A mountain resort town at 7,880 feet elevation in California's Sierra Nevada range, with year-round skiing, fishing in alpine lakes, and volcanic formations.
Mammoth Lakes perches at 7,880 feet in California's Eastern Sierra, where Mammoth Mountain rises against the sky. You'll find yourself skiing down 150 named trails in winter, hiking to the thundering 101-foot Rainbow Falls in summer, or casting a line for rainbow trout in the crystal-clear Lakes Basin. When Tioga Pass opens, you can reach Yosemite National Park in just 45 minutes, making Mammoth Lakes an ideal base for exploring the Sierra Nevada range.
Winter Activities at Mammoth Mountain
From November through May, you can ski or snowboard across 3,500 acres of terrain at Mammoth Mountain. The 11,053-foot summit receives about 400 inches of snow each winter, and 28 chairlifts take you to runs ranging from gentle slopes to steep chutes. Beginners can practice on wide-open trails near the base, while advanced riders tackle the mountain's challenging bowls and glades. Beyond the slopes, you can zoom through pine forests on guided snowmobile tours or take children to slide at Tube Park.
Summer Hiking and Biking
As snow melts away, 80 miles of single-track trails and 54 bike paths emerge across the region. The Little Lakes Valley trails lead you through granite-walled canyons where alpine lakes reflect snow-patched peaks, and summer wildflowers carpet the meadows. The Mammoth Adventure Center runs regular shuttles to popular trailheads, making it easy to explore without driving.
Natural Landmarks
At Devil's Postpile National Monument, you can walk among towering basalt columns - six-sided pillars of black rock created by cooling lava millions of years ago. Follow the 2.5-mile trail to Rainbow Falls, where water plunges 101 feet over dark volcanic cliffs. In the Mammoth Lakes Basin, a chain of alpine lakes - Lake Mary, Lake George, and Twin Lakes - draws anglers from late April through mid-November. You can fish for rainbow, brown, and brook trout against a backdrop of granite peaks.
Getting to Mammoth Lakes
United Express flies year-round to Mammoth Yosemite Airport from Los Angeles, adding routes from San Francisco and Denver during peak seasons. The airport is a 10-minute drive from town. If you're driving from Los Angeles, the 5-hour route takes you through the Mojave Desert and Owens Valley. Once in town, hop on the free public bus connecting The Village, Mammoth Mountain, and the Lakes Basin.
Events Throughout the Year
Each summer, the Bluesapalooza festival fills the air with live music and the scent of craft beer. Local artists display their work at the Mammoth Lakes Open Air Arts & Crafts Fair, a three-day event with live music. In winter, you can watch ski competitions or join holiday celebrations at The Village.
