Park Hours (Today)
All Day
Devils Postpile Ranger Station: 9:00AM - 3:00PM
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About the Park
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.
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Visitor Centers
Devils Postpile Ranger Station
The Devils Postpile Ranger Station is open daily from 9 am - 5 pm during the operating season which is typically mid-June to mid-October. Rangers can help you plan your adventure at Devils Postpile. The ranger station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its association with changes in national park planning and development from the late 1930s to the start of World War II in 1941. The simple two-room cabin was constructed in 1941 from lumber salvaged from the demolished Sentinel Hotel.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
Operating 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.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Photos
Hexagonal fractures that make up the columns at the postpile with glacial polish
Waterfall with faint rainbow
Soda Springs Meadow and San Joaquin River
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
1 day
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Planning Devils Postpile National Monument
These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.