This OTHERWORLDLY Stone Forest Emerges From a California Lake Once a Year!

Tucked away in the Eastern Sierra, there’s a surreal landscape that looks straight out of a sci-fi movie. Towering stone columns rise from the shoreline, formed over 760,000 years ago by volcanic forces and erosion.

This bizarre geological wonder is hidden near Crowley Lake, California. When water levels drop in autumn, an alien-like forest of rock formations emerges, standing up to 20 feet tall.

Getting here isn’t as simple as pulling up to a parking lot. You’ll either need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle or be ready for a two-mile hike on a dirt trail to reach the formations

@asyatravels

The most insane place in California 😱 There are three options to get there, you can hike 4 miles, drive up on a 4×4 car or take a boat. I don’t know the details about boats but I heard people do it. We did the drive (which had a pretty rough spot on one of the hills). To find the way search for “𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝘀” in @alltrails app. You can find the latest state of the trail in the latest comments there too. It is not possible to get there during floods, and this place disappears under the water in spring. Fall and winter are the best times to visit it. Here is what I found about Crowley Lake Columns creation. They were created by volcanic eruptions depositing hot ash. The ash mixed with water, then dried and cracked over time. Water seeped into the cracks, froze in winter, and expanded them. This cycle repeated for thousands of years, forming the columns. Please remember to care about nature and leave no trace 🙏❤️ All filmed on my @djiglobal Mini 3 Pro. Have you ever heard of this otherworldly place? Check out my California map for unique places like this. I added a lot of them there! ✨ Lіnk in bіо ✨ . . . . . #californiatravel #unlimitedcalifornia #californiaadventure #djiglobal #fromwhereidrone Unique places in California, unique nature destinations

♬ original sound – Asya • Travel + California

What Makes This Place So Special?

Scientists estimate that around 5,000 columns are scattered across a two-to-three-mile area. The formations are eerily symmetrical, resembling ancient ruins carved by lost civilizations—except nature was the only sculptor

The best time to visit is between fall and early spring, when the water is low and the columns are fully visible. In the summer, the rising lake levels can partially or completely submerge them.

Tips for Your Visit

🚙 Getting There: If you have a 4WD, you can drive within a quarter-mile of the site. If not, prepare for a four-mile round-trip hike on a rugged dirt road.

🥾 Wear Sturdy Shoes: The terrain is uneven, and you’ll need solid footwear to explore safely.

📍 Bring a GPS or Offline Map: There are no signs leading to the columns, and cell service is unreliable.

💧 No Amenities Here: Bring plenty of water, snacks, and anything else you need—there are no facilities nearby.

📷 Sunrise & Sunset Are Magical: Golden hour brings out the dramatic textures of the stone, making for unreal photos.

@californian.views

What a sight! ❄️ #california #winter #snow #travel #beautiful #explore

♬ It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters

Is It Worth the Trek?

Absolutely. This is one of those places that still feels like a secret, far from the crowds of Mammoth Lakes or Yosemite. If you’re willing to make the effort, you’ll be rewarded with a scene straight out of another world.