Mammoth Lakes

Surrounded by some of California’s highest peaks, this Eastern Sierra town puts a high priority on outdoor fun. Mammoth Lakes attracts snow lovers who take to the slopes of Mammoth Mountain in winter, then swap their skis for hiking boots, mountain bikes, and paddleboards when the snow melts. The town’s 7,000 residents are happy to share their alpine playground, so read on for ideas on what to do in Mammoth and check out these recommendations from a local.

Summer Activities in Mammoth Lakes

Summer in Mammoth Lakes brings endless opportunities to play outside. Hiking and mountain biking trails offer access to alpine wonders, from low-key rambles to swimming lakes to full-day treks to soaring peaks. 

Start by exploring the Mammoth Lakes Basin, where paddlers and anglers gather at five drive-up lakes (Mary, Twin, George, Mamie, and Horseshoe), while hikers hit the trails. Choose a path to suit your ambitions: Take an easy stroll to McLeod Lake, a short but memorably steep ascent to Crystal Lake, or a challenging 10-mile round-trip over Duck Pass to massive Duck Lake, a sapphire-blue gem perched at 10,450 feet in elevation. On peak summer days, you can ride an open-air shuttle from The Village at Mammoth to numerous trailheads.

Mountain bikers flock to Mammoth Mountain Bike Park, where chairlift-accessed trails make the uphill stretches much easier. More than 80 miles of singletrack run the gamut from easy to extreme, and beginners can hone their skills at the Discovery Zone before they tackle tougher trails. Bring your own wheels or choose from a large fleet of rental gear, from full-suspension mountain bikes to zippy e-bikes. 

If you’d rather just cruise around town and savor the mountain scenery from a smooth, paved trail, Mammoth has that, too. Rent a cruiser bike from one of several shops in town and set out on the 5.3-mile Lakes Basin Path or 7.3-mile Town Loop. Pack the little ones into their bike trailer and stop for lunch somewhere along the way. 

The adventure doesn’t end with hiking and biking. Stop into Mammoth Lakes Pack Outfit for a horseback ride through the Lakes Basin, or test your nerve and agility on Mammoth Adventure Center’s via ferrata, a rock cliff lined with steel cables and iron rungs. You don’t need rock climbing experience—an experienced guide will help you navigate your way up six different courses. 

When you’re ready for a day off, skip the workout and ride the Scenic Gondola to Mammoth Mountain’s 11,053-foot summit. Visit the interpretive center with exhibits on volcanic history and geology, or just soak in the astounding view of the Minaret Range, Mono Lake, and 400 miles of the Sierra’s highest peaks. 

Winter Activities at Mammoth Lakes

In winter, Mother Nature is extremely generous to Mammoth Lakes. The base of Mammoth Mountain gets an average 33 feet of snow annually, so the ski season often extends well into summer. Mammoth’s numbers tell the story—with 3,500 skiable acres, 25 lifts, and 300 days of sunshine, alpine skiers and riders have plenty to love. You can mix things up with a day of cross-country skiing on 19-plus miles of groomed trails at Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center (most trails are open to snowshoers as well). 

When your ski legs need a break, join a guided snowmobile tour with Mammoth Mountain or DJ’s Snowmobile Adventures. You’ll learn the basics from your instructor/guide, then pilot your own single- or double-seat snowmobile through tree-lined trails and expansive meadows. Or set aside a few hours for Woolly’s Adventure Summit, where fans of snow and speed can hurtle down groomed lanes in a donut-shaped tube or take a thrilling ride on the Mountain Coaster. You’ll climb aboard a sled and zip around 5,455 feet of curving track at 25 miles per hour. 

Accessibility at Mammoth Lakes

Like many of the towns across the High Sierra, Mammoth Lakes is committed to ensuring that its outdoor activities are accessible to all. From skiing—via the use of mono skis, bi-skis, snow sliders, and other equipment—to paved trails that are perfect for adaptive bikes to fishing platforms that are accessible to wheelchairs, the options are many. For a complete list and details, visit Mammoth Lakes’ Accessible Activities page. 

Hot Springs at Mammoth Lakes 

In any season, Mammoth Lakes makes a perfect base camp for exploring local hot springs. Some 760,000 years ago, a massive volcano erupted in this region, creating a network of steaming water underground. Head east to Benton Hot Springs to relax in any of nine outdoor hot tubs at The Inn at Benton Hot Springs, or cruise south to Keough’s Hot Springs, first opened as a medicinal and health retreat in 1919. 

With a high-clearance vehicle, you can visit more primitive hot springs off Benton Crossing Road. Rustic springs like Wild Willy’s and Crab Cooker don’t have fancy amenities, but they offer blissful, free-of-charge soaking. (Stop by the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center for directions to these and other hot springs. 

Restaurants in Mammoth Lakes 

Year-round, Mammoth is a great town for food and drink. Stake your claim at an outdoor picnic table at Mammoth Brewing Company, where there’s ample people-watching and 14 beers on tap. In-house kitchen The Eatery serves intriguing mash-ups like Irish kale salad, falafel tacos, and pork belly banh mi sandwiches. Taste more locally made beer at Distant Brewing, an ultra-casual, back-street spot that brews Belgian-style ales and barrel-aged sours. 

Score morning caffeine at Looney Bean, a cozy café with indoor and outdoor seating, or Black Velvet Coffee, a modern space with room to linger over a cappuccino at 7 a.m. or glass of wine at 7 p.m. For a hearty breakfast, cozy up with a savory omelet or huevos rancheros at one of two popular morning spots, The Warming Hut or The Stove. 

At dinner, choose from Mammoth’s surprising array of restaurants: Dine on escargot, duck confit, and classic French dishes at The Brasserie, an elegant bistro above Mammoth’s fun-loving bowling alley. Inside the Empeiria High Sierra Hotel, sophisticated Skadi draws inspiration from the cuisine of Norway and the Swiss Alps. In The Village at Mammoth, brothers and Food Network stars Michael and Bryan Voltaggio run Vulcania, a hotspot for elevated Italian cuisine. A few steps away, Lakanuki claims to be California’s highest-elevation tiki bar and delivers on that promise with oversized mai tais and island-party vibes. 

Where to Stay in Mammoth Lakes 

The focus at Mammoth Lakes may be on the great outdoors, but that doesn’t mean your time spent indoors should be anything less than memorable. Choose from on-mountain, ski-in/ski-out condos at Juniper Springs Resort or gondola-accessible The Village Lodge, or stay a few steps away at the upscale Westin Monache Resort. For a more secluded experience, book a rustic cabin near the ski slopes. In summer, score a spot at one of the cabin resorts in the Lakes Basin, including Crystal Crag Lodge, Wildyrie Lodge, and Woods Lodge, so you can paddleboard or catch a trout before breakfast. 

Events in Mammoth Lakes 

Both the town of Mammoth Lakes and Mammoth Mountain love to throw a crowd-pleasing party. In winter, there’s an event almost every weekend, from the Far West Super G Finals to the annual April Pond Skim Party. In summer, listen to the blues and taste world-class brews during the Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza music festival. July’s three-day Arts on the 4th Festival features the works of artists and makers of all kinds, plus live music. The Mammoth Lakes Film Festival takes place for five days in May, showcasing documentaries and short films produced by famous and up-and-coming directors. 

Things to Do Near Mammoth Lakes 

You’ll never run out of activities in Mammoth Lakes, but if you want to explore more of the region, that’s easy to do. Mammoth Lakes is the jumping-off point for visits to Devils Postpile National Monument, a wilderness park along the San Joaquin River highlighted by 60-foot-high basalt columns and shimmering Rainbow Falls. In summer, shuttle buses to Devils Postpile depart from Mammoth Adventure Center. 

For a drive with photogenic alpine scenery, you can’t do much better than the roughly 16-mile-long June Lake Loop, a 20-minute drive from Mammoth. Take it to the next level by setting out on a Highway 395 Road Trip. Heading north, the route will take you through June Lake and farther to must-see spots like the 700,000-year-old waters of Mono Lake and Bodie, California’s largest ghost town. 

When Tioga Pass Road/Highway 120 is open (mid-summer to fall), it’s easy to drive into Yosemite National Park through its eastern entrance, only 45 minutes from Mammoth. Spend a day wandering along the Tuolumne River, hike to the bald summit of Lembert Dome or Pothole Dome, or visit any one of dozens of alpine lakes. Feeling ambitious? Another hour of driving will take you into Yosemite Valley, where world-famous wonders await. 

No matter the season, the locals on staff at the California Welcome Center - Mammoth Lakes can answer any questions you may have about how to make the most of your time in the area.