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Navy Beach Trail
The easiest put-in on Mono Lake's south shore, with tufa towers just up the beach
About
Navy Beach sits on Mono Lake's south shore just east of the South Tufa Area, reached via a dirt road (Forest Service Road 1N52) off Highway 120 East from Lee Vining. It's less a hiking destination than the lake's easiest access point for kayaks and canoes, and a flat, easy walk connects it to the tufa towers next door.
Getting There
Turn off US 395 onto Highway 120 East, drive a few miles, then follow the signed dirt road turnoff toward South Tufa, staying right at the fork to reach the Navy Beach parking area. Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve charges an entrance fee, so expect to pay to park here.
What to Do There
- Launch a kayak or canoe — this is the most-used put-in on the lake
- Walk the short, flat connector trail (about 2.3 miles round trip if you continue on to South Tufa and back) to see the lake's namesake tufa formations up close
- Book ahead with the Mono Lake Committee or Caldera Kayaks, both of which run guided summer canoe tours from here
Why "Navy Beach"
The name is a holdover from the 1950s and '60s, when the US Navy and other military branches ran a research and testing facility along this stretch of shoreline — one of the odder chapters in Mono Lake's history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to visit Navy Beach?
Yes. Navy Beach is part of Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, which charges an entrance fee, and there's a fee to park at the trailhead.
How do I get to Navy Beach from Lee Vining?
Head south on US 395 and turn onto Highway 120 East. After a few miles, follow the signed dirt-road turnoff for South Tufa, then keep right at the fork to reach the Navy Beach parking area (Forest Service Road 1N52).
Can I launch a kayak or canoe at Navy Beach?
Yes, it's the most popular put-in point on Mono Lake. The Mono Lake Committee and Caldera Kayaks both run guided canoe tours from here in summer, and booking ahead is recommended since schedules vary.
Why is it called Navy Beach?
The name comes from a US Navy research and testing facility that operated along this shoreline in the 1950s and 1960s.
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