Devils Postpile National Monument
Devils Postpile National Monument is a national monument run by the National Park Service in Madera County, California. There is no entrance fee. It is open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Current notices posted by the managing agency. Checked Sept. 30, 2026.
- Closure: Reds Meadow Road Access Restrictions in 2026 Reds Meadow Road remains under construction in 2026 and will be closed Monday through Friday through November 1 (closed for the season starting November 2).
Check current closures and fire restrictions for Devils Postpile National Monument on the managing agency's own page.
Devils Postpile National Monument map
Devils Postpile National Monument boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
No fire restriction recorded for this unit as of Sept. 30, 2026. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders below before you go.
Common questions
- Yes. Devils Postpile National Monument has no entrance fee. No reservation is needed to enter.
- Yes. Devils Postpile National Monument is open 24 hours a day, year-round.
- No. Devils Postpile National Monument has no developed campground. The monument's 20-site campground has been closed since 2016; five USFS campgrounds are in Reds Meadow Valley (as of September 29, 2026). Camping outside campgrounds is not allowed.
Fees, passes, and hours
Devils Postpile National Monument has no entrance fee. No reservation is needed to enter.
Devils Postpile National Monument is open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Sources: nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/fees, checked 2026-09-29; nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/hours, checked 2026-09-28.
Camping in Devils Postpile National Monument
Devils Postpile National Monument has no developed campground. The monument's 20-site campground has been closed since 2016; five USFS campgrounds are in Reds Meadow Valley (as of September 29, 2026). Camping outside campgrounds is not allowed.
Source: nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/camping, checked 2026-09-29.
Pets
They are allowed on trails.
Source: nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/pets, checked 2026-09-28.
Trails
- Devils PostpileFrom the ranger-station trailhead to the base of the columns; short uphill spur to the top.
- Rainbow FallsRolling hike from the Devils Postpile trailhead; hot and dry in summer with little shade.
- Minaret FallsCascading waterfall just outside the monument boundary.
Source: nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/outdooractivities, checked 2026-09-29.
What to see
- HighlightDevils PostpileHexagonal columnar basalt formed as lava cooled; glacial polish still visible on column tops.
- HighlightRainbow FallsHighest waterfall on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River; plunges 101 feet.
Source: nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/outdooractivities, checked 2026-09-29.
Public lands next to Devils Postpile National Monument
- Wilderness areaDevils Postpile National Monument borders Ansel Adams Wilderness.
- National forestDevils Postpile National Monument borders Inyo National Forest.
- Wilderness areaJohn Muir Wilderness is 0.6 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- National forestSierra National Forest is 1.6 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- Wilderness areaOwens River Headwaters Wilderness is 2.3 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.nps.gov/state/ca/index.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/fees.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/pets.htm (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/hours.htm (accessed 2026-09-28)
- https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/outdooractivities.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.nps.gov/depo/planyourvisit/camping.htm (accessed 2026-09-29)