Mono Lake Trail (Old Marina)

About

The Mono Lake Trail starts at the Old Marina parking area, about one mile north of Lee Vining off Highway 395, and gives you the easiest close-up look at Mono Lake's tufa towers on the north shore. It's an out-and-back route, 0.75 mile each way, split between a boardwalk through the wetland and a short spur up a low hillside for a wider view.

What you'll walk

The first stretch, 0.33 mile, follows the David Gaines Memorial Boardwalk across the marsh to the shoreline, putting you within a few feet of the tufa formations and the birds feeding among them. From there, a 0.42-mile spur climbs the adjacent hillside for a higher vantage over the lake and its islands. Surfaces are aggregate and wood, grades mostly under 5%, and the whole route is built to ADA standards — one of the few fully accessible trail experiences at Mono Lake.

Birding and tufa

Mono Lake hosts an estimated 1-2 million birds annually, and this wetland is one of the better spots on the lake to see them up close.
Tufa towers form where freshwater springs meet the lake's alkaline water; the boardwalk keeps you on solid footing while you look at them.

A day-use parking area, accessible picnic table, and restroom sit right at the trailhead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Mono Lake Trail at Old Marina?

It's an out-and-back route totaling 0.75 mile each way — a 0.33-mile boardwalk through the wetland plus a 0.42-mile spur up the adjacent hillside. Most visitors cover the whole thing in under an hour.

Is the trail wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Both the boardwalk and the hillside spur are built to ADA standards, with aggregate and wood surfaces and grades mostly under 5%.

Is there a fee to visit Old Marina?

Old Marina sits within Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, which charges day-use parking fees; check current rates with the reserve before you go.