Mammoth Lakes Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Central Interior California which includes a gondola, snow and mountains
Experience the great outdoors at one of California’s premier mountain resort areas, where winter and summer promise adventures that are fun for the whole family.

Mammoth Lakes is a small mountain resort town encircled by towering mountains, crystal-clear alpine lakes and flower-filled meadows. Visit in winter for some of California’s most outstanding skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. Arrive in summer to enjoy first-rate mountain bike trails, hiking, fishing and horse riding.

Take the lifts up Mammoth Mountain, which reaches a dizzying height of 11,053 feet (17,788 meters). Experience breathtaking views and begin an exhilarating downhill ride. Mammoth has more than 3,500 skiable acres, nearly 30 lifts and 150 snow trails. Slopes for all levels of experience offer powdery snow long into spring. If you don’t care for downhill skiing, try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing through dense alpine forests. Get away from the crowds and seek out your piece of wintery wonderland.

More gentle activities also abound in the area. Enjoy a hot air balloon ride over the wilderness, lounge in natural hot springs, take a leisurely horseback ride through the Inyo National Forest or play golf at Snowcreek Golf Course.

Summer brings hiking, biking, fishing and sightseeing opportunities. Hike in the Mammoth Lakes Basin area, where trails such as Panorama Dome Trail, Duck Lake Trail, and Inyo Craters Trail promise picturesque alpine scenery. Mammoth Mountain transforms into a maze of bicycle paths. See some of the world’s best riders in September’s Kamikaze Bike Games.

For more serenity, hop in the Gondola and soar up the mountain for panoramic views. With a stop midway up the mountain and 360-degree-views from the summit, it is a must-do activity.

Mammoth Lakes is located 40 miles (60 kilometers) east of Yosemite’s perimeter and about 300 miles (500 kilometers) from both San Francisco and Los Angeles and their international airports. The full-service resort has upmarket hotels and restaurants. Getting around is easy with free shuttles from the town to the slopes. Nestled in the heart of California, Mammoth Lakes is one of the country’s most acclaimed all-season resort towns.

Where to stay in Mammoth Lakes

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Stonegate

Though Stonegate may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Village Gondola Station and Sierra Star Golf Course.

Stonegate
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Starwood

Starwood might not have many top sights, but Sierra Star Golf Course and Eagle Express Ski Lift are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Starwood
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Mammoth Vista

When in Mammoth Vista, you can plan a visit to Eagle Express Ski Lift and Sierra Star Golf Course, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Mammoth Vista
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Crooked Pines

While Crooked Pines isn't home to many top sights, Sierra Star Golf Course and Eagle Express Ski Lift are some notable places to visit nearby.

Crooked Pines
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Woodwinds

When in Woodwinds, you can plan a visit to Sierra Star Golf Course and Village Gondola Station, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Woodwinds
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Altis

Altis might not have many top sights, but Eagle Express Ski Lift and Sierra Star Golf Course are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Altis
Motel 6 Mammoth Lakes, CA
Motel 6 Mammoth Lakes, CA
2 out of 5
3372 Main St, Mammoth Lakes, CA
The price is NZ$240 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
NZ$240
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this motel in Mammoth Lakes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient parking ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,010 reviews)
Fridge ruined my food
"My only complain is that the fridge was set too low and froze all my food."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Motel 6 Mammoth Lakes, CA
Outbound Mammoth
Outbound Mammoth
3.5 out of 5
164 Old Mammoth Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Fully refundable
The price is NZ$349 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
NZ$349
per night
8 Apr - 9 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Mammoth Lakes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,006 reviews)
Amazing spot!
"Greeted with friendly staff after a long day on the road. The room was better than expected. The accommodations were great! Amazing pool area, guest services, restaurant and bar! Cannot wait to go there again."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Outbound Mammoth
Mammoth Mountain Inn
Mammoth Mountain Inn
3 out of 5
10400 Minaret Rd, Mammoth Lakes, CA
The price is NZ$390 per night from 8 Apr to 9 Apr
NZ$390
per night
8 Apr - 9 Apr
Stay at this 3-star ski hotel in Mammoth Lakes. Enjoy 4 spa tubs, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Excellent location, size and amenities. A little run down."

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2024

Mammoth Mountain Inn
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Convict Lake Resort
Convict Lake Resort
3 out of 5
2000 Convict Lake Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Mammoth Lakes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (213 reviews)
"Great location and cozy cabin!"

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2024

Convict Lake Resort
Mammoth Ski & Racquet Club
Mammoth Ski & Racquet Club
3 out of 5
248 Mammoth Slopes Drive, Mammoth Lakes, CA
Stay at this 3-star condo in Mammoth Lakes. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 spa tubs. Popular attractions Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort and Mammoth Mountain ...
8/10 Very Good! (136 reviews)
"Loved this place! Everything was clean and it was so cute. Can’t wait to come back <3"

Reviewed on 5 Sep. 2023

Mammoth Ski & Racquet Club
Beautiful Newly Remodeled Condo w/ Free Wifi! Shops & Mountain Close! Must See!
Beautiful Newly Remodeled Condo w/ Free Wifi! Shops & Mountain Close! Must See!
Mammoth Lakes
Stay at this condo in Mammoth Lakes. Enjoy WiFi, a sauna, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions Mammoth Mountain ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (221 reviews)
Fun ski trip
"Kids and wife loved the condo. The fireplace was a great touch. The renovations done with really nice. We cook a lot and really appreciated the available cookware and spices. Easy access to the red line bus to canyon village and main village ski areas. Quick walk to Vons to get ice cream for the ..."

Reviewed on 22 Mar. 2024

Beautiful Newly Remodeled Condo w/ Free Wifi! Shops & Mountain Close! Must See!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Mammoth Lakes

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
" "5 - Excellent 80%
4 - Good
1
" "4 - Good 10%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
16 Jan 2020

Mammoth Lakes and mountain is amazing but do not stay at the Travelodge

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
18 Sep 2019

We were only in Mammoth Lakes for 1 night. Would like to return again sometime. We saw a live gig in the town over Labor weekend which was a lot of fun. Great beer!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller
17 Sep 2019

Don’t go when there’s a black out. No facilities available. Went to bed hungry

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Jul 2019

Had a great time walking, bike riding, attended a yoga class and went to some nice places to eat. Weather was beautiful and locals very friendly and helpful.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
24 Mar 2019

Quite hospitable. Almost US$200 for a day lift ticket is expensive.

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