Looking to do a Highway 395 road trip? We’re sharing all the best stops along California’s most scenic drive, the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway!

The Eastern Sierra is my favorite region of California! The area has stunning mountains, unique geology, abundant hot springs, and some of the best hikes in California. After driving this route MULTIPLE times, I’m sharing the BEST stops along Highway 395 and the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway. This is California’s most scenic drive, and you’ll be treated to diverse and stunning views the entire route.

Highway 395 road trip: best stops along the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway

Below we’re sharing everything you need to know to plan an epic Highway 395 road trip in California! Before sharing the BEST stops along the way, we share everything you need to know before driving this route, including:

• The best time of year to do a Highway 395 road trip in the Eastern Sierra
• Where to stay along the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway
• Where to get gas and what to pack for a Highway 395 road trip

Scroll down for our overview of everything you need to know about California’s most scenic drive, and the best stops along Highway 395! Our guide is organized from north (the Reno Tahoe area) to south (Lone Pine), highlighting nearly 20 of the best activities and stops along this epic Highway 395 road trip. 

Additional information about the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway can be found on the Forest Service website, and this document from Inyo County.

Highway 395 road trip: what you need to know before driving California’s most scenic road

What is the best time of year to do a Highway 395 road trip through the Eastern Sierra?

Highway 395 is beautiful year-round, and we’ve visited in spring, fall, and winter. Below I share some notes on the best time of year to do a Highway 395 road trip through the Eastern Sierra.

• Late spring is a great time to see spectacular wildflowers, and to enjoy cooler temperatures at the lower elevation spots along this route
• Summer is a great time to drive along Highway 395 if you want to do high elevation hikes, which are often covered in snow until mid-July. However, some of the places along this route can get quite hot.
• Fall brings spectacular golden colors to the Eastern Sierra, and would be my number one pick for the best time to visit!
• Winter is a rewarding, but also challenging, time to drive Highway 395. You’ll encounter fewer crowds, as well as snow-covered mountains. However, you’ll need to be flexible based on weather conditions, and you may need to use chains or deal with hiking in deep snow in areas. 

Where should I stay during a Highway 395 road trip in California? 

If you’re looking to camp, there is abundant public land and free campsites all along this route. My favorite places to camp for free include federal lands around the Mammoth Lakes hot springs, the Alabama Hills, and the area around Mono Lake. There are also many established, low-fee campsites operated by the BLM and Forest Service. 

If you’re looking for hotels, I recommend searching in Lee Vining, Mammoth Lakes, and Lone Pine! All of those locations offer food, amenities, and are centrally located along this amazing California road trip route.

Where are the best places to get gas along Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra?

Gas along a Highway 395 road trip can be EXPENSIVE, so it’s good to be strategic about where you fill up. Topaz Lake, which is the northern tip of this road trip, is just over the state line in Nevada. Gas here is often $2.50 cheaper PER GALLON than it is in places like Bridgeport, so I recommend filling up here! Gas about 25 minutes north in Gardenerville, Nevada is even cheaper. 

In my experience, Bridgeport, CA consistently has the most expensive gas along Highway 395. In the middle range, Bishop, Big Pine, and Independence are decent places to fill up. Lone Pine and Mammoth Lakes tend to be on the more expensive side of things, but are cheaper than Bridgeport. At the southern end of the route, Ridgecrest has the cheapest gas, and is often similar in price to gas in Topaz Lake. I recommend downloading the app, GasBuddy, to find the best gas prices on this road trip.

What should I pack for a Highway 395 road trip?

A full packing list is beyond the scope of this article, since it will depend on what season you visit. However, no matter what season you visit in, I recommend bringing good hiking shoes, plenty of layers, a bathing suit, and a large water bottle and water filter.

In fall, winter, and early spring you should be prepared with tire chains just in case. When snowy, the area of Highway 395 around Mammoth Lakes often has mandatory chain up sections along the road. You can read about tire chains and snow tires here.

Your guide to the best things to do along the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway: 18 can’t miss stops along Highway 395 

Below I share all of the BEST stops along California’s Highway 395. From hot springs to geological wonders, there’s a lot to see and do! Even after driving the route FOUR times, I still think Highway 395 is the best road trip in California… it never gets old!

Note: this Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway guide does NOT provide details on the many charming towns along the route, like Mammoth Lakes, Lone Pine, and Bishop. I also don’t provide an in-depth guide to most hikes in the area, since there are DOZENS of the state’s most spectacular trails along this route. Know that many of the famous higher elevation hikes in the area will have snow until mid-late July, and sometimes even later.

Travertine Hot Springs

Located just outside the town of Bridgeport, CA, Travertine Hot Springs is one of my favorite places to soak in the Eastern Sierra! The site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and has educational signage, a bathroom, and a few short trails. There are a number of natural and built-up pools you can soak at. We’ve been here several times, and it’s always magical! It’s free to visit.

Please leave no trace by packing out all trash, and by not digging new soaking tubs. If you visit in winter be aware that you may need tire chains to safely navigate the dirt road out to the hot springs. It can be icy!

Bodie Ghost Town

Bodie is a historic gold mining town located in a remote valley just north of Mono Lake. Today it is a popular and well preserved ghost town that is operated by the California State Park system. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, or self-guided exploration of this unique historic site. The last residents left over 50 years ago, and the town truly appears frozen in time! 

This is a great activity for families, history buffs, and people looking for a unique experience along their Highway 395 road trip. As of 2026 it costs $8 per adult and $5 per child to visit Bodie State Historic Park. There are bathrooms available and tours, but no other facilities or amenities.

Bodie is open all year. However, the road along California 270 closes down when there is significant snowfall. You can also access Bodie by ski, snowshoe or snowmobile during winter months. The road is approximately 13 miles each way.

Virginia Lakes

Located about halfway between Lee Vining and Bridgeport, Virginia Lakes is a beautiful area for hiking, snowshoeing, fishing, backpacking, and more! Trumbull, Little Virginia and Big Virginia Lakes are all accessible by vehicle, and a multitude of other lakes can be reached via the area’s hiking trails. 

The Black Point Fissures

The Black Point Fissures are one of the most unique things you can see along a Highway 395 road trip! In fact, people rarely visit this unique spot. Black point is a volcano that erupted beneath Mono Lake over 13,000 years ago. As the molten rock cooled it split open, creating massive fissures. As Mono Lake’s water levels fell the fissures were exposed, and you can now explore them. Geologists think this may be the only fully exposed underwater volcano on Earth! Today, hikers can explore the fissures from above ground, or climb down into the fissures to explore from inside this unique crack in the ground.

Located on the northern side of Mono Lake, a one mile hike leads you to this unique geological feature in the Eastern Sierra. I recommend downloading this hike on AllTrails before heading out, since there is no established trail to follow. The route on AllTrails will take you exactly to the fissures!

Use this link to get 30% off AllTrails Plus ($35.99/year) and AllTrails Peak ($79.99/year), which gives you offline access to trail routes and wayfinding.

Panum Crater

Located on the southern side of Mono Lake, Panum Crater is another unique geological attraction that people rarely visit. This is a volcanic plug dome that erupted about 600 years ago. You can enjoy a 1 mile hike to the crater’s summit. Here, you’ll get great views of the mountains and lake. You’ll also see tons of obsidian, volcanic ash, and pumice! We really enjoyed this hike and highly recommend it! The trail is fairly easy.

Please respect this area. The Panum Crater is within the Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area and any collection of rocks (including obsidian) or plants is strictly prohibited.

You can read more about the geology of Panum Crater here.

South Tufas at Mono Lake

This is one of my favorite places in the Eastern Sierra, and it looks like something out of a science fiction movie! In fact, every time we drive along Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra we ALWAYS stop at the Mono Lake South Tufas. 

The south tufas are unique limestone formations in Mono Lake. They formed when dissolved minerals in underwater springs mixed with the alkaline waters of the lake, forming unique columns of rock. As the lake levels dropped, the formations were exposed. You can read more about the lake and tufas here.

The South Tufa area of Mono Lake is home to a one mile loop trail, and has an accessible boardwalk. Visitors must display a federal lands pass or pay $3/person to visit. Please do not break, walk on, or climb on the tufas.

June Lake Loop

Located just off Highway 395, the June Lake Loop is a spectacular drive through the mountains and by several lakes. The route is 14 miles, and there are a number of beautiful hiking trails and campgrounds along it. The drive is especially beautiful in fall, and is usually open year-round.

Obsidian Dome Trail

Obsidian dome trail is a unique geological gem along Highway 395. This one mile hike will take you to the center of an old volcano, and you’ll see spectacular rock and obsidian formations. Although it sounds similar to Panum Crater (discussed above), it looks very different!

During winter you can snowshoe and cross country ski here. However, make sure to research avalanche danger before heading out. 

Devils Postpile National Monument and Rainbow Falls

Devils Postpile National Monument preserves a spectacular formation of columnar basalt, along with the beautiful rainbow falls waterfall. Visitors can drive to the site most years from July – November. When the road is closed you can do a challenging 12 mile hike to reach the monument and falls, which we did in fall 2022. 

Convict Lake

Located south of Mammoth Lakes, Convict lake is one of the prettiest, easiest to access lakes in the Eastern Sierra! Popular for picnics, fishing, hiking, and boating, the lake sits at the base of colorful Mount Morrison. It’s a great place for hikes, and is especially beautiful in fall. I’m a big fan of the 2.5 mile convict lake loop trail, which is a beautiful and relatively easy hike. More information about the area can be found here.

McGee Creek

McGee Creek is a beautiful canyon in the Eastern Sierra, and is a must-visit in spring, summer, and fall. There is a campground here, and the views are relatively similar to what you’ll see at Convict Lake (above). If you time it right, the fall colors are spectacular here. There are also excellent wildflowers in late spring.

This is an area where you can do very short hikes into the canyon, or very long hikes. If you’re looking for a challenge, many years ago we did a fall hike to Steelhead Lake via McGee Pass Trail and it was lovely! 

Hot Creek Geological Site

If you want to see geology in action head to Hot Creek Geological Site! A magma chamber sits just 3 miles below Earth’s surface here, causing hot steam to boil up to the surface and creating a dramatic show in the cool morning air as the sun rises. You can hike, or just take in the views, but soaking in the hot springs here is prohibited. The creek’s water temperatures can exceed 200 degrees (F), so please do NOT attempt to swim here! You can literally boil alive.

In the winter the road to Hot Creek often closes, requiring a 1.5 mile hike to reach the site. It’s worth it! I think the area is most beautiful at sunrise, and it’s a famous photography spot in the Eastern Sierra.

Hot springs near Mammoth Lakes

Near Hot Creek Geological Site you can find a number of hot spring pools that are great for soaking! Hot springs in the area include Wild Willy’s, Crab Cooker, Hilltop, and Rock Tub, amongst several others. The tubs are clothing optional, and are usually fairly busy. Visiting is free. Remember to leave no trace by packing out everything you packed in!

Crowley Lake Stone Columns

The Crowley Lake stone columns look like they’re man made, but they’re not! These unique structures were created when snowmelt seeped into volcanic ash. This is truly one of the most surreal things I’ve seen in nature, and visiting them is a lot of fun!

Below are a few things to know about the Crowley Lake Stone Columns:

• The columns aren’t always visible – they’re only exposed and accessible when Crowley Lake levels are low enough.
• You can drive out to the columns along a dirt road, but you’ll need four wheel drive and high clearance. We’ve always opted to hike to them (2 miles each way) instead of attempting the drive.
• Do NOT knock over the columns. They’re delicate and unique geological formations.

Manzanar National Historic Site

As you head farther south along your Highway 395 road trip, be sure to stop at Manzanar National Historic Site. Operated by the National Park Service, this site educates visitors about Japanese American incarceration and interment during World War II. It’s a moving, powerful, and sobering place to visit.

As a kid I read the book ‘Farewell to Manzanar,’ which I highly recommend for those interested in learning more about the area and what it was like to live here.

The Alabama Hills

The Alabama Hills are a beautiful and unique place to hike, and they are arguably one of the most iconic free campsites in the American west. Operated by the BLM, this area has formations of rounded rocks and eroded hills with stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It is also where many famous movies were filmed.

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Below are a few of the top things I recommend doing while visiting the Alabama Hills:

• Visit the infamous Mobius Arch and get a picture!
• Drive the famous Movie Road
• Watch the sun rise, creating a pink alpenglow in the early morning light
• Hike to cyclops arch, boot arch, and shark fin
• Hike the Eye of the Alabama Hills loop
• Take a picture with nightmare rock
• Camp amongst the boulders
• Drive up Whitney Portal road

Fossil Falls Trail

Located at the southern tip of the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway, Fossil Falls Trail is yet another unique geological wonder. This area houses a chasm of shiny black lava rock that has been polished smooth by water. An easy quarter mile hike leads you to the rocks.

Be careful on the rocks, as they are surprisingly slippery because of how smooth they are!

Death Valley National Park

Once you reach Fossil Falls you’ve more or less reached the official end of the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway. But you don’t have to stop there! Located just an hour and a half away to the east is Death Valley National Park, which is one of my favorite places in the state to explore.

Below are a few highlights I recommend checking out if you have some extra time to explore Death Valley:

• Hike Mosaic Canyon
• Visit the Mesquite Sand Dunes
• Visit Zabriski Point and hike Golden Canyon
• Check out Badwater Basin – the lowest spot in the U.S.

Want more Death Valley National Park recommendations? You can find our full two day Death Valley National Park itinerary here.

Looking to explore more national parks in California? We also have a two day itinerary for Pinnacles National Park, and a four day guide to Joshua Tree National Park!

Highway 395 Road Trip: final thoughts

I hope you found this Highway 395 road trip guide helpful, and that you love the Eastern Sierra as much as we do! We’ve done this drive FOUR times, and always find new things to explore along the route. It truly is California’s most scenic drive, and I think the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway should be on EVERYONE’S USA travel bucket list!

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