
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve is set just south of Bridgeport and only 13 miles east of Yosemite. This ancient lake is best known for its tufa spires made of calcium carbonate, and the alkaline waters invite more than 80 species of migratory birds each year. Hiking, bird watching, photography, boating, and cross-country skiing are popular. The closest campgrounds are located in Lundy Canyon, Lee Vining Canyon, and the June Lake Loop. This vast area includes three BLM Wilderness Study Areas, which border the ghost mining town of Bodie. It’s a region of rocky canyons and streams where stands of aspen provide stunning fall foliage. Enjoy horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, and camping in the Bodie Hills. Bodie State Historic Park is located at the end of 13-mile Bodie Road (Highway 270), the last section of which is a bit of a bumpy, graded dirt road.

