Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Park Closure Reds Meadow Road is closed for the season

Reds Meadow Road, which provides access to Devils Postpile National Monument, is closed for the season.

Overview

Established in 1911 by presidential proclamation, Devils Postpile National Monument protects and preserves the Devils Postpile formation, the 101-foot high Rainbow Falls, and pristine mountain scenery. The formation is a rare sight in the geologic world and ranks as one of the world's finest examples of columnar basalt. Its' columns tower up to 60 feet and display a striking symmetry.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Camping
  • Car or Front Country Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Front-Country Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Devils Postpile National Monument: In the operating season, Devils Postpile National Monument is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Monument usually opens in mid-June. By mid to late October, early winter storms in the High Sierra typically begin to bring snow to the area.

Getting there

Shuttle Bus: Most visitors must park at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and use the mandatory shuttle. The shuttle bus operates from mid-June through the Wednesday after Labor Day. By car: From U.S. Highway 395, drive 10 miles west on S.R. 203 to Minaret Vista and then another 8 miles on a paved, steep mountain road. Please note that this road is single lane for approximately 3 miles. By plane: The closest commercial airport is the Mammoth Lakes/Yosemite Airport (MMH), located on U.S. Highway 395.

Visitor centers

  • Devils Postpile Ranger Station

Weather

Devils Postpile National Monument is located at 7,560 feet above sea level just west of the Sierra Nevada crest. As such, it experiences typical summer weather in the Sierras. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible in July and August. Daytime temperatures can range from the mid-70s to to mid-80s (degrees Fahrenheit). Evening temperatures can drop into the low 40s (and even the low 30s in the months of September and October).

Phone: 7609342289

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Hexagonal fractures that make up the columns at the postpile with glacial polish
Hexagonal Fractures at the top of Devils Postpile · NPS Photo
Waterfall with faint rainbow
Rainbow Falls · NPS Photo
Soda Springs Meadow and San Joaquin River
Soda Springs Meadow and San Joaquin River · NPS Photo

Pair it with