• Devils Postpile Formation

    Devils Postpile

    National Monument California

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  • Tentative Opening Date Announced

    A tentative opening date of May 25, 2013 has been announced for Devils Postpile and Reds Meadow Valley. Campgrounds will not be open until mid-late June. Limited visitor services will be available. This is condition dependent and subject to change. More »

  • Devils Postpile Sets 37-Foot Vehicle Length Restriction on the Devils Postpile Access Road

    Devils Postpile has a limit of 37 feet for vehicles on the monument road. This may change during weather events, construction activities, vehicle congestion, or for safety reasons. Call or email for more information. More »

Plants

Nature and Science

Devils Postpile National Monument's vegetation is a montane forest dominated by red fir and lodgepole pine. The monument's proximity to both west and east sides of the Sierra Nevada results in the presence of plants from diverse biological communities. Recent plant inventories documented 360 plant species in the relatively small 798-acre area of the monument. Along the San JoaquinRiver and the few creeks that flow into it, typical montane riparian vegetation can be found, such as quaking aspen, black cottonwood, alder, and willows. Both wet and dry meadows dot the monument and during the spring and early summer when water is available, a colorful bouquet of wildflowers can be found.

Did You Know?

A view of the Postpile looking northeast.

The area now known as Devils Postpile National Monument used to be part of Yosemite National Park.  In 1905, the Devils Postpile formation, Rainbow Falls, and the Minarets were removed from Yosemite's boundaries due to pressure from mining interests.