Manzanar National Historic Site

Things To Do Near Manzanar National Historic Site

The Manzanar National Historic Site is rife with things to see and do. RVers will love the wide-open sky and distant mountains. If you're feeling adventurous, go hiking on the Kearsarge Pass or check out the various historical monuments. With locally owned shops and restaurants aplenty, there are many opportunities to learn something new.

Hiking Trails

• Kearsarge Pass Trail to Kearsarge Lakes

  This heavily trafficked trail takes you along the roots of the mountains. It features a shining blue lake, snow-topped mountains, and green paths. Adventurers should be sure to bring water to drink on the trail.

  Location

  Onion Valley Road terminus, Independence, CA 93526

  Length

  11 miles

  Intensity

  Difficult

• Mobius Arch Loop Trail

  This short trail is great for any skill level. All around, you will find tall mountains under an expansive blue sky. Keep an eye out for interesting rock formations. Most of the trail is flat.

  Location

  Movie Flat Rd, Lone Pine, CA 93545

  Length

  0.6 miles

  Intensity

  Easy

• Middle Palisade

  This path sees moderate traffic every year. As you're going along, take in the view of the blue lake or get lost in the extensive pine forests. Towering mountains surround you, supplying many small brooks.

  Location

  Big Pine Creek Trailhead, 4024 Glacier Lodge Rd, Bishop, CA 93514

  Length

  16.2 miles

  Intensity

  Difficult

Sightseeing

• Mary Austin's Home

  Mary Austin was the daughter of a Civil War captain and was originally against moving to California. After a while, she grew to love its people and environments. She became a famous author, publishing "The Land of Little Rain" in 1903, which became a piece of classic literature. Mary Austin wrote multiple novels detailing her life and experiences.

  Location

  253-299 W Market St, Independence, CA 93526

• Gravesite of the 1872 Lone Pine Earthquakes

  The disastrous Lone Pine Earthquakes occurred on March 26, 1892, at around 2:30 a.m. Twenty-seven people were killed, and most of the settlements were reduced to rubble. The earthquakes are now thought to have been at a 7.8 magnitude on the Richter scale. The victims that were found are buried in this gravesite.

  Location

  Pangborne Ln, Lone Pine, CA 93545

• Inyo National Forest

  The Inyo National Forest blankets parts of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and the White Mountains in Nevada. It also contains Mt. Whitney, the highest mountain in the contiguous United States. Theodore Roosevelt established the national forest in 1907. 

  Location

  351 Pacu Ln #200, Bishop, CA 93514

Museums

• Museum of Western Film History

  This museum is run by people with a passion for Western film, and it honors the actors and actresses who took part. It collects and preserves exhibits from the old days of filmmaking, and it is one of the largest film museums in the country. It also has exhibits for sci-fi films and other genres. 

  Location

  701 S Main St, Lone Pine, CA 93545

• Laws Railroad Museum

  The Laws Railroad Museum opened its doors in 1966 and has 11 acres of exhibits. Anyone interested in steam locomotives will feel right at home, learning how supplies and products were moved in the old days. Pioneer furniture and old mining equipment are available to view.

  Location

  Silver Canyon Rd, Bishop, CA 93514

• Eastern California Museum

  This museum was founded in 1928 and has been operated by Inyo County since 1968. Within, you can find information and artifacts from old Inyo County and the Eastern Sierra region. With 27,000 photographs and 15,550 records to look through, learning opportunities are endless.

  Location

  155 N Grant St, Independence, CA 93526

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Lone Pine Rocks & Gift

  Lone Pine Rocks & Gift carved a name for itself in the 1960s. It carries rocks and gems, along with other souvenirs. You can find pottery and clothing bought from Native American vendors.

  Location

  235 S Main St, Lone Pine, CA 93545

• Caroll's Market

  This family-owned business is great if you're running out of food or supplies. You can find fresh vegetables and fruit in the small produce section. Caroll's also has lunch meat for sandwiches, along with condiments, home-grown tomatoes, and homemade salsa.

  Location

  136 S Main St, Big Pine, CA 93513

• High Sierra Outfitters

  If you're RVing and find yourself running low on outdoor supplies, High Sierra Outfitters has your back. You can find hunting and fishing supplies here along with other outdoor gear like gloves and boots.

  Location

  130 S Main St, Lone Pine, CA 93545

• Still Life Cafe

  At Still Life Cafe, you can order a variety of French dishes, all in a French bistro setting. They have a Greek salad, warm goat cheese salad, and sandwiches. Pasta dishes, such as pasta primavera with grilled seasoned veggies and spices, are available as well. 

  Location

  135 S Edwards, Independence, CA 93526

• Alabama Hills Cafe

  If you don't feel like making breakfast, head to Alabama Hills Cafe. Their two-egg breakfast and country scramble, both with toast and hash browns, are popular with locals. They also have breakfast burritos and sandwiches.

  Location

  111 W Post St, Lone Pine, CA 93545

• The Grill

  You can find burgers, sandwiches, tuna melts, and more at The Grill. If you're feeling adventurous, try their buffalo chicken sandwich. Other meals include Philly cheesesteak and pulled pork.

  Location

  446 S Main St, Lone Pine, CA 93545

How To Get To Manzanar National Historic Site

Manzanar National Historic Site is located near Central California, near Nevada's southwestern border. Head southwest on I-15 S. Use the right two lanes to take Exit 179 for CA-58 toward Bakersfield. Continue onto CA-58 W and follow for about 29 miles. Take Exit 206 toward US-395 N. Turn right onto US-395 N and follow for around 129 miles. Turn left toward Manzanar Reward Rd, follow for 318 feet, and turn right onto Manzanar Reward Rd. Turn left onto Sentry House Rd. Manzanar National Historic Site is open every day, year-round.

Address

Manzanar Reward Rd, California

Fee: Entry fee $0

Everyone with an RV should have the chance to visit the Manzanar National Historic Site. You can learn about the peoples' struggles in older days whether it was the earthquakes in the area in 1872 or the internment camps in 1942. Immerse yourself in local culture by visiting the many nearby shops and restaurants. If you do all this from the comfort of an RV, you won't ever feel too far away from home.