Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center shifting to off-season hours

BISHOP, CA August 24, 2021 —The White Mountain Public Lands Information Center in Bishop is transitioning to virtual services.

Saturday, August 28th will be the last day of in person services with US Forest Service employees. Current hours are Thursday- Monday 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Tuesday-Wednesday virtual services, 8:30 am-4:30 pm, closed for lunch noon to 1:00 pm.

Starting August 29th and until further notice, the White Mountain Public Lands Information Center will be conducting all business virtually. Hours for US Forest Service business will be Monday-Sunday (7 days), from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, closed for lunch noon to 1:00 pm.

For Wilderness Permits, visitors should call the center at +1 760 873-2500, +1 760 873-2501, or +1 760 873-2503 to arrange to pick up any permits. Staff will put the permit outside in the night drop box, left of the front entrance door. Permits can also be obtained by email via SM.FS.WildPmt_Inyo@usda.gov.

Fuelwood permits can be obtained by email Send an email to SM.FS.InyoFW_Permit@usda.gov. Each request should include your name, physical address, mailing address, phone number, driver’s license number and number of cords requested. Permits will be returned to requesters by hardcopy mail. As a reminder fuelwood permits will not be processed August 22 through September 3 while the new cash and credit card system is implemented.

This does not impact bookstore operations, which are managed by the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association (ESIA). ESIA will continue to operate the bookstore Thursday- Monday 8:30 am am-4:30 pm, closed Tuesday-Wednesday.

The Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center will continue with the current hours, Thursday - Monday 8:30 am to 4:30pm, through September 6 (Labor Day). After Labor Day, the schedule will be Thursday through Sunday(same hours) and will close for the season on October 2.ESIA will operate the bookstore Thursday-Monday, 8:30 am- 4:30 pm.