Devils Postpile National Monument Reviews

What an interesting place! We drove down the road to the parking which was full. Go early. Luckily we found a spot about 1/2 from the trails. There was limited bathrooms available which was odd with all the visitors.

Take your time down driving in the park as the road is narrow.

The Postpile is amazing and worth the hike to the top. The hike to Rainbow falls is moderate.

You simply must check this out! Mother Nature created something unbelievable!!! The stone columns are perfect in shape and height. The hike is easy so PLEASE do not miss seeing this amazing site!

Its a little hike, but does take a toll for the non hiker. But, but it's totally worth the heavy panting. The area is beautiful, and the middle San Joaquin river flows right behind the DPP. We have a 10yr old and she complained about how hard it was of a hike, but just drag her on, and enjoy some amazing natural beauty. There are spots to sit along the way, and don't forget to bring water, lots of water.

Having a geologist in the family, we can never pass up these type of monuments!! This was great, and we enjoyed the hike to the waterfall also. Definitely worth a look!

The pickup spot was at the Mammoth Main Adventure Center. We got there around 9 and did not wait at all. We had a bus driver with a bad attitude (see Rainbow Falls Review) but enjoyed the hike in the shady trees. The postpones were really interesting. Continue on to the Falls if at all possible!

We had a great walk here with very well signposted trails and a great bus service in the valley. A must if your going in the summer

We went there at the end of September by drive down to the trailhead ,as the shuttle was no longer running and private cars were allowed.
There are nice restrooms at the 'Devil's Postpile Parking" ,but you should bring your own sanitary wipes as there is no soap.
The Hike from the postpile trailhead to the postpile is a very short hike,it is an easy to moderate hike(.4mi).
Postpile is spectacular formation of Geologic Rock Columns created by Volcanic activity,If you want to go up top, there are two paths, one to the left and one to the right(It's worth the extra steps).once you are up top,you can observed all these Hexagonal Shapes in the stone,but you only see a little portion of the Postpile,so the best view of the Postpile is still Down in front.
There is a picnic area very near the Devils Postpile overlooking the river to set and relax.
Devils Postpile is a must visit in the Mammoth Lakes area.

The devil’s post pile is pretty amazing and the easy (stroller friendly) trail makes it so accessible. Means if you want to take it easy you’re in luck, if you want something more involved then you can carry on down to rainbow falls or any of the other interesting sounding trails. There is a cute park ranger post on arrival and if you need water top up for bottles then you are in luck. Extra special for us was getting to see a deer along the trail!

The postpile itself, is quite impressive and I enjoyed taking a walk all over it, and spending some time overlooking the river from the bridge. ... thinking what a huge loss a small amount of dynamite could have caused.

To reach Devils Postpile we had drop at Stop 6 from the shuttle Bus which took from Mammoth Shuttle Bus stand...then hike around 1.3 miles through the mountain slopes and forest. When we reached the spectacular foundation of columns out of Volcanic event caused flow of lava which cooled down to form the symmetrical, vertical columns. A must visit site in Mammoth Lakes.

We parked at the Rainbow Falls trailhead parking lot and hiked to Devils Postpone and then looped down to the falls and back to the trailhead. The Postpone geologic formation is fascinating! It's been on my bucket list of things to see in the Sierras. Glad we made the hike.

Hiked to Devils Postpile. Very cool to see and a nice hike. We all had a wonderful day outdoors in the beautiful mountains.

Nature at its best to perform a show. Ancient lava flows. Scenic drive to location. Beautiful lake nearby parking area. A good three hours spent in amazement.

We started out early this day and entered the park by driving our personal vehicle.. We were able to use our own vehicle because we had horseback riding reservations at the Red Meadows Pack Station(tram stop #10). Having reservations meant that we didn’t have to wait for the tram.

We drove down the road to the Ranger Station(tram stop #6) and hiked to the Devils Postpile. The trail is short and easy. The long narrow rock formations from the side were awesome to see, but the hexagonal shapes from above were unique and fascinating. This hike does not take that much time at all..

After the short hike, we headed to our horseback riding reservations at the Red Meadows Pack Station. The guide took us on the trail to Rainbow Falls. The views on trail were amazing. The guides were friendly and funny which made the ride even more enjoyable. One suggestion I might have for you, is make sure you wear dark clothing. I had on a white T-shirt and returned with a brown one🤪. If you don’t horseback ride to Rainbow Falls, hiking to the falls would be well worth the trip also. This was a good half day of entertainment for the family..

this is something really unique. transportation information available on the website. after that, a small hike. carry your water bottle and cap. stay safe with wildlife. no mobile networks. download maps or carry a paper copy map shared by rangers.

If you are in Mammoth Lakes in the Summer take the shuttle out to the Valley and look around. The half mile walk to the Devils Postpile is one of the more accessible trails I’ve walked in the great outdoors. The rock structures are impressive. The hike to the top of the Postpile is a bit strenuous.

It's an short, easy hike to from the parking lot to the Postpile. The additional moderate hike to Rainbow Falls is well worth ti if you are so inclined especially in early to mid spring when there';s plenty of water coming through.

Absolutely love this nature park, we did the hike to Devils Postpile and from there to Rainbow fall and have all ages and all hiking skills with us. Everyone made it and enjoyed it It’s beautiful. But bring water and a snack, it got a little hot in the meadow and there is nothing in between.

It's just under a half mile walk from the car park and you might think not to bother with it being rock but it's worth a trip.

It is not worth trying to drive in. Go to the Mammoth Lakes Adventure Center to buy shuttle tickets. The window opens at 8 am. $7 for adults, $4 for kids. Go to the bus stop in front of the Mammoth statue. It will take you to Devil's Postpile National Monument. There is a half mile walk.

Had to take a shuttle to the start of the hike. We had a some issues with one driver not communicating very well which direction they were going, so we had to get off and wait for a new shuttle. New driver was GREAT! The hike is beautiful. Come prepared with water and snacks. The kids loved it as well. The sights and the nature around are fantastic!

We drove to car park at mammoth mountain lodge and caught a bus to devils postpile. Long winding road took about 20 mins and waked 0.5 miles to Devils postpile from the applicable stop. Nice easy walk. Toilet available. Interesting natural formation. We then walked. Further 2.5 miles to Rainbow falls well worth the extra walk.

This is a short hike, easy, almost everyone can do it. That said, be prepared: wear sensible shoes, take water, hat and wear sunscreen. The Postpiles are awesome! Something I probably won't see anywhere else, ever. Really worth the hike...really a walk.

Stunning display of columnar lava. Best noted for the glacial polish on the top of it. At the moment access is restricted to Fri-Sun due to road repairs, and you have to pay $15pp for the bus to get there. But if you go after 7pm you can drive there and just get to see it just before dark. You must take your mosquito repellent!!!

Hike to Devils Postpile Monument is very short if you get off at shuttle stop 6. Might as well do the Rainbow Falls hike onto Lower Falls for a nice leisurely, dog friendly, kid friendly hike. It took us 5 hours due to rest breaks from my blisters I got and with many photo breaks. Only disappointment was that we could not walk down to Rainbow Falls because it was under construction. So happy we found out about this place.

Definitely a must see if you visit Mammoth Lakes. Take the shuttle down to Reds Meadows and it's a short hike. Really cool formations.

Great experience with my family. This is something my son wanted to do for his 17th bday so we decided to join him. Beautiful view, nature and lovely weather . We got plenty of pictures and memories with the family.

Super interesting 100,000 yr old rock columns formations created from iron and magnesium poured from a volcano! Never seen anything like it. I cannot believe there were ppl that wanted to destroy it and build a reservoir, or so we were told. Hike is easy.

Devils Postpile is at the bottom of the valley from Mammoth Mountain. There is a convenient bus that runs every 30 min to and from various stops at the bottom of the valley. Once you arrive at the Postpile parking lot it is a quick .5 mile walk to the bottom of the rocks. The walk is mild and groomed. All ages can make it there. I have seen young and old enjoying the hike. And it’s really not that far to get to if your not into hiking or walking very far.

You can enjoy the bottom area and see all of the hexagon shaped lava rocks- very cool up close and personal. For those more active and adventurous there’s a trail to the top!! Where you can see how these amazing lava shaped rocks cooled into what looks like ancient Jenga or Tetrus (shape games for those who don’t know)

It’s an amazing natural beauty. Make it one if your to-do items when visiting Mammoth.
You’ll get some awesome photos!!

My family and I had a great hike to the Post Pile. Unfortunately my family rebelled when I wanted to hike to rainbow falls. The area at the base of the Post Pile has many areas to rest and view this unique rock formation. There is also a lot of wild life around to watch. We saw dozens of Golden Mantled Ground Squirrels. We also saw some jays. There is a river that runs nearby and a beautiful meadow across it. If we had more time, I'm sure we'd have seen more.

I was here every summer as a child but first time back as an adult. I remember it bigger back then but the structure is still awe inspiring. Finally was able to climb the trail to the top of the pile this visit. It is not a treacherous hike and a must do. We trekked from the rainbow falls route and that part of the trail was less crowded. Must see site in Mammoth

Enjoyed the scenic drive to the Post pile and the walk was longer than we as seniors might like, but we enjoyed the sight once we got there and thought it was worth the trip.

You have to pay for a shuttle ride to get here unless you drive before 7am or after 6pm. We ended up driving after 6pm to get here so we wouldn't have to pay. It's a pretty long windy road to drive down to get there. Also, there are a TON of mosquitos at the time we went. They were everywhere. It made the stop a lot less enjoyable. It was basically jog to the postpiles, take the pics, and jog back. The hike is pretty short though to get there.

We've been to Devil's Tower in Wyoming. I liked that a lot better than here.

My wife and I visited in mid October as part of a Fall Color Photo trip we do every few years along hwy 395. There are good hiking trails and I recommend you see the Postpile from below and then take the hike up to the top as it is also very interesting from above. The Postpile closes in the winter but is open from spring through fall. Worth the effort to see.

Nice walk to monument. Have to take shuttle to trailhead during summer because of numbers of people wishing to visit. Beautiful and breathtaking!

great time to visit is in the fall - October. No crowds. Very easy hike from the parking lot. It's worth checking out the Rainbow falls. Dog friendly!

Hiking to Devil’s Postpile is a lot of fun and you’ll love the strange geological shapes formed in the rock. We used the opportunity to get acclimated to the altitude in preparation for hiking part of the John Muir Trail. Be sure to stop by Rainbow Falls too.

Outstanding feature of verticle, naturally occuring 8-sided posts from fracturing molton rock. Breathtaking scenery, and not to be missed. Take a shuttle ride from Main Lodge, Mammoth Mountain straight to the base of the Postpile, and easy-moderate short hike to the top. Very informative ranger tours and information center near the shuttle stop.

Incredible day hike. A must see on your Mammoth. It is a doable walk for most and the sites a A+. You are likely to see some deer on this route.

Amazing views, the road to the postpile was closed so we needed to hike in. Made for a long but beautiful hike and through the the largest formation it was very beautiful and just a great day.

Took the mandatory shuttle (shuttles leave every 20 minutes) from the Mammoth Ski Park, to stop #6 hiked to Devil's Postpile, then on to Rainbow Falls. The rock formation at the Devil's Postile was pretty unusual in the way they were formed, pretty amazing. The hike to the falls was great, lots of beautiful scenery, but the view of the falls was pretty spectacular, a definite must see. Hiked back up to the road stop #9 for the shuttle back to the ski park. Was a very pleasant morning.

Tip: If you don't like to walk, but want to see Rainbow Falls, take the shuttle to Stop #9 from there it's about 2.5 miles round trip.

Located in a beautiful park in a beautiful region. The rangers were helpful but the drive down to the valley is daunting. Worth the trip

Devils Postpile is so interesting! It's a geological wonder in the middle of the valley. There is a big parking area and a 0.4 mile easy walk to the Postpile. Great photos to take there. You can also walk up on top of the postpile and see what it looks like under your feet - really interesting patterns and a great view from up there. There is a visitors center but it was closed for the off-season when we went.

Was happy to finally see Devils Postpile and that we were able to drive to the main area. However the road is windy getting there and I was car sick. The site is about 1/4 mile walking up a small incline. The postpile is really all there is to see unless you want to hike further down the valley. I can't imagine what this place is like in the summer during peak season. Probably a big cluster. Not a destination but nice to see if you have time.

See how magma cools and formed these crystal columns of igneous rock. Just magestic! Worth the hike, see the Rainbow Falls while you're there. However, as with most natural sights, they are not very handicapped friendly. Take water with you!

Definitely worth seeing as part of going to devil's post pile and rainbow Falls together when visiting mammoth lakes. Be prepared for the altitude. The distances are not that long but the altitude takes a lot out of you.

The postpiles are located in the heart of the national monument. The postpiles are unique to see and experience. You can see them, climb on them, and touch them. But also part of your trip is to ride into the park on the shuttle and hike about the park and experience all the exciting outdoor adventures around you. Much more than just a monument, this is the window to the wilderness. Great hiking!!!

Pretty interesting Worth a look! Not too far to walk to. If you are going to rainbow falls too, hop back in your car and drive to it unless you want to walk 2.6 miles one way!!

We were traveling US395 and thought about seeing this amazing place for ourselves. We had never been to this area and were unfamiliar with it. You cannot go to the Postpile in your vehicle. You must park at Mammoth Mountain to get to it, then you buy tickets, and then wait in line for the shuttle bus which takes you to the Monument. The map for the Postpile says it is 0.4 mile from the Monument Ranger Station to walk to the Postpile. It appeared to us that with all the parking, shuttling, and walking, that this would take us far longer time than we had allowed. I would love to return, and start well before lunch so that I could really enjoy it.

We great trip for the hike to the monument. We took the bus from Village to the monument. the round trip ticket for adults is $8 and $4 for kids. We got dropped at the stop #6 about 45 mins ride from the Village. A short walk to the monument base and then a short hike to the top. It was very unique view and the monument is worth the visit for sure. Then we hiked to the rainbow falls, just over 2 miles. We did not see the rainbow but the falls was great. then we trekked back to stop #10 which is the closest stop and rode back the bus o the village.

It has been a dream of mine to visit this location! The Postpile was amazing to see and the informational post around it were educational! Explore the surrounding area and hike a little further to walk along the PCT or JMT! A great place to visit but remember to Leave No Trace!

Once you get there on the bus it’s a nice
hike, beautiful area. Would not do it again. Not worth the price.

We went to the Mammoth Lakes area just to visit this National Monument. It was a lovely walk, and not difficult. The drive to the monument is really beautiful, but make sure you head out early. Parking is very limted at the trailhead, and I believe the park service closes the road once the parking is full. Parts of the road are very narrow, with turnouts to allow cars to go by. It traffic gets too heavy, it could cause major issues. We arrived while there was still parking, so no problem for us. But on our drive out, it was non-stop cars coming in. The postpile itself is really interesting. We did not take the trail to the top, but just walking along the bottom is cool. The short hike in is also quite scenic, offering views of the river. Really lovely.

Great day trip. Take the shuttle- be prepared to wait on summer days. Good for photos and a nice hike. Go on to Rainbow Falls.

It was really cool to learn how it was created. If you are able to make the climb up the steps to the top it is amazing to see the tops of the posts. If you can also make the hike check out Rainbow falls. It is in the same park.

It takes about 45 minutes to navigate the approximate 13 mile journey from Mammoth Lakes to this location. But it is well worth it. The basalt columns are very impressive. And there is a path from the parking lot which is a little less than half a mile. It is a pretty smooth path and you can actually take a stroller there. A wheelchair would be more of a challenge but doable. We visited in late October just a few days before the park closes. There were not many visitors so the place was not overrun with tourists. In fact, when you get to the monument it is very serene. Definitely a must see if you are in the Mammoth Lakes area.

We took the shuttle bus (mandatory) and enjoyed the rather short walk (less than 1/2 mile) to see Devils Postpile. We also did the longer loop hike over the top to see the "tile-like" look of the top of the postpone. Was worth the walk!

I have been to Devil's Postpone a few times. I was all set to go September 21 but there was a blizzard and chains required so I had to go to plan B. In summer you are required to take the shuttle but it is easy to do and makes many stops in the monument. The hike is not hard at all to the Postpile and further on to the falls is not difficult wither. It is soooo worth the hike. Beautiful, mystical, breathtaking etc! It will be my 3rd do over next summer.Love it!

we went camping in this area and then hiked to see Devils postpile. I think there's restricted access for cars, to minimize traffic and environmental damage. but there's a shuttle bus also.

While roadtripping down 395 my husband and I spent a few hours hiking at Devils Postpile and the Rainsbow Falls. The fall foilage was gorgeous. We started at parking lot 5 and took the short hike to the bottom and top of Devils Postpile. Both views were amazing. I haven't seen anything like it. We then hiked 2 miles to the Rainbow falls. The hike was pretty easy. The 101 feet tall falls are beautiful. After the falls we hiked less than a mile to parking lot 10 and then took the shuttle back to our car. The fall weather and gorgeous sites made for a perfect day to be out in nature.

We enjoyed the fall color and scenery. The hike to the Devils Postpile was a short distance and the trail was well maintained. It may be a bit difficult for those with mobility issues. The view on the hike and drive offered some beautiful fall foliage color, perfect for many photo opportunities.

We stayed one nigbt in the are and decided to visit this before we moved onto our next stop. Glad we did, it was really cool! I would recommend going to it. Nice drive to get there too, nice scenery and drive past the ski area. Easy to walk. Pretty river to look at too. Saw some trout fisherman. My husband walked to the top of it and took pictures. Looks like a honeycomb from the top.

Fascinating formation that brought out the wonder in each of us - how did this happen etc? Don't miss going to Rainbow falls, the walk passes through a portion destroyed on a forest fire in 1992 which makes a sharp contrast with the rest of the area. At 2.5 miles each way it was an ideal hike for our 6 year old - pleasantly tiring without being exhausting.

After many years, we drove into the Monument and hiked to it, and from there, made it to Rainbow Falls as well. Six miles in all, more strenuous than some might want to take on. But what a wonderful escape into this hideaway in God's creation.

Devil's Postpile is a very interesting geological formation created by the interaction of hot lava, and the ice age - shearing the rock surface and effectively creating cement beams that are six-sided, the most efficient shape in nature. It can be viewed from the trail below the formation or you can also hike up (there is a path) to the top and view the postpiles from above. There's also a Ranger station at the trail head where the knowledgeable rangers can provide directions and information.

The shear beauty of this place cannot be captured on a picture. This place reminds me of the scenery I write in my books. You have to see this beauty with your own eyes.

Devil's postpile is a very easy hike or walk. Parking lot is close to the trail which is clearly marked for an easy adventure. If you are an avid hiker,you can hike to rainbow falls. About a 2 mile hike from devil's postpile. Or you can drive farther down the road and the hike is only 1.3 miles. Considering your at about 8000 ft in elevation,it's a better option for beginners. Make sure to bring plenty of water. The hike back is harder because it's uphill.

This is an amazing geological wonder. It's not big, worth the walk though. I saw many older people non hikers there enjoying themselves.

Easy to get to off the shuttle and a flat hike unless you add the falls or climb to the top viewing area. The info about the rock formations was really good. It wasn't as big as I thought it would be, so we didn't stay too long. The shuttle is required during most of the daytime hours and was very crowded.

Since I was traveling with my 88 year old mother in law I was looking for a WOW factor with little or no walking. Devil’s Postpile was certainly a WOW factor and it didn’t require a lot of walking.

Hard to believe nature can make such perfect columns! The hike was scenic and not difficult. Loved you could bring your dog on the trail.

Having paid the $10 entry fee and made it down the precarious, barrier less road, the main car park was full. I was advised to park down the road and walk 2 miles through the woods. Travelling solo requires some bravery but walking alone in the woods in a known bear habitat is just plain stupid. I raised this concern to the attend but he couldn't care less, even though a number of vehicles had just exited the main car park and chances are there was a space for me. The result is I couldn't see the monument. It would have been useful to have this info before I entered the fee area and they really should offer a shuttle service from overflow parking to the monument for solo travellers, young families and the elderly. Unless you have a crystal ball for full car parks, I suggest skipping the whole thing and enjoying the free June Lake Loop and Lake Mary instead

We visited on July 2nd and tried to drive around 10.00am. Got stopped at the gate as they have resumed the Shuttle services back. So went back to the Gondola start area and parked on the road-side. Purchased the tickets for the shuttle bus and park for a 2:30pm ride. Forgot to try the 4th Grader freedom America pass. This pass is accepted on some national parks and not in state parks. Would have saved some bucks! Glad I took the bus. Driving on that single lane road would have been a scary experience for me. My Gondola ride wrapped up earlier and we asked if we can take the 12:30 bus to Devils P. And to our surprised they said yes. We went straight to the Rainbow falls first and after wrapping it up, took the bus and landed in Devils P. The hike is short and sweet . We also tried climbing up to the top of the Monument. It's a short distance to the top but very steep steps. Tooks 15 mins for non-regular hikers like us to reach the top. And we also stopped by the stream on our way back. Very relaxed and Enjoyable visit.

the hike to the postpile was pleasant and there are a number of signs explaining the area which are well done. look around the pile to notice how some posts go from verticle to almost horizontal.

Pretty cool how this formation occurred and the shapes. Almost perfect octagons. Seeing the pile of rocks (Posts that have fallen) is cool but to then go up top and walk on top is even cooler! The walk to the post pile is very nice (when it's not too crowded or not too many mosquitos).

Have visited this place multiple times. Easy access. Short hike to the site. Depending on the time you visit, it can get crowded.

We got there at an awkward time (a bit before 2 on Sunday) and were provided little info about the shuttle. $10 to get in. It was busy, even at this time in low season. We had to park at the very end, red meadows stop 10 and catch the shuttle which runs every 30 minutes. First stop 9 is rainbow falls trail (1.3 miles to the falls, 2.5 miles to Devils post pile) and its walkable from stop 10. We went to stop 6 (Devils post pile) and did the .4 mile easy walk to the very cool rock formations. We could have walked the next 2 miles to the falls and then 1.3 miles to the shuttle stop but we didn't know that at the time so rushed back to make the last shuttle at 3:15. Lesson learned and we will go do the whole thing on a visit to Yosemite which isn't too far away. Really worth the trip, nice looking campgrounds on site.

These rocks so perfectly standing up together. The top of the post piles has breathtaking view that can be access by walking up the stairs to the left side.

We hiked in the short distance. It was an amazing spectacle. The hike was very easy. I would love to see it again.

The road down the mountain to this park and the trail to the formation were gorgeous. Loved it all. Worth the side trip. Definitely.

Very unusual attraction but interesting. A nice walk and easy. Plenty of benches to rest along the way.

Especially late afternoon is very nice because you have the warm light of the sun, especially in th autumn.

You might want to call ahead to see if the visitor center is open to parking, etc.. before you make the trip there. If it isn't, you might have to make a moderate hike to get to the visitor center and then on to the "post pile". That being said, it is well worth the hike!!!

Our family(13 Grandparents, children and Grandchildren went by bus to the Devils Postpile and walked on a very easy trail to the Devil's Postpile. Some went to the top (where it is really good to see the shape of the piles) and everyone gathered at the viewing area.

For an easy day, take the shuttle to stop 6 (Devil's Postpile) then go back to the shuttle and ride to stop 9 to walk to Rainbow Falls. For a longer and more challenging hike, go from Devil's Postpile to Rainbow Falls (about 2 miles). There isn't much of an elevation change, but it is a long walk and in full sun. We also had to deal with smoke from a fire so that made it more difficult.

We hiked to the Devil's Postpile in the late afternoon - enjoyed the colors that emerged during sunset. If you don't want to take the shuttle, you will need to arrive prior to 8:30 am or after 5. The trail is fairly flat but does have lots of rocks so be careful with your footing.

You must go in to see this. It is a short walk through the woods to this very interesting spot. Lava cooled in these strange hexagon columns. It has to be seen to understand it. Try to make the trip to the top. It may be a little difficult just take your time. Its is amazing.

Once we discovered this Monument we take our East Coast visitors to it. We have only seen this type of rock formations in Utah.

Have been meaning to get here for years and can get it off my list. Went in off season, so we drove all the way down and not by the shuttle. Made an early start in 40 degree weather with only a few other groups of folks. It's a short walk from the ranger station and a slow uphill that's doable for anyone. Postpile is very unique and looks bigger in the photos, but still impressive. Started the hike to Rainbow falls but thought better of it (being 72 years old and hiking at high altitude and seeing it to be downhill we decided to drive to it later) and went over to Minaret falls instead. Again an easy hike, tho this time of the year there is not much water to be seen at the falls. Many more people on our return, so go early and be in shape if you hike to Rainbow falls.

It is a short walk from the ranger station. It is worthwhile to trek up to the top of the pile to see the 5-6 sided basalt crystal structure as well as more rock formations along the trail behind the main formations.

I was part of a group of adults and two small dogs that took this hike this week. We didn't hike to the falls. Only went to see the Postpile National Monument. It was definitely like nothing I've seen before. It's a relatively easy hike to this part of the park. There are parts that aren't shaded so wear a hat and bring lots of water. Important note...You have to take a $7 shuttle to this hike from Mammoth if you aren't camping in one of the campgrounds.

I am not in great shape but on our road trip we were doing a lot of strolls through beaches and forests. This was not the same. I read the reviews and it said it isn’t easy and it isn’t. If you are determined to do it and you have some weight on you, it will be taxing but you can. Otherwise, don’t try it. The scenery is so worth it at the end but it does take its toll. For all other hikers, this will be nothing for you and the sights are incredible.

This is a very cool place. I didn't know Devil's Postpile existed until I started researching the John Muir Trail. Once I found out about it, I knew we'd have to stop and take a walk around. You'll need at most an hour or so here. Less if you're not a science nerd and don't want to read all the signs explaining how this area formed. It's a national monument - if you're the kind of person who likes seeing stuff like this, you don't need to read my review - you just need to go...and for the rest of the population - turn off your TV and come here and walk around / see some nature and enjoy!

The hike itself is quite short from bus stop 6. Recommend going on the top of the Postpile to see the nature mosaic. Also recommend to continue to Rainbow Falls and then return to bus stop 9 or 10.

Devils Postpile and other parking lots along the 8 miles between the entrance station and Red Meadow at road's end fill up early, even mid week and shoulder season. Get an early start, or be prepared to ride the shuttle bus from up at Mammoth Mountain and not be able to stop where you want for scenery or hiking.

There are other parking lots for Rainbow Falls, Agnew Meadow, Sotcher Lake, etc., the whole valley is only about 5 miles long so you could park once and walk the whole thing in a day, or split it up into sections over a 2 or 3 day visit, which is what I recommend.

Park at Red Meadows Resort and hike to Rainbow Falls and Lower Falls. Have a meal at Red Meadow Mule House Cafe.

Park at Devil's Postpile and hike the Monument, plus check out Pumice Flats and Soda Springs areas along the river, and do the Sotcher Lake nature loop trail across and up the road a bit.

Park at Agnew Meadow and hike north to Olaine Lake, and up to Shadow Lake if you can, which is 8 miles round trip and part is steep but the views are worth it.

Rather than staying way up in Mammoth, try to stay close to the Monument, at Red Meadows Resort perhaps or at one of the many campgrounds.

We went on a Sunday afternoon with our dog. They said we could not take the trolley unless the dog was muzzled. The walk was 1.3 miles each way as they had the parking lot to the postpile closed. We found a ranger and asked if there was any way around this. She said just to ask the gentleman at the orange cones if we could go down and park with her job. He said there was plenty of room and let us in. If it is closed, ask if you can park because there was tons of room and other people were parked there too. Even though it said full, it was not. The walk up to the postpile is steep rock steps which is manageable. Once on top it is very lovely view.

It takes a little effort to drive to the parking lot and walk in, but it is worth it. Devil’s Tower in Wyoming is the only thing I have seen as comparable. Easy hike in and out, lots of fun people on the trail. A bucket list item.

We hiked from the DP right over to Rainbow Falls.It was hot, but the views were excellent. Well worth it.

We went here on a weekday and it was not on busy on the hike except for a school group or two. It was a nice hike and we also took the loop trail by which you walk on top of the Postpile then see it from the bottom. There are nice restrooms at the parking lot which actually have running water and a large parking lot. It was unite a drive here from Mammoth Lakes but worth the visit.

We loved hiking to the Devil's Postpile and on top of it. The area is beautiful. But don't just come and go and not see other places. Rainbow Falls is stunning. Also it's a great hike from Devil's Postpile to Mineret Falls.

There are plenty reasons to visit Devil's postpile National Monument. The display of columnar joints is one of the best in the world. They're amazing, they're interesting, and they're photogenic from every angle. be sure to read up on the geology of these columnar joints. The interpretive displays don't do them Justice. Also be sure to take the loop hike up to the top of the postpile.

There is a bus to the monument itself. You must park around Mammoth Village, pay around $9, and take the bus down to the postpile. if you get a seat on the bus, it's an enjoyable bus ride. But the bus process is a bit unnecessarily complicated. First you wait in line with all the people buying all the tickets for every site in the region. Then you wait for the bus. The bus ride is nice. Then when you're returning, you wait for the bus again. There's a chance you won't get on the first bus you see. You might spend longer than you had planned at the devil's postpile waiting for the return bus. I'm not complaining just letting you know how it goes.

Interesting rock formation. Nice hike if you're in the area; very easy and flat. There are several good hikes in the area.

Last year, I used my Senior pass for National Parks and Monuments to revisit Devil’s Postpile. My last visit had been when I lived in Mammoth Lakes in the 1990’s.
It’s a beautiful valley with scenery galore. Catch-and-release fly fishing, amazing geology, well-marked trails and Rainbow Falls. A great day trip.

Took the shuttle - plenty of parking by the adventure centre. Rangers / drivers all very knowledgable. Enjoyed the short walk.

Why does the devil get so much credit for geological wonders? This is neat display of volcanic rock work that is worth checking out. It is an easy hike. The hard part is the required bus ride to get there. We were standing for the 30 minute trip and we were crammed in. Zero breathing room and stuffy. The driver did not seem to care when using the brakes that people were standing and it was a rough ride. I think my arms are still tired from holding the handrail.

Only two post piles in the world...so you gotta do it! It’s an easy walk so even the little hikers can do it. It’s a very interesting piece of nature and worth the trip if you like that kinda stuff.

Short hike.... very interesting site. I was not aware of this place until we saw signs telling of it. Then researched and visited . With the walk!

Three words- stunning, go see!
Good access for parking and walking. Easy walk to Postpile. A couple of other walks accessible from same site.

Fantastic sight and incredible rock formations... such an amazing sight ... dusty walk well worth it ..,

So all these years I've been going to mammoth and fishing there, I've never stopped by Devil's Postpile. We had time this trip due to high winds and no fish so we went to visit. Bear in mind there is a $10 admissions fee into the park. Also there is no need to park "at the end and take a $5 shuttle ride in" as you can actually drive right up to the second to last parking lot to the right and take a short half mile hike to the spot. I was also told to climb to the top. There are some stairs and a path to do so but I didn't go. Reason was once up top it's hard to see anything. I mean it's not like you can walk to the edge and look down. Best view is still in front. Also there are a couple of paths to hike further but we did enjoy this strange monument. Quite interesting to read how it formed.

A friend took us here to see this geologic place. I'm glad we did because it really is fascinating to read how it was formed. The hike to the bottom was very easy as well as hiking to the top. Worth the stop and the effort.

It’s amazing to see the wonders of nature. Devils post pile is remarkable. Definitely worth seeing. Continue on to Rainbow Falls.

Long drive (1/2 hour for 13 miles), short stroll (maybe 1/2 mile) to a unique sight worth the trip. You can also take a loo hike to the top of the post pile ... I have not done that. And there is a longer hike (2.5 miles, I think) to a waterfall we did on a previous visit.

Interesting rock formation caused by cooling molten basalt which was subsequently exposed by erosion. Similar process to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Easy to get to and set in stunning scenery.

Hiked to Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls couple times and loved it. It's an easy hike and you can take your dog with you. I would go again

This place is good and a one time watch. The dust on the ground is very fine than powder and it is very easily for us to inhale it and get a dry throat. Be careful if you are travelling with kids.. I have my 1 yr lil one with me and i have to use a mask to protect her from this dust. Other places in mammoth lakes like June Lake & twin lakes are very scenic and worth visiting.

We had a great experience hiking to Devil's Postpile! It wasn't very far from stop #6 on the tram/bus that takes you into Reds Meadow from the Main Lodge up the hill (about 3 miles) from the Village. The cost was $15 for each person over 15 and was well worth the round trip. We got our tickets online a day or so ahead, but you can also purchase them at the Adventure Center (where you get on the tram). The road is very narrow and windy. There is only really room for one vehicle at a time, so cars or the tram has to continually pull over as they both pass each other. We actually hiked up to Minaret Falls from this trail as well. It was well worth it and was about a mile each way (up and back). After Devil's Postpile, we continued up the hill on the Rainbow Falls trail. That was longer, but so worth it as well. Go down the stairs to see the Lower Falls if you can! Then we hiked back up and caught the tram to head back to the Village at stop #10 ,where there is a little store to get a cold drink or maybe an ice cream treat! Get going early for this hike! We got up there at about 9:15 and we were really glad we did. It gets more crowded and hotter as the day gets later.

the hike to the monument is an easy one..about a mile or so..it's worth every step to go see this unique geological formation along with the flora and fauna of the place..it's a must do if you're in the vicinity!

Access road is out and accessible only to Park Service currently. Alternatively, we turned off to the Minaret Vista site which gives a spectacular view of the entire valley.

You can see Devils Postpile off the John Muir Trail but if you want to visit the ranger station you need to go off trail. Neat place to visit. It’s not far from Reds Meadows.

We were fortunate that we were able to drive our vehicle down to the Monument Ranger Station. At times of the year, when the monument is open, visitors have to take bus from Mammoth Lakes. The feature at Devil's Post Pile is a unique geological formation and worth a visit if you are in the area.

We visited the Devils Postpile and were pleased it was so easily accessible. Beautiful area! It was fascinating to see the formation left from volcanic activity!

The shuttle was not running when we were there. Parking might not be that easy. But you just HAVE TO GO! Beautiful, strange volcanic shapes, lovely walk to and from the Postpile. Park rangers were knowledgeable; what we expect of course. We had great weather; sunny and mild. Devils Postpile is a quiz for the brain and a treat for all your senses!

We arrived out of season in September when the shuttle wasnt available. The road to the monument was also ungoing a major rehaul to make it safer and was closed all week and only open Saturday morning 7am til Sunday at 11pm. The rangers suggested visiting at 4pm as there are limited parking spaces.
The drive to the car park was one of the scariest drives ever, glad I was a passrnger, You have to give way to all uphill traffic and every logging truck, not easy with a road that is only wide enough for one car in many places and has a sheer drop to the side. The journey took ages, take your time.

Once there, the monument is about a mile from the car park, its not a challenging walk. Once there, wow, It is stunning, a geographical wonder.

The drive to the Postpile is one of the most spectacular in the world! The forest, river, lakes and monuments are a must when in the area. You will want to come back over and over. Be aware that there is a shuttle with fee after 7:00 am.

Great hike to devils postpile, make sure you go to the top (If you're fit). Great to see and the rock formations are out of this world.

Devils Postpile is a very interesting place to visit. It does not take long to visit the area, but it is a long bus ride to Devils Postpile. You must first get your tickets for the bus ride. The ride is long and winding. It does not take long to view the attraction, but if you like hiking there are many trails. Catching the bus back to the station could be a little tricky, for it could be very crowded and if there is standing room only, the ride will be a long one back. We enjoyed visiting the area, but once is enough. The entire area is very scenic and great for photography. The parking could be a challenge. There are lots and lots of people there and the parking area is always full.

My family and I had a wonderful time visiting both sites at the park, Devil’s Postpile and Rainbow falls. Both were so beautiful! As a side note, I visited with two young children, so the walk was long and hard for them. In the end I’m glad they endured because it was such a great experience for them and our family.

About a 3 mile or so hike, but well worth it. You must keep going to rainbow falls. We took the two dogs and a potbelly pig and they love it.

A miracle of nature! Easily accessible. Can be seen from side and from top. Impressive hexagonal basalt structures.

While we were in the area we decided to visit Devils Postpile National Monument on a Saturday about 1:30pm in late September. I can only imagine what it is like when it is busy. The wait to get in was about 10 minutes, the parking lot was full so you have to park at Red's Meadow and take the shuttle that runs every 30 minutes. In peak season, you have to park at Mammoth Mountain and take the shuttle bus.

The actual postpile is a short, easy 0.4 mile hike from the shuttle stop at the parking area. You can also hike to the top of the postpile or continue on to rainbow falls. We chose to just check out the postpile on this trip. After what we have seen in this area, we plan to come back. There is so much to do and it is gorgeous.

Red's Meadow where we parked has a store and a cafe as well as what we think are rustic cabins to rent. There are also several campgrounds in the area.

We were experiencing some altitude sickness so, wanted to see some sights, but didn't want to exert too much energy. This was a pleasant stroll with minimal elevation changes.

Do not miss. Combine this with rainbow falls hike. National Park right in the heart of Mammoth. Pricey bus ride.

Was such a wonderful hike! So beautiful. We got off at Red Mountain had breakfast and hiked back to Devils Postpile. Great day

A comfortable 2 hours or so with plenty of family "selfie" opportunities. Took a beautiful photo using a go-pro on a selfie stick at the top Devils Postpile - worth the extra short hike.

Beautiful views during the summer and east across to get to the trail that takes you to the post pile

You can't drive up to Devil's Postpile anymore- you have to take a shuttle from the Mammoth Mountain Resort for $8 per person. They do give a veteran discount, but not first responders. There are quite a few stops and you can hike in if you want to, but we just stayed on the bus until the Ranger Station at Devil's Postpile. It's a short, uphill .04 mile hike to the actual monument. It is really something unique to see and stunning up close. So glad we went here!

We got dropped off at the trailhead for the Devils Postpile and walked down, really good trail and although not that high, it is impressive. We then climbed to the top which has great views, then on to Rainbow falls, again another lovely trail even though it rained a little, impressive waterfall, we walked onto the lower falls and then back to the shop and bus stop. Quite a queue but friendly people to chat to so all good. Lovely trip, depending on your fitness level depends how much you want to do, it can be done in sections.

Very cool natural feature Make sure to climb on top to see it from that perspective. After that you can hike to Rainbow Falls.

The drive down was a bit of a white knuckle adventure for us flat-landers, but worth the drive. Yes, it takes some time to navigate but if you are looking for a side trip during a stay in Mammoth Lake, worth the time and effort.

Great hike, with lovely views of the water fall and mountains, thou hike is not for beginners. Bring a snack or sandwich and eat it while enjoying the view of the fall. Busy area.

The Postpile and Rainbow Falls hike is great hike for people of all ages. The shuttle service is mandatory - I'm fine with that, but the price is a problem. They don't let you use the national park all access pass - some lame excuse. A great half day trip.

It's a beautiful drive from the park entrance to the parking area of the postpile. We had to park away from the main lot and take a bus to the trailhead. From the postpile trailhead to the postpiles is a very short hike. We kept on going all the way to Rainbow Falls and Lower Falls. We also saw the rainbow at the falls. Just take some water and wear comfortable hiking shoes. At about the mid-point of the hike we stumbled onto Stock bridge and took some great pics. The Stock bridge goes over the San Joaquin River and is part of the Pacific Crest and John Muir Trails.

This is a well marked trail and a short hike from the parking area. The formations are like none I’ve ever seen. The whole Inyo forest area is full of nature’s surprises, this being one of the best.

Very nice place to hike and enjoy the amazing creation of God and nature. The place is very safe and clean. Lots of place you can rest when you get tired from walking. You can freshen up by the clear water on the creek.

Just a short, nearly flat walk from parking area. With a little more exertion (and well worth it) you can go to the top and see the classic basalt hexagon patterns.

We drove to the parking lot for the Devil's Postpile. The road is narrow. I see why there is a shuttle system for most of the year. The hike to the formation is .4 mile. There is a loop trail to the top. The trail continues on for about 2 miles to reach Rainbow Falls. The formation is unique.

It was there last day of the season for the shirtless down to the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trails. Beautiful fall colors excellent weather considering it was snowing where we arrive 2 days earlier.

so interesting, beautiful and amazing. You can view the postpile from below and take it all in, but you also can go up to the top and see it from that perspective. Just go. It is amazing.

We enjoyed the whole area and saw the postpile from the base, top, and for some of the best views, from across the river. A great national treasure.

We were here last month August 2020. Very easy hike even for us old people. Love the view and the nice scenery along the way.

If you have a short period of time, personally I'd skip the Postpone and head straight for Rainbow falls (which are awesome). This is a very gentle 0.5 mile flat stroll from the car park to an interesting but underwhelming wall of columned rock. If your into rocks it might be your thing I guess.

Easy to moderate 5.14 miles hike consisted of top and bottom views of Rainbow falls as well as Devil’s pospiles and scenic walk through the Inyo Forest using nicely maintained walking trails.

We are not allowed to drive to the devil postpile, we have to take a shuttle. We parked at the adventure center and looked at a place that said tickets. We walked all around the building and realized the tickets are for ski slopes. The ticket center is near the zip line you cannot miss it. By the time we got the tickets the shuttle left and it was every 45 min. Last one at 7 pm. We hung out at the yodler and got a drink. The shuttle bus drivers are no nonsense types! You can actually buy the tickets on the bus with exact change. There is plenty of space to sit. It took us 20 min to go to devil postpile. The views of the minaret peaks while driving are tremendous. We got off the shuttle at our stop and walk .4 miles to the formation reading information along the way. There is a jr ranger sheet that kids can take. There is a loop that goes up the formation which is a must do. The rocks defy nature are very cool geometric shapes.

You have to take the shuttle to the Postpile area from the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center by the Main Lodge. Cost is $8 per person/$4 -12 under. Very easy to get to by car from Mammoth Lakes Village, and free shuttles running from the Village.

When you arrive, the trail is not very far to the Devil's Postpile, I believe it is .6 of a mile and fairly easy to hike.. Going further up the trail to Rainbow Falls is about another 1.5 miles and a little more moderate of a hike. All trails are clearly marked and there are lots of descriptive plaques throughout. I enjoyed the peaceful bridge right before the Postpile, to the right of the trail. A very nice, serene picture taking experience overlooking the San Joaquin River and Red Meadows.

We were lucky on the way back to watch a black bear crossing the road in front of us and a perched eagle as well. Keep your eyes open for plenty of wildlife to and from.

Worth the trip and hikes.

Great view, take water and your hiking shoes. The trails are up and down and you will need to take your time.

This place was amazing, the planet earth in all its glory is seen here and as always shows you that no one could ever take in all of its greatness. Waterfalls, amazing rock formations, you name it. Tip: Bring Bug Spray and an Epipen if allergic to bees/wasps they are everywhere.

The view of devils postpile is pretty cool but you will never be alone here i think.
The special form of rock formation makes it worth a quick visit.
I found the drive down there nice!

We got off the bus that you have to take in season for a nice hike to Devils Postpiles, which are something to see, then we carred on to Rainbow falls and the Lower falls both nice easy hikes with great views. Athough you get a lot more people on the hike to the falls from the last bus stop. Getting the bus is a bit of a pain really much better out of season when you can drive yourself around stopping off at the different sites.

This is an interesting geological formation. The short walk there from the parking area is very pretty. Beautiful trees, a flowing creek, lots of nature’s little critters. Definitely go see it.

Long narrow access road but a pleasant location for a stunningly different site. Loved adding this to my park passport.

The rock formation is an interesting geological phenomenon that can be found in a few other places, Vik area in Iceland being one and the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland the other. It takes about half of an hour, AFAIK, with a relatively easy hike to reach the monument. Go down the trail further you can see the upper and lower Rainbow Falls. I believe you can see a rainbow at the upper falls from late morning through mid-afternoon on any sunny day, thus the name. The upper and lower falls are about half of hour of hike apart. The sun can be strong on a summer day and there is basically no shade.

It's like a miniature Devil's Tower. I took the hike to Rainbow Falls & used the same bus to also view the Devil's Postpile. Did not climb to the top of it since I already had another hike planned.

Took about 1/2 hour to drive from Mammoth Lakes. Parking was very full but we got a spot and enjoyed the 1/2 mile hike to view the postpile. The falls is another 2 miles. The trail is more like a gravel pathway with a few steps. Not too hard of a hike, I saw many very old people making it and enjoying the views.

We were visiting DPP national monument for the day and we found it really cool. there are some interesting hikes and the view is very beautiful, specially at Rainbow Falls

We were pleasantly surprised with our visit to this unique National Monument. The $15.00 shuttle drive from the Mammoth Adventure Center to the Devil's Postpile trailhead afforded us amazing views of the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains and was well worth the expense. Regrettably, some health issues prevented us from fully experiencing the many trails available to us. We would recommend a visit here, especially for those interested in geology.

This is a unique rock formation. I’ve never seen it before. It’s a drive to the station and a good vea;k to,the monument. If you are intrepid, it’s a fairly steep climb to the top to,see the top of the crystalline mosaic. Wearing hiking boots or shoes. Recommended.

We went the end of October and could drive down to the trailhead as no shuttles were running. A great time to go as not very busy and leaves are beautiful. The devils postpile is an easy hike on a great path and very interesting rock formations! We also did the rainbow falls hike and another waterfall as well. Beautiful meadow and valley. Looks like some great fishing.

On our recent summer vacation we visited Mammoth Lakes Ca. While there we did the short easy 3/4 mile hike to Devils Postpile National Monument. Awesome. Even though Basalt Lava formations are common, this one is exceptional. Do the trip to the top to see the paving stone like formation in it's natural form.

Interesting structures and nice hike to the spot. You cannot drive up to the monument during summer, but I sure didn't want to with the tight streets! We got there at 8am and had no trouble getting on the shuttle, it did get crowded later on in the day. Walk up to the top of the postpiles to see the structures up close. And continue to Ansel Adams Wilderness and Rainbow Falls

One place where they ask to see your pass in and out. The drive to the parking area is a bit of an adventure, the road is very narrow, just wide enough for one car in places, steep with plenty of twists and turns. Parking at the trailhead can get full pretty quickly. It is only a short uphill walk to the post-pile. It is very much a smaller version of Devil's Tower but with slightly different formations. The twist in the rock on one side is very different from the straight well defined columns of rock that form the bulk of the formation. We also have meant to visit this for many years but either time or weather conditions prevented us. We were really glad to get there at last as it is one of the wonders of nature that man could not better.

We enjoyed our visit to Devil’s Postpile! We purchased tickets from the Adventure Center for $15 a piece to take a shuttle bus round trip to stop 6. The road up to Devil’s Postpile is very steep and winding and is currently under construction. We were happy to have a safe round trip ride to this national monument. From there we hiked about 1/4 mile in to view this geological wonder. It was interesting to see and the hike was peaceful. After hiking the 1/4 mile back out we also visited Rainbow Falls, which can be accessed at stop 9 by the shuttle. Bring plenty of water and wear good sneakers or hiking boots. We would definitely visit this remarkable site again!

Short hike to the place. Slight incline going, but pretty easy. And we're out if shape and really felt the high elevation! You can hike to the top or a waterfall if you're more adventurous. Easy walk, beautiful scenery.

We hiked by this when leaving Reds Resort doing the John Muir Trail northbound. The surprising thing is how very small the area is, very interesting, but not worth a trip unto itself. Very easy to access from the bus that comes up from Mammoth.

A remarkable sight, well-worth the trek. If you want to go up top, there are two paths, one to the left and one to the right. The left-hand one is an exceptionally tiring climb. I recommend the right hand path which is at places a bit of a tug, but is considerably less difficult than the other path.

I’ve been here before, but I love all things geology so I always try to stop at these kind of places.

Easy, short hike with beautiful scenery, including a river and forest views. Other a bit longer hikes to waterfalls and a lake.

Definitely a great place to visit, can get a good workout in, too. The trails are good for jogging if you're into that. No, the waterfall is not turned off at night. Also, if anybody sees a piece of camera lens foam in the river, that's my fault. A gust of wind blew it away because I failed to secure it. Sorry.

Travelled here from Lone Pines in an RV. Steep road up to the ski resort which doubles as a trekking and biking resort in the summer. Bought a ticket which included the ski cable car and the bus tour to Devils Postpile.
Ski lift took 10 mins, 10mins for photos and snowball fights and then back down. Bus was 40 mins then a short 15 min hike to Devils Postpile, there were longer hikes to various waterfalls but we didn't have the time.

This is a great spot to see some amazing sights. From the parking area the Devils Post Pile is a very short and easy hike. This entire area follows the San Juaquin River There are many access points to the river each one offering an amazing view. Here you can go on a long or short hike and make your day based on your desire or fitness level. Here, you can see some great views within a very short distance from your car. The Post Pile of course is an awesome site. If you continue down the trail abut a mile further you can see where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses the San Juaquin River. Here is a beautiful wood bridge across the rover (see the pic). If you continue a total of 2.5 miles down you can make it to the Rainbow Falls. That would be a total of around 5 miles to the falls and back.

I suggest you arrive early and beat the crowds. It can get busy fast and parking can be hard to find. It's a must see at least once. Bring water and sunscreen and maybe lunch. There are many photo op locations in this area to give you amazing views.

I visited twice in the week I spent in Mammoth Lakes. The first day, I hiked (with my dog) to the Devil's Postpile and to Rainbow Falls. Do not miss hiking the loop above the Postpile because that is where it is best to appreciate the geological formation. The hike to Rainbow Falls was nice with intermittent shade. The Falls itself were beautiful. The lower falls were also nice if you want to add another 0.6mi each way. My return to this spot on the second day was to join a guided hike with a ranger and an Audubon Society bird expert. This walk was stunning, educational and enjoyable. I am not yet a bird expert but I learned many things and saw at least 20 types of birds. This experience was very special and will add to how I view nature and birds especially, wherever I go.

Simply a gorgeous place to fish. Caught the most exquisite fish I have ever seen. It may have been a cross between a golden and rainbow trout. Its centerline looked like a string of rubies.

The hikes are well worth doing. As a Brit, the Postpile reminded me of The Giant’s Causeway - though side on, looking up. Well worth seeing and the trails down to Rainbow Falls were well marked and easy to do as a family (daughters 12 & 9). The rainbow was in evidence over the waterfall and there was a place to paddle/swim just upstream.
The only,problem is the shuttle system which you have to take in the summer. We had a 1hr queue to get down there and a 1.5hr queue to get back out. Tough anyhow, but with hot sun the lines were hard for everyone and then we had to stand all the way back.
A great day but we all agreed we’d have paid double the $8 adult / $4 child fee to lay on extra buses.

It was about 1/2 mile easy hike to get to the monument. It was really interesting to see but after a couple of pictures and climbing a little on the lower broken basalt pieces, it was time to head back. You hiked along a river for most of the trail. And when we went you had to take the mandatory shuttle bus that dropped you off at the parking lot of the trail head.

When I was a kid about eight years old my aunt brought back pictures from the Devils Postpile national monument, I was absolutely amazed at this location. Finally this year I was able to visit it for myself. It was everything I had hoped for, nice easy hike back and it looks just like my aunts pictures. My Aunt is long gone now, but I was able to make memories reflecting on the ones we shared and the ones I shared new with my wife

We skied int he morning and hiked in the afternoon. $$ for a ride down to the trail head. easy walk about 3miles? to Devils Postpile. Photos don't do it justice. It's quite amazing. The walk is flat trail with few inclines, we saw deer and many birds. The river was cold and refreshing for drenching our bandanas to tie around our sweaty heads. We hiked past Devils to Rainbow falls. Really Really Worth the extra mile. Beautiful!! We thenk hike back up to a bus stop (not where we were dropped off) all in all a great day... ski in the morning hike in the pm!

It is a must visit spot. Will return when we have a chance again. Highly recommend to hike to Rainbow Fall.

Devils postpile can be reached on foot or via the shuttle alighting at bus stop #6 as we did. This trail will take you to the base of the monument where a board displays information on how it was formed. Once visited, we made our way to rainbow falls. Good trails around the mountain which are well signposted.

Don't miss Rainbow Falls and the several miles of the San Joaquin river above the falls is some of the most beautiful river, meadow and mountain scenery anywhere.

If you have never visited the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland, then the Devil’s Postpile is worth a visit. If you have been to the Causeway, don’t waste your time. It is a tiny outcropping unreachable to visitors and perched above a rockslide of black boulders. The actual park area is pretty and the drive, creek beds and mountains are impressive. Several picnic areas and benches are scattered in the park. I give it 4 stars only because it’s the best the USA has to offer.

We visited the place during summer. We reached late morning and had to parkour vehicle far away. Tickets for the shuttle need to be purchased from the Mammoth adventure center. We did not have to wait for a long time. The shuttle was crowded and had minimal ventilation and no AC. There was a time when people sitting at the back of the bus started feeling sick( we occupied the second last seat).
We got down at stop 6 and hiked till the monument which was a fairly short distance. Its a nice scenic trail . We could hike till the top of the monument.
We then hiked to the rainbow falls which is a hike through the woods. It is a fairly long hike so carry food and water. We then hiked to the Reds meadow resort where we had a late lunch and took the return shuttle. We took around 7ish hours to complete this entire hike from stop 6 to stop 10 with a couple of rest halts in between. The weather was comfortable in July and scenery was beautiful.

Fascinating geology here. Beautiful Fall colors. A hike that is short enough for most that do not have mobility issues. Large parking lot.

We came in big RV at least for us 30 FT and when entering the boot to pay or if have a annual pass for the national parks which I would recommend if going several places on a trip like we did. Anyway when they ask if You want a newspaper and You say yes, please take two seconds to read that there is a shuttle down to the devils postpile , and if like us in a RV take the shuttle . We did not read it before after the trip down , on a very narrow road and pretty scary road, but when You finally get down to the park lot , its totally worth it . Its rather fantastic that nature can make that kind of stones , never seen anything like it unless it was manmade . Be prepared to walk a bit in nature to see the wonders, we didn´t go to the waterfalls , we just went for the stones. When going back up from the parking lot we got a school bus in front of us , which we was very happy about

When the weather permits, park at the main lodge and take the bus to the trailhead.
Easy hike on well maintained trail.
From there hike to the Postpile and continue on to the falls. The water is cold but refreshing and there are trout in the stream.
On the return trip take the Eastern trail over the top of the Postpile.
Consider an overnight trip camping in the area.

This National Monument is very striking and well worth a visit. You will not see anything quite like it anywhere else. It is an easy and very beautiful walk. And there is information posted about how the columns formed. If you want a longer hike there are other walks as well.

Short hike, less than 2 miles, from Red's Meadow. This rock formation is unlike anything else I've seen in the US. Very similar to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.
If you hike an extra 2 miles, you can see Rainbow Falls, which is also inspiring.

The monument was neat to see, a short hike but a long, long wait for the paid shuttle rides. Wish we could have driven to it ourselves or more shuttles were made available.

We pulled in to Devils Postpile on a Sunday afternoon in August and there were plenty (about 50) campsites open throughout the National Monument. We decided on Minaret Falls Campground because of the proximity to the San Joaquin River.

We loved the Minaret Falls Campground. It had limited amenities - pit toilets and no showers, but we had a view of the Falls and easy access to the river for fishing. Lots of exploring to be done along the river and over the "hill" behind the Campground. Showers are available down the road at Reds Meadows for a price, if needed.

The hiking in the National Monument was also great. Easy to moderate hike to the Postpile and on to Rainbow Falls. The hike has views, interesting geology and a waterfall, which was running strong in late August.

A major plus of camping at Devils Postpile is that it allows you to drive into and around the National Monument and avoid taking the shuttle.

Great place. Hope to return for a longer stay.

A very short walk will take you to this very unusual place. It's fascinating to see I'll nature created his intents pull looking rocks in hexagonal shapes. You have to take a shuttle from the starting place at the top of Mammoth mountain. It cost $8. There is much to do other than just this point including rainbow Falls which is gorgeous.

Enjoyed the visit to this iconic Mammoth area natural attraction. The walk is relatively easy and flat.

If you are in the Mammoth/Yosemite area, spend the day in the Deveils PostPile NM. Park at Mammoth Mountain, then take a shuttle around to see the sites. Definitely take a Ranger walk to the Postpile and hike on your own to see Rainbow Falls.

I took my kids to Devil's Postpone. You basically take a bus up there from Mammoth Main Lodge (unless you go before 7am or after 7pm) and there are many drop off and pick up locations along a loop. I had a great time but the kids complained about all of the walking (What's new?).
The monument itself is not huge but it's worth looking at. I would probably go after 7 without the bus the next time.

Mammoth makes you take a bus and wear a mask. Bus is overcrowded, standing room only. Windows were shut. Windy road for 35 minutes. Many of us got bus sick. Devil Postpile interesting but not worth the hassle. Waited 1 hour in line after purchasing last tickets available. Must reserve in advance. Not a great experience. Traffic, crowds, lines, and high fees. Go before 7am to drive your own car in.

While the drive into the park is windy, it is much easier and shorter than the roads around Yosemite and some of the other access roads to see redwoods, etc. in CA. The views along the road are really pretty - gorgeous forest views. Once you reach the trail head, there are restrooms and interpretive signs that are interesting. The trail to the post pile is easy, maybe 20 minutes at a stroll. The post pile area itself is really unique - the formations of perfect cubes is so awesome, and not something you'll see anywhere else. We visited in September and had perfect, sunny, crisp cool weather. We took our time and the drive and walk took about a half a day from Mammoth Lakes. We saw people with leashed dogs, and they looked quite happy. Really a must-do experience.

The trip out to the Postpile from the village is interesting !. You drive to the end of Minaret drive where the view from the summit is spectacular and pass through the ranger station (paying your $10 1st) then a long descent for several miles down a very narrow road on the edge of the mountain with passing places every so often, round a hairpin then down again for another 5 miles or so until you reach the ranger station and car parks (wider road this time) then its just under a mile (easy) walk to the postpile through some beautiful scenery --- well worth the effort

First time here and it was great. To see it up close was great and awe inspiring. Be prepared for a hike. Not to bad make sure to pack lots of water

The Postpile is well worth seeing and isn't too far from the parking lot. I'd recommend combining this with a hike to Lower Rainbow Falls

We hiked up to the John Muir/Pacific Crest trail, down through Rainbow and Lower Falls and back up to Devil's Postpile. It was about a total of 6 miles and took about 5 hours (with lunch and photo breaks). It was such a great day and had a fantastic time. The only part that was difficult to get through was the bus transportation. It took close to 2 hours to leave, but that was due to it being Labor Day and everybody and their mother was in the monument. :)

Nature always finds a way to surprise. Lava cooling down to form hexagonal pillars! Glaciers to top them (pun intended) and smooth them. Great place to go for a small hike and soak in the awe of nature.

The Devils Postpile National Monument is an example of what happens when basaltic magma cools into hexagonal columns and has it's top sheared off by a glacier. It is also curiously geometric, engaging from multiple angles and just way cool.

Downside: during season, there is a mandatory bus ride (paid entry fee) that takes a good 30+ minutes, each way.
Upside: once at the postpiles, you have a short hike to Rainbow Falls.

If you are hanging out in Mammoth Lakes and the road is open, check it out.

We went in early fall, so the leaves were changing colors, pretty. Caught fish in the stream, saw a bear, wife stung by bee. Really nice place to visit.

wonderful shuttle bus that will take you close to the postpile. Easy stroll there and other sights along the way.

Midweek visit. Worth the short hike on an easy path. One of the most unusual formations I've seen. Easy to get to on the shuttle.

Great short walk. Even though I am physically limited in my stamina I was able to make it easily to the site. Breathtaking view as you walk along the creak to get there. Benches to take a rest along the way. Definitely worth seeing!

Unable to get up there due to traffic restrictions.
You can drive up after 4PM or you have to park downhill and take a shuttle bus.
Expect busy parking, long wait, probably not worth it. we decided to go somewhere else.
What is the fun of waiting with hundreds of people to see this small special place in crowded cramped condition?
I will go back off season, during the week and may be enjoy it?

Went there a couple of days ago, had a great time . The hexagon pillars are amazing to see. Walked to the top, that was little difficult but only because I have short legs and some of the steps are a little steep but I will go back and do it again. .

Trams drops you off about a 1/4 mile away. One can go there then go back to the tram stop or hike to the Rainbow falls.

We went mid October after the shuttle stopped running. So glad we did. The drive is beautiful. There is just a short section of one lane road, but there are so many turnouts that we felt quite safe doing it. The road is steep at times, just use your gears. I say all this because we really questioned being able to drive in. No worries, we were in a Honda sedan. Parking is a little limited, we got there at 11:30, and it was full.
Nice hikes, but boy was it dusty!

A friend took us here to hike the easy-to-moderate Postpile-Rainbow Falls trail. We left really early to get through the gate before 7AM so we could drive our own vehicle down to the trailhead. Otherwise, it's tram time. The trail was mostly flat with a few ups and downs, and we took the vigorous side-trali up to the top of the Devil's Postpile feature before coming down an dcontinuing on to Rainbow Falls. Meadows, forests, and a very lovely waterfall at the end would have been rewards enough, but on our return we hiked the main trail below the Postpile and were well rewarded with seeing it in the full morning light. I highly recommend a visit here, and the 2.5 each way trail to Rainbow Falls!

Formed by an ancient lava lake cooling down with cracks to Basalt stone and forming hexagonally shaped 'posts', this is a very interesting natural formation.
We parked directly at the 'Devil's Postpile Parking'. From there it's only a 400m trail. There are also other parking lots available with hikes a little longer but still easily accessible.

This is one of the most spectacular sites we have had the privledge to experience. The hike is very easy & accessible for most any level, the trails were well maintained and the 10.00 entry fee was well worth it. Pack water & lunch, it has beautiful well maintained picnic grounds with clean restrooms, A must see!

Devils Postpile National Monument is almost unreal. It was so cool to see the fascinating rock formations. A must see if you're visiting Mammoth.

This was our 2nd time hiking to the Postpile. It's just incredible. Easy hike from parking lot. Amazing photographs and a must see if you are in the area.

Forget driving up and pay to take the shuttle from the Mammoth Adventure Center - it is worth it. The hike up is not too strenuous. Once you get to the Postpile, continue on to Rainbow Falls and you can catch the shuttle back down from there. It gets hot during the summer, so try to get here early and bring plenty of water and a hat.

The high altitude made the walk challenging since the parking lot was being paved. Walked from the resort and the Devil's postpile was truly amazing. It was the one sightseeing trip that we were able to do on our quick trip to Mammoth Lakes. We were not disappointed.

This natural phenomenon is a sight to see. It is amazing to view life's chemistry in a solid structure. The hike is not too strenuous. Worth the visit if you are in Mammoth!

We took the convinient shuttle from the main lodge at Mamouth for only $7 per person. About a 20 min ride with stops at other attractions and campgrounds. The rangers and volunteers were very friendly and helpful. The hike to Devil's Postpile was about half a mile. We also did the loop trail up to the top of the pile which was steep, but worth the climb to see the honeycomb formation on top. We're from sea level so the elevation made this a little more strenuous than for someone acclimated to the high elevation. There is a nice picnic area next to the river to relax and catch your breath. The shuttle back out was timely and the driver was kind and informative.

One of the "must see's" during the summer through fall is a visit to the Devil's Postpile national monument. It is a rare geological formation when molten lava is pushed through freezing ice and crystallizes, forming giant six-sided columns 2-3 feet across and up to 60 feet long. There is a shuttle bus (fee during peak season) that takes you down and out of the area with several stops at different sites. You can also travel by car (before the shuttle starts) of during off peak season but you will need to pay an entrance fee unless you have an annual National parks pass. Parking at the Devil's Postpile ranger station is limited so go early or take the bus. The hike is easy and is about 0.6 miles to the postpiles. There is a picnic area nearby with two picnic tables and benches if you want a rest or have lunch next to the San Joachin River. You can also hike to the top of the Postpile by travel a short distance past the columns and turn left up to the top. About 2 miles farther down the trail is Rainbow Falls, another Mammoth area "must see". The hike is great for families with small children and/or dogs.

We walked past Devils Postpile NM on our way to Rainbow Falls, its a very special walk with lots to see on the way.

My husband and I were in Mammoth Lakes for one day while traveling to Yosemite. We passed a sign for the Devils Postpile Monument and since neither of us had ever heard of it we decided to check it out. So happy we did! What an incredible natural phenomenon!! We hiked up to the Postpile, which was beautiful, and then stayed on the trail that went around the monument to the top. The Postpile is mind blowing and left me speechless! It reminded me of what a spectacular planet we get to live on and how much gratitude we should have for its natural beauty and mystery. If you are in the area definitely check it out, you won't be disappointed!!

Devil's postpile is a very interesting place - it's a geologic wonder! You have to take a mandatory shuttle from adventure center and get down at Stop 6 for Devil's postpile. It's an easy 0.4 miles walk. The best time to take pictures will be afternoon when sun rays are lighting up the basaltic columns.

While visiting Mammoth Lakes, CA we stopped to check out the Devil's Postpile. Volcanic activity created these postpiles into stone hexagons. Some of them fell over time but there were some still in place. We climbed to the top and observed all these hexagonal shapes in the stone. I never knew that cooled lava would do that. This is something to see for yourself, my words can do it no justice.

We were here in September. The road down is windy (take some medicine) and some parts can be scary if you're not confident behind the wheel. BUT the views when you get down to the floor are beautiful. We took our 4-year-old with us and she hiked most of the way there herself. She was given a ranger book that she was a tad too young for but some other kids I saw loved it. The hike is uphill a tad going to the Postpile and once you get there the views are beautiful. Take the extra side-killer and walk up the stairs to the top of the Postpile (to the left of the trail) and see it from the top. Take your time going up because the altitude will still get to you. I'm out of shape so that doesn't help. All together we did this, Rainbow Falls (separately), lunch, and then had time to go back to camp (June Lake Loop). Perfect day trip. If you are up for the hike and want to spend more time seeing the sights you can park at the Postpile (it has lots of parking but it will fill up quickly when they allow cars through) and hike to Rainbow Falls. I don't recommend it with young children though. If you are able to park your car then drive to the Rainbow Falls trailhead and continue your walk. Oh, they have great bathrooms here too.

A bit of a hike, but it was a fantastic walk through beautiful scenery. Would have loved to have walked down to the waterfall but at this time the pathway was closed due to falling rocks. An abundance of wildlife to be seen on route.

Take the bus. Not for the faint hearted, but well worth the drive to. Fantastic walking/hiking/camping

It's a very short difficult from parking lots. There are many stone pillars. Good place to let you take many photos.

A very easy hike to the base of the monument. If you can climb stairs, you can make it to the top. The park service has made the hike to the base easy enough that the majority of people can make it to this incredible natural wonder. If you want to drive there, go at the end of September or early October when the required shuttle bus stops running for the season. The crowds are small and the traffic is not that bad. Get there before 9am and you will be mostly alone on your hike.

I had visited this place several times and during this visit was struck by the fire damage damage done to the pristine forest surrounding Devils Postpile. The best time to come is evening because you get the perfect lighting. Be prepared to hike at least 3 km with elevation change.

Been to Mammoth many times, but never ventured out to see the sights. The shuttle was closed for the season, so we drove ourselves, which is fine, except when oncoming traffic doesn't yield when they should- or someone thinks taking their travel trailer down there is a smart choice. Did I mention part of the road is one lane?? Anyway, the trail is easy and well maintained. You can climb up the stairs and view the basalt columns from the top. Fascinating! Lots of educational info too. Then you can view them from the bottom. Nature is AWESOME! You can then hike on to the falls or just enjoy the scenery.

Arrived at the designated bus shuttle start point today (12 July) to find the road is closed. The sign dated 7 July 2017 said that following a storm which damaged the road it's closed until further notice. Being reasonably fit we wondered about walking but it's a 10 plus mile hike and steep so we thought better of it not really being prepared. We were disappointed but there are lots of other things to do. We did do the 1.5 hr round trip walk to the viewing point.

We visited early in the morning, you have to take the mandatory shuttle up the mountain. You took us about 2 hours to ride shuttle walk 15 minutes to see the postpile and ride back. If you get car sick easily be aware the road is super winding. We were not prepared for the mosquitos so bring bug spray. The park rangers were really friendly.

We took the shuttle and got off at Stop 6 and hiked past the Devils Postpile and up to Rainbow Falls, an easy 2.5 mile hike. Then we caught the shuttle back from Stop 9. Incredible scenery!

0.5 mile easy walk from rangers Station after the bus ride from mammoth mountain.
Little bit underwhelmed after seeing the giants causeway but nice walk and plenty of wildlife to see with lovely vistas.

Devil's Postpile is truly an astounding geologic wonder, similar to the basalt columns at Reynisfjara in Iceland. Also hiked in to Rainbow Falls which was also worthwhile. Had hoped to see Red's Meadow but the access road was closed.

The road to Devils Postpile is not for the faint of heart, narrow and winding, with few barriers , so on the way out especially there is danger of hundreds if not a thousand foot drop if you don't pay attention. Once there however, you forget all about it with the jaw dropping scenery. I hiked up the winding stairs on the devils postpile loop for an incredible view atop the hexagons. Then traversed below. Definitely a must see!

Now closed for the season, but visited last week.Disappointed in our visit. Used our Nat Park pass, and was given no maps or info at entry, and no friendly greeting, which seemed odd. Drove down this crazy long steep winding road, only to be greeted with a "parking lot full" sign, where you park to see the "Devils Pile". Sign said to park further down and walk. Further down, was WAY further down. We drove all that way, and there was no way there wasn't parking. There were no staff there to know, and obviously people have come and gone, so we drove around the cones and sign, drove to the parking lot and parked. What poor management!!! Most National Parks we go to are run well and have fantastic staff, this one needs improvement.

Devils Postpile is a must visit in the Mammoth Lakes area. We saw it after a short (30-45 minutes) but very nice hike from Rainbow Falls. Once there plan on a 30 minute visit. Postpile is very similar to the Giants Causeway along the Northern Ireland coast, and it's interesting to see identical geologic processes at work in two very different places.

This is a great hike. Highly recommend packing a lunch and going further to Rainbow Falls. Stunning.

We were very lucky the pass was open and we could add this to our Yosemite trip. This was on my husbands must dos and we really loved not only the postpiles but the drive through the Tioga pass and seeing the other mountain ranges. There is such a change in the environment on this day trip it's worth the effort.

An amazing geological formation is well worth the hike. If you can make it to the top, some amazing views of the Postpile and the surrounding forest. Rainbow Falls is just down the road and both treks make for an enjoyable day.

We decided to take the shuttle from stop 6 to see Devils Postpile. That was about .5 miles of easy hiking. Devils Postpile is a wonderful site to see. From there we hiked the rest of the way to Rainbow Falls 2 miles. Others reviewed this hike to be easy and flat. I would say it is a moderate hike with a variety of incline, flat and downhill trail. The trail has a lot of sand which makes dust but the sandy areas make the hike a bit more tiring. Rainbow Falls is a must see! We packed a lunch and rested before having to hike back to stop 10; another 1.4 miles of mostly incline trail. Total hike 3.9 miles. We were fortunate to georgous weather @ 75 degrees with a nice breeze. Hats, water, lunch sunscreen, insect repellent,dark clothes, hiking stick, and comfortable shoes are a must.

From the Devil's Postpile to Rainbow Falls, a lovely 4 mile walk. Nothing difficult with the terrain, but you are up at about 7500 feet of elevation.

We took the shuttle to Stop 6, and walked the 4 miles to Red's Meadow Resort, and ended up at Stop 10. Just beautiful!

It is a wonderful sight to see --- and equally fascinating from all angles. Definitely do the full loop, and if you have time, try and visit Rainbow Falls as well. The trails are well marked, the rangers are incredibly helpful, and the forest and the scenery is gorgeous.

Great place to spend half a day or more.

Fascinating basalt formations in the monument itself and a very nice hiking area in general. The bus access allows you to do one way hikes in the area using it as a shuttle and the considerable trail network means you can make a loop or straight line hike of just about any distance you wish.

A spectacular formation of rock, that gives a real insight to the wonders of volcanic activity. Nicely laid out and plenty of information points.
A little hike from the bus stop. I saw a couple of very obese people who were struggling with the incline, heat and 1/2 mile walk.

If it’s a national monument then it’s well worth the effort to see it. The hike there is short, however there is a crazy road that you take to get there. I preferred jumping on the shuttle bus to get to the trailhead. From there it’s about half a mile to see this unique rock formation. Well worth it.

We did the Devil's Postpile and Rainbow falls hike (6ish miles round-trip). We got to the parking lot at 7 and started off on the hike. The scenery is nice and social distancing wasn't a problem.

Went up on a cold day where storms were expected in afternoon so rangers were very cautious. $10 is a cheap price for all you see. Car parks are plentiful but it is missing a coffee outlet! Walk very easy and sight of monument is wonderful, such an unusual and unique sight. Walked onto rainbow falls which is a well laid out albeit dusty path. Worth a visit for the wow factor

Depending upon the time of year that you visit the Postpile you may or may not drive to the parking lot. Our first visit was in October of 2021 and we drove the very winding, switch back filled road down the valley to the parking lot. Our recent visit to Mammoth Mountain in July 2022 was high season for the area and a tram ride down to the parking lot was mandatory, unless, I believe you get up VERY early to make the drive. Tickets can be purchased at the gondola area at Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center. The cost is $15 for adults and $7 for kids. The tram looks like an easy experience. If the cost of the tram doesn't deter you, you will be treated to a small geologic wonder. At the parking lot you will hike an easy, short trail back to the Pile and view the result of basaltic magma that has cooled slowly below the surface the earth giving it time to form the classic hexagonal columns known around the planet. Walk around the base of the pile and make sure you take the relatively easy, short hike to the top of the formation to view the cross section of the pillars and take note of the hexagonal (some are five side and some are seven sided as well I believe) patterns. Also be sure to look for the parallel lines that gouge some of the faces on top. These scrapings are the result of the glacier which passed over top of the formations and exposed it for us to see and enjoy. This is a kid friendly hike and could easily be complete with an infant on your back in a carrier as well.

Devils Postpile is a really unique thing to see. It is an easy hike so outdoor enthusiasts of all levels shouldn't have too hard of a time. It is a lot bigger than I thought it would be when I actually saw it in person.

Travelers Tip: Remember to bring water and a day bag with a first aid kit, etc. Regardless of the length or difficulty of a hike, it is always important to have what you need in case of an accident.

Overview: I would recommend to a friend.

I'm a fellow traveler so I appreciate when other people have given me tips/recommendations while in a new city. If this information is helpful, please let me know by hitting the like button. Even if this review helps only one traveler then it's worth it to know I'm contributing towards making someone's experience better, giving to the global community, and paying it forward. Safe Travels!

In summertime, you must take the shuttle bus down into Red's Meadow where Devil's Postpile is to be found. You catch the shuttle at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Main Lodge. (Cars are allowed down if you are camping or have boating equipment.) Red's Meadow is extensive, so plan to spend the day hiking and/or fishing (Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River runs through here). Get off the shuttle early once down in the valley and hike along the river until you get to the National Monument. From there onward, you can hike to the cafe and have lunch and/or to Rainbow Falls for a great view.

We didn't know much about Mammoth and what to visit when we've been there and we saw some pictures online about the Rainbow Waterfall and we decided to give it a try. Really beautiful place! Worth visiting!

A must see for Mammoth, and it looks just like The Giant's Causeway in Ireland, with 1/10th of the tourists.

Great time. This is a must see. You need to hike a bit so takes lots of water.. As long as you are out there, might as well hike to Rainbow Falls.

a short drive or bus ride form mommoth lakes resort area on a twisty narrow road is this amazing hidden gem. We drove down & found it to be very interesting there are several different hikes to the post pile & a couple of water falls. We wished we had more time to do the two water falls but the post pile was all we could fit in.

The hike from the parking lot to the waterfall is .7 miles, about a 45 minute trip to the falls and back. The walking path has some big rock chunks in the ground and tree bark. Comfortable walking shoes are highly recommend, you may get pants dirty as dirt is easily kicked up. Take water and some snacks if you would like. If you have an infant or toddler who uses a stroller, DO NOT take the stroller along unless it is very light and easy to carry.

You pay $10 to see what is pretty much what you see in the picture. If you have time, sure you can go to check it out. Otherwise, you are not missing anything if you skip this place. There are many more nicer and free places to go in the area.

The Best is park your car and taking shuttle From Mammoth Mountain Adventure center.it's very easy.
Stop is on Canyon Boulevard below the Gondola station. Parking lot located at 6200 Minaret Road. ,Cost for shuttle is $8 per person round trip ($4-under 12 )
Dogs are allowed on leash on the shuttle buses. All dogs riding the shuttle buses must also wear muzzles. Muzzles are available at local pet stores in Mammoth Lakes and at the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center near the shuttle bus boarding area.
The monument features thousands of hexagonal basalt columns formed about 100,000 years ago when a lava flow slowed and then cooled and cracked.
Season: Mid Jun-Oct(weather-permitting)
Access: 1Mile(1.6 km)round-trip hike.

For going to Rainbow Falls from Devils Postpile back again to shuttle and get out of that at last station.
the 101 foot waterfall is part of the Devils Postpile national monument.
it is known for the colorful rainbow that its mist creates.
The best time to experience the rainbows is midday, when the sun is highest.
For access to rainbow falls should do 5 miles (8 km) round trip moderate hike
from ranger station.
it's good Keep your eyes open for plenty of wildlife to and from.

Worth the trip and hikes.

The surrounding scenery is beautiful, but I think the rock formation is overrated. I expected to see more and it is just a little pile of rocks. I took the shuttle. The ride down was great. It took about 30 minutes. However, after hiking for 5 hours and getting sunburned, on the ride back, I had no seat and had to stand up with barely anything to hold onto. Luckily, I did not get car sick, but I think a lot of people were feeling it because it is a windy road. I drank all my water and had to get some at the Ranger Station. The hike only to the monument is easy, however if you are going to do that and Rainbow Falls, just be aware that it takes about an hour to reach Rainbow Falls. I do not recommend this hike for people with knee problems. A walking stick is very helpful. Not recommended for people with babies or small children (It's too long and too hot). Dogs get overheated easily. There is shade but it is very hot and sunny use sunblock. It is also dusty. Another point is there are bees, bumble and honey because of the wildflowers. Wear a hat.

This is well worth seeing. An incredible geological formation. Nice picnic area where you can park. Must be a regular place for school field trips because there was a busload of kids there.

Had never been here, but it was well worth the trip. Awesome to view, would love to come back when the river is running and can check out the falls

5stars for was of access and quality of the basaltic features. Not much to do other than look at it but it is an impressive rarity. You start looking around on other hike and see other types of structures but none as good as this one. A very simple hike.

Obscure is just about the last word I would use to describe Devils Postpile. This outstanding geological feature is reached by an easy hike, and is worth it. Recommended.

We visited on a very smokey early morning. Got some great photos. The smoke gave the illusion of an early morning fog. Great hike with no others around. The ranger said that the fire was only 5 miles away. The wind shifted on the way out and the air was perfectly clear.

It is mandatory that you take their shuttle to get to the trailhead but they provide very few of them so you may have to wait up to an hour each way to get on and then have to stand for the half hour ride. They say busses run every 20 minutes but don't believe that. With long lines people crowd on with dogs and backpacks, etc for the ride on a hot non-airconditioned bus. The hike is nice and makes up for it, especially if you hike down to the falls from the postpile. Just be sure to get back on the bus at stop number 9 or you will wait in long lines at stop 10. I would not go back unless they improve the bus situation.

Something difference for sure it truly looks like someone built it. The one side seems to be collapsing. Short hike in most people can do it. The road going down is one lane with two way traffic for about 4 miles

We were visiting Mammoth and spontaneously decided to visit Devil's Post pile. We wanted to have a picnic. When we pulled into the gate at the park we got the grumpiest park service person we have ever met. He obviously hates manning the gate. We tried to greet him with our Senior Pass and he ignored our greeting and asked if we had an itinerary. We said we wanted to picnic.
We got his "MANDATORY SHUTTLE" speech. When we tried to ask a question we got the speech again. We had no warning or if there were signs we never saw any and we were looking for them. So we turned around and drove down to the shuttle. We were lucky because we could park nearby as we we're staying at the inn. But if we had not been using hotel parking we would have had to park about half a mile away from the shuttle.

NOTE
All day visitors are required to use a shuttle that you pick up at the Mountain Adventure Center. $7 for adults. ALL DOGS must wear a muzzle on the shuttle. Muzzles available for purchase at the Adventure Center.

So we did not picnic in the park. The only picnic area we saw was a half mile hike from the shuttle stop at the trail to the post pile. The hike is lovely and easy but you must hike into view the main attraction and you pretty much need camping reservations to use much of the park. Shuttles will drop you off at camp grounds and hiking trails but can be full when you try to get back on.

So research and make plans ahead. This is NOT a place for spontaneous adventures. And be nice to the poor guy at the entrance who has to tell almost everybody to turn around and go back down the mountain to the shuttles. What a lousy job.

This is a must see for anyone interested in geology in general and the history of volcanic activity in this area specifically. But, don’t plan on being able to see this natural wonder until at least July 2018 because the only access road is closed due to damage last winter. Check the U.S. Forest Service website for accessibility before you plan your trip.

Love Rainbow Falls! It's beautiful! The basalt columns are cool also.

The park isn't working returning but is fun for a day!

In the offseason it's an easy drive and short hike to this geological wonder. In the busy season, you have to take a shuttle. Make sure to hike around the site including going to the top. You get a different veiw and appreciation for this phenomena. There is a fee to get into the park

Devils Postpile is a beautiful place to take a hike, everything is well maintained and the monument itself is impressive!

Perfect walking trail with lots of scenery. My 14 month old can walk it easily and saw a lot of people in their 60s/70s walking it. It is also wheelchair accessible with a ramp next to the steps.

Take the bus from Mammoth Mountain. The Postpile is a short walk from the bus stop. The Postpile is a geological wonder. It is difficult to understand how nature crafted this bizarre bundle of columnar basalt. It looks as if the stones were extruded through a play dough fun factory. BE SURE TO HIKE TO THE TOP OF THE POSTPILE. There you can stand on top of the polished hexagonal stones. Continue for three miles to Rainbow Falls. Hike to the bottom of the falls and swim in the frigid water. You will never forget it. Instead of hiking back to the Postpile on the same trail, follow the trail to Red's Meadow (approx1.5 miles).There you can get snacks and drinks at the Red's Meadow Store. There is also shade and restrooms. You can take the bus from Red's Meadow back to Mammoth Mountain where you began.

If your looking for a great outdoor adventure the Postpile is worth the trip! The only problem is the shuttle system! You can beat that by entering before 7am or after 7pm! Both the hike to the Postpile and Rainbow and Lower Falls was worth the trip

Well worth the walk in to visit. In addition to viewing the formation from the bottom it is worthwhile to climb to the top to view the ends of the hexagonal columns.

Mammoth is rather cool! It's been a few years since I've been in the other side of the eastern Sierras. I think the Post-pile is up & over the other side of the Mtn? West side??i think. Gorgeous area all the same!! I need to go back!!

Short 0.3 mile hike from the parking lot. If you arrive before 0700 you aren’t required to shuttle to the parking lot- it’s worth waking up early to do so and not have to depend on the shuttle. Cool site to see! From there you can hike another 2.2 miles to rainbow falls! We also advise doing this in the morning to avoid the direct sunlight as there’s limited shade and avoid the heat too.

Such a neat structure and easy walk. Disabled accessible. If you are feeling energetic continue to Rainbow Falls.

With the exception of small parking lots this a really great place to visit. The hike to the postpile is not too strenuous (not at all if you don't loop over the top). Plan to go early in the day if you don't want to ride the shuttle in, the parking lot fills early even in September.

Very unusual geologic formation. Trails were nice, you could walk all around and on top of the formations. Wonderful place.

Nice hike. Main parking lot was closed when we were there so we parked at Reds Meadow so our hike was a little longer. We enjoyed it very much. Very beautiful. Then we continued on anddid the loop up to Rainbow Falls. So nice hike, took us several hours... maybe three?

Devil's Postpile is a fascinating phenomenon. A hillside of stone in a rough geometric pattern was formed when volcanic spew and temperatures were just right. You can hike around the base and hike on top as well to get the full effect. It's a hike worth taking and from here you can hike on to Rainbow Falls.

Devils Postpile NM is a really off the beaten path place. However, in recent years it has gotten a lot more visitation. When we visited, the required shuttles down and back out of the Red Meadows Valley were super crowded and busy. However, on this visit we simply visited the main Devils Postpile formation and hiked to the top as well. It really is a unique place that you wouldn't think is even possible to exist. Definitely worth the pain of the shuttles down and out of the valley. The trail to the formation is only 0.8 mi. RT, 1.6 mi. RT if you hike to the top as well.

Hike to rainbow waterfall is around 5 miles of hike, so couldnt visit it. Devils post pile is around 1 mile and is beautiful!

Interesting basalt formation. Maybe more interesting if your read something about their origin on the available panels. We had to wear our baby in the carrier to get there. The trail from the parking lot is short but not paved and with some steps, so not good for strollers/wheelchairs. You also have to pay 10$ per car to access the parking lot, which gets pretty full so you end up parking somewhere among the trees.. be ready to wash your car afterwards to get rid of all the dust

Easy stroll take water dry and turn right at the intersection to check out the river.first turn up hill saw a marmot and a buck beer,,.

Had long wanted to visit Devils Postpile NM, and finally got the chance on a recent trip through the eastern Sierras. The drive to DPNM is an interesting one with a windy road (single lane at times) to get to the main parking lot & trailhead. We spent time around the Postpile just in awe! We then took the lengthy but rewarding walk to Rainbow Falls. Very beautiful. Definitely bring water, and wear appropriate shoes / clothing. What a great visit!

An easy stroll to take in a setting with unique geology. Columns of rock fit for natures cathedral..

I know they say so many people go there but it’s so worth it-never seen anything like it. If you’ve got the time cross the creek and take in the view from the high side.

Mother Nature created an amazing set of volcanic columns that are perfectly shaped!! The entire valley area is so beautiful.