The federal government shutdown affects a large amount of our area, including the Inyo National Forest, Mono Basin National Forest Scenic Area, Yosemite National Park, and Bureau of Land Management lands. The following update is compiled by the Mono Lake Committee and represents the best current local information we can obtain.
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve: This is a good time to remember the importance of our State Park at Mono Lake which is open and active. Two major lake sites (Old Marina and the north shore County Park boardwalk) are state park run, open, and are welcoming visitors. Ranger Marquart is on duty.
South Tufa: South Tufa is operated by the US Forest Service. There is a small sign posted stating “This recreation site closed.” It also says “no fees are due.” Visitor use appears to be unaffected. Bathrooms are open but are not being cleaned or stocked.
Mono Lake Committee Information Center & Bookstore: Your friendly non-profit facility is OPEN daily 9:00am to 5:00pm to help visitors!
Scenic Area Visitor Center: Closed.
Camping: All US Forest Service campgrounds are closing by Friday, October 4, including those operated by concessionaires. Per Forest Service information, campers have until noon on Friday to vacate the campgrounds.
The Mono Lake Committee is directing visitors to local private campgrounds or the Lundy Canyon campground (which is county-operated; however, there is no potable water). Spaces are available! Local camping options are: Mono Vista RV Park, Grant Lake Marina (closing 10/6), Lundy Canyon campground, Crowley Lake Fish Camp.
Dispersed camping: As best we can determine, even with the closure in place, dispersed camping is still allowed in areas such as south of Mono Lake and east of Highway 395. Cookstoves that are contained in a camper or RV are allowed; NO campfires or outdoor use of stoves allowed.
Wood permits & wilderness permits: Not available.
Help the Inyo National Forest! During the closure, all visitors on Inyo National Forest lands should “pack it out” and clean up after themselves. Plan ahead as bathrooms on national forest lands are closed or unstocked. This is good stewardship and will make the eventual reopening of our public lands as quick as possible
Yosemite National Park: Highway 120 remains open. No stopping or recreating in the park is allowed. We are hearing reports of stopped vehicles being ticketed. We hear the entry kiosk at Tioga Pass will soon be re-staffed in order to tell visitors that they can only pass through and not stop to recreate.
Yosemite Valley is closed past the El Capitan Crossing. At El Capitan Drive motorists will be turned away. However, this means Highway 120, 140, and 41 are all accessible and connected.