadow, Devils Postpile, and Yosemite National Park this summer as well as current conditions for roads, lakes, and hiking trails.

For questions and updates on activities not included here, or anything else, please call us at (800) 845-7922 (Monday through Friday 8am-5pm) or email tourism@mono.ca.gov.

Finally, be sure to follow Mono County Tourism on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date conditions and road reopening announcements, too.

Important Changes for Summer 2024

Reds Meadow & Devils Postpile

Reds Meadow Road is being reconstructed to greatly improve public access and traffic safety for all who visit the area.

The road is projected to reopen on Friday, June 7 at 12:00pm (subject to change, depending on weather). The mandatory ESTA Shuttle Bus will still be required to access Reds Meadow and Devils Postpile. 

June 7 through September 15

Friday 9:00am through Sunday 11:00pm: OPEN
Reds Meadow Road will be OPEN Friday mornings at 9:00 AM until Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM with the last ESTA Shuttle Bus, with delays up to 30 minutes possible.
Exception: opening day of June 7, the road will open at 12:00 PM.

Sunday 11:00pm through Friday 9:00am: CLOSED
Reds Meadow Road will be CLOSED 24 hours per day for construction work Sunday at 11:00 PM through Friday morning at 9:00 AM.

Holiday weekends:

Independence Day Weekend: OPEN Wednesday July 3 at 12:00 PM - Sunday July 7 at 7:00 PM
Labor Day Weekend: OPEN Friday August 30 at 9:00 AM - Monday September 2 at 7:00 PM

September 16 through the TBD Winter Closure Date - To Be Announced

For more information on campgrounds, wilderness permits, Reds Meadow Resort and Pack Station, and the TBD schedule starting September 16th, please visit the Inyo National Forest website. 

Yosemite National Park

A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park on some days from April 13 through October 27 between 5:00am and 4:00pm as follows:

  • April 13 through June 30: A reservation is required from 5:00am to 4:00pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and on holidays (May 27 and June 19).
  • July 1 through August 16: A reservation is required from 5:00am to 4:00pm every day.
  • August 17 through October 27: A reservation is required from 5:00am to 4:00pm pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (September 2 and October 14).

Learn more about Yosemite National Park’s Peak Hour Reservation System by visiting https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations.htm

To make a reservation for Yosemite National Park, please visit www.recreation.gov.

June Lake Beach

Starting Friday, April 26, the Inyo National Forest will implement a new day use fee for beach-goers. The $10 per vehicle daily pass and $50 seasonal pass will be available for purchase at the June Lake Kiosk. Learn more by visiting https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/?recid=20560. 

Road Conditions

These are general road conditions; mostly an update for roads that close seasonally with snow. Please always check weather and road conditions before travel to Mono County as things can change quickly.

Caltrans Road Information - check state highway road conditions using the numbers below. 

  • Highway 395: open
  • Highway 270 to Bodie State Historic Park - closed. We are hoping the road to Bodie will reopen by Memorial Day. 
  • Tioga Pass (120 W) (from US 395 to East Entrance of Yosemite National Park): closed. We are hoping Tioga Pass will reopen late May/early June, but there is no projected reopening date set at this time. 
  • Monitor Pass (89): Open
  • Sonora Pass (108): closed. We are hoping Sonora Pass will reopen by Memorial Day, but there is no projected reopening date set at this time. 
  • June Lake Loop (158): Open (fully reopened on 4/9)
  • Highway 167: open (Nevada Road Conditions )
  • Highway 6: open (Nevada Road Conditions)
  • Highway 182: open (Nevada Road Conditions)
  • Highway 120 E (Mono Mills to Benton Crossing Road): Open (reopened  
  • Highway 203 to Minaret Vista: closed.
  • Highway 203 past Mammoth Mountain, and Reds Meadow Road (Minaret Vista to Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow and Rainbow Falls): LIMTIED ACCESS for summer 2024. Projected to open Friday, June 7th. Please check NPS./gov/depo for updates and mandatory shuttle information.
  • Lake Mary Road and roads within the Mammoth Lakes Basin: closed. ​Parking is limited. Please check the ESTA website for FREE Lakes Basin Trolley information.
  • Mono County Road Information: including Benton Crossing Road, Upper and Lower Rock Creek Road, Virginia Lakes Road, Lundy Lake Road, Saddlebag Lake Road, Buckeye Road. 

Lakes & Streams

Regular fishing season starts Saturday, April 27! We are expecting most, if not all, lakes to be ice-free in a few weeks, giving anglers plenty to choose from on opening day. 

Rock Creek Lake & Rock Creek

Crowley Lake

  • Snow and ice-free
  • Lake level is high and most of the shoreline is underwater, which will impact camping this spring. For more information, please visit Crowley Lake Fish Camp’s website.
  •  3/20 video

Convict Lake

  • Ice-free, but snow still surrounding the lake.
  • 3/21 video

Hot Creek

  • Open year-round. Road may be snowy/icy/muddy.

Mammoth Lakes Basin: Lake Mamie, Lake Mary, Lake George, Twin Lakes 

  • Lake Mary Road is currently closed at Twin Lakes.
  • The Town of Mammoth Lakes and Inyo National Forest work together to plow and reopen the road and campgrounds. No projected opening date at this time.
  • It is possible to walk up the road to the lakes. For current conditions, please call the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center. 

June Lake Loop: June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, Grant Lake, Rush Creek

  • We expect all four lakes to be ice-free by April 27th fishing opener.
  • SR 158 is Open. Check road conditions: https://roads.dot.ca.gov

Ellery Lake, Tioga Lake, Saddlebag Lake 

  • Frozen and not yet accessible due to 120 W Tioga Pass winter closure.
  • Yosemite National Park typically starts plowing April 15th, but the road may not be fully reopened until late-May/June. No projected opening date at this time.  

Lundy Lake

Upper & Lower Virginia Lakes

Upper & Lower Twin Lakes – Bridgeport

  • Both lakes are ice-free. 
  • 3/27 Upper Twin video, Lower Twin video
  • Road is open to Mono Village.

Bridgeport Reservoir

  • Ice and snow-free.
  • Lake is very high and up to the Bridgeport Reservoir and Marina at this time.
  • 3/26 video