Top Things to Do at Mammoth Lakes in the summer
This guide to the top things to do at Mammoth Lakes in the summer provides the best activities and places to explore while in Mammoth, CA for an awesome trip and some great adventures! It also includes how to get there, when to visit, where to stay, and how to get around.
I go to Mammoth every winter for skiing, but I recently had the opportunity to visit in the summer for the first time. I went with my husband, Jason, and our golden retriever puppy, Maya. We were so excited to explore the mountains and alpine lakes without them being covered in snow! Keep reading below for details about our trip and tips for visiting Mammoth.
Know Before You Go
How to Get There:
Mammoth Lakes, CA is commonly known for its amazing skiing at Mammoth Mountain. I’ve recently come to experience how incredible it is in the summer too. Mammoth Lakes is located in northern California in the eastern Sierra Mountains off of highway 395. From LA, this drive is 5-6 hours. It can also be much longer if you hit traffic on your way out of LA. From San Diego, the drive is about 6-7 hours. Mammoth Lakes is also a quick drive from Reno, NV at 3 hours (Reno airport is your best bet if you are flying and want to keep the drive short and avoid traffic). From San Francisco, it will depend on the season. If it’s summer and the Tioga Pass is open (through Yosemite), then the drive is 6-7 hours. If you take this route, make sure the pass is open and Yosemite doesn’t have any restrictions/reservation requirements before driving the pass.
When to Visit:
Mammoth Lakes, CA is great to visit year-round. In the colder months, it’s a winter wonderland playground with incredible skiing and snowboarding. In the warmer months, it turns into an adrenaline-seeking mountain biking spot. The spring and fall are less crowded and great for hiking without it getting quite as hot as the summer months. Whenever you decide to visit, you won’t be disappointed!
Where to Stay:
I recommend looking for rental reservations on Airbnb or Vrbo to find a ski cabin that is not too far from downtown. In the summer, you’ll find a lot of great camping spots around too like Pine City Campground next to Lake Mary.
How to Get Around:
Based on where you stay and what you want to do, you may be able to get around without a car. There is a free shuttle that operates around Mammoth. However, I would definitely recommend having a car to visit the various lakes, hikes, and towns in the area.
THings to Do at Mammoth Lakes in the Summer
1. Go mountain biking!
- This is what Mammoth Lakes is known for in the summer and there is a good reason why. It is SO. MUCH. FUN!
- I recommend getting your bike pass tickets here and your bike rentals here (If you buy online a few days in advance it’s slightly cheaper). We rented the “cross-country” bike and it worked great for green and blue trails. I recommend doing both through Mammoth for a few reasons:
- If you don’t have an easy way to transport the bikes to the mountain in your vehicle
- If you don’t want to have to bike 20 minutes uphill from another rental place to get to the mountain (whew – that sounds tiring!)
- They provide any safety gear you’ll need (helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, etc.)
- Once you’re set-up, hit the trails! The lifts will take you up the mountain and then the fun starts. I recommend starting on the Discovery Chair Lift to hit some green trails first. This lift has blue trails too once you’re ready for a little more of a challenge. After, I recommend taking the Gondola to the top to take in the views. Take “Off the Top” to “Beach Cruiser” on the way down for the easiest route.
2. Set up your camping chair on a lake-side beach
- There are so many great lakes around Mammoth! Here are some of my favorites:
- Lake Mary: this is the largest of the Mammoth Lakes and is in my opinion the most beautiful. We parked along the road, brought our camp chairs down to a beach, and relaxed for a while. Our dog loved playing in the water. We saw a lot of paddleboarders, kayakers, and people camping nearby.
- Horseshoe Lake: this lake is great if you have a dog and want to play fetch along the beach and into the water. It’s also a much less crowded option than Lake Mary (the views aren’t as great at Horseshoe Lake)
- Twin Lakes: these are 2 smaller lakes that are beautiful. While they don’t really have any beach areas, they are beautiful lakes to see
3. Explore the downtown Mammoth area and surrounding places to eat and drink
Mammoth has so many great locally owned restaurants, breweries, and shops. Here are some of my favorites:
- Mammoth Brewing Co – great food and beer. Has an indoor and outdoor area
- Schat’s Bakery – you can’t miss Schat’s. They homemaker all their bread and pastries. Everything is incredible…., especially the chocolate croissants
- Side Door Wine Bar & Cafe
- Distant Brewing – is another great brewery option that had live music when we went. Also great food and beer
- Latin Market – a small grocery store that has incredible authentic Mexican food to go
- Black Velvet Coffee
- Elixir Superfood and Juice – has amazing bowls and smoothies
4. Take a day trip to June Lake
- June Lake is a less-discovered town that is about 20 minutes north of Mammoth Lakes on the 395. I recommend driving the June Lake loop to see some incredible views, find some places to pull off and take them in, and maybe even spend the day at a lake here
5. Go hiking!
There are many great hikes around Mammoth Lakes – many with amazing lake views and some even with waterfalls. Here are a few I recommend if it’s your first visit to Mammoth Lakes in the summertime:
- Crystal Lake Trail
- Rainbow Falls
- Devils Postpile Trail
- Earthquake Fault Trail
6. Set up your hammock and relax
Along the Mammoth scenic road, there are countless pull-off spots where you can find a peaceful spot to lay in your hammock and take in the crisp air and pine trees
7. Go on an off-roading adventure
If you’re looking for adventure, I highly recommend going off-roading just outside of Mammoth Lakes. Across the 395, there are many dirt roads (some leading to hot springs) that are fun to explore.
I hope this guide to the top things to do at Mammoth Lakes in the summer helps you plan your trip! Feel free to reach out on my Contact page if you have any questions!