FEES
All visitors, regardless if they use the mandatory shuttle system, are camping, or drive their own vehicle, must pay a transportation fee in order to enter Reds Meadow Valley. Once paid, this fee is valid for the duration of your stay. The U.S. Forest Service accepts cash, check, or credit card in U.S. dollars for the payment of this fee. The current fees are listed below.
NOTE: The shuttle buses are not ADA accessible. Disabled visitors who can provide proof of physical handicap are permitted to drive down to the Monument. They must still pay the transportation fee.
Adults - $7.00
Children (3 to 15 years of age) - $4.00
Groups staying overnight in Reds Meadow Valley - $20.00 car cap**
2009 3-day pass*** - $14.00
2009 Season Pass - $35.00
**For example, if there are 5 individuals in one vehicle who are camping in Reds Meadow Valley, rather than pay $35.00 for the vehicle's transportation fee, only $20.00 would be charged.
***This pass, valid for one adult, can be used towards the transportation fee for any three days within a 5-day period.
REDS MEADOW VALLEY AND DEVILS POSTPILE NATIONAL MONUMENT PROPOSED FEE CHANGE FOR 2010
As a result of the new partnership with Eastern Sierra Transit for operation of the Reds Meadow/Devils Postpile Shuttle, the Forest Service and Devils Postpile have the opportunity to use recreation fees to improve facilities and services to enhance the visitor experience in the Reds Meadow Valley. To take advantage of this opportunity, the Forest Service and Devils Postpile are proposing to change the fee to significantly enhance the recreation experience in Reds Meadow. For the specifics of this proposed fee change, visit the Inyo National Forest's Recreational Activities page.
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASSES, SENIOR, AND ACCESS PASSES
In 2009, the Federal Recreation Passes were not accepted. This may change due to a proposed fee change for 2010. For more information about this important fee change, visit the Inyo National Forest Recreational Activities page.
CAMPGROUND RESERVATIONS
Campground Reservations are not available for the monument. The monument's campground is first-come, first-served and sites cost $14.00/night or $7.00 for Senior or Access Pass holders. All campgrounds in the Valley are self registration with the exception of the Agnew Meadows and Pumice Flat group sites, which may be reserved online. Forest Service campsites in the valley are $20 per site per night.
TRANSPORTATION FEES
Shuttle bus tickets can be purchased at the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center located in the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Gondola Building adjacent to the Mammoth Mountain Inn at the top of Highway 203. Passengers can pick up the shuttle bus at this location*.
Visitors who meet any exceptions to the shuttle bus listed further down on this web site may pay the transportation fee at the Minaret Vista Station.
SHUTTLE HOURS OF OPERATION
The shuttle has stopped running for the 2009 Season. Typically the shuttle runs from the second week in June through the Wednesday after Labor Day. This is weather dependent, so it is best to confirm these dates by contacting Devils Postpile or the Mammoth Lakes Ranger Station at (760) 924-5500. The 2010 schedule will be be posted as soon as it is available.
Buses typically run every 20 or 30 minutes during peak season.
*Through hikers and backpackers who arrive in Reds Meadow Valley/Devils Postpile by trail can board the shuttle at any of the ten shuttle stops within the Valley. Inter-valley travel on the shuttle is free of charge to all riders. Hikers, backpackers, bikers, and other users who choose to ride the bus out of the Valley back to Mammoth Mountain Ski Area must purchase their tickets upon exiting the Valley. Through hikers can pay the bus drivers directly if they have exact change or pay at the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center.
EXCEPTIONS TO THE SHUTTLE BUS
Exceptions to the shuttle system are the following:
- Visitors who drive into the Valley before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:30 p.m.
- Visitors who are overnight guests of Reds Meadow Resort
- Visitors who are camping within the Reds Meadow Valley
- Visitors who are hauling stock trailers
- Visitors whose vehicles are carrying small watercraft for use in the lakes
- Visitors who can provide proof of physical handicap.
PET OWNERS
Well behaved dogs on leash and wearing muzzles are allowed on buses at the discretion of the bus driver and if space permits.
BICYCLES
Biking off road is not permitted anywhere in the Reds Meadow Valley with one exception. Mountain biking is permitted on the Starkweather Trail only after the shuttle bus has stopped running for the season. For visitors wishing to ride the road, shuttle buses will accommodate bicycles on a space available basis. Cyclists taking the shuttle out of the valley will have to pay the transportation fee on the way out.
WHY IS THERE A TRANSPORTATION FEE?
Many visitors are confused by the jurisdiction of the shuttle bus operation and why federal park passes are not accepted. The area of Reds Meadow Valley that surrounds Devils Postpile National Monument is actually land administered by the U.S. Forest Service. Therefore, the Forest Service maintains and controls access of the road.
In December 2004, Congress passed the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) which partially repealed the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (LWCFA) that covered how Golden Passports, National Park Passes, and America the Beautiful Passes were to be issued and accepted on federal lands. Golden Passports, National Park, and America the Beautiful Passes were originally for entrance fees into National Parks, National Monuments, and National Scenic Areas. Under the FLREA, Golden Passports, National Park, and America the Beautiful Passes are still valid where entrance fees are charged, and are now valid for standard amenity fees. These passes, however, are not valid for expanded amenity fees. Expanded fees are those that provide direct benefits to individuals or groups. They include items like transportation systems, developed campgrounds, cabin rentals, highly developed boat docks, and swimming areas. With the passing of the FLREA, the Reds Meadow Transportation System has been designated as an expanded amenity fee area.
The shuttle system has been in effect for the last 28 years. Prior to that, the number of cars entering the Valley far exceeded the number of available parking spaces. This extreme traffic congestion resulted in safety hazards, visitors finding themselves stuck in their cars and mired in gridlock, as well as illegal parking which led to soil compaction and the destruction of plants. Moreover, the steep single-lane road that winds its way down to the bottom of the Valley over a distance of ten miles is, for some, quite stressful. Without the shuttle system, RVs, stock trailers, large and small vehicles, as well as bicyclists would all be forced to share the road unchecked. Additionally, without the shuttle, the number of vehicles entering the Valley would need to be limited due to the significant shortfall of available parking. The mandatory shuttle system has significantly reduced traffic, allowed more visitors to access the Valley, permitted the area to recover, and once again, visitors enjoy a more pristine and hassle-free experience during their stay in the Valley and Monument.
