Activities at Mammoth Lakes = Summertime Fun

Situated in the Sierra Mountains, Mammoth Lakes is well-known as a world class skiing destination.   Less well-known is that Mammoth Lakes is a great place to visit year-round. As you’ll see below, Mammoth Lakes activities are numerous. While most, if not all, of the summertime festivals have been cancelled due to Covid-19, there are still plenty of activities to keep you and the family busy. And with plane travel a no-go for many, Mammoth Lakes is an easy 6.5-hour drive from Southern California.   

With Covid-19 altering normal business, you should double-check Mammoth Lakes website to ensure activities are open before you go and to familiarize yourself with any rules. Keep in mind that Mammoth Lakes is a small town with limited medical resources so may have more strict regulations in place than the rest of the state. I always travel with a first aid kit of my own to handle the minor stuff.

Here is just the start of a fun summertime to-do list.  

1. Hiking at Mammoth Lakes

Activities at Mammoth Lakes #1 – Hiking: Mammoth Lakes has hiking for all levels age groups.  One of my favorite hikes is from Lake George to and around TJ Lake (Named for Tom Jones, one of the first Inyo National Forest supervisors), a 1.5 out and back trail relatively easy hike.

To get to the trail head, take Lake Mary Road South out of Mammoth Lakes, you’ll pass Twin Lakes (about 3.5 miles out of town).  Take a left after you pass Lake Mary to the Lake George parking lot where the trail starts.  The trail skirts the edge of Lake George, up to and past Lake Barrett before taking you to TJ Lake.  It’s overall a pretty easy hike. The part between Lake George and Lake Barrett gets bit steep but it’s relatively short.   My kids love to go all the way around Lake TJ which requires some bouldering and adds about .5 miles and 30 minutes to the hike.  On the far side of the lake is a little beach you can wade in from although the water is really cold.

Here’s list of 89 other hikes in the Mammoth Lakes area.  Always carry plenty of water and remember weather can change quickly in the mountains so take precautions.

2. Biking at Mammoth

Activities at Mammoth Lakes #2 Biking: Like hiking, Mammoth Lakes offers biking opportunities for all levels.   Town loop trail is a 5-mile paved loop around the town consisting of rolling hills and great views.   Pack a picnic and stop at one of a number of picnic tables along the way.  It’s fun to take a detour to Hugs Ice Cream at the Village. 

For those looking for a little more speed, take the free Lakes Basin Trolley (which pulls a bike trailer) from the Village all the way to Horseshoe Lake.  From there take a quick loop around Horseshoe Lake, an easy dirt trail, before cruising down the paved bike path back to town.

There are also mountain biking trails galore.  Mammoth Mountain bike park is scheduled open June 26 and has green, blue, and black diamond trails down the mountain.  I’m an average biker and could handle the blues with some effort.   Take chair 11 to warm up on some green runs. Then you’ll be ready to take the Gondola to the top and wind your way all the way down starting with blue run “Off the Top.”  There’s also nice dirt bike trail that starts just past the Main Lodge and parallels Minaret Road back into town where you can hit up Mammoth Brewing Company after a long day on the trails.

A full day pass for Mammoth Mountain costs $49 ($44 if you book more than 7 days in advance).  If you rent a bike + protective gear (which I highly recommend) + ticket, you’re looking at $119 for the day.   

If you’re not interested in spending the $$ for the lifts at Mammoth Mountain.  You’ll still find plenty of action nearby.  Check out these featured trails.

3. Fishing at Mammoth Lakes

Activities at Mammoth Lakes #3 Fishing: For those more interested in more leisurely pursuits, Mammoth offers many options.  First you’ll need to pick up your fishing license ($47/year resident or $15/day) either in town or before you go.   Troutfitter and Rick’s Sports, both in Mammoth lakes, sell them and can give you some local advice on what’s biting on what. Don’t forget to load up on supplies before heading up, as selections can be limited.

The lakes above Mammoth -Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake George, and Lake Mamie – are regularly stocked with Trout and a good place to start.  I had a friend catch two 4+ pound Rainbow Trout at Lake Mary last September.  He was kind enough to share and they were delicious.

There are numerous other lakes and streams to choose from in the local area. 

4. Other

Activities at Mammoth Lakes #4+: If the first three activities don’t strike your fancy, don’t worry, this post just scratches the surface.  Mammoth offers rock climbing, horseback riding, golf, paddle boarding, and natural hot springs.  Plus, Mammoth Lakes is only a 40-mile drive to the entrance of Yosemite National Park, so is a great place to stop for a spell on your way up to Yosemite. You can always just hang out in the fresh air and play a little washer toss with family and friends.

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