Devils Postpile National Monument is a national monument in California's Sierra Nevada, characterized by its unique columnar basalt formations and its location as a gateway to the High Sierra backcountry. The monument's terrain features elevations between 7,200 and 8,200 feet, encompassing forested areas, river valleys, and access to pristine wilderness. This landscape provides a setting for several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more, attracting outdoor enthusiasts seeking diverse natural experiences.
68
Routes
4.7
(60)
Average rating
798
People visited

4.3
(4)
33
hikers
2.95km
00:53
100m
90m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

27
hikers
19.6km
06:12
1,080m
420m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

16
hikers
4.25km
01:10
40m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
hikers
2.25km
00:36
20m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

9.42km
00:28
50m
260m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
27.1km
02:02
610m
610m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

40
riders
20.0km
01:38
360m
360m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
28
riders
17.8km
01:16
270m
270m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.0
(1)
17
riders
23.8km
02:01
440m
440m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

8.92km
00:53
260m
260m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

41
riders
25.1km
02:16
480m
480m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(2)
14
riders
14.4km
01:03
300m
300m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

2
riders
27.3km
02:03
620m
620m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
36
riders
20.8km
01:09
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

16
riders
33.2km
01:48
600m
600m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

7
riders
38.0km
01:53
490m
490m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

2
runners
21.6km
02:58
720m
720m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
8.11km
01:10
350m
350m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9.38km
01:11
170m
170m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.44km
00:33
70m
60m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Devils Postpile National Monument offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Jogging, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, and Road cycling. The monument features 12 routes across these sports, catering to different interests and skill levels. More than 5,000 visitors have explored the area.
The primary natural attractions are the Devils Postpile formation, a unique columnar basalt structure towering up to 60 feet (18 meters), and Rainbow Falls, a 101-foot (31-meter) waterfall on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. The monument also provides access to the High Sierra backcountry, including parts of the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail.
Popular hiking trails include an easy 0.8-mile (1.3 km) loop to the Devils Postpile formation and a moderate 5.4-mile (8.7 km) round-trip hike to Rainbow Falls. Other trails, such as the Minaret Falls Trail, offer diverse experiences. More information can be found in the Hiking in Devils Postpile National Monument guide.
Yes, the monument offers easy hiking options suitable for various fitness levels. An easy 0.8-mile (1.3 km) loop leads directly to the iconic Devils Postpile formation. For more options, consult the Easy hikes in Devils Postpile National Monument guide.
Yes, a prominent waterfall hike leads to Rainbow Falls, a 101-foot (31-meter) waterfall. This moderate round-trip hike is approximately 5.4 miles (8.7 km) long. Additional details on waterfall trails are available in the Waterfall hikes in Devils Postpile National Monument guide.
Road biking is permitted on the Reds Meadow Road within the monument. Cyclists can ride into the valley, though shuttle buses operating during peak season have limited bicycle capacity. For more information, refer to the Road Cycling Routes in Devils Postpile National Monument guide.
Mountain biking is generally restricted within the monument and Reds Meadow Valley. The main exception is the Starkweather Trail, where mountain biking is allowed after the shuttle bus season concludes, typically after Labor Day. The MTB Trails in Devils Postpile National Monument guide provides further details.
Devils Postpile National Monument offers various trails suitable for running. These routes provide diverse terrain for joggers. Information on specific running paths can be found in the Running Trails in Devils Postpile National Monument guide.
The routes in Devils Postpile National Monument are popular among outdoor enthusiasts, with more than 5,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes have an average rating of 4.62 out of 5 stars based on over 360 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for the monument, including Hiking, Running Trails, Easy hikes, Waterfall hikes, Cycling, MTB Trails, and Road Cycling Routes.
During peak season, visitors typically access the monument via a mandatory shuttle bus service from Mammoth Lakes. Private vehicles are generally restricted during these times, though a fee is required to enter Reds Meadow Valley if driving a vehicle when permitted.
The official website for Devils Postpile National Monument is www.nps.gov/depo. The official phone number for inquiries is +1-760-934-2289.

