Planning a trip to Devils Postpile National Monument, CA

Getting There -- From late June to early September, cars are banned in the monument between 7:30am and 5:30pm, because the roads can't handle the traffic. Visitors must take a shuttle bus to and from locations in the monument. Although it takes some planning, the resulting peace and quiet warrant the trouble and make you wonder why the park service hasn't implemented similar programs at Yosemite Valley and other traffic hot spots.

Visitor Information -- For information before you go, call tel. 760/934-2289 during open season, or tel. 760/872-4881 from November to May. You'll also find plenty of info at www.nps.gov/depo.