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CONTACT INFORMATION

Liz Grans *
Film Commissioner / Economic Development Manager, Mono County Tourism and Film Commission
P.O. Box 603, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 USA
760-924-1738 phone 1
[email protected]
https://www.filmmonocounty.com/contact/


Ben Griswold *
Special Event Coordinator, Sierra District
530-523-3505 phone 1
[email protected]


Permits Department, State Parks and Beaches
California Film Commission
7080 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 900, Hollywood, CA 90028 USA
323.860.2960 phone 1
800.858.4749 phone 2
[email protected]
http://film.ca.gov/state-permits/parks-beaches/


* key contact

WEBSITE:
Mono Lake State Natural Reserve
South Tufa Lake - Inyo National Forest

Keywords: Desert; Lakeside; Mountains; Valleys

Site Condition: Location/Directions Highway 395, 13 miles east of Yosemite National Park, near the town of Lee Vining, California.

General Notes: updated 12.19.24 bd

Usage Restriction: South Tufa Lake is located within the Mono Basin National Scenic Area (MBNSA) where commercial filming, and still photography, on National Forest System lands is prohibited. Filming proposal may be considered on a case-by-case basis if the following criteria are met: • The intent of the filming/photography is primarily educational and/or interpretive in nature and explain, highlight, or educate people about MBNSA and its resources. • Only within developed recreation zones within the MBNSA o South Tufa or Navy Beach o Only on roads and trails designated on the INF Motor Vehicle Use Map • Between October 15-April 1, no weekends, holidays, or night shoots. • Maximum crew size of 20, including talent, photographers, etc. No filming @ South Tufa section north of Test Station Road within Inyo National Forest.

Jurisdictions: CALIFORNIA FILM COMMISSION - CFC, Inyo National Forest - USFS, MONO COUNTY / MAMMOTH FILM COMMISSION - FLICS

Within 30-Mile Studio Zone: N

State Property: Y

Closed/Vacant: N

Verified: 6/5/2025

Location Details

Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve (SNR) / South Tufa Lake - Inyo National Forest (NF)

United States / Mono Lake, California
Location ID: #7669

The reserve was established to preserve the spectacular "tufa towers," calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water.
Mono Lake is a majestic body of water covering about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old -- one of the oldest lakes in North America. It has no outlet.
Throughout its long existence, salts and minerals have washed into the lake from Eastern Sierra streams. Freshwater evaporating from the lake each year has left the salts and minerals behind so that the lake is now about 2 1/2 times as salty and 80 times as alkaline as the ocean.
Boating: Fishing Boats, Canoes and Inflatables. Speed Limit: 10 MPH; Hand Launch Only; Rentals: Fishing boats and Motors

Location Category:

  • NATURAL LANDSCAPES / PARKS - *;
  • NATURAL LANDSCAPES / PARKS - State Parks;
  • WATER & COASTAL AREAS - *;
  • WATER & COASTAL AREAS - Lakes / Dams / Reservoirs
 
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