MAMMOTH LAKES BASIN

If you only have time for one summer outing, start here.

Just minutes from town, the Mammoth Lakes Basin is home to Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake Mamie, Lake George and Horseshoe Lake, surrounded by pine forest and dramatic Sierra peaks.

Spend the day hiking, fishing, picnicking, kayaking or paddleboarding — or simply drive through and stop wherever the view catches your eye.

Lake Mary is especially good for getting out on the water, with kayak, paddleboard and boat rentals available seasonally. Horseshoe Lake is another favorite for a relaxed lake day.

During summer, the Lakes Basin Trolley connects town with many of the major lakes and trailheads, which can be especially useful when parking fills up.

Best for: Almost everyone
Allow: A couple of hours to a full day

OUR FAVORITE HIKES

There are dozens of trails around Mammoth, but these are the ones I recommend most often.

DUCK PASS TRAIL

Best for: Alpine lakes + a real mountain hike
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

This is my personal favorite.

Starting behind Coldwater Campground, the trail climbs through beautiful forest and passes a succession of alpine lakes as it heads toward Duck Pass and the John Muir Wilderness. Along the way you can reach Emerald, Arrowhead, Skelton, Barney, Duck and Purple Lakes.

You do not have to go all the way to the pass to make this worthwhile — turn around at whichever lake feels right for your day.

Why I love it: It feels like you are getting deep into the Sierra without having to drive far from Mammoth.

BARRETT & TJ LAKES

Best for: Short hike, big payoff
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

One of my favorite recommendations for anyone who wants something beautiful without committing half the day.

The hike starts at Lake George and climbs through the forest to Barrett Lake before continuing toward TJ Lake, with wonderful views of Crystal Crag.

There are a few steeper sections, but the return trip is mostly downhill.

CRYSTAL LAKE

Best for: Spectacular views
Difficulty: Moderate

Another Lake George favorite.

The climb rewards you with sweeping views over the Mammoth Lakes Basin before reaching Crystal Lake beneath dramatic Crystal Crag.

This is the hike I would choose if the view itself is the priority.

WANT MORE TRAILS?

There are countless trails around Mammoth, ranging from easy lakeside walks to serious backcountry hikes.

If you want something easier, shorter, longer or more challenging than the hikes above, Mammoth Trails is a great resource for choosing a route based on distance, difficulty and current conditions.

Important: Mammoth is high altitude. Carry plenty of water, use sunscreen and bring a layer even when the day starts warm. Mountain weather can change quickly.

GET OUT ON THE WATER

A summer trip to Mammoth should include at least a little time on the lakes.

KAYAKING + PADDLEBOARDING

Lake Mary is one of the easiest places to rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the Lakes Basin from the water.

Horseshoe Lake is another beautiful place to paddle or simply spend a relaxed afternoon by the shore.

FISHING

Mammoth and the surrounding Eastern Sierra are famous for trout fishing.

Popular options include the Mammoth Lakes Basin, Convict Lake, Crowley Lake, Hot Creek and the Owens River.

Fishing regulations vary by location and season, so always check current California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations before heading out.

MAMMOTH BIKE PARK + SCENIC RIDING

If you want adrenaline, Mammoth Mountain’s bike park offers lift-accessed trails ranging from beginner-friendly riding to serious downhill terrain.

Bike rentals and lessons are available seasonally on the mountain and in town.

Bike rentals: Footloose Sports • ASO Mammoth • Get Outdoors 365 • Black Tie Bike Rentals • Mammoth Mountain

For something much more relaxed, ride the paved Lakes Basin Path up through the forest toward Horseshoe Lake.

It is definitely a climb going up — but the ride back down is considerably more fun.

Best for: Everyone from casual cyclists to serious mountain bikers

HORSEBACK RIDING

For a completely different way to see the Eastern Sierra, spend a few hours on horseback.

Guided trail rides are available seasonally around Mammoth and the surrounding area, with routes through pine forest, open meadows and mountain scenery.

Most rides are beginner-friendly, so you do not need previous riding experience.

Best for: Families, couples and anyone who wants a slower-paced way to explore
Allow: A couple of hours to half a day

ATV + OFF-ROAD ADVENTURES

If you want to get farther into the backcountry without hiking all day, an ATV or side-by-side is a fun way to explore the high desert and forest roads around Mammoth.

Guided tours and rentals are available seasonally, with terrain ranging from wide dirt roads to rougher mountain routes and scenic overlooks.

Conditions can change quickly, so always follow designated routes and check current fire, weather and access restrictions before heading out.

Best for: Adventure, groups and covering a lot of ground
Allow: A few hours to half a day

ROCK CLIMBING

The Eastern Sierra is one of California’s great climbing areas, with everything from beginner-friendly routes to serious technical climbing.

If you are new to climbing, a guided outing is the easiest way to try it safely. Local guides can provide equipment, instruction and routes suited to your experience level.

More experienced climbers will find an enormous range of options throughout the region.

Best for: Adventure seekers and anyone wanting to try something completely different
Allow: Half a day to a full day

PANORAMA GONDOLA

You do not need skis — or even hiking boots — to stand at 11,053 feet.

Take the Panorama Gondola from Main Lodge to the summit of Mammoth Mountain for huge views across the Sierra, the summit sign and interpretive exhibits.

It is one of the easiest ways for families and non-hikers to experience Mammoth from above.

WOOLLY’S ADVENTURE SUMMIT

For families — or anyone who wants something more playful than hiking — Woolly’s Adventure Summit offers a rotating collection of summer mountain activities.

Depending on the season and operating conditions, activities may include the Mountain Coaster, summer tubing, ropes courses and other mountain adventures.

Because available activities and operating hours change, check current information before heading up.

DEVILS POSTPILE + RAINBOW FALLS

This is one of the true Mammoth summer highlights.

Devils Postpile National Monument is famous for its striking columns of naturally formed basalt.

From there, continue through the Reds Meadow Valley toward Rainbow Falls, where the San Joaquin River drops more than 100 feet over volcanic rock.

The hike to Devils Postpile itself is short and easy. Rainbow Falls requires more walking and much of the trail is exposed, so bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat.

Access to Reds Meadow changes during the season and may involve road restrictions or mandatory shuttle service, so always check current access before heading out.

Allow: Half day to full day

MINARET VISTA

A fantastic payoff for very little effort.

Just beyond Mammoth Mountain, Minaret Vista looks across toward the jagged Minarets, Mount Ritter and Banner Peak.

Go during the day for the mountain panorama — or around sunset for one of the prettiest views near Mammoth.

Best for: Sunset, photographs and anyone who does not feel like hiking

HOT CREEK GEOLOGIC SITE

Mammoth’s volcanic landscape is very much alive here.

At Hot Creek, steaming pools, fumaroles and brilliantly colored mineral deposits sit beside the creek within the Long Valley Caldera.

The water can be dangerously hot and temperatures can change suddenly, so swimming and wading are prohibited.

This is a sightseeing stop, not a soaking hot spring.

NATURAL HOT SPRINGS

For actual soaking, head out toward the natural hot springs around Benton Crossing Road.

Wild Willy’s Hot Springs is the one I recommend most often.

The final stretch is on unpaved roads and can be surprisingly confusing the first time, so it is worth checking directions before leaving town.

Pack everything out, stay on established access routes and treat the area as a natural setting rather than a developed spa.

CONVICT LAKE

If you want extraordinary scenery without a complicated excursion, this is one of my favorites.

Convict Lake sits beneath dramatic Sierra peaks only a short drive south of Mammoth.

Walk the trail around the lake, fish from shore, rent a boat or simply bring lunch and enjoy the view.

My tip: If you are walking around the lake, I like starting to the right from the main parking area. It puts the more exposed side earlier in the walk rather than saving it for the hotter part of the day.

Best for: Easy sightseeing, walking, fishing and lake time

JUNE LAKE LOOP

Four gorgeous lakes, dramatic mountains and one of the prettiest drives in the Eastern Sierra.

The loop passes June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake and Grant Lake, with opportunities for swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, eating and simply stopping wherever someplace looks irresistible.

It works beautifully on its own, but I especially like combining it with Mono Lake for a longer outing.

MONO LAKE

Mono Lake feels like another planet.

This ancient saline lake is best known for its surreal tufa towers — unusual mineral formations rising from the water and shoreline.

For a first visit, head toward the South Tufa area.

This pairs especially well with June Lake Loop or a Yosemite/Tioga Pass day.

BODIE GHOST TOWN

If old mining towns appeal to you, this is worth the drive.

Once a booming gold-mining town with thousands of residents, Bodie is now preserved in a state of arrested decay.

You can wander streets lined with weathered buildings and peer through windows into rooms that appear almost frozen in time.

The final section of the access road is unpaved, and there is no food for sale inside the park, so bring water and snacks.

YOSEMITE VIA TIOGA PASS

One of the great advantages of visiting Mammoth in summer is access to Yosemite from the spectacular eastern side of the Sierra.

When Tioga Road is open, head north toward Lee Vining and climb into Yosemite’s high country, with stops such as Tuolumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake and Olmsted Point before continuing toward Yosemite Valley if you have the time.

This is a full-day excursion, not a quick 45-minute trip to Yosemite Valley. The eastern park entrance is relatively close to Mammoth, but the valley is much farther.

And the drive itself is part of the experience.

Worth a stop: the wonderfully unlikely Whoa Nellie Deli at the Mobil station in Lee Vining overlooking Mono Lake.

Always check current Yosemite road and reservation requirements before leaving, as access rules can change.

LOOKING FOR AN EASIER DAY?

Not every summer day needs hiking boots.

Mammoth Rock ’N’ Bowl is a good fallback for bowling and indoor entertainment, particularly on a stormy afternoon or after everyone’s legs have had enough mountain adventure.

And sometimes the best plan is no plan at all: grab lunch, drive into the Lakes Basin, find a beautiful spot and stay there.

BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT

High altitude + strong sun: Bring considerably more water than you think you will need, wear sunscreen and carry layers.

Mountain access is seasonal: Snowpack, construction, wildfire conditions and weather can affect trails and roads well into summer.

Bears live here: Never leave food or scented items unattended or inside a parked vehicle where bears can access them.

Check current trail, road and access conditions before heading into the backcountry or setting out on a longer day trip.