01
Best overall pick
Mono Lake South Tufa Area
Mono Lake South Shore • Otherworldly Tufa Shoreline • Best For First-Time Visitors
The South Tufa area delivers Mono Lake’s most iconic shoreline, with easy walking and close-up tufa towers right at the water’s edge.
If you only visit one beach near Lee Vining, make it South Tufa, where short, flat trails wind through limestone spires to a quiet, crunchy lakeshore. The beach itself is more for wandering, wading, and photography than full-on swimming, but the chance to float in super-salty water is memorable if conditions allow. Go early or near sunset for softer light, fewer people, and calmer winds.
02
Best for families
Mono Lake County Park Beach
North Of Lee Vining • Family-Friendly Lakeshore • Easiest Access With Kids
A small, mellow beach backed by lawns and trees, Mono Lake County Park is the most relaxed place to dabble toes in the lake without a big excursion.
Just a few minutes north of town, this county park combines a short boardwalk through wetlands with a modest strip of beach on Mono Lake. Shaded picnic tables, restrooms, and easy parking make it an obvious choice with kids or mixed-ability groups. The shoreline is shallow and often muddy, so think more barefoot exploring, birdwatching, and picnicking than long swims.
03
Best for paddlers
Navy Beach, Mono Lake
Mono Lake Southeast Shore • Quiet, Wind-Prone Strand • Best For Paddling And Space
Navy Beach is a broad, pebbly stretch that feels remote, with room to spread out and launch kayaks toward offshore tufa formations.
Reached by a graded dirt road off Highway 120, Navy Beach trades amenities for wide-open shoreline and big-sky views. It’s a favorite launch point for paddlers because you can walk boats straight to the water and quickly reach photogenic tufa clusters. There’s little shade and the wind can kick up whitecaps, so bring sun protection, secure anything light, and avoid going far out in rough conditions.
04
Best quick stop
Mono Lake Old Marina
Just North Of Town • Quick-Stop Viewpoint Beach • Best For Sunset Photos
Old Marina offers an easy pull-off with a short stroll to a compact beach, perfect when you only have time for a fast Mono Lake fix.
Located beside the Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center turnoff, Old Marina gives you instant access to the water without committing to a longer outing. A short path leads to a gravelly beach with big views across Mono Lake to the Sierra crest, especially striking at sunset. It’s not a place to linger all day, but it’s ideal for stretching your legs, grabbing a few photos, and feeling the lake’s scale up close.
05
Best classic swim spot
June Lake Beach
June Lake Loop • Classic Mountain Swim Beach • Best For Swimming And Lounging
A true sandy beach with clear, cold water and mountain views, June Lake Beach is where locals go when they want to actually swim and sunbathe.
About a 25-minute drive south of Lee Vining, June Lake Beach feels like a mountain resort postcard, with soft sand, a roped-off swim area, and plenty of room to spread a towel. The water is brisk even in midsummer, but the gradual entry and usually calm surface make it popular with families, paddlers, and casual lake-floaters. Expect crowds on hot weekends; arrive earlier in the day for easier parking and a quieter patch of shoreline.