Boardwalk Trail

The Boardwalk Trail is a short, flat walk from Mono Lake County Park down through willow marsh to the open shoreline of Mono Lake, threading past tufa towers and reed beds that draw shorebirds by the thousand each spring and fall. As of 2026, the boardwalk is closed — it was destroyed in the May 2025 Inn Fire and California State Parks is still working with the Mono Lake Committee on rebuilding it, so check current status before you plan a visit around it.

What the trail normally offers

In a typical year, this is an easy out-and-back of about 0.7 miles round trip, mostly on raised boardwalk over marsh grass and reeds, ending at open-water views of the tufa formations offshore. It's one of the easiest access points on the lake for birding — California gulls, phalaropes, and other migratory shorebirds feed in the shallows here.

Good to know

• Access is via Cemetery Road, off Highway 395 north of Lee Vining, through Mono Lake County Park.
• The boardwalk sits inside Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve — dogs aren't permitted past the county park lawn.
• No shade along the boardwalk in normal operation; sun exposure is significant even on a short walk.
• The county park's lawn, picnic area, and restrooms remain open even while the boardwalk is closed.

Current status

The boardwalk was burned in the Inn Fire and needs to be rebuilt before it reopens. There's no confirmed reopening date — check with the Mono Lake Committee or California State Parks before visiting if this trail is the reason for your trip.