Tufa Towers

Tufa Towers are otherworldly limestone spires that rise along the shores of Mono Lake in California’s Eastern Sierra. They form around underwater calcium-rich springs where fresh water meets the lake’s alkaline water, precipitating calcium carbonate to build towers over decades; when lake levels dropped due to diversions, many tufas emerged above water and remain iconic today. The highest concentration of towers sits at the South Tufa Interpretive Trail, while Navy Beach offers a different shoreline perspective and access for paddlers. Along the shore you can spot Artemia monica (monica brine shrimp) and watch birds that nest among the tufas, often framed by the Sierra Nevada peaks. In 2025 the Inn Fire damaged portions of the boardwalks and signage near the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve, but the tufas endured and restoration work began soon after.