Best Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes, California

Mammoth Lakes is one of my favorite mountain towns I have ever visited. The locals are so friendly, the views are spectacular, and there are many activities to do. There is hiking, fishing, backpacking, food galore, kayaking, and so much more! I fell in love with this fun mountain town, and I can not wait to return. Below I have listed the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes. I had to write about this amazing town after my week-long California road trip. I hope you love Mammoth as much as I do!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. Thank you to Visit Mammoth for collaborating on this blog post. As always, all opinions are my own. 

How To Get To Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes is tucked away in the Eastern Sierra Mountains, next to the Inyo National Forest, so it can be difficult to get there. They have their own airport, but it might be challenging to find cheap flights or a good schedule since it is a small one. But it is still doable. Read more here.

Another option is to drive from the Reno-Tahoe Airport, Los Angeles airport, or the San Francisco Airport. Here are the driving times and mileage:

• Reno-Tahoe Airport: 3 hours, 166 Miles
• San Francisco: 5 hours, 15 minutes, 262 miles
• Los Angeles: 4 hours, 45 minutes, 313 miles

Best Time To Go To Mammoth Lakes

• Spring: Spring still has a lot of snow, so many people can still ski and snowboard. The snow is starting to melt, but it might be difficult to start camping or hiking around this time.
• Summer: The summers are dry and warm! This is the most popular time to visit Mammoth Lakes, so it will be crowded.
• Fall: If you love hiking with fewer crowds, this is probably the best time to visit. Plus, all the Fall colors here are splendid!
• Winter: The winters are the second most popular time to visit. People love to ski and snowboard in this region.

Where To Eat In Mammoth Lakes

• The Warming Hut: This was my favorite breakfast spot. The food was delicious, and the coffee was good. Just FYI, the portions are big!
• Mammoth Tavern: A great place for dinner! The food was so good! I had one of their yummy salads, and it was one of the best salads I have had in a while. My husband is very picky about his whisky drinks, and he said that the bartender knew what he was doing. We really enjoyed dinner here.
• Bleu Market And Kitchen: We came here for dinner and really loved the wine and the cheese board!
• Mammoth Brewing Company: I loved trying out their beer flights. They have great beer, and I also LOVED their food. I got a burger, and it was delicious. My husband ordered some sweet potato tater tots that were scrumptious.

Best Coffee Shops

• Black Velvet Coffee: This was our favorite coffee shop! High-quality coffee right here.
• Stellar Brew: We came here a few times and really enjoyed the coffee here. They also have breakfast sandwiches, acai bowls, and smoothies.

Tours and Transportation In Mammoth Lakes

If you need transportation around Mammoth Lakes, then I highly recommend MAWS transportation. We were lucky enough to receive a tour of the hot springs near Mammoth Lakes, and we learned so much about the area! The driver talked about the history and all the fun activities to do in Mammoth. We really enjoyed it! Their services include point-to-point car service, door to door airport shuttles, long-distance shuttle service, trailhead transfers for hikers and backpackers, summer sightseeing tours, and limousine services for weddings special events. >>>Book Right Here

Map Of Mammoth Lake Activities

Where To Stay In Mammoth Lakes

We ended up getting a vacation rental while we were in Mammoth Lakes. I liked that it felt homey. >>>You can check them out here

Best Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes

Devils Postpile

If you go to Mammoth Lakes, you need to see the beautiful monument that is the Devils Postpile. This monument was created over 100,000 years ago when the volcano erupted. Then 10,000 years ago, a glacier was able to fracture part of the lava, which is what you see now. It is a unique geological feature that you must see!

June Lake Loop

June Lake Loop comprises of many beautiful lakes and mountain views. I really recommend taking your time in this area because it really is beautiful! If you come in the Fall, it is especially stunning!

June Lake

June Lake should be your first stop around the loop. It has a beach where you can relax all day as well as a lookout.

Gull Lake

It may be because I went during the Fall, but I really enjoyed Gull Lake and all its colorful trees. There is a marina we stopped by for a bit to take pictures, and we also climbed the hill next to the lake to get a better view from atop.

Silver Lake

Silver Lake was probably my favorite lake. The mountains right next to the lake were breathtaking. It was a little smoky when we went, but even with the smoke, I really enjoyed exploring this lake.

Silver Lake Resort

This is a great spot to stop for lunch or to get souvenirs. We ended up getting some delicious root beer for the road.

Rush Creek

After Silver Lake, there are many places you can park next to the road to explore Rush Creek. I really recommend just getting out of your car and exploring around the area. The mountains surrounding that area are fantastic.

Grant Lake

Grant Lake is the largest lake in June Lake Loop, and it was probably my least favorite lake. When we went, the lake was shallow, and it didn’t have any Fall colors. There are many places you can park with viewpoints if you are keen on exploring the area.

Mono Lake

The most interesting lake in Mono County is the ancient saline lake called Mono Lake. Looking at the picture, it might seem like a normal lake to you, but it is one of the most unique lakes I have ever seen before.

It is home to brine shrimp, birds, and the tufa towers. Taking pictures of the tufa towers is a photographer’s dream. Sadly when I went, the larger tufa towers were closed off due to fire activity (the south entrance). Hopefully, when you go, you can see them at sunset. To learn more about the interesting history and restoration of Mono Lake, click here.

Lundy Canyon and Lundy Canyon Hike

Lundy Canyon was one of my favorite places near Mammoth Lakes. The canyon offered so many fantastic views, especially when you get to the lake. If you go during the Fall, make sure to keep driving to the Lundy Canyon Hike trailhead to experience even more Fall colors. You can, of course, do the difficult Lundy Canyon Hike, which is around 5.3 miles with an elevation gain of 2,050 ft. >Check Out The Trail Here

Visit Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center

This building has historical information, books, maps, and you can obtain some permits here. If you want to learn about Mammoth Lakes, this is the place to go.

Minaret Vista and Watch The Sunset

Minaret Vista is a very popular spot to watch the sun go down. The views here are phenomenal, and I recommend getting there early as the parking lot can get crowded.

Bodie Ghost Town

Want to see a real-life ghost town? Then make sure to check out the old historic town of Bodie. From 1872 through 1882, Bodie was a busy gold mining city with around 10,000 residents. Eventually, all the residents abandoned the town, and so now you can explore 200 abandoned wooden houses and photograph them.

Rainbow Falls Hike

Rainbow Falls is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in the region. It is a 101-foot waterfall and is a part of the Devils Postpile National Monument. Most people lump in viewing The Devils Postpile and the Rainbow Falls together in a day. Rainbow Falls is an easy hike with a distance of 6.0 miles and an elevation gain of 528 ft. >>>Check Out The Hike Here

Hike To Crystal Lake

Crystal Lake hike was a moderate hike with a length of 3.1 miles and an elevation gain of 833 ft. It was a great hike for the early morning, but it probably looks better at sunset. You can read more about this hike here.

Explore Convict Lake

Convict Lake was my favorite Lake near Mammoth Lakes. The surrounding mountain is just so unique, and I also enjoyed the Fall colors. I recommend walking around the whole loop for the ultimate experience.

Take Fly Fishing Lessons

Everywhere we explored in Mammoth, there were usually fishers nearby. The Eastern Sierras is a very popular spot for fishing. If you want to try it out and not sure how to start, you can hire a guide. >Check It Out Here

Take A Dip In Some Hot Springs

• Wild Willys: This hot spring is the most popular of the bunch, so it can get crowded! I suggest coming here on a weekday or maybe during sunrise.
• Pulky’s Pool: It can fit 5-6 people and is a small concrete tub fed by a tube connected to a natural spring.
• Shepherd Hot Springs: This hot spring can fit 4 people and can get more crowded due to how easy it is to get to it.
• Crab Cooker Hot Springs: The water is a little too hot in this hot tub, but luckily there is a valve to control the temperature. This hot spring can accommodate around 6 people and is clothing optional. The Springs require a 0.2-mile hike.
• The Rock Tub Hot Springs: Can fit around 8 people and is a cement tub. Attracts many people, so it tends to be busy.

Hot Creek Geological Site

The Hot Creek Geological site is such a fantastic spot to get in some great photography. Groundwater heated by molten rock reaches the surface and mixes with the cool waters of Hot Creek, which creates this picturesque area. Many fishes thrive on this warm water.

As amazing as it looks to swim in, the area is closed off. You can look but don’t touch! There is a well-maintained trail if you want to explore this beautiful place even more.

Check Out Mammoth Mountain Bike Park

Want to go mountain biking? Then make sure to experience the Mammoth Bike Park. This park has over of biking paths that range from beginners to advanced. There are maps here with more information.

Check Out All The Lakes In Mammoth Lakes Basin

I loved exploring this area! One of my top destinations in the world are usually areas that have mountains with lakes. Well, this area has plenty of that!

Jameson and I made sure to explore every single lake in Mammoth Lakes Basin, and it was a blast! We even did a hike to Crystal Lake. There is also the Lake Mary loop, which is a fun hike as well. Here is a list of the lakes in the area that you can drive to:

• Twin Lakes
• Horseshoe Lake
• Lake Mamie
• Lake George
• Lake Marie

Hike To Duck Lake and Pika Lake

One of the most popular hikes in the Mammoth Lakes area is Duck Lake and Pika Lake trail! It is listed as moderate and is around 9.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2,132 feet elevation gain. To find out more on the trail, click here.

Backpack To Thousand Island Lake

If you have a few extra days to explore Mammoth Lakes, then try to get a permit to Thousand Island Lakes. This lake is one of the most beautiful places you can backpack to in the region. Banner Peak, a towering mountain above the lake’s shore, is reflected on the crystal blue water. It is amazing to see during sunset and sunrise.

The trail is at least 18 miles, which makes this trip better suited for backpackers. If you are backpacking, a great option is to make this trail a loop. It does become a 24-mile trail if you do this, but you do get to see even more lakes and beauty. To read more about this trail, click here.

Final Thoughts On Mammoth Lakes Activities

Thanks for reading all about Mammoth Lakes! Make sure to check out some of my other California blog posts:

• What To Do In Mammoth Lakes In Fall
• Ultimate Guide to Channel Island National Park
• Things To Do In Death Valley National Park
• 8 Fun Things To Do In Visalia, California
• The Perfect Yosemite 2 Day Itinerary

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