14 Things to do in Mammoth Lakes

This guide to the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes will help you plan the perfect trip to this incredibly scenic destination.

I recently spent an entire week exploring Mammoth Lakes and all the nearby attractions. Despite having lived in California for over 20 years now, I’d never made the trip to Mammoth before.

I was blown away by how beautiful it was there, not to mention how much snow was still around in the middle of May.

Those of you planning a Mammoth Lakes road trip will be pleasantly surprised by how much there is to do in the area.

From tackling outdoor adventures to enjoying the local restaurants and breweries, you’ll find plenty of unique and interesting things to do in Mammoth Lakes.

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Things to do in Mammoth Lakes

Whether you’re visiting in winter, spring or summer, there are all kinds of fun things to do in Mammoth Lakes.

If this will be your first visit to Mammoth Lakes, I recommend 3 to 5 days to see all the main attractions and to have time to explore and just enjoy the destination.

Keep in mind that while there are only a few lakes in the town of Mammoth Lakes, you’ll find over 100 lakes in the surrounding area.

Some of the lakes located in the Mammoth Lakes Basin include Lake George, Lake Mary, Twin Lakes, and Lake Mamie.

I think you’ll find all the lakes in this area to be equally beautiful, many of which will feature the Sierra Nevadas as the perfect backdrop.

In addition to the area’s many lakes, there are also lots of other places to visit in Mammoth Lakes that are not bodies of water. I include several great options down below.

I hope you enjoy your Mammoth Lakes road trip as much as much as I did.

How to Get to Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes is located along the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. To get there you’ll have the chance to drive along the beautiful Highway 395.

In my opinion, this is one of the most scenic drives in the country, right up there with Highway 1 along the Pacific Coast Highway.

You’ll definitely need your own vehicle for this trip so you can get around from place to place. I’ve included the distances and drive times to Mammoth Lakes from popular nearby destinations down below.

• San Francisco to Mammoth Lakes: 6 hours 30 min. (328 miles)
• Lake Tahoe to Mammoth Lakes: 2 hours 40 min. (140 miles)
• Sacramento to Mammoth Lakes: 4 hours 30 min. (236 miles)
• Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes: 5 hours (310 miles)
• San Diego to Mammoth Lakes: 6 hours 45 min. (396 miles)
• Las Vegas to Mammoth Lakes: 5 hours (308 miles)

All drive times and distances are approximate and depend on your specific location and driving conditions.

Where to Stay in Mammoth Lakes

When planning your visit to Mammoth Lakes California, there are a few different options for accommodations depending on your budget.

If you’re looking to save some money on your hotel costs, I recommend booking your hotel in Bishop.

You’ll find Bishop just 45 minutes south of Mammoth Lakes, it’s a cute little town with lots of great restaurants and cafes.

Also, the 45 minute drive between Bishop and down town Mammoth is stunning. I’m not exaggerating, it’s a beautiful drive.

If you have a larger budget, there are several great options right in Mammoth Lakes. See below for my recommendations.

Bishop Hotels

Here are the hotels in Bishop I recommend:

• Motel 6 – Very budget friendly but also very clean and in a great location. This is where I stayed while traveling solo and felt completely comfortable here. If your budget is tight this is a solid choice.
• Best Western Bishop Lodge – Another budget friendly option in a great location.
• Holiday Inn Express – Comfortable and modern rooms at a great price.

Mammoth Lakes Hotels

Here are the hotels I recommend in Mammoth Lakes:

• The Village Lodge Mammoth: Nice hotel right in the village. Lots of great places to dine within walking distance.
• The Westin Monache: This is the slightly fancier option also within walking distance to Mammoth Village.

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Skiing

Mammoth’s most popular activity is skiing at Mammoth Mountain. The mountain is suitable for both skiing and snowboarding.

If you’re planning a visit during ski season you’ll find the town of Mammoth Lakes to be pretty busy. This is partially why I recommended booking accommodations in nearby Bishop.

Ski season also brings with it large crowds and higher prices, so keep that in mind when planning a winter visit to Mammoth Lakes.

That being said, Mammoth Lakes is a lively and fun place to be during ski season if you like to ski or snowboard.

If you’re looking for something adventurous outside of ski season, you can visit Mammoth Mountain Bike Park during the summer months.

There are also many popular hiking trails in this area including Duck Pass Trail and Crystal Lake Trail, both of which offer incredible lake views.

Mammoth Village

Mammoth Village is where you’ll find all the best restaurants, bars, and local shops in Mammoth Lakes.

There are multiple coffee shops that open early and plenty of options for meals during your stay. You’ll find everything from pizza to burgers and everything in between.

If you need ski or snowboarding gear, you’ll find plenty of that as well along with any other outdoor gear you might need.

Mammoth Brewing

Mammoth Brewing Company was my favorite stop during my visit to Mammoth Village. The brewery has over a dozen beers on tap and an extensive food menu.

They get busy in the evenings so plan to arrive early or be prepared to grab a beer and wait for a bit. I can say the wait is worth it though. They have great food.

I ordered the burger, fries, and a Huckleberry Sour beer, it was all delicious. In fact, I liked it so much I went back again the next day.

June Lake

Visiting June Lake was one of my favorite Mammoth activities. During the summer months June Lake Beach is a popular destination for swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding.

During the spring, winter and fall, June Lake is all about the views and the hiking. I arrived at June Lake just before sunset in early May, so the lake was still mostly frozen.

My dog Melvin and I enjoyed walking along the shore and just taking in the views.

Visitors to June Lake can also drive the June Lake Loop, which is a scenic drive around the lake along Highway 158.

The drive is 16 miles round trip when the road is open. During the winter months some sections of the road may be closed.

Mono Lake

Mono Lake is an ancient saline lake dating back over 760,000 years and is one of those places you just have to see in person.

The lake is known for its Tufa Towers, which are limestone columns that rise up over the surface of the lake.

To get to the lake there’s a short boardwalk leading from the parking area to the beach. From the beach you can walk along the shore or explore the short trails winding through the Tufa Towers.

If you come here around sunrise or sunset you can get some excellent photos with reflections of the Tufa Towers on the water.

Be advised there is horse manure all over the beach. At least I believe it was from horses. Either way, you’ll want to watch your step so you don’t walk through it.

Besides photography, Mono Lake is also a good place for hiking, bird watching, and kayaking.

Visiting Mono Lake is one of the more popular Mammoth Lakes activities, so a sunrise visit is a great idea during peak season if you want to avoid the crowds.

If you have extra time after your visit to Mono Lake, consider making the one hour drive north to Bodie State Historic Park.

This was a former gold mining town turned ghost town and definitely worth a visit if you have the extra time.

Mammoth Lakes Hot Springs

Another of the more popular Mammoth Lakes things to do is to visit the Mammoth Lakes Hot Springs.

When traveling through the Mammoth Lakes area, you’ll find hot springs all along Highway 395 both north and south of Mammoth Lakes.

These are completely natural hot springs, so they are accessible 24 hours a day though some may require a short hike or driving along a dirt road to reach.

If you put the names of any of these hot springs into Google Maps, the directions should lead you to the right place.

• Travertine Hot Springs
• Buckeye Hot Springs
• Shepherd Hot Springs
• Crab Cooker Hot Springs
• Rock Tub Hot Springs
• Wild Willy’s
• Pulkey’s Pool

Some of these will be found in the same area along Benton Crossing Road which is just a short drive off Highway 395.

Also, keep in mind that many natural hot springs are clothing optional. If you want to avoid the crowds consider visiting some of these hot springs for sunrise or on weekday mornings.

Convict Lake

One of my favorite Mammoth Lakes things to do is to catch a sunset at Convict Lake. This peaceful lake is absolutely stunning any time of day, but is especially photogenic at sunset.

During my visit I particularly enjoyed the reflection of the mountains on the water in the sections of the lake where the ice had started to melt.

There were not that many people here at the end of the day, so I also had most of the lake shore to myself.

Convict Lake sits at about 7,850 feet above sea level. Some sections of the lake are as deep as 140 feet, making Convict Lake one of the deepest lakes in the area.

Boating is very popular on Convict Lake during the summer months but be sure to make reservations for your boat rental well in advance.

Other popular activities at Convict Lake include swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding.

Hot Creek Geologic Site

Hot Creek Geologic Site is located about 15 minutes east of Mammoth Lakes. The site is home to dozens of natural hot springs nestled into a river gorge.

While you cannot swim in these hot springs, the site is an interesting location to visit and the perfect place for some beautiful photos.

You’ll need to snowshoe in during the winter months, but I’m told it’s uniquely beautiful under a layer of snow.

Devils Postpile National Monument

Devil’s Postpile National Monument is best known for its unique stone columns pictured above.

These towering basalt columns were created by ancient volcanic activity and are one of the park’s biggest attractions.

You can get to the Devil’s Postpile rock formation via a short 0.8 mile trail from the parking lot. The trail is flat and follows the San Joaquin River.

While marveling at this geological masterpiece would be reason enough to visit, there’s also plenty more to explore during your visit to the park.

Rainbow Falls is also a big attraction in the park. The hike to Rainbow Falls is 2.5 miles each way and is relatively easy with just a short 300 foot elevation gain.

Once you reach the end of the trail you’ll get to view the picturesque 101 foot tall waterfall.

If you’d like a shorter hike but still want to see a waterfall, you can take the Minaret Falls Trail to Minaret Falls. This trail is just 1.4 miles with less than 100 feet in elevation.

This park is also a popular destination for fishing and mountain biking.

Please note that Reds Meadow Valley Road is closed during the winter months. This is the road you need to take to reach the park, so you will only be able to visit from late spring to fall.

Crowley Lake Stone Columns

The Crowley Lake Stone Columns were created through a process involving cold water, steam and volcanic ash some 760,000 years ago through a process I don’t fully understand.

That being said, they sure are beautiful to look at and make a great subject for photographs.

You’ll find the Crowley Lake Stone Columns on the eastern side of Lake Crowley about 40 minutes from Mammoth Lakes.

Just a fair warning, the Crowley Lake Stone Columns are not the easiest attraction to get to.

You will either need a 4WD vehicle to drive to them, or be willing to walk the 2 mile (each way) dirt road to get there.

Also, depending on the water levels, the columns may also be under water. I am told the best time to visit the columns is late fall through early spring.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of my favorite places on the planet, and it makes a great addition to your visit to Mammoth Lakes.

I recommend a visit to Yosemite to anyone who has never been or is in the process of planning a California road trip. In my opinion Yosemite has some of the most incredible natural beauty on the planet, and I love coming here year after year.

If visiting Yosemite during a visit to Mammoth Lakes, you’ll be entering the park from the eastern side near Tuolumne Meadows.

This section of the park receives far fewer visitors that the more popular Yosemite Valley. But there’s still so much to see and do for those not wishing to drive into Yosemite Vally.

I personally love hiking sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, visiting Tenaya Lake, and making all the stops along the incredibly scenic Tioga Road.

Be advised that this section of the park is not accessible during the winter months due to the snow, but do plan to visit here during the late spring to early fall.

Alabama Hills

Alabama Hills is one of those destinations I’d had on my travel bucket list forever but just never got around too. I knew when I was heading to Mammoth Lakes that I had to make time for a stop here, and I’m so happy I did.

Alabama Hills is made up of a series of hills and unique rock formations. You’ll find the Alabama Hills at the foot of the eastern Sierra Nevadas near Mount Whitney, which is the highest peak in the lower 48 states.

The views from here are simply incredible, so if you have the time to make a stop here, I highly recommend doing so.

The Alabama Hills was formerly Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, but was designated as the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area in 2019 by Congress.

This was most likely due to a significant increase in visitors to the area as a result of social media.

That aside, the Alabama Hills is a great place for hiking, photography, camping, and stargazing. My dog Melvin and I particularly enjoyed the rock formations and the very popular, Movie Road.

Eastern Sierra Ice Cream Company

I came across the Eastern Sierra Ice Cream Company on my way to Alabama Hills and made a U turn to check it out. Boy was that ever the right decision.

They make their ice creams on site and have all sorts of delicious flavors including pistachio, coffee, and berry flavors. They also make shakes and malts.

Whether you prefer cones or cups, don’t miss this spot while you’re in the Mammoth Lakes area. You can’t beat the taste of homemade ice cream, and these guys definitely know what they’re doing.

Olancha Sculpture Garden

The Olancha Sculpture Garden is an outdoor collection of metal sculptures by artist Jael Hoffman.

There are over two dozen colorful sculptures in the garden which are easily viewed just off Highway 395.

There is no cost to visit the Olancha Sculpture Garden and it is open from sunrise to sunset.

You’ll find Olancha Sculpture Garden about 25 minutes south of Lone Pine just south of the Highway 190 intersection which takes you to Death Valley.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes and that I’ve inspired you to plan a visit of your own. Thanks so much for reading.