01
Best overall pick
Lundy Canyon Trail
Lundy Canyon, Northwest Of Mono City • Waterfall-Filled Glacial Canyon Hike • Big-Scenery Local Favorite
A classic Eastern Sierra canyon hike with beaver ponds, waterfalls, and bright fall-color aspen groves.
Starting near the end of Lundy Lake Road, this trail quickly leaves the road noise behind for a lush canyon packed with creeks, cascades, and old mining relics. Most casual hikers turn around at the main waterfalls, but stronger hikers can continue toward the Hoover Wilderness for bigger views and fewer people. Expect muddy sections in early season and plan extra time if you like to linger at the ponds and photo stops.
02
High-alpine adventure
Twenty Lakes Basin Loop
Saddlebag Lake, Tioga Pass High Country • High-Elevation Lake Basin Circuit • Best For All-Day Explorers
A full-value loop that strings together a chain of clear alpine lakes and granite ridges high above the Mono Basin.
Reached via the Saddlebag Lake area above Lee Vining, this loop delivers big-mountain scenery right from the start, with polished granite, snow-streaked peaks, and quiet tarns around nearly every bend. The trail is moderately strenuous, made tougher by the elevation, so it rewards slow pacing, snack breaks, and plenty of photo stops. Go later in summer once most snow has melted, and bring layers—weather can change quickly up here even on sunny days.
03
Quiet lakeside escape
Parker Lake Trail
June Lake Loop, Southwest Of Mono City • Forest And Lakeshore Out-And-Back • Best Mellow Half-Day Hike
A gently climbing trail to a tucked-away alpine lake framed by rugged peaks and thick aspen stands.
The hike to Parker Lake feels just wild enough without being remote, with a mix of sagebrush, pine forest, and streamside aspen on the way to the shore. The final scene at the lake—craggy peaks reflecting in the water—makes it easy to justify a long break or shoreline wander. It’s a favorite for early-morning starts, and in autumn the surrounding hillsides light up with color, so expect some company on peak weekends.
04
Volcanic showcase
Panum Crater Trail
South Of Mono City Off Highway 120 East • Short Volcanic Crater Rim Hike • Quick Geology Fix
A short but striking loop and summit spur through volcanic pumice, obsidian, and wide Mono Lake views.
Panum Crater is one of the easiest ways to get a feel for the Mono-Inyo volcanic chain, with a well-trodden path that climbs to the rim and optional scrambles into the crater’s glassy obsidian core. The hike is relatively short but entirely exposed, so it’s best tackled in the cool of the day with sun protection and water. Kids and geology-curious adults tend to love the moonlike terrain, and the elevated view of Mono Lake is a bonus.
05
Iconic Mono Lake walk
Mono Lake South Tufa Area Loop
Mono Lake South Shore Near Lee Vining • Easy Lakeshore Nature Trail • Best Sunrise And Sunset Stroll
A flat, family-friendly loop weaving through otherworldly tufa towers along the edge of Mono Lake.
This short trail is more of a meander than a workout, but it’s essential Mono Basin—twisted tufa spires, still water, and sweeping views to the Sierra crest. Visit at sunrise or sunset when the light is soft, the wind is calm, and birdlife is most active along the shore. The path is signed and straightforward, making it an easy first stop for newcomers or a low-key leg-stretcher after a day of driving.