09/03/2026
The ONLY road trip you should do this September ⛰️💦🍁
𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 👉🏼 Ryan Smilko & Katy Smilko | California Bucket List Travel for more California adventures! 🚐🗺️📍
💬 Comment “GUIDE” if you’d like us to send you more info on this epic road trip!👇🏼
If you’re looking for one road trip that shows you just how wildly diverse California can be, put Highway 395 on your list. This route takes you from the high desert of the Eastern Sierra to alpine lakes, ancient bristlecone pines, volcanic landscapes, and some of the tallest peaks in the Lower 48—all within a few hundred miles.
🚙 Highway 395: Eastern Sierra Road Trip
🗓 Recommended: 5–7 days
🛣️ Distance: ~555 miles
From the wild landscapes surrounding Mono Lake to the desert floor of Alabama Hills, Highway 395 takes you through an incredible range of elevations, landscapes, and scenery along one unforgettable route.
HIGHLIGHTS:
🏰 Bodie State Historic Park
🏜️ Mono Lake
Devils Postpile National Monument
♨️ Hot Creek Geological Site
🌊 Convict Lake
🌊 Crowley Lake
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
🍁 Bishop Creek
🌊 South Lake
🌊 Lake Sabrina
⛩️ Manzanar National Historic Site
〽️ Alabama Hills
⛰️ Mount Whitney
And that’s just scratching the surface. You’ll find countless hot springs, alpine lakes, mountain trails, geological wonders, and tiny Eastern Sierra towns scattered along the route.
September might be one of the best months to do it, with cooler temperatures in the desert, accessible high-country roads, and the first hints of fall color beginning to appear. 🍂
Which stop would you build your trip around? 👇🏽
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𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 👉🏼 Ryan Smilko & Katy Smilko | California Bucket List Travel for more California adventures! 🚐🗺️📍
| Highway 395 | Hwy 395 | Eastern Sierras | Eastern Sierra | Mammoth | Mammoth Lakes | Mammoth Lakes California | Bishop | Bishop California | Big Pine California | Death Valley | Death Valley National Park | Badwater Basin | Artists Palette | Zabrisk
