Mono Basin National Scenic Area
# Mono Basin National Scenic Area

The Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area is a protected area in Eastern California that surrounds Mono Lake and the northern half of the Mono Craters volcanic field. It is administered by the Inyo National Forest as a unit of the National Forest Scenic Area program, under the U.S. Forest Service.

## History

The site was first described by tourists in Mark Twain's Roughing It.

Mono Basin became the first National Forest Scenic Area in the United States in 1984.

## Visitor Center

The Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area Visitor Center is located 1/2 mile north of the town of Lee Vining, California, just east of Tioga Pass (the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park), on U.S. Route 395.

A variety of activities and exhibits introduce the natural and human history of the Mono Basin. A 20-minute film, an interactive exhibit hall, two art galleries, and a book store are available inside.

## Features

* Mono Craters
* Mono Lake Tufa State Reserve
* Panum Crater
