Devil’s Postpile National Monument is a hidden gem located between Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lakes. There are a ton of awesome hikes to take during one day at Devil’s Postpile National Monument and it is a fun addition to a Central California trip.
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History of Devil’s Postpile
Devil’s Postpile National Monument lies in the Eastern Sierras and contains 798 acres of land. Both the John Muir Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail pass through the park. The area was once part of Yosemite National Park, but in 1911 it was established as a separate area. It gets its name from the columnar basalt, which is the feature of the park.
Best Time to Visit
You will want to visit Devil’s Postpile in the summertime. In the winter, some of the roads are blocked with snow, so you cannot access all parts of it. These roads typically open in mid-June and close by the end of September. The weather in the summertime is usually quite pleasant.
How to Get To Devil’s Postpile
You have two options on how to get to Devil’s Postpile National Monument. The monument is located about 13 miles or a 40-minute drive from Mammoth Lakes.
Option 1: Take the Red Meadow Shuttle
This shuttle runs from around mid-June to Labor Day. It runs from 7am-7pm. During the peak season, this is the best way to get to Devil’s Postpile, as there is not a ton of parking in the lots. Reservations are encouraged and can be made here. It costs $15/person for a round-trip ticket. The shuttle makes several stops around the park.
Option 2: Drive Yourself
If you opt to drive yourself, you MUST arrive before 7am or after 7pm. They will not let you in with a car otherwise. Keep in mind the parking lots at Devil’s Postpile also fill up quickly. You can use your America the Beautiful Pass to get in or pay $10. The only exception to the 7am-7pm rule is if the Red Meadow Shuttle is not running that day.
Where to Stay
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Mammoth hotels here!
Mammoth offers a wide range of places to stay. We opted to stay at the Juniper Springs Resort. It was a Priceline Express Deal, so I got a great price of $125/night! Our room at the Juniper Springs Resort contained a full kitchen and was very spacious. If you prefer a hotel, the Westin and a Best Western are also good options.
Hours and Admission
Devil’s Postpile National Monument is open every day, all day during the operating season. This is usually from mid-June until early October. It can be open at various other times of the year, but some parts do shut down when there is too much snow. Check the website for up-to-date information.
Things to do During One Day at Devil’s Postpile National Monument
There are plenty of things to see during one day at Devil’s Postpile National Monument.
Devil’s Postpile
Distance: 0.8-miles round trip
The main attraction to see during one day at Devil’s Postpile National Monument is the Devil’s Postpile. This formation dates back to 100,000 years and was formed by lava flow. It is an easy 0.8-mile round trip hike from the parking lot to view it. You can also opt to add on a short hike to the top of the pile. From there, you can look at it from a different angle and also are rewarded with views of the area.
Rainbow Falls
Distance: 5 miles round trip
If you’re up for a bit more of a hike, opt to head out to see the 101-foot Rainbow Falls during your one day at Devil’s Postpile National Monument. This trail is pretty flat, but there is not a ton of shade, so keep that in mind if hiking this trail later in the summertime. This waterfall gets its name from a rainbow that sometimes appears in the waterfall.
You can also opt to add on another mile hike if you would like to see lower Rainbow Falls. This was a pretty quiet area, as not as many people make the hike out here. If you get off at the Rainbow Falls shuttle stop, the hike may be a bit shorter than hiking it from the Postpile.
Minaret Falls
Distance: 1.4-miles round trip
Also from the Devil’s Postpile Parking lot, you can add on a 1.4-mile hike to see Minaret Falls. These falls are actually just outside of the monument’s bounty, but are still a cool site to see.
Red Meadow
Another area to visit during your one day at Devil’s Postpile National Monument is Red Meadow. There is a shuttle stop for this spot, so you do not have to hike here. In the area is a lake you can relax by. It is a great area to stop for a picnic lunch or just to chill for a bit.
Final Tips on Spending One Day at Devil’s Postpile
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do during your one day at Devil’s Postpile National Monument. It is a very easy day trip from Mammoth Lakes, and it is also easy to add to a Yosemite trip or California road trip.
