Lee Vining Creek Community

The Lee Vining Creek Trail is an easy, well-marked community walk that follows its namesake creek from the edge of town down toward the Mono Basin Visitor Center, trading zero real elevation gain for creekside shade, interpretive signage, and open views toward Mono Lake.

What to expect

The route runs about 2.2 miles round trip with roughly 200 feet of elevation change, descending through sagebrush scrub before settling alongside Lee Vining Creek and following the water upstream toward the north end of town. Informational signs along the path explain the creek's restoration history, and there are resting spots where you can just sit with the water for a while. Wildflowers line the banks in spring and summer; late summer through early winter tends to bring the clearest views and the most comfortable walking temperatures.

Good to know

• Trailhead access is near the Mono Basin Visitor Center on US-395 in Lee Vining — visitor center staff can point you to current parking.
• Rated easy, this is a solid stretch-your-legs stop before or after a longer day on the Tioga Pass corridor or around Mono Lake.