Updated June 2020.
Devils Postpile National Monument in California was an awesome surprise for us. We planned to stay 2 days, ended up staying for 4 days. Dogs are welcome on all the trails within the monument and can be off leash in the surrounding National Forest! The girls were also welcome on the ranger lead hikes. We even had rangers come by our camp when they were off duty to see them.
Admittedly this is a small monument, only 798 acres. It is at 7560’ on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada not far from Mammoth Lakes. Although the monument itself is small it is surrounded by the large Inyo National Forest also called the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Additionally, it is the junction of the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails.
How to get there and when to go
From highway 395 take highway 203 towards Mammoth Lakes and to Minaret Summit.
Don’t go in the winter, its closed. When you see the road into it you will understand. The dates will depend on snowfall amounts but usually it is open mid-June to Mid-October. If you are just visiting for the day you must use the shuttle which begins at the Mammoth Mountain Ski Lodge building. If you choose to camp or stay at the Reds Meadow Resort, you are allowed to drive the road.
The road down is steep, narrow and descends for 1500 feet in 8 miles. Three miles of it are single lane. Vehicles or combination vehicle/trailers longer than 25’ can use the National Forest campgrounds or Red Meadow Valley campground but can’t enter the spur road into the monument. Once you are in the valley you can use the shuttle bus for free within the valley
Campgrounds and Resort
There are 5 non-group campgrounds in the National Forest surrounding the monument and 1 in the monument. All standard sites are first come only, groups and equestrian sites can be reserved, all sites require the use of the provided bear boxes. None of them have hook-ups.
- NPS campground – 20 sites, flush toilets, water, tables and fire pits. Vehicle length limit is 25 feet.
- Pumice Flat- 17 sites, flush toilets, water.
- Upper Soda Springs – 28 sites, vault toilets, water.
- Red’s Meadow Valley – 52 sites, flush toilets, water, showers nearby.
- Agnew Meadows – 14 sites, vault toilets, water, equestrian sites available for reservations.
- Minaret Falls – 27 sites, vault toilets, water.
Red’s Meadow Resort and Packstation provides private cabin style rooms, cabins which sleep up to 6 or hiker cabins. Showers are also available for campers and hikers.
Camping tip: the Devils Postpile campground is the cheapest. We came in late at night and in the pitch black couldn’t find the NPS campground. We did find a spot at Minaret Falls CG then walked into the park in the morning and found a nicer spot there to move to.
Things to do
Hiking
There are 8 miles of trails in Devils Postpile. The monument is also a junction for the Pacific Crest Trail and the John Muir Trail. If you choose to travel on one of those trails outside the monument check on the pet restrictions for that trail some sections do have pet restrictions.
The terrain in the area is volcanic so while the trails seem to be mostly sand that sand is composed of pumice which is extremely abrasive. Keep an eye on your dog’s feet or better yet have them wear dog booties.
Ranger guided programs
Yes, dogs are welcome to attend the ranger programs. The only place they can’t go is inside the small ranger station.
Fishing
With a valid license, fishing is allowed.
If you read the camping information above you might have noticed there are bear boxes at all the campsites. There are bears in the area so stay alert, don’t leave food or trash anywhere and carry bear spray.
As always check with the rangers or on the website for their up to date pet regulations.
