25 Best Stops Along Highway 395 In California

1. Randsburg

Randsburg is a small ghost town in Kern County right off Highway 395. This is a living ghost town, meaning many of the original buildings are still used today for local businesses and shops.

Randsburg was established in 1895 after gold was discovered on the Rand Mountain. During its mining operations, Randsburg produced more than $60 million in gold. Now, fewer than 100 residents call it home.

Read Next: 12 Best Ghost Towns To Visit In California

2. Fossil Falls

Located at the base of the Red Hill volcano, Fossil Falls is a fascinating geological wonder. Here you can see unique basalt formations shaped by flowing water and wind thousands of years ago.

The trail to Fossil Falls is only 0.5 miles long. There are lots of sharp rocks, so sturdy hiking shoes are a must. The road to reach the trailhead is a bit rough, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.

3. Cerro Gordo Ghost Town

At its peak in the 1800’s, Cerro Gordo was one of the richest silver mines in California. It was abandoned in the 1940’s until recently purchased for restoration.

This historical landmark is owned and managed by Brent, who is slowly turning it from an abandoned mining town into an up-and-coming attraction. And all while vlogging about it on his popular YouTube channel, Ghost Town Living.

The town is open to visitors daily. A 4WD is highly recommended to reach it along a narrow mountain road.

4. Alabama Hills

Alabama Hills is one of the most underrated places to visit in California. This location is so fun to explore as it offers a variety of outdoor activities, from hiking and camping to visiting otherworldly landscapes and stargazing at night.

Alabama Hills is located just west of Lone Pine town off Highway 395. For first-time visitors, I recommend starting with a short trek to the famous Mobius Arch. If you have more time to spare, check out the Boot Arch, Cyclops Arch, and Heart Arch as well.

If you’re into photography, a sunrise or sunset photo of the Movie Road is a must. This road earns its name from the countless movies and TV shows that have been shot here over the years.

5. Whitney Portal

With a height of 14,505 feet, Mount Whitney is the highest peak in the contiguous United States. Hiking this mountain is a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list item for many in California.

Even if you don’t plan to do the hike, going for a drive along the Whitney Portal Road to the Whitney Portal Village is a memorable experience. The road starts in Lone Pine town and passes by the Alabama Hills.

6. Big Pine Lakes

The Big Pine Lakes Trail is one of the most beautiful and rewarding hikes in the Eastern Sierra. While it’s not a quick road trip stop, it’s well worth mentioning. We did this hike on a trip in June, and it was absolutely breathtaking!

The trail starts near the Big Pine Creek Campground, about a 30-minute drive west of Highway 395. The entire trail is 15 miles long out and back, so most people get backpacking permits and camp along the way.

There are seven alpine lakes along this route. Due to snow and ice, we made it only to the first three lakes before we had to turn around. These lakes have a stunning turquoise water color from the nearby glacier sediment.  

7. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is a fascinating stop that many people miss along Highway 395.

At the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, you go on a walk amongst some of the oldest living organisms in the world. Some trees within this forest are over 4000 years old! Because of the harsh alpine environment, many of the trees have twisted trunks that are bare of any leaves.

Most people visit the Schulman Grove, which is near the visitor center. Here you can go on a mile-long hike along the Schulman Grove Discovery Trail to see these ancient trees up close.

8. Keough’s Hot Springs

Situated halfway between Big Pine and Bishop, Keough’s Hot Springs is a popular stop for those on a trip along Highway 395. This is a great place to soak after a day full of driving or hiking in the area.

Established in 1919, Keough’s Hot Springs is the largest hot springs pool in the Eastern Sierra. The water at this outdoor swimming pool is brought from the mountains and then cooled down to a comfortable temperature.

Read Next: 15 Incredible Hot Springs To Visit In California

9. Bishop

Bishop is one of the biggest towns along Highway 395. We often stop here for food, gas, or stay at a hotel overnight when we can’t make it all the way to Mammoth.

A few of our favorite places to eat in town are the famous Erick Schat’s Bakkerÿ and Mahogany Smoked Meats. If you’re looking for a place to grab coffee before continuing your road trip, Looney Bean is the place to go!

10. Rock Creek Road

Rock Creek Road is one of my favorite fall destinations in California! This is one of the highest paved roads in California, lined with aspen trees that turn into a sea of gold in the fall months.

Rock Creek Road is located right off Highway 395, so it’s very easy to access. This is a paved two-way highway, so any car can drive on it.

A few of my favorite stops along the Rock Creek Road are Rock Creek Lake, various viewpoints, and Rock Creek Lakes Resort for its delicious BBQ and homemade pies.

11. McGee Creek Trail

McGee Creek is another one of my favorite destinations on a fall road trip along Highway 395. McGee Creek Trail to Horsetail Creek is a gorgeous hike in the Eastern Sierra that is very popular in the fall months, especially October.

To reach the trailhead, take Highway 395 and turn onto McGee Creek Road. Follow McGee Creek Road for 10 minutes until you reach the trailhead parking lot at the end of it.

This trail is 3.6 miles long out and back with 700 feet of elevation gain. You don’t have to go far to see incredible views of the McGee Canyon with Mount Baldwin and Mount Aggie in the background.

12. Crowley Lake Stone Columns

Crowley Lake Stone Columns is a unique attraction along Highway 395 that not many people know exists! This location is home to white mineral columns that look like giant Greek pillars.

Crowley Lake Stone Columns are situated along Lake Crowley in a hard-to-access spot. You can reach the columns by driving there, but a high-clearance 4WD vehicle is a must.

You can also hike there by taking the 4.2-mile out-and-back Crowley Lake Columns Trail. As an option, you can rent a kayak or a boat from Crowley Lake Fish Camp.

Read Next: 20 Gorgeous Lakes To Visit In Mammoth

13. Convict Lake

Convict Lake is a picturesque lake right off Highway 395 that features turquoise water, rugged mountain views, and beautiful hiking trails. This is a drive-up lake with easy lake access, which makes it a great stop on a road trip to Mammoth Lakes.

If you have a couple of hours to spare, I recommend hiking the 2.5-mile-long Convict Lake Loop Trail that goes around the entire lake. This trail is fairly easy with minimal elevation gain and some lake access points.

14. Hot Creek Geological Site

Hot Creek Geological Site is one of the most fascinating attractions along Highway 395. This is an outdoor geothermal area with turquoise hot springs, a steaming river, fumaroles, and geothermal vents.

The volcanic activity here is driven by the Long Valley Caldera, one of the largest and most active volcanic regions in the US. Hot Creek Geological Site can be visited year-round with proper gear like snowshoes or crampons in the winter.

Visitor Tip: Due to unpredictable temperatures, entering the water here is not allowed. Other natural hot springs in the area are safe to visit (that we’ll cover next).

15. Outdoor Hot Springs

The Mammoth region has several outdoor hot springs that you can easily visit off Highway 395. These hot springs are natural and free to the public.

One of my personal favorites is the Hilltop Hot Springs. Located off Benton Crossing Road, this is one of the best hot springs to visit year-round, even in the winter.

Other popular hot springs include the Wild Willy’s Hot Springs, The Rock Tub Hot Springs, and Crab Cooker Hot Springs.

Tip: Please keep in mind that it’s up to visitors to keep these hot springs clean and to follow “Leave no trace” practices when soaking here.

16. Mammoth Lakes

The Mammoth Lakes area is packed full of incredible hiking trails and outdoor adventures. I like to visit Mammoth Lakes at least once a year to check off a few of the local hiking trails from my bucket list.

For first-time visitors, I recommend starting with the Crystal Lake Trail. This 3.2-mile-long hike climbs up through a pine forest to a lake with (as you guessed it) crystal clear water. Along the way, you’ll get to enjoy some pretty incredible views of Mammoth Lakes Basin.

The 5.4-mile-long Barney Lake Trail is another of my favorites. This trail ends at an alpine lake with turquoise water that looks like something from the Swiss Alps!

For something a bit easier, I recommend the 1.8-mile-long McLeod Lake Trail. This is an easy hike that’s perfect for the entire family.

Read Next: 7 Incredible Day Hikes In Mammoth Lakes

17. Devils Postpile National Monument

Devils Postpile National Monument is a one-of-a-kind place in California! This location is home to basalt columns stacked next to each other in a forest. Some of the columns are up to 60 feet tall and bent, while others are straight.

Devils Postpile National Monument is best accessed during the summer months by taking a visitor shuttle there. From the shuttle stop, it’s just a 1.2-mile-long loop to visit the basalt columns. Visitors can also walk to the top of them and see their unique hexagonal shape from above.

18. Inyo Craters

Inyo Craters are small volcanic craters located in a forest just outside of Mammoth Lakes town. Visitors can walk around the crater rim and marvel at the turquoise water at the center of it.

If you’re planning to visit the Inyo Craters in the summer, you can drive on Dry Creek Road Spur all the way up to the trailhead. In the winter, the Dry Creek Road Spur that leads to the Inyo Craters trailhead is closed. You will need to park off the Mammoth Scenic Loop and hike an additional 1.4 miles each way.

Inyo Craters are only 550-650 years old, which is relatively new compared to other volcanic attractions in Mammoth.

19. June Lake Loop

Located just a 30-minute drive north of Mammoth, June Lake is a wonderful mountain destination and a great alternative to the busy Mammoth Lakes area. We’ve been here in every season, but fall and winter are my favorites.

In the fall season, I recommend driving the scenic 16-mile-long June Lake Loop. In the fall months, you can enjoy views of golden aspen trees that line this highway and stop at June Lake Beach for a relaxing picnic.

In the winter season, I like to snowboard at June Mountain. While this ski mountain is smaller than Mammoth, it is much less crowded and often more enjoyable.  

Read Next: 15 Incredible Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes In Fall

20. Tioga Pass

Tioga Pass is a mountain road that connects Highway 395 with Yosemite National Park. This is a great route to take if you’re planning a longer road trip and want to visit Mammoth along with Yosemite on the same trip.

Tioga Pass offers access to Yosemite backcountry trails that are a bit more hidden and less visited. A few of my personal favorites are the Cathedral Lakes Trail and the North Dome Trail. Both of these are challenging day hikes that can also be done as overnight backpacking trips with backcountry permits.

21. Mono Lake

Located right off Highway 395, Mono Lake is a large lake that is over 1 million years old. This ancient volcanic lake is best known for unique limestone formations called tufa towers that you can see along the lake’s shoreline.

These white pillars grew underwater and have a strange shape that twists upwards. As the lake shoreline receded, it revealed the tufa tower formations.

The best place to see the Mono Lake tufas is along the South Tufa Interpretive Trail. This loop is very easy to access by vehicle and is less than a mile long.

22. Bodie State Historic Park

Bodie State Historic Park is one of the most popular ghost towns in California. The town is named after W.S. Bodey, who discovered gold in this region in 1859.

Bodie State Historic Park is located about a 30-minute drive east of Highway 395. You will need to take a dirt road for a bit to get there, but any passenger car can easily make it.

The last mine at Bodie State Historic Park closed in 1942. Since then, the town has stayed in a state of arrested decay. Instead of restoring the buildings, they are preserved in their original state.

23. Travertine Hot Spring

Travertine Hot Spring is a scenic natural hot spring just a short drive from Bridgeport. These hot springs are free to visit and are open to the public.

With colorful mineral formations, steaming pools, and sweeping views of the Eastern Sierra mountains, this is a must-visit location along Highway 395. If you wish to stay by the hot springs overnight, there is dispersed camping available nearby on BLM lands.

24. Bridgeport

Bridgeport is a small historic town along Highway 395 and one of the most popular places to stay when visiting Bodie State Historic Park and Travertine Hot Spring.

At the center of the town, you can visit the Mono County Museum, where you can learn more about the history of the Bridgeport Valley and Northern Mono County.

While the town itself is small, there are several excellent places to stay overnight, including:

• The Bodie Hotel
• Walker River Lodge
• Virginia Creek Settlement

Read Next: 20 Charming Mountain Towns To Visit In California

25. Topaz Lake

Topaz Lake is the last stop along Highway 395 before you cross into Nevada. Topaz Lake is a manmade lake that is an excellent place for trout fishing.

The Topaz Lake Public Fishing Area offers great access to its shoreline in a very beautiful and peaceful setting.

Highway 395 Map:

Map Tip: Click on each location to see more details!

California Highway 395 is one of the greatest road trip routes to take in the State. Have you driven Highway 395 yourself? Let us know your favorite stops in the comment section below!

Looking for more travel inspiration? Here are a few other popular posts that you may like:

• 15 Best Hikes In Inyo National Forest, California
• 10 Best Hotels In Mammoth Lakes, California
• 12 Incredible Volcanic Destinations In California
• 15 Most Scenic Drives In California
• 15 Best State Parks To Visit In California

This post is written by Laura. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 50,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.

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