Often overshadowed by its National Park neighbors, Mammoth Lakes is a somewhat hidden gem nestled into the Sierra Nevada mountain range. While we can’t dismiss the beauty of Yosemite, Death Valley, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks, as well as the magical mountain town of Lake Tahoe and the towering Mount Whitney, Mammoth has plenty of picturesque views and charm too, and can often be less crowded. We’d love to help you plan your trips to those other premier destinations using our extensive California blogs, but I have a feeling the mountains of Mammoth are calling your name! Of course, if you’re visiting in the winter, you’re probably going to be hitting the slopes, and a few of the items on our top 18 things you can’t miss list might be inaccessible, but no matter the season, the majesty of Mammoth is sure to amaze!
Logistics
Starting with the boring, but useful, logistics of it all. Unless you’re flying private, the closest main airports to Mammoth Lakes, California are in the Reno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Bay areas. Unless you already live in one of these metropolises, you’ll need to rent a car in anticipation of several hours of driving. We drove approximately five hours from Los Angeles through a whole lot of nothing, but as you get closer, a few smaller towns start to pop up. About 45 minutes out from Mammoth Lakes, we stopped in Bishop to visit Black Sheep Coffee Roasters and Erick Schat’s Bakery, a staple to the area. Once in Mammoth Lakes, you can opt to take the free public transit if you choose, and the trolleys even have entertainers onboard. Learn more about the public transit HERE.
Accommodations
Lodging in Mammoth Lakes is fairly affordable depending on the time of year you are traveling. In the summer months, you should be able to find plenty of hotels and motels for under $200 per night. We opted to go even more budget than that and camp, which cost us approximately $30 per night. Finding campsites in Mammoth Lakes can be a challenge, as things book up fast, but we stayed at site 55 at French Camp in Inyo National Forest, driving into Mammoth each day. Just make sure to zip your tent well to avoid the creepy crawlies! Our campground was nice, but I’d recommend booking in advance to get a campsite right in Mammoth, preferably with showers. If you need to find showers within town, you can pay $8 per person at Camp High Sierra. There was no shower length limit, they were clean, and there was warm water. Check out Visit Mammoth’s site for more options and hours.
Safety
Lastly, before we move on to the fun stuff, two safety notes to be aware of. If you plan on being in the Horseshoe Lake CO2 area, make a stop at the Visitor’s Center to get additional safety information. High levels of CO2 may impact some individuals and cause symptoms similar to altitude sickness. Personally, we opted to just skip visiting the dead forest. And just a general reminder that Mammoth Lakes is first and foremost home to the animals. Be aware of your surroundings, and while it’s not super likely, you may even see large mammals such as black bears, tule elk, and mountain lions. For your safety, as well as theirs, view from a distance.
Now onto the 18 things you can’t miss in Mammoth Lakes, California!
1. Mono Lake
When you picture Mammoth Lakes, you’re probably picturing pristine ski slopes and towering pines. While that is true, there is a whole different ecosystem just 30 minutes up the road at Mono Lake. When typing into your maps, enter Mono Lake Navy Beach Viewpoint to be taken to a view that feels like another planet. As it’s saltier than the ocean, freshwater bubbles from below trying to make their way to the surface have caused the formation of tufa towers. You can swim in Mono Lake and would be pretty buoyant, but based on the flies we saw skimming the surface, we wouldn’t want to. Nevertheless, there is a short boardwalk with informational placards to enjoy. We were even lucky enough to be there at the same time as a volunteer who had a telescope set up to let visitors view the nesting ospreys! Up to a million birds use Mono Lake as a stopover on their autumnal migration and groups are actively trying to restore its water levels which declined from human impact. There is paid parking and vault toilets.
2. Mammoth Museum
The Mammoth Museum at the Hayden Cabin allows you to step back into the 1920s and imagine what life was like in this original, hand-built hunting cabin. Unfortunately, we arrived just after they closed but still got to explore the grounds and take photos with the Mammoth Lakes sign. If you plan better and get to explore Mammoth Museum, you’ll be met with artifacts depicting the area’s vast histories, including Native Americans and miners. Mammoth Museum is free, though a $5 donation is appreciated, and open daily from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. during the summer months. Be sure to check if they’ll be hosting any special events while you’re visiting!
3. Twin Falls Overlook
The Twin Falls Overlook is a viewpoint along the Lakes Basin Bike Path. As a waterfall runs beneath you, it’s a great spot to stop and enjoy a view of the two lakes below. After you’ve soaked in the scenery, you can continue along the path, visiting other lakes just a short walk away, including Lake Mamie and Lake Mary. The entirety of the paved path is 5.3 miles, but there are several spots where you can park along the way to just do a piece of it. Take the path or drive down to Twin Lakes Bridge. This pedestrian bridge allows you to look back directly at Twin Falls Overlook and see the waterfall you were standing on top of whilst being surrounded by the lakes you were previously looking down at. If you need a bite, the elevated dining and live music at Lakefront Restaurant is just a few feet away at Tamarack Lodge and Resort.
4. June Lake
There are plenty of lakes in the Mammoth Area, but June Lake may have been our personal favorite. The lake is relatively quiet and calm, and renting a double kayak from June Lake Marina was only $30 per hour. Pristine blue waters enticed us to dip our feet off of the sides as we paddled along. For those interested, you can also rent fishing gear and motorized boats, but this isn’t a party boat or water tubing type of lake. There is swimming at June Lake Beach for a small fee per car, but you might want to get there early as the sand real estate was filling up fast. If you need an escape from the sun, don’t worry about running back to Mammoth as June Lake has its own ice cream shop and brewery, too. There are other lakes along this loop road as well as horseback riding!
5. Black Velvet Coffee Roaster
Were our lattes expensive ($7 and $9 respectively)? Yes. Were they also some of the best, most well-balanced lattes we’ve had in a while? Also yes! Black Velvet Coffee Roaster Espresso and Wine Bar is elegant yet relaxed, with a rustic yet tasteful chalet design style. With three floors, there is plenty of space to spread out and make yourself comfortable. I can only imagine how enchanting this place must be as a relief from the cold in winter. Black Velvet also serves beer and wine, and they host a daily happy hour!
6. Ice Cream at Mammoth Fun Stop
Is it really vacation if you’re not having ice cream? Ice cream at Mammoth Fun Stop is just waiting to induce future nostalgia. They make their own cones and have plenty of delicious ice cream options that they allow you to sample. You can even add a complimentary topping or two! You could also pick up a game in the quirky gift shop to play after you’ve settled in for the night.
7. Hot Springs
Being that Mammoth Lakes is located on fault lines, the area is known for geological activity. There are several hot springs in the area enjoyed by both locals and tourists alike, but the most popular by far is Wild Willy’s Hot Springs. We took a recommendation and instead went to the neighboring Hilltop Hot Springs, though we did walk over to Wild Willy’s to get a feel for both, and each has their own pros and cons. Hilltop Hot Springs was a bit more like a stone hot tub where you could actually adjust the water temperature, but it is quite small, especially if there are other visitors. Wild Willy’s had a bit more of a natural river flow, but rumor has it that it can get quite packed. All of that being said, the scenic landscape is similar and stunning at both, and both are completely free and open to the public. Be careful not to slip on algae and go as early as possible to avoid any crowds as well as the sun’s unrelenting heat.
8. Hot Creek Geologic Site
Just a short drive from the hot springs is Hot Creek Geologic Site. Before you ask, no, you cannot go in the water here, at least not if you want to keep your skin attached to your body. This terrain and the steam rising off the water is the result of volcanic activity. It’s rugged and unique, but you probably don’t need more than 30 minutes here to soak it all in. It’s worth taking the short (but very steep) path down to the water’s edge, but if that isn’t possible for all of the members of your group, they can still enjoy the aerial view and seating adjacent to the parking lot.
9. Elixir Superfood and Juice
There are plenty of fine dining options in Mammoth Lakes. As a budget traveler, I can’t speak to any of those (though Austria Hof Restaurant, The Brasserie, and The Mogul all seem to be highly rated). What I can speak on is the quick, affordable, and filling options at Elixer Superfood and Juice. This healthy, gluten-free kitchen offers a variety of flavorful bowls that will give you the energy to keep going with your adventures instead of slowing you down with fuel-less food. Bowls are about $14 a piece and we found ours to be large enough to share. Enjoy them on their patio or take them to go!
10. Mammoth Mountain
I can only imagine Mammoth Mountain’s majesty in the winter, but in the summer it is still a bustling, vibrant sight to behold. The Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center caters to outdoorsy families with kids of all ages. With a mountain coaster, a ropes course, a junior zipline, summer tubing, and more, there is something for every thrill level. There is also a scenic gondola ride you can take to the top of the mountain for about $40 per person, and with each paying adult, up to two kids under the age of 12 can ride for free. If you want to make a day of it, there is an all-day pass that includes all of the experiences, and you can even enjoy lunch at the summit’s cafe!
11. Devils Postpile National Monument
Mammoth Mountain is also where you will depart via the Red Meadows shuttle to explore Devils Postpile National Monument. Tickets for the bus are $15 per adult and must be purchased or picked up (advanced tickets are recommended) from the Mammoth Mountain Adventure Center. After a winding — and at parts precarious — descent into the park, there are several shuttle stops that you can hop on or off at as well as restrooms. An easy 1.2-mile loop trail will take you to and from the basalt columns that make up Devils Postpile National Monument. A truly astounding feat of nature, these columns were formed within the past 100,000 years by cooling lava flows and were only made visible by the sheer force of glaciers. Make sure you see the columns from above as well as below. Devils Postpile is currently only open on weekends.
12. Rainbow Falls
You can take the Devils Postpile Loop Trail and shuttle to the start of the Rainbow Falls hike or you can simply opt to carry on the path to the falls. We chose the latter, resulting in a moderate hike of about 5 miles from Devils Postpile to Rainbow Falls and then on to Red’s Meadow Resort to pick up the return shuttle. I’m not sure if it was the hiking or the view, but Rainbow Falls can really take your breath away. The light hitting the mist causes a literal rainbow which is just the cherry on top. When you pass the main viewpoint hug the stone wall on your right to find a slick set of stairs to take you down to the base of the falls. Dipping your feet in the frigid water is a great way to cool off before beginning your return hike. Fair warning, the shuttles can fill up and there was barely even standing room on ours. With the winding roads, this may not be ideal for all travelers, so give yourself some time to wait for a bus with seating if need be. You can always grab a drink in Red’s Meadow Resort while you rest!
13. Inyo Craters
Inyo Craters is an easy add-on to your Mammoth Lakes trip. This 1.6-mile loop trail to two craters can also be done as a shorter out-and-back excursion. Learn from our mistakes and visit when the sun is still hitting the water to fully appreciate the turquoise pools of these 600-year-old craters. We did have a bit of confusion finding the trailhead, so consider downloading the map from All Trails before you go.
14. Earthquake Fault
As mentioned, the Mammoth Lakes area is on a fault line and its terrain is a testament to what it has been through. Few places make this as apparent as the Earthquake Fault. Located just down the road from Mammoth Mountain, the Earthquake Fault is a fissure in the earth that is up to 60 feet deep in parts. You’re not likely to return from your trip with this being the highlight, but the short walk allows you to see the geological impact within just five minutes. Make sure you hold onto the hands of any kiddos!
15. The Village At Mammoth
Surely a respite from the cold in winter, the shops and restaurants at the Village at Mammoth have an elevated yet quintessentially tourist feel. Whether you’re shopping for sweets or grabbing a brew, there’s something for every palate. The dome or “snow globe” dining at Vulcania looked particularly inviting! While waiting for our dinner reservation, we appreciated the relaxing community fire pit.
16. Mammoth Brewing Company
Seeing how popular Mammoth Brewing Company was, we decided we simply had to have dinner there. There are plenty of both outdoor patio and indoor seating options. Unfortunately, they only had one gluten-free pizza crust remaining so we weren’t able to try the black currant and goat cheese flatbread, but we did enjoy the bbq chicken flatbread (minus the chicken). They have a wide selection of other bites and brews and I highly recommend their Mammoth Brewing Company “original” flight!
17. Convict Lake
Oh yes, there is a story behind the name “Convict Lake.” You can almost picture the old-school Western scene when a posse led by a sheriff confronted a group of escaped convicts here in 1871. The shootout took the sheriff’s life and the tall peak you can see from the lake was named Mount Morrison in his honor. Convict lake is a popular fishing destination, but it also makes for a peaceful picnicking area. There is a 2.5 mile hiking loop that circles the lake that you can enjoy as well!
18. Looney Bean
Of course, we have to give you one more coffee option on this Mammoth Lakes must-do list! Looney Bean offered a cozy, small-town coffee shop atmosphere with plenty of comfortable seating options. Service was friendly, and we thoroughly enjoyed our Velvet Elvis and Cloudy Cold Brew. The pastry options looked very tempting as well. Cheers to your perfect trip to Mammoth Lakes!
Honorable mention:
Crowley Stone Lake Columns
We attempted, and failed, to visit the Crowley Stone Lake Columns after seeing a dreamy video of them on Instagram. Without proper research, we were unaware that four-wheel drive is necessary to make it to the trailhead. The hike is about a four-mile round trip in direct sun, so it was probably for the best that we turned our car around when we did. If this spot is on your “must-do” list, just ensure you pack water, have a tough vehicle, and go at a time when the water levels are low enough for access.
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