Mammoth Lakes

A high-mountain resort town in the Eastern Sierra, with Mammoth Mountain ski area, the Lakes Basin, the basalt columns of Devils Postpile and natural hot springs, near Yosemite's east entrance.

Mammoth Lakes is a high-mountain resort town in California's Eastern Sierra Nevada, in Mono County at about 2,400 m. It sits on the western rim of the Long Valley Caldera, formed some 760,000 years ago, surrounded by Mammoth Mountain, volcanic craters, hot springs and many glacial lakes. In winter it's one of California's most popular ski destinations; in summer and fall it's a base for hiking, fishing, camping and fall foliage, as well as a place to stay before entering Yosemite through its east entrance (Tioga Pass).

Key areas: Mammoth Mountain ski area, with the Panorama Gondola running to the summit. West of town, the Mammoth Lakes Basin holds more than a dozen alpine lakes, including Twin Lakes, Lake Mamie, Lake Mary, Lake George and Horseshoe Lake, plus the Crystal Lake and Duck Pass trails. Beyond Mammoth Mountain lies the San Joaquin River valley, where Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls are reached by summer shuttle bus, with a stop possible at Minaret Vista on the way. East of town in the Long Valley Caldera are the Hot Creek Geological Site, natural hot springs, Convict Lake, the Crowley Lake stone columns and McGee Creek, a top fall-color spot. To the north are the June Lake Loop and June Mountain ski area, and about an hour's drive away is the ghost town of Bodie. Mono Lake and Yosemite's sights are covered under the Yosemite destination.

Getting there: the nearest big cities are Reno (about 3 hours) and Los Angeles (about 5 hours), and in winter there are seasonal flights to Mammoth Yosemite Airport. Free buses run around town, with free shuttles to the Lakes Basin in summer. Tioga Pass usually opens in May or June and stays open until November; in winter, travelers from the Bay Area must take a long detour.

Suggested stay: 3–5 days for skiing, 2–4 days in summer and fall. Afternoon thunderstorms are common Jul–Sep, and aspens are at their best in early to mid-October; carry snow chains on mountain roads in winter. At this altitude, protect yourself from the sun, stay hydrated and watch for altitude sickness.

Top sights

• Mammoth Mountain Ski Area – One of California's largest ski resorts, with a snow season of more than half a year and over 150 runs spread across a volcanic mountain.
• Panorama Gondola & Mammoth Summit – Ride the Panorama Gondola straight up to the 3,369-metre summit of Mammoth Mountain for 360-degree views of the Ritter Range, the Minarets…
• Devils Postpile National Monument – Hexagonal columns of basalt formed about 100,000 years ago as lava cooled, rising up to 18 metres and lined up like organ pipes.
• Convict Lake – A high mountain lake ringed by reddish-brown rock peaks; a single loop trail around the shore takes in one of the finest lake views in the…
• Rainbow Falls – A waterfall about 31 m high on the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. On sunny days, rainbows often appear in the spray, and it is the e…
• Minaret Vista – A roadside viewpoint at about 2800 m, facing the jagged Minarets and the Ritter Range. It is a classic spot for watching the sunset.
• Twin Lakes & Twin Falls – The gateway lakes of the Mammoth Lakes Basin, with the Twin Falls tumbling down behind them and the century-old Tamarack Lodge alongside.
• Lake Mary – The largest lake in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, its deep blue waters mirroring the Crystal Crag. The top choice for boating, trout fishing and…
• Lake Mamie – A small lake at the source of Twin Falls, where on calm mornings the Crystal Crag and pine forest reflect perfectly on the water. One of th…
• Lake George & Crystal Lake Trail – A glacial lake at the foot of Crystal Crag. The Crystal Lake Trail starting here is the most popular short hike in the basin.
• Horseshoe Lake – A horseshoe-shaped lake at the highest point of the basin, where swimming and hiking are possible. A stand of dead trees on its shore bears…
• Duck Pass Trail – Climbing from the basin through a chain of high-country lakes to Duck Pass at 3,290 meters, with a view down onto the gem-like Duck Lake.
• Mammoth Consolidated Mine – A gold mine site from the 1920s–30s, with its wooden cabins, mining machinery and workers' quarters preserved as a window into the early hi…
• Hot Creek Geological Site – A gorge within the Long Valley Caldera, where turquoise-green creek waters bubble with boiling hot springs and steam, creating a strange an…
• Wild Willy's Hot Spring – A free wild hot spring on the Long Valley grasslands, reached by a wooden boardwalk to natural pools, with views of the snowy peaks of the…
• Crowley Lake Stone Columns – Thousands of volcanic tuff columns on the east shore of Crowley Lake, standing like the colonnades of a temple. A little-known geological w…
• McGee Creek Canyon – A classic autumn foliage gorge in the Eastern Sierra, where aspen groves line the creek in gold and the striped Baldwin Mountain rises in t…
• Earthquake Fault – A fissure about 18 meters deep in the pine forest, where a trail lets you look down into a rock gap created by volcanic and seismic activit…
• Inyo Craters – Craters formed about 600 years ago by a steam explosion, with small green lakes at the bottom. Reached by a short trail through the forest.
• The Village at Mammoth – The pedestrian commercial district of the town of Mammoth Lakes, home to restaurants, bars and shops. In winter, a gondola takes you straig…
• Mammoth Museum at Hayden Cabin – A small museum in a log cabin from the 1920s, telling the story of mining, logging and skiing in the town of Mammoth Lakes.
• June Lake Loop – Highway 158 links Silver Lake, Gull Lake and Grant Lake, along with June Lake, making it the classic scenic driving loop of the Eastern Sie…
• June Mountain – A small family ski area beside June Lake, with few crowds and views over the lake. Lift tickets are shared with Mammoth Mountain.
• Bodie State Historic Park – The most intact American Old West gold rush ghost town, where more than 100 wooden buildings remain in a state of "arrested decay."

Where to eat

• Skadi Alpine Restaurant – One of the highest-rated fine-dining restaurants in Mammoth Lakes, specializing in game dishes with Nordic and Alpine f…
• Mammoth Rock Brasserie – A French restaurant upstairs from a bowling alley, where you can eat elk steak while watching the sunset over the Sherw…
• The Mogul Steakhouse – A family-run steakhouse opened in 1971, where servers grill your steak over charcoal right at the table.
• The Stove Breakfast House – A country-style breakfast spot run by one family for over forty years, where weekend brunch lines are long year-round.
• Salsa's Taqueria – A budget-friendly Mexican taqueria favored by locals, with generously portioned burritos and beef tacos.

Itineraries

• US West National Parks & Coast Grand Loop – A Los Angeles loop passing through Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Yosemite, and San Francisco, returning…
• Eastern Sierra US-395 & Yosemite Crossing – Head north from Los Angeles along US-395, crossing the mountains via Tioga Road to Yosemite and San Francisco