Forget Yosemite, The National Park Service Calls This Underrated Destination A Hidden Gem

There's no denying the appeal of Yosemite National Park. Brimming with spectacular landmarks like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls, it attracts visitors from far and wide keen to see one of the most iconic landscapes in the world. Unfortunately, with that popularity comes crowds, and lots of them. One way to avoid those crowds is to head 50 miles south and go to Devils Postpile National Monument instead. With around 135,000 annual visitors, compared to more than four million at Yosemite, this underrated destination, although much smaller, is just as beautiful, provides a more peaceful experience, and has a few unique attractions of its own.

Named one of the National Park Service's Top 10 Hidden Gems, Devils Postpile sits within the borders of the Ansel Adams Wilderness in the heart of California's Sierra Nevada. It has the highest waterfall on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River, one of the world's finest examples of columnar basalt, access to both the John Muir and Pacific Crest Trails – two of the best bucket-list trails in the world, and the views from Soda Springs Meadow are enough to rival Yosemite's famous Tunnel View. Not bad for a national monument covering just 800 acres.

The mountainous Californian lake town of Mammoth Lakes is around 13 miles away, but the twisty road to get there makes it feel much longer. In fact, access to Devils Postpile is limited during the summer months and closed completely during winter, so visitors usually park at Mammoth Mountain ski area, one of North America's most popular ski resorts, then take the shuttle down into the valley. Eastern Sierra Regional Airport in Bishop, around 59 miles away, has regular flights from San Francisco.

Unless you're going off grid and heading out into the wilderness for a few days, you should be able to fit in the main attractions at Devils Postpile in a day. Around eight miles of trails pass through the monument and most lead off from the ranger station. The 0.8-mile Devils Postpile Trail takes you to the monument's namesake, a rare rock formation made of columnar basalt standing 60 feet high and dating back around 80,000 years. Formed from cooling lava and later exposed by glaciers, the hexagonal columns look like they come from another planet. The 5-mile Rainbow Falls Trail leads you to one of the prettiest sights in the monument. Living up to its name, on a sunny day, colorful rainbows often appear through the mist at the 101-foot falls.

Soda Springs Meadow, near the ranger station, is a great place for a picnic and the path down there is wheelchair accessible. Fishing is allowed in the San Joaquin River here too, but you should check the weather conditions as snowmelt can sometimes cause flooding. This is also an excellent spot for wildlife viewing or birdwatching, and if you're there early summer, the meadow is full of wildflowers. The mountains and forests provide the ideal habitat for black bears and mountain lions, so the usual precautions should be taken.

Volunteering is an excellent way to get to know the monument better while contributing to its preservation, and they are always looking for people of all ages to get involved. As one of the few dog-friendly national park sites, your canine friend can also play their part in the Paw Patrol program, where you help monitor the trails. Information on eligibility is available on the NPS website.

Camping at Devils Postpile isn't possible at the moment as the campground has been closed since 2016. You'll have to head to one of the five other campgrounds in Reds Meadow Valley instead, which, with the exception of Pumice Flats Group which can be reserved in advance, are available on a first come, first served basis and cost $28 per night. Anyone out backpacking will need a wilderness permit available on recreation.gov. There is also a selection of rooms and cabins available at Reds Meadow Resort just a short distance away, which has a café and a general store. 

If you're just here for the day, it's a good idea to bring your own picnic, but make use of the bear-proof food lockers provided. For all other supplies, head to Mammoth Lakes. Seasons are very much hit and miss with regard to the weather. The monument is typically open from mid-June to mid-October, when winter storms arrive bringing snow and blocking the road. Even in summer there can still be snow lying on Mammoth Mountain.

Taking the shuttle to Devils Postpile is mandatory for most visitors during the summer season and helps avoid congestion. The only exceptions are for those staying overnight in Reds Meadow Valley or if you arrive before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. The shuttle costs $15 and makes several stops along the route. Overnight parking is allowed at Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge, but spaces can fill up quickly. Outside of shuttle season, you can drive directly to the monument on Reds Meadow Road, which is the only road leading in.