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Manzanar

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Historical site

Weather…

Manzanar, located in the Owens Valley of California, is the best-known of the ten internment camps where over 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, leading to the forced relocation and detention of citizens without charges or due process. From 1942 to 1945, Manzanar held over 10,000 people at its peak, housed in primitive wooden barracks under harsh weather conditions. Despite being surrounded by barbed wire and armed guard towers, the detainees strived to maintain a sense of community by establishing schools, churches, and traditional Japanese gardens. Today, Manzanar is a National Historic Site that serves as a somber reminder of this dark chapter in American history and the fragility of civil rights. The interpretive center in the former high school gymnasium, along with reconstructed barracks and the iconic white cemetery monument, educate the public on the consequences of prejudice and wartime hysteria.

Location: United States
Top sights: Barracks Garden · Bk 22 Mess Hall Garden · Manzanar Cemetery Monument

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-1	0	3	6	11	16	20	20	16	10	4	-1
Rain mm	78	69	57	39	22	6	12	10	10	25	39	79

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

Manzanar National Historic Site is open to visitors year-round. The camp remains and the interpretive center can be visited.

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Typical hours

The grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The interpretive center typically has fixed hours, usually 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Photography

Photography is allowed throughout the site. In the interpretive center, photographing exhibits may be restricted.

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Time needed

Allow at least 2 hours to explore the grounds and interpretive center. For deeper engagement, plan 3-4 hours.

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Combine with

Combine the visit with a stop at Owens Lake or Alabama Hills. The Eastern Sierra has numerous hiking and photo spots.

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Getting there

Manzanar is located along US Highway 395 in California, about 370 km north of Los Angeles. A car is required as public transport is limited.

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Insider tip

Read up on the history of Japanese internment beforehand to better understand the site. Take time for the audio guides at the center.

Geography

Coordinates

36.72800, -118.15400

Facts

Manzanar War Relocation Center opened on March 21, 1842, in the Owens Valley.
The peak population of the camp reached 10,046 in September 1942.
Two-thirds of the people incarcerated at Manzanar were American-born citizens.
The camp area covered approximately 6,000 acres at the foot of the Sierra Nevada.
Manzanar was officially designated as a National Historic Site in 1992.
The white cemetery monument was built by the detainees themselves in 1943.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Sequoia National Forest54 km · SEExplore →

Mammoth Lakes103 km · SWExplore →

Death Valley129 km · NExplore →

Hollywood Sign138 km · EExplore →

Hollywood Bowl139 km · EExplore →

Hollywood Entertainment Industry139 km · EExplore →

Los Angeles141 km · EExplore →

Santa Monica147 km · EExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Manzanar (12)

Barracks Garden 📍 landmark

A site at Manzanar featuring a reconstructed garden of the barracks area.

Bk 22 Mess Hall Garden 📍 landmark

A historic garden site near the Block 22 mess hall at Manzanar.

Manzanar Cemetery Monument 🏺 historical

A monument at Manzanar commemorating those who died at the camp.

Arai Pond 📍 landmark

A pond originally built by Japanese American internees at Manzanar.

Fossil Hill🌿 nature

A hill in the Manzanar area, known for its fossil deposits.

Eastern California Museum 🏛 museum

A museum in the Manzanar area showcasing regional history.

🕒 Mo-Su 10:00-17:00🆓

Dehy Park 🌳 park

A park within the Manzanar National Historic Site, commemorating the internment camp.

Mary Austin's House 🏛 museum

The historic home of author Mary Austin at Manzanar.

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Symmes Creek Wilderness Study Area🌿 nature

A protected wilderness area along Symmes Creek near Manzanar.

Independence Creek Wilderness Study Area🌿 nature

A wilderness area along Independence Creek near Manzanar.

Merritt Park 🌳 park

A park within the Manzanar National Historic Site.

Manzanar National Historic Site Visitor Center 🏛 museum

The visitor center for the Manzanar National Historic Site internment camp.

🌐 nps.gov

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How long does the visit take?

Expect at least 2 to 3 hours for the museum and outdoor grounds.

Is there an admission fee?

No, admission to the Manzanar National Historic Site is free.

What is the best time?

Spring and autumn have the most pleasant climate for visiting.

Can I see everything?

The visitor center and several reconstructed buildings are open to the public.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, it is an important educational site about U.S. history.

Manzanar: where is it located?

Manzanar is located in United States.

Manzanar: what is there to see?

Highlights include Barracks Garden, Bk 22 Mess Hall Garden, Manzanar Cemetery Monument.

Manzanar: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Manzanar: why is it worth visiting?

Manzanar, located in the Owens Valley of California, is the best-known of the ten internment camps where over 120,000 Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →