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81 Best and Fun Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes, California


TouristWire Editors

The premier mountain getaway destination in California offers year-round entertainment for all ages, sure to create lasting memories for the entire family.

Nestled among towering mountains, glistening alpine lakes, and flower-crowded meadows is Mammoth Lakes. Winter is a prime time to enjoy Mammoth Lakes’ most extraordinary skiing, snowshoeing, and snowboarding facilities. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy California’s excellent mountain bike trails, hiking, fishing, and horseback rides. For more tame activities, Mammoth Lakes offers hot air balloon rides over the stunning wilderness, horseback rides through the breathtaking National Forest, and natural hot springs to soak away all your worries.

The ideal place to forget your troubles and enjoy the great outdoors, Mammoth Lakes makes for an unforgettable Californian experience. Read on to find a list of all the top attractions you simply have to visit during your trip to Mammoth Lakes.

The 81 Most Popular Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes, California

81. Mammoth Rock

5.0 ★★★★★ (1 review)

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Credit: Don Graham, License, Wikimedia commons

80. McGee Mountain

5.0 ★★★★★ (1 review)

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Credit: wanderingnome, License, Flickr

79. Hot Creek Interpretive Trail

5.0 ★★★★★ (1 review)

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Credit: Darth Raymond Von Skywalker, Google Maps

78. Minaret Summit

5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

77. Laurel Mountain

5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

660px-laurel mountain convict lake

Credit: Frank Kovalchek, License, Wikimedia commons

76. Lake Virginia

4.5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

800px-lake virginia inyo nf

Credit: Leif, License, Wikimedia commons

75. Pika Lake

5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

Af1qipnunbr1kyeibstz1v2y5afu0f74gnjyklg6n7v1=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Emily D, Google Maps

74. Red Cones

5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

73. Mammoth Mountain Via Ferrata

5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

Location: 10001 Minaret Road #045 Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  800 626 6684

Web Address:   https://mammothmountain.com/summer/things-to-do/adventure-center/via-ferrata

72. Mammoth Mountain Race Department

4.5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

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Credit: Mosquito Films, Google Maps

Location: 1 Minaret Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 934 0642

Web Address:   https://mammothmountain.com/camps-teams/race-department

71. Little Alkali Lake

4.5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

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Credit: Tom, Google Maps

70. Big Alkali Lake

5.0 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

Af1qiposht3cledzvqk2ieeblw8-xlcsleupjwvw0kna=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: אלי ליבנה, Google Maps

69. Panorama Dome

5.0 ★★★★★ (3 reviews)

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Credit: BDFri2012, License, Flickr

68. Mount Morrison

4.7 ★★★★★ (3 reviews)

67. Lake Barrett

5.0 ★★★★★ (3 reviews)

800px-lake george%2c early fall%2c mammoth lakes%2c ca 9-16 %2831540488446%29

Credit: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million, License, Wikimedia commons

66. Purple Lake

5.0 ★★★★★ (3 reviews)

65. Deadman Pass

4.7 ★★★★★ (3 reviews)

64. Rosalie Lake

5.0 ★★★★★ (3 reviews)

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Credit: J. H, Google Maps

63. Agnew Meadows

4.5 ★★★★★ (4 reviews)

454px-heracleum lanatum buds

Credit: Dcrjsr, License, Wikimedia commons

62. Valentine Lake

4.8 ★★★★★ (4 reviews)

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Credit: The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company, License, Flickr

61. Crystal Crag

5.0 ★★★★★ (4 reviews)

746px-crystal crag reflection%2c lake george%2c mammoth lakes%2c ca 9-16 %2829609650974%29

Credit: Don Graham, License, Wikimedia commons

60. Minaret Falls

5.0 ★★★★★ (4 reviews)

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Credit: Keith Ayers, Google Maps

59. Lake Mary Road

4.6 ★★★★★ (5 reviews)

800px-mammoth lakes %28january 2008%29 13

Credit: Nandaro, License, Wikimedia commons

58. Convict Lake Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ (6 reviews)

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Credit: Jeff Sullivan, License, Flickr

57. Mammoth Crest

4.3 ★★★★☆ (6 reviews)

800px-twin lakes falls mammoth crest

Credit: Jane S. Richardson, License, Wikimedia commons

56. San Joaquin Mountain

4.3 ★★★★☆ (6 reviews)

800px-alger lakes ansel adams wilderness

Credit: Steve Dunleavy, License, Wikimedia commons

55. TJ Lake Loop Trailhead

5.0 ★★★★★ (6 reviews)

Af1qipmrxw6zfwmqqyhfszbids49b8po0hde7kva35bt=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Samuel Firman, Google Maps

Location: Unnamed Rd. Mammoth Lakes CA

Web Address:   https://mammothtrails.org/trail/90/tj-lake-loop/

54. Lake Mamie

4.9 ★★★★★ (7 reviews)

Lossy-page1-800px-lake mamie in the inyo national forest near mammoth lakes%2c california lccn2013633183.tiff

Credit: Carol M. Highsmith, License, Wikimedia commons

53. Mammoth Consolidated Mine

4.6 ★★★★★ (7 reviews)

800px-mammoth consolidated mine %283647111473%29

Credit: DieselDemon, License, Wikimedia commons

52. T J Lake

4.8 ★★★★★ (8 reviews)

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Credit: License, Wikimedia commons

51. Heart Lake

4.5 ★★★★★ (8 reviews)

800px-gull lake mammoth september 2016 panorama

Credit: King Hearts, License, Wikimedia commons

50. Crystal Lake

4.6 ★★★★★ (8 reviews)

746px-crystal crag reflection%2c lake george%2c mammoth lakes%2c ca 9-16 %2829609650974%29

Credit: Don Graham, License, Wikimedia commons

49. Mammoth Rock Trail End

4.8 ★★★★★ (9 reviews)

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Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr

Location: Sherwin Creek Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Web Address:   http://mammothtrails.org/

48. Minaret Lake

4.9 ★★★★★ (9 reviews)

47. Bloody Mountain

4.4 ★★★★☆ (9 reviews)

800px-alger lakes ansel adams wilderness

Credit: Steve Dunleavy, License, Wikimedia commons

46. Twin Falls

4.9 ★★★★★ (9 reviews)

800px-twin lakes falls mammoth crest

Credit: Jane S. Richardson, License, Wikimedia commons

45. Laurel Lakes

4.9 ★★★★★ (10 reviews)

44. Lower Rainbow Falls

4.6 ★★★★★ (11 reviews)

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Credit: keppet, License, Flickr

43. Starkweather Lake

4.9 ★★★★★ (13 reviews)

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Credit: Jimmy Emerson, DVM, License, Flickr

42. Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra

4.9 ★★★★★ (14 reviews)

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Credit: Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, Google Maps

Location: 1 Minaret Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 934 0791

Web Address:   http://disabledsportseasternsierra.org/

41. Skelton Lake

4.9 ★★★★★ (15 reviews)

411px-skelton lake%2c mono county%2c calfornia

Credit: JERRYE ROY KLOTZ, License, Wikimedia commons

40. Mammoth Consolidated Gold Mine

4.7 ★★★★★ (17 reviews)

Af1qippyyci7zii8vxho9omc1xpstd3f0rs35gghjfz =w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Adam Wolven, Google Maps

Location: Coldwater Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 924 5500

39. Mammoth Creek

4.6 ★★★★★ (17 reviews)

800px-mammoth creek %2820131222-1229%29

Credit: Nandaro, License, Wikimedia commons

38. Hole in the Wall

4.8 ★★★★★ (19 reviews)

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Credit: Jack z, Google Maps

Location: Mammoth Lakes CA

37. Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center

5.0 ★★★★★ (22 reviews)

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Credit: Marty B, License, Flickr

Location: 163 Twin Lakes Road Streete 1200 Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 934 5293

Web Address:   https://mammothmountain.com/winter/things-to-do/winter-activities/cross-country-skiing

36. Brees Lookout

4.8 ★★★★★ (23 reviews)

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Credit: Achim Hofbauer, Google Maps

Location: Mammoth Lakes CA

35. Sotcher Lake

4.9 ★★★★★ (24 reviews)

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Credit: moonjazz, License, Flickr

34. McLead Lake

4.9 ★★★★★ (28 reviews)

33. Hilltop Hot Springs

4.1 ★★★★☆ (28 reviews)

800px-hilltop-hot-spring-2015

Credit: Eeekster, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: M676+H6 Mammoth Lakes CA

32. Adventure Center

3.1 ★★★☆☆ (31 reviews)

Af1qippyvxthnstslbbwinwrx7sjqmyfafhkk2rhsd71=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Nanette Blackburn, Google Maps

Location: 10001 Minaret Road #2100 Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  800 626 6684

Web Address:   http://mammothmountain.com/summer/things-to-do/adventure-center/kids-adventure-pass

31. Hot Creek

4.3 ★★★★☆ (35 reviews)

800px-hot creek near mammoth lakes%2c california 02

Credit: clickfarmer, License, Wikimedia commons

30. Snowcreek Golf Course

4.2 ★★★★☆ (44 reviews)

Location: 2 Fairway Dr Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 934 6633

Web Address:   http://livesnowcreek.com/alpine-golf

29. Lake George

4.8 ★★★★★ (44 reviews)

584px-lake george%2c mammoth lakes 9-15 %2830008591065%29

Credit: Don Graham, License, Wikimedia commons

28. The Village Gondola Station

4.8 ★★★★★ (51 reviews)

800px-gondola station village at mammoth

Credit: The Chief, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 72 Canyon Blvd Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  800 626 6684

Web Address:   https://mammothmountain.com/winter/mountain-information/mountain-information/base-lodges/the-village

27. Mammoth Ice Rink

4.0 ★★★★☆ (56 reviews)

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Credit: Abhay Gupta, Google Maps

Location: 416 Sierra Park Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 965 3695

Web Address:   http://mammothicerink.com/

26. Horseshoe Lake

4.7 ★★★★★ (64 reviews)

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Credit: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million, License, Wikimedia commons

25. Sherwin Lakes Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ (66 reviews)

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Credit: Lewis Wessels, Google Maps

Location: Unnamed Rd. Mammoth Lakes CA

24. Sierra Star Golf Course

4.4 ★★★★☆ (70 reviews)

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Credit: Ryan Boucher, Google Maps

Location: 2001 Sierra Streetar Pkwy Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 924 2200

Web Address:   http://mammothmountain.com/summer/golf/sierra-star-golf/sierra-star-golf-course

23. Duck Lake Pass Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ (81 reviews)

Location: Parking lot Duk Lake Trailhead Parking Loop Mammoth Lakes CA

22. Lake Mary

4.7 ★★★★★ (82 reviews)

800px-lake mary mammoth september 2016

Credit: King Hearts, License, Wikimedia commons

21. Mammoth Museum at the Hayden Cabin

4.7 ★★★★★ (105 reviews)

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Credit: Dustin LeBrun, Google Maps

Location: 5489 Sherwin Creek Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 934 6918

Web Address:   http://mammothmuseum.org/

20. Crystal Lake

4.9 ★★★★★ (116 reviews)

746px-crystal crag reflection%2c lake george%2c mammoth lakes%2c ca 9-16 %2829609650974%29

Credit: Don Graham, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Mammoth Lakes CA

19. Shady Rest Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (165 reviews)

Af1qipojj3yeaxznkv8h4usdazhvjgt876xtqgh213p5=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Rafael K., Google Maps

Location: Sawmill Cutoff Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 914 7017

Web Address:   http://ci.mammoth-lakes.ca.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/4

18. Woolly’s Tube Park & Snow Play

4.5 ★★★★★ (172 reviews)

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Credit: Carlos Mendoza, Google Maps

Location: 9000 Minaret Road # 200 Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 934 7533

Web Address:   http://mammothmountain.com/winter/things-to-do/winter-activities/woollys-tube-park

17. Inyo Craters

4.6 ★★★★★ (175 reviews)

Location: Mammoth Scenic Loop Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 924 5551

Web Address:   https://visitmammoth.com/activities/inyo-craters/

16. Mammoth Creek Park

4.7 ★★★★★ (211 reviews)

Location: 437 Old Mammoth Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 934 8989

Web Address:   http://ci.mammoth-lakes.ca.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/3

15. Kittredge Sports

4.4 ★★★★☆ (239 reviews)

Af1qipoobpompytfsbhircysw4ush4epjknls6vj-j49=w592-h404-n-k-no

Credit: Kittredge Sports, Google Maps

Location: 3218 Main Street Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 934 7566

Web Address:   http://kittredgesports.com/

14. Twin Lakes Vista

4.8 ★★★★★ (369 reviews)

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Credit: Patrick Maloney, License, Flickr

Location: Mammoth Lakes CA

13. Lakes Basin Path – Horseshoe Lake Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ (375 reviews)

Location: Inyo National Forest Parking Lot Mammoth Lakes CA

Web Address:   http://mammothtrails.org/trail/14/horseshoe-lake-loop/

12. Earthquake Fault

4.5 ★★★★★ (388 reviews)

Location: 7 Minaret Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 873 2400

Web Address:   http://fs.usda.gov/

11. Crystal Lake Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ (393 reviews)

Location: Inyo National Forest Lk George Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  760 924 5500

Web Address:   http://mammothtrails.org/trail/4/crystal-lake-trail/

10. Twin Falls Overlook

4.8 ★★★★★ (447 reviews)

800px-mammoth lakes %28august 2008%29 06

Credit: Nandaro, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Inyo National Forest 4500 Lake Mary Road Mammoth Lakes CA

9. Minaret Vista

4.8 ★★★★★ (449 reviews)

800px-sunset from the minarets vista viewpoint near mammoth lakes

Credit: Frank Kovalchek, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Lookout Point Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Web Address:   http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recreation/recarea/

Our Top picks

8. Twin Lakes

4.7 ★★★★★ (104 reviews)

800px-twin lakes - mammoth lakes ca. %2849022337976%29

Credit: docentjoyce, License, Wikimedia commons

7. Rainbow Falls

4.8 ★★★★★ (169 reviews)

800px-rainbow falls in mammoth lakes - panoramio

Credit: Kinney, License, Wikimedia commons

6. Convict Lake

4.8 ★★★★★ (508 reviews)

800px-convict lake pano

Credit: Dicklyon, License, Wikimedia commons

5. June Mountain Ski Area

4.7 ★★★★★ (576 reviews)

398px-village at mammoth %28october 2013%29 05

Credit: Nandaro, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 3819 CA 158 June Lake CA

Tel:  888 586 3686

Web Address:   http://junemountain.com/

4. Mammoth Mountain

4.6 ★★★★★ (672 reviews)

Lossy-page1-800px-skiing on mammoth mountain. mammoth lakes%2c california lccn2013633939.tif

Credit: Carol M. Highsmith, License, Wikimedia commons

3. Hot Creek Geological Site

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,158 reviews)

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Credit: m01229, License, Flickr

Location: Hot Creek Hatchery Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Web Address:   http://fs.usda.gov/recarea/inyo/recarea/

2. Devils Postpile National Monument

4.7 ★★★★★ (1,355 reviews)

800px-devils postpile national monument near mammoth lakes

Credit: Frank Kovalchek, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: Devils Postpile Rd. Mammoth Lakes CA

Web Address:   http://nps.gov/depo/

1. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area

4.8 ★★★★★ (2,825 reviews)

Lossy-page1-800px-mammoth mountain ski area%2c mammoth lakes%2c california lccn2013633630.tif

Credit: Carol M. Highsmith, License, Wikimedia commons

Location: 10001 Minaret Road Mammoth Lakes CA

Tel:  800 626 6684

Web Address:   http://mammothmountain.com/

Final Words:

Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes, California! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!

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