Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area and Visitors Center

This saltwater lake is best known for its tufa towers which were formed with the interaction of the salt and the freshwater springs bubbling up from the bottom of the lake. The center has interactive displays that teach about many aspects of the Mono Basin’s geology, ecology, and human history. The award-winning film Of Ice and Fire: A Portrait of the Mono Basin, gives a 20-minute introduction to Mono Lake and is shown regularly. Two galleries are showcased, including the At Mono Lake photo exhibit and a changing art exhibit. Rangers are present all day to answer your questions, and there is also a bookstore with a selection of books about the natural and cultural history of the region.