Manzanar National Historic Site
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Tell Trailie your dates, pace, and interests — get a day-by-day Manzanar National Historic Site plan with hikes, drives, and must-see stops.
Manzanar National Historic Site at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- 2–4 hours to 1 day
- Don't miss
- Historic grounds and interpretive exhibits at Manzanar National Historic Site
- Nearby city
- Independence, CA
Explore this park
About Manzanar National Historic Site
In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where the US government incarcerated Japanese immigrants ineligible for citizenship and Japanese American citizens during World War II.
1 current NPS alert
- Information: Manzanar Remains Open During US 395 Pavement Project
Source: National Park Service (as of Nov 10, 2026). Official Manzanar National Historic Site page on nps.gov
Weather Information
Manzanar is located in the Owens Valley at 4,000' elevation, at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada. We get little precipitation but we do have four distinct seasons.
- Summer
temperatures can soar over 100 degrees.
- Winter
highs are usually in the 40's.
Nighttime temperatures year round are 30 to 40 degrees less than daytime highs. High winds are common in any season.
Operating Hours
Site Grounds
The driving tour and grounds remain open daily from sunrise to sunset. Visitor center hours are more limited. See visitor center hours section for more information.
- MondaySunrise to Sunset
- TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
- WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
- ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
- FridaySunrise to Sunset
- SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
- SundaySunrise to Sunset
Common questions
Planning Manzanar National Historic Site
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics — check Alerts for live updates.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Manzanar National Historic Site. See Overview on this page for fees, timed entry, and campground details before you travel.
