Our family has enjoyed the Eastern Sierras and using Mammoth Lakes as a 'home base' to go explore.
How to Use this Guide
The below are short brief suggestions. If you see something you like, I still recommend looking it up on google maps or searching for more information on Google. Many of the items have tons of websites with a lot more details! Obviously some things are affected the summer of 2020 for COVID.
Favorites / Must Do
- Convict Lake - Around 10-15 minutes from Mammoth, a crystal clear lake with huge mountains as the backdrop. Great for fishing, paddleboarding (morning, as the wind comes up in the afternoon), and renting boats. We like to rent a pontoon boat and drive to the back of the lake. Also, hiking around the entire lake is pretty easy (takes 1-2 hrs) and there are usually beautiful streams / creeks towards the back of the lake that are fun to cross.
- June Lake Beach - Around 20-30 minutes from Mammmoth. We highly suggest going early (8am - 9am) to enjoy a calm lake and less crowds. We typically go to the second or furthest beach from the entrance, as it has a better backdrop for views and possibly less crowded. Bring beach chairs / umbrella / paddleboards / swim toys. Water is refreshing, definitely not hot, but not freezing (middle of summer). We usually stay for a few hours or until the wind comes up. After we leave the lake, we cruise the June Lake Loop, next bullet point in this list.
- June Lake Loop - There are 4 lakes in the entire 'loop'. June, Gull, Silver and Grant. We like stopping at the Gull Lake Marina and grabbing a snack or popcorn and sitting lake side to enjoy the views. Silver Lake has the best backdrop of them all near the Silver Lake Store / Marina. We stop here and walk around the Silver Lake Resort grounds, grab a snack in the store, and enjoy the views down at the lake. Grant Lake is not as pretty as the rest, but is fun to look at while completing the loop. Once we complete the loop, depending on the time of day, we like to drive up the road and grab food at the Whoa Nellie Deli, next bullet Point.
- Whoa Nellie Deli - This is roughly 30-45 minutes from Mammoth. This is a 'gas station' with a deli or restaurant attached. We religiously get the fish tacos and love the mango salsa they put on it. They also make great margaritas! You can also visit Mono Lake Tufa formations afterwards, nearly across the street.
- Mammoth Lakes Basin - This is around 5-10 minutes up the road from Mammoth. There are the following lakes: Twin, Mary, Mamie, Horsehoe, and George. It's worth checking them all out, but I like George the best, as it is the most scenic, quaint, and has good fishing. There is a great bike path through most of the basin. We often ride it and sometimes go through the Twin Lakes campground and walk out to the waterfall that backdrops Twin Lakes.
- Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls - This is around 30-45 minutes from Mammoth. There often is a shuttle running and is mandatory, and could be crowded and could cause car sickness on a narrow winding mountain road. If you go early enough, you can drive your own car. The river is good for fly fishing too. Worth getting a milkshake at Reds Meadows.
Paddleboarding / Kayaking
- Nearly any lake, but our favorites are Convict, George, Mary, June and Silver. Silver has a fun river inlet you can paddle up.
Hiking
- McLeod Lake - This hike starts near Horsehoe Lake, around 10 minutes from Mammoth. The hike one way is probably only 30 minutes up a hill. The lake is fairly small but has a very scenic backdrop. A fun, easy local hike.
- Read more: https://www.mammothtrails.org/destination/20/mcleod-lake/
- Little Lakes Valley - This is probably 45 minutes from Mammoth. This is a full day typically. I recommend getting there early as the parking lot can be crowded and always consider afternoon thunderstorms. The hike starts above Rock Creek Lake at a designated trailhead. The hike passes many lakes. It's by far one of our favorites and is very popular!
- Duck Lake Pass - Around 10 minutes from Mammoth. Start near Lake Mary in the Coldwater Campground. Lots of great lakes on this hike, turn around any time you want. Arrowhead and Skeleton are some of the easier and fun ones.
- Crystal Crag Lake - Around 10 minutes from Mammoth, starts near George Lake. Offers great views of the basin.
- Lundy Lake - Around 45 minutes north from Mammoth. A great canyon to hike up that we enjoy.
Dining
- Robertos in Mammoth - Our favorite Mexican food. Half price Margaritas on Wednesdays. Careful, they are strong! We like the Enchiladas and tostada. You can often eat upstairs in a more bar like environment, first come first serve seating.
- Nick and Willies Pizza - We usually get this and bring it and eat it at the condo. We like their garden salad and BBQ Chicken Pizza.
- Burgers - Yes, the place I think is just called Burgers. It's near the village. Pretty decent burgers.
- Schats Bakery - Every person seems to needs to experience it at least once. Very famous and popular.
- Mammoth Brew - Very popular, near the village.
- Whoa Nellie Deli - Described above in the favorites section.
- Tavern - We've heard its good but haven't ate there. Down near Vons.
- Breakfast
- The Stove - Very popular, down by Vons
- Breakfast Club - Very popular
Town
- Kids park - a great park near the Vons towards the bottom of town. There is a walking path next to the park that follows the creek, and down stream is a small historical cabin, the Hayden Cabin which can be interesting.
- Kids skate park - off the beaten path, at Shady Rest Park. Our kids ride their bikes around here.
- Vons vs Grocery Outlet - Vons used to be the only store in town, it can be really busy, but is a good store. You may also consider the Grocery Outlet.
- The Village - A fun little area to walk around and browse shops. Can be touristy.
- Trolley - This public transportation goes around the town and up to the lakes basin
- Lots of trout fishing. If not keeping fish, practice proper catch and release. Even if keeping the fish, release large brown trout as they are a rarity!
- Check with local tackle shops in Mammoth what places are fishing the best and how to get setup
- Crowley Lake - Great fishing with a scenic mountain backdrop. Usually need a boat
- Mammoth Lakes Basin - All of the lakes have trout, fairly popular.
- Hot Creek - For fly fisherman, can be technical
- Upper Owens River - large meadow, no trees
- San Joaquin River - fun small river fly fishing
4x4 / Offroading
- Tons of trails and dirt roads from Mammoth all the way to Bridgeport
- Stop by the Mammoth Visitor Center / Ranger station for a good map.
- Laurel Lakes is for experienced 4x4 vehicles and drivers.
Biking
- Tons of biking opportunities exist! Road biking, mountain biking and casual biking.
- Mountain Biking
- Downhill can be enjoyed on Mammoth Mountain, including chair lift rides to the top!
- An easy short ride is around Horsehoe Lake
- Some people do Lower Rock Creek (when it's not too hot)
- Road Biking
- People bike all over, including the 395, Upper Owens Valley, Devils Postpile, etc
- Casual Biking
- Use the bike paths up in the Mammoth Lakes Basin
- Also possible to rent electric bikes in town at all the bike shops
Other Great Things / Outings / Day Trips
- Bodie Ghost Town - Probably 1 hr to 1.5 hr drive from Mammoth. A big day trip. A very well preserved Ghost Town. Must pay for entry. Very popular.
- Mono Lake - Seen when doing many other activities, a large lake that is very salty. Pretty interesting, there are Tufa Formations.
- Hot Springs - There are a ton all around, mostly in the valley near Crowley Lake and up by Bridgeport. We enjoyed Buckeye Hot Springs right along the river in Bridgeport. Probably 1 to 1.5hr drive from Mammoth. Search google for more information.
- Fall Colors - Applicable only if visiting during the fall. The aspens turn colors and it is gorgeous.
Winter
