Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

Information Manzanar Remains Open During US 395 Pavement Project

CalTrans begins a monthslong pavement project on US 395 adjacent to Manzanar National Historic Site on Monday, May 11, 2026. Crews will be working to ensure access to Manzanar remains open, but it will be important to travel cautiously as typical access may involve detours and map apps may be inaccurate. Though work is scheduled only during weekdays, lane closures and detours will be in place throughout the week. Currently, the site may only be accessed via the south entrance.

Read the full alert

Overview

In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where the US government incarcerated Japanese immigrants ineligible for citizenship and Japanese American citizens during World War II.

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

  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Self-Guided Tours - Auto
  • Bus/Shuttle Guided Tour
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

Site Grounds: The driving tour and grounds remain open daily from sunrise to sunset. Visitor center hours are more limited. See visitor center hours section for more information.

Getting there

Manzanar is located on the west side of U.S. Highway 395, 9 miles north of Lone Pine, California and 6 miles south of Independence, CA.

Visitor centers

Weather

Manzanar is located in the Owens Valley at 4,000' elevation, at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada. We get little precipitation but we do have four distinct seasons. Summer temperatures can soar over 100 degrees. Winter highs are usually in the 40's. Nighttime temperatures year round are 30 to 40 degrees less than daytime highs. High winds are common in any season.

Phone: (760) 878-2194

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

Japanese stone lantern with mountains in background
Block 15 Barrack 7 Garden Lantern, Manzanar · NPS
Wooden sign with "Mananar War Relocation Center" written on it
Historic Entrance Sign, Manzanar · NPS
guard tower with fog and hills in background
Manzanar Guard Tower · NPS
wooden bridge and stonework in foreground with mountains behind
Merritt Park, Manzanar · NPS
white obelisk with black Japanese characters with stormy mountains beyond
Manzanar Cemetery Monument · NPS
flowering pear trees with mountains in background
Manzanar Pear Orchard and Mount Williamson · NPS

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