Top 5 Things to Do in Inyo County, California
A County Full of Incredible Extremes
Inyo County is located in California between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the state of Nevada. It’s one of the most incredible areas for outdoor adventure and exploration in the state and completely underrated. The name “Inyo” is a Native American word meaning dwelling place of the great spirit and you’ll come to understand how it got its name once you’ve spent some time exploring its unique and amazing landscape.
The county is truly a place of extremes. The lowest point in all of North America, Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, lies within its borders while Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous U.S. stands towering along its western edge.
It’s home to 13 of California’s 15 peaks that exceed 14,000 feet in elevation as well as the deepest valley of the American continents, Owens Valley. It’s the second largest county by area in all of California yet it has the lowest population density of any county in the state.
It’s also where you can find the largest escarpment, a steep slope that occurs from faulting and erosion, in the U.S. rising from Death Valley’s floor to the top of Telescope Peak.
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TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN INYO COUNTY:
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Death Valley often elicits a feeling of doom and gloom with names like Badwater Basin, Funeral Mountain, Coffin Canyon and Devil’s Golf Course.
However, don’t let the names fool you! Death Valley is one of the most interesting national parks in the U.S. due to its unparalleled diversity. The park covers over 3,000 square miles of land including Badwater Basin, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, to Telescope Peak standing proud at 11,049 feet tall. This is an elevation drop steeper than the South Rim of the Grand Canyon!
Death Valley is known as the hottest place on earth having recorded the world’s highest air temperature of 134°F on July 10, 1913. Summer temperatures can easily exceed 120°F.
Be sure to check the weather before visiting and go prepared. Heat related illness can be life threatening.
Things to Do in Death Valley:
- Badwater Basin
Take a walk below sea level at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in all of North America.
- Artist’s Palette
Drive the 9-mile scenic loop to Artist’s Palette, an area composed of vibrant colorful soils in shades of pinks and greens from mineral concentrations that make photos look photoshopped.
- Mesquite Dunes
Hike the incredible Mesquite Dunes reaching heights over 100 feet tall against a backdrop of beautiful panoramic surrounding mountains. Hit the dunes at the right time of day and the pristine waves of sand cast picture perfect long shadows down the slopes. Just remember that for every 2 steps forward, you take one back when hiking dunes.
- Eureka Dunes
If you have a 4-wheel drive and love venturing out to remote locations, seek some solitude at Eureka Dunes.
Although the dunes span an area only 3 miles long and a mile wide, they’re the tallest dunes in California rising almost 700 feet above the surrounding dry lakebed. They also “sing”, a rare phenomena that takes place when the sand is completely dry and avalanches down the steepest faces of the dunes, compressing air which creates an audible boom.
- Racetrack Playa - Go off-roading and explore the Racetrack Playa, an area of mystery where strange forces cause giant rocks to travel across the dry lake bed like “sailing stones” leaving trails that can’t quite be explained. Note: a 4-wheel drive, high clearance vehicle is usually required.
- Ubehebe Crater - Hike down into the Ubehebe Crater, a maar volcano crater of vibrant colors stretching over a half mile across and 600 feet deep formed by undergrown explosions. Just know that if you hike down, you must hike back up!
- Rhyolite Ghost Town - Explore the ruins of Rhyolite, an old gold mining boom town that was once home to 3 train lines, 3 newspapers, 3 hospitals, an opera, a symphony and 53 saloons that declined as quickly as it sprung to life. Explore remnants of old buildings, historic sites and art installations.
BISHOP
Bishop is the largest city in Inyo County situated at the northern end of Owens Valley with a small town, country vibe.
Bishop is the perfect stop for the night on your road trip through the scenic Eastern Sierra.
Things to Do in Bishop:
- Laws Railroad Museum
Laws Railroad Museum is a designated California historic site. The depot is one of the city’s most important historic areas. The museum sits on 11 acres of land and includes a turn of the century town full of old buildings, historic steam engines and artifacts from the pioneer days.
- Keough’s Hot Springs
Keough’s Hot Springs is the largest natural hot spring pool in the Eastern Sierra region with two pools built in 1919. There is a waterfall cooling system that falls down into the larger pool and the smaller reaches temperatures of 104°F.
THE BUTTERMILKS
Buttermilk Road is one of the most popular areas for bouldering. The road got its name back at the turn of the 20th century because miners would stop for a cold glass of buttermilk along the roadside at Wells Dairy Ranch.
There are no amenities or restrooms in the area so be prepared when visiting.
ANCIENT BRISTLECONE PINE FOREST
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is a protected area high up in the White Mountains and home to the oldest living trees in existence.
In fact, these gnarled and twisted trees are the oldest living non-clonal organisms on the planet, one of which is believed to be over 5,000 years old. There are 3 hiking trails, a visitor center and exhibits along a boardwalk.
Photo courtesy of Shuping Yin. Check out more of her incredible photography on Instagram.
ALABAMA HILLS
Alabama Hills is an area full of giant rounded boulders, eroded hills and jagged peaks that were shaped by geological uplifting that occurred 100 million years ago.
It is home to several arches including Mobius Arch which almost perfectly frames Mt. Whitney in the distance, the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States at 14,505 feet.
This area has long been one of Hollywood’s favorite filming locations for American western films. It’s where scenes from movies like The Lone Ranger, Gladiator, Iron Man and Tremors were shot
You can even pick up a brochure about its movie making history at the Lone Pine Chamber of Commerce or visit the Museum of Western Film History in Lone Pine.
INYO COUNTY VISITOR INFORMATION:
Visitor Centers:
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor Center - White Mountain Road, Hwy 168 from Lone Pine; (760) 873-2500
Bishop Chamber of Commerce Visitors Bureau - 690 N. Main Street, Bishop, CA; (760) 873-8405
Eastern Sierra Interpretive Center - 190 E. Yaney Street, Bishop, CA; (760) 872-1220
Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center - Hwy 395 & State Route 136 Junction, Lone Pine, CA; (760) 876-6200
White Mountain Public Lands Information Center/Ranger Station - 798 N. Main Street, Bishop, CA; (760) 873-2500
Other Resources:
Wilderness Permits for Inyo National Forest
