At the center of Manzanar National Historic Site is the story of the first camp established by the U.S. government to intern Japanese Americans during World War II. The restored former camp auditorium serves as the visitor center; exhibits on daily life are housed in a restored mess hall and two reconstructed barracks in Block 14. You can also take a 3.2-mile, self-guided loop around the site by car or bicycle. Use of the site is subject to park conditions.
History in Buildings and Collections
The Eastern California Museum displays around 400 baskets made by the Owens Valley Paiute and the Panamint Shoshone. Its exhibits also cover Inyo County history and the natural and cultural heritage of Owens Valley and the Eastern Sierra. A specifically named collection thus sits alongside a broader view of history and landscape.
The Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site offers a different historical point of interest: it is located in an old railroad depot dating from 1883 and on an 11-acre historic site. While the baskets are among the focal points at the Eastern California Museum, here it is the depot itself that defines the place.
Rocks, Desert, and High Mountains
The Alabama Hills offer a landscape contrast to the stories of museums and towns. They consist of rounded rocks and eroded hills between the rugged peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the geologically complex Inyo Mountains. In the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, you can visit movie locations and explore natural arches. A free permit is required to camp at designated, semi-primitive campgrounds in the National Scenic Area. Requirements may change, so check them before camping.
In Death Valley, you can hike through deep canyons, across salt flats, through sand dunes, and into desert mountain landscapes. Other offerings include ranger-led tours, nature walks, terrace talks, and evening programs. The landscapes and program formats offer different ways to experience Death Valley.
The county’s high and low points also give Inyo County a striking contrast: Mount Whitney rises to 14,505 feet and is the highest mountain in the contiguous 48 U.S. states. Badwater Basin in Death Valley is also in Inyo County and is the lowest point in North America.
The mountain road to the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest offers another high-altitude perspective. It climbs from Owens Valley to elevations above 10,000 feet and eventually reaches the Schulman Grove Visitor Center and several trails through ancient bristlecone pine groves. The forest is home to some of the oldest living trees on Earth. These include bristlecone pines that have survived for thousands of years in one of California’s harshest mountain landscapes. Because of snow and winter weather, the road is usually open only seasonally. Check road conditions before driving.
Planning Your Trip
South of Bishop, Keough’s Hot Springs has a large, naturally heated swimming pool, a plunge or soaking pool, picnic areas, and changing facilities. Operating details and conditions may vary.
A vehicle is recommended for most visitors because public transportation in Inyo County is limited. This is a useful point to consider early when planning your accommodation and activities. Bishop Airport has seasonal commercial nonstop flights on United Express to San Francisco and Denver. Flight schedules may change; check connections for your travel dates.
Discover More Destinations
Bishop, Lone Pine, Death Valley Junction, Independence, Tecopa, Olancha, Big Pine, Stovepipe Wells, Death Valley, Kearsarge
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