Devils Postpile National Monument named a National Park Service hidden gem

Devils Postpile National Monument has been recognized by the National Park Service as one of its top 10 ‘hidden gems’. Located in the Ansel Adams Wilderness within California’s Sierra Nevada, the monument offers a quieter alternative to the heavily crowded Yosemite National Park.

Spanning 800 acres, the site features one of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt and the highest waterfall on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. It also provides access to the renowned John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail. Visitors can experience views from Soda Springs Meadow that rival Yosemite’s famous Tunnel View.

Due to seasonal access restrictions, visitors typically park at the Mammoth Mountain ski area and utilize a shuttle to reach the valley. The nearby mountain town of Mammoth Lakes is approximately 21 kilometers away, while the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport in Bishop provides regular flights from San Francisco.