Mono Lake
- Type
- Salt lake (state reserve)
- Paddle launch
- Navy Beach, free, open 24 hours
- Island closure
- April 1-August 1, one-mile buffer
- Water
- About 3x ocean salinity, pH 10
- Kayak & SUP
- Swimming
- Wildlife & birding
- Restrooms
About this lake
Mono Lake is the ancient salt lake beside Lee Vining, protected by the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve and the Inyo National Forest's Mono Basin Scenic Area. Its water is nearly three times as salty as the ocean and very alkaline.
On the water
Navy Beach on the south shore is the Forest Service's paddle-boat launch: beachside parking, open around the clock, no fee and no drinking water. Kayaking among the tufa towers is the main draw.
Rules and closures
From April 1 to August 1, the islands and all water within one mile of them are closed to protect nesting California gulls. Stay 200 yards from posted osprey tufa (April through September), creek deltas and bird flocks. Camping on the exposed lakebed below 6,417 feet needs a camping agreement from the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center.
Safety
Sudden, strong winds make the lake dangerous, and rescue may not be possible. Don't start out in wind, and in summer be off the water by noon. Watch for submerged tufa and carry plenty of drinking water.
Getting there & access
Getting there
Navy Beach is on the south shore. The Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center in Lee Vining has maps and current conditions.
Winds
Afternoon winds are common and dangerous. Start early and be off the lake by noon.
Mussel inspection
Since April 2026, Mono County requires every trailered boat and jet ski to be inspected before launching. Inspections, decontamination and the Eastern Sierra mussel sticker are free at Eastern Sierra WID stations (list at EasternSierraWID.com). Residents inspect once a year; visitors inspect on entering Mono or Inyo County, and again after launching anywhere outside the two counties. Arrive clean, drained and dry.
- Safety
- Off the water by noon in summer
- Visitor Center
- (760) 647-3044
What's here
Kayaking
Navy Beach paddle-boat launch
Wildlife
Nesting gulls, osprey and migrating birds
Swimming
Swimming area at Navy Beach
Restrooms
Restrooms at Navy Beach
Rules & official resources
- California Boater Card required for all operators of motorized vessels, regardless of age, since January 1, 2025dbw.parks.ca.gov ↗
- Islands and waters within one mile closed April 1 to August 1 for nesting gulls; stay 200 yards from posted osprey tufa, creek deltas and bird flocksfs.usda.gov ↗
- Camping on the exposed lakebed below 6,417 feet needs a camping agreement from the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Centerfs.usda.gov ↗
- Trailered boats and jet skis must be inspected at a free Eastern Sierra WID station and carry the Eastern Sierra mussel sticker before launching; launching uninspected can bring fines, misdemeanor charges or impoundmentftp.monocounty.ca.gov ↗
- Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and other small non-motorized craft must be cleaned, drained, dried and self-inspected before launching somewhere newmonocounty.org ↗
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