Manzanar National Historic Site

A visit to this national historic site is a sobering reminder of America's past. This is one of the ten locations where American citizens of Japanese descent were imprisoned during WWII. It's preserved as a reminder not to repeat the mistakes of the past. In 1942, 110,000 men, women, and children were forced to leave their homes and forced to live in remote, military-style camps.

Take a drive and see the basketball courts, dentist's offices, and laundromat. This was fully functioning town but doesn't mean it was a pleasant place to live. Download an audio tour to get a better understanding of the various structures.

Hit the Visitor Center to view a movie that helps you understand what happened here. Also in the Visitor Center are exhibits that include audio footage from real survivors of Manzanar. You can walk through re-created buildings a sense of what life was like.

Weather tends to be extreme here on the edge of Death Valley. It's hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. Be prepared with plenty of water and warmies for the cold.

Camp in the nearby Inyo National Forest to the west of Manzanar. Hipcamp can help you find a spot that meets your needs.