Mono Lake is situated just east of Yosemite's north entrance, along US Route 395. Mono Lake has a long history of being fought over for its water rights.

The lake was established to preserve the spectacular "tufa towers". The towers were created by the interaction of freshwater springs and the aklaine lake waters. Since there is no outlet, evaporation and new minerals being washed into the lake, it is now 2 1/2 times as salty as the ocean.

The lake is also known for its breeding population of California Gulls. Around 50,000 gulls travel there each year from the Pacific coast to nest and raise their young at Mono Lake.