Last updated on December 8th, 2025
Mammoth Lakes is the ultimate outdoor getaway in California. And we’re sharing the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer!
Over the years we have had the chance to explore most of California. We’ve road tripped the dramatic coastline along Big Sur, spent time visiting all 9 National Parks, swam in the crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe, and enjoyed time in the underrated Redding area. But without a doubt, the Mammoth Lakes area is hands down our favorite!
As the largest and most popular town in the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Lakes is loaded with things to do. Here you can find epic hikes, beautiful lakes, hot springs, unique geology, and so much more. All while surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains!
And after spending over a month road-tripping in this area, we have been lucky enough to experience so much of what it has to offer. So if you’re looking for the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer, we’ve got you covered!
Map of the Best Things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the Summer
- Map of the Best Things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the Summer
- Things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the Summer
- Explore Convict Lake
- Soak in hot springs
- Visit the Hot Creek Geologic Site
- Try some local restaurants
- Enjoy a local coffee shop
- Go hiking or backpacking
- Explore the Mammoth Lakes Basin
- Visit the Devils Postpile National Monument
- Head to the Mammoth Mountain Ski area
- Drive the June Lake Loop
- Visit Lee Vining and Mono Lake
- Road trip the rest of the Eastern Sierra
- Planning your time in Mammoth Lakes
- Want to get FREE flights and hotel stays?
- Tips for visiting Mammoth Lakes in the Summer
- What to bring to Mammoth Lakes in the Summer
- Looking for More things to do in California?
- Looking for More things to do in California?
- Save this guide to the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer
- About the Author
Things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the Summer
Explore Convict Lake
A few minutes southeast of Mammoth Lake lies Convict Lake. This crystal clear lake, with an epic mountain backdrop, is one of the easiest lakes to access in the area. While here, we highly recommend hiking the Convict Lake Loop, a 2.5 mile loop trail with very little elevation gain. Prefer to experience the lake on the water? You can also fish, boat, kayak, or paddleboard, with rental options at the Convict Lake Resort Marina. And if that’s not enough, you can also camp here to soak up more of the lake’s scenery.
Soak in hot springs
The Mammoth Lakes area is home to lots of geothermal activity, which has created different hot springs to soak in! Warming up in a hot spring at sunrise or sunset is easily one of the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer.
There are many hot springs to choose from, but the largest and most popular one is Wild Willy’s Hot Spring. Here you can find multiple different pools, all with mountain views. But since it is popular, we highly recommend coming right before sunrise to have a chance for some solitude. We visited Wild Willy’s one weekday morning at sunrise and had one of the pools to ourselves for a bit!
A few other options for hot springs near Mammoth Lakes include The Rock Tub Hot Springs, Hilltop Hot Springs, and Crab Cooker Hot Springs (this one is extra hot!).
Before you visit these hot springs, here are a couple important things to know:
- Although when we visited this hot spring it was clean, we’ve noticed in the past that hot springs are usually trash magnets. PLEASE pack out everything you bring in. And if you can, be a good samaritan and pick up any trash you find!
- It’s also important to know that clothing is optional at the hot springs, so you might see some nudity.
- Most hot springs are located down a dirt road, so high clearance is best, as some of the roads can be a bit rough. But they can be done in any vehicle, as long as you go slow!
Visit the Hot Creek Geologic Site
To see even more geothermal activity, head to Hot Creek Geologic Site. While you cannot soak in these hot springs, they are pretty spectacular to view, with steamy and colorful pools due to the mineral deposits.
And the best part? It’s completely free to visit! While here, make sure to walk the Hot Creek Interpretive Trail to get a closer look at the hot springs. And for a higher up view, head to Brees Lookout. This spot is especially wonderful for sunrise and sunset!
In addition to admiring the springs, Hot Creek is also one of the best trout fishing spots in California. If you continue on the interpretive trail further down the canyon, past the main springs, you can fish easily from the trail and shoreline. Adam loved fishing from here and he managed to catch quite a few trout!
Note: Be very careful where you walk while at the Hot Creek Geologic Site and pay attention to the signs! The water can be very inconsistent and get extremely hot, with changes of up to 200ºF within seconds.
Try some local restaurants
Nothing beats a filling meal after a day of exploring! And luckily, Mammoth Lakes has lots of great, local food options to try.
One of our favorite places to eat in Mammoth Lakes was Dos Alas CubaRican Cafe, a Cuban and Puerto Rican restaurant with incredible views. You MUST order the coconut bread pudding dessert, it’s incredible! However, it is a small restaurant that fills up quickly, so we highly recommend getting a reservation.
Another spot we loved was Roberto’s Cafe, which has delicious Mexican food. We loved their enchiladas and salsa, which made for the perfect post-backpacking feast!
Some other spots to check out at The Warming Hut, Distant Brewing, Capybara Empanadas, The Stove, Mammoth Smoke Shack, and Mammoth Brewing Company.
Enjoy a local coffee shop
With so many fun things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer, you will want to grab coffee to fuel your adventures. We love checking out the best local coffee shops everywhere we go, and Black Velvet Coffee Roaster is our favorite spot in town! It’s a little on the pricey side for what we are used to, but they have some really delicious specialty drinks to choose from.
Stellar Brew & Natural Cafe and Mammoth Coffee Roasting, Co. look great also!
Go hiking or backpacking
Hands down the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer are the amazing hikes! With the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains minutes from town, there are endless hikes to choose from. Below are a few of our favorites, plus some we want to try next time!
Duck Pass and Pika Lake Trail
Distance (roundtrip): 10.1 miles
Elevation gain: 2,148 feet
Trail conditions & reviews
This is one of the best day hikes in the area! Along the trail you’ll encounter multiple stunning lakes, amazing views, and rugged peaks. There are also some great backcountry camping spots, if you want to spread out the hike over multiple days or continue on the Mammoth Crest Trail to additional lakes.
Thousand Island Lake
Distance (roundtrip): 14.3 miles
Elevation gain: 3,884 feet
Trail conditions & reviews
There are other routes as well, but this is the shortest option. Another popular choice is this loop.
Mammoth Lakes is the perfect gateway to the higher elevation lakes and peaks in the Eastern Sierra. And if you have time, the gear, and the endurance, go on a multi-day backpacking trip! During our time in Mammoth Lakes last summer, we backpacked to Thousand Island Lake, Garnet Lake, and Ediza Lake. It was one of the most stunning hikes we have ever been on!
The Minarets are another popular backpacking route near here to consider as well.
Little Lakes Valley Trail
Distance (roundtrip): 7.2 miles
Elevation gain: 1,033 feet
Trail conditions & reviews
Another one of our favorite hikes this summer in California was the Little Lakes Valley Trail to Gem Lakes. This trail is a relatively easy day hike, but it’s important to remember that you begin the hike at 10,000 feet of elevation, so despite the trail not being super steep, breathing may be a bit harder with the high elevation.
Since this is such a great trail for all abilities, it can get very busy. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the Summer. In fact, this was the busiest hike we did in all of the Eastern Sierra. So make sure to start as early as possible to snag a parking spot and have the least amount of people with you on the trail as possible. We arrived right at sunrise and had the entire hike to Gem Lake all to ourselves. But on the way back, there were tons of people.
A+K Tip: This is a great hike for fishing! Adam caught two small trout in just two casts at Gem Lake and we saw lots of people fishing at Long Lake as well.
Some other great day hikes near Mammoth Lakes include the Barney Lake Trail, Crystal Lake Trail, and Inyo Craters Loop. We’ll also cover a few more throughout the rest of this list of the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer!
Explore the Mammoth Lakes Basin
One of the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer is to visit the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Just a short drive from town, this area has five lakes you can drive to. No hiking necessary!
Our personal favorite of the five lakes is Lake George. We spent multiple days relaxing at this lake, hanging in our hammock, reading, attempting to fish (no luck!), and bravely swimming in the frigid waters (only Adam on that one). It is a true paradise, and a great place for relaxing if you have the time.
Visit the Devils Postpile National Monument
One of the most unique things to do in Mammoth lakes in the summer, and all of the Eastern Sierra for that matter, is to visit Devils Postpile National Monument. Home to basalt rock columns, shaped by molten lava and glacial ice, this monument is unlike anywhere we have been. You can view the columns from below, plus hike up to the top of them to see its hexagonal pattern.
But besides seeing the basalt rock columns, make sure to also hike to the beautiful 101 foot tall Rainbow Falls!
Important note: Due to congestion on the Reds Meadow Road, between 7 AM-7 PM you are required to take a shuttle to Devils Postpile ($15/adult, $7/child). If you arrive before 7 AM (only possible on Saturdays and Sundays), then you can drive yourself. There is a fee to enter Devils Postpile, which you will be expected to pay (or show your America the Beautiful Pass) upon exiting the road. There are a few other exceptions to the rule which can be found here.
Dogs are allowed in the monument, but must be on leash. If taking the shuttle, dogs must be muzzled.
Head to the Mammoth Mountain Ski area
One of the most popular spots to visit in Mammoth is the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. In the winter, it’s one of the premier skiing and snowboarding destinations in all of California. And in the summer, there is lots to do as well.
During the warmer months the park turns into one of the country’s largest lift-served bike parks. It has over 80 miles of single track trails for all ability levels. You can also enjoy their adventure center (climbing, ropes course, etc), mountain coaster, gondola ride, and so much more!
Drive the June Lake Loop
Just a few miles north of Mammoth Lakes is the June Lake Loop, one of the best day trips in Mammoth Lakes in the summer! Along this 16 mile scenic loop drive you can find four lakes: June, Gull, Silver, and Grant Lakes.
The area is open year round and all are accessible by car. And each area has something different to offer!
At June Lake ($10 parking fee) you’ll want to hang out at the large beach on warm summer days. Gull Lake might be the smallest of the four, but supposedly has the best fishing.
The Silver Lake Resort is located on Silver lake and the area provides access to the Rush Creek Trail and other trails into The Ansel Adams Wilderness and Yosemite National Park.
Grant Lake is the largest, but has a more barren appearance than the others. It’s a very popular spot for watersports like waterskiing and wakeboarding, as well as trout fishing. It is also close to the Parker Lake Trail, which is a great option for things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer too!
Also in the community of June Lake, you can find a variety of shops and restaurants, like The Lift, Epic Cafe, La Parilla Grill & Tacos, June Pie Pizza Co, Balanced Rock Grill & Cantina, and Local Scoop. There are also plenty of campgrounds and cabins in the June Lake area, so it’s also a great place to stay while enjoying the things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer!
Visit Lee Vining and Mono Lake
Just 30 minutes north along Highway 395, you’ll come across the small town of Lee Vining. Here you can find Mono Lake (pronounced “moe-know”), an ancient saline lake that is over 1 million years old, one of the oldest lakes in North America. It is 2.5 times as salty as the ocean, so it has formed tufa towers, which are calcium carbonate spires and knobs.
To see the tufas, go to the South Tufa Area at sunrise, where you can see reflections in the water and watch the tufas and nearby mountains illuminate from the rising sun.
Besides the lake, this area is the gateway to Yosemite National Park, from the east. To get to the park you’ll drive Tioga Road, which runs from Lee Vining all the way to Crane Flat in Yosemite National Park. It is the highest highway pass in California!
Since it’s only open during the summer (with its opening date differing year to year) this road is a must do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer. You’ll get crazy mountain views, plus by the beautiful roadside Ellery Lake and Tioga Lake. As well as access to the Twenty Lakes Basin and Saddlebag Lake Loop!
While in the Lee Vining area, make sure to stop by the Whoa Nellie Deli. Despite being located in a gas station, it is known for delicious food, especially the fish tacos!
Road trip the rest of the Eastern Sierra
As we mentioned before, the Eastern Sierra is our favorite region across the entire state of California! So we highly recommend visiting the rest of the area while in Mammoth Lakes during the summer.
The Eastern Sierra runs along California’s Highway 395, from Lone Pine to Bridgeport. Along this stretch of road you can find even more mountain views, hikes, hot springs, rivers and lakes, small towns, and unique rock formations. The mix of scenery and activities accessible within a 147 mile drive is hard to beat!
Want to experience this outdoor paradise for yourself? We share how to have the ultimate Eastern Sierra road trip, including all of our must-visit stops, favorite hikes, best eats, and where to stay in this guide to California’s Eastern Sierra.
Planning your time in Mammoth Lakes
How to get to Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes isn’t the easiest place to get to, especially if you need to fly here. Although there is a small regional airport in town, it’s not ideal for most travelers. If you do want to fly, we recommend flying into the Reno-Tahoe International Airport, about a 3.5 hour drive away. But along the way, you could stop in Lake Tahoe, plus visit other Eastern Sierra sites!
Planning to drive instead? Here’s how long it will take to drive here from some of the area’s larger cities and destinations:
- San Francisco: 5 hours, 30 minutes
- Sacramento: 4 hours, 10 minutes
- Lake Tahoe: 2 hours, 40 minutes
- Reno: 3 hours, 30 minutes
- Fresno: 4 hours, 10 minutes (during the summer when roads are open)
- Las Vegas: 4 hours, 50 minutes
When to visit Mammoth lakes
While you can visit Mammoth Lakes year round and it is a popular winter skiing destination, to experience the area’s hikes, lakes, and other outdoor activities, we recommend visiting Mammoth Lakes in the summer.
June is when the trails and lakes start to thaw and by July, most activities will be snow free. While the summer is a busier time, we didn’t find the crowds to be too bad!
Beyond summer, we’d also suggest visiting in the early fall (September-early October) to see the trees turn a golden color. If you time your visit before the first snow, the trails will still be perfect to hike as well!
How much time do you need in Mammoth Lakes?
We recommend allotting 3 to 5 days in Mammoth Lakes in the summer. This will give you plenty of time to enjoy most of the things on this list at a fairly relaxed pace. Here is a 5 day sample itinerary to help get you started!
First day
On your first day, visit the hot springs near town and check out Hot Creek Geologic Site. Be sure to hike the Hot Creek Interpretive Trail and enjoy the views from Brees Lookout. If you’re into fishing, spend some time fishing here as well.
In the afternoon, visit Convict Lake. Plan to hike the Convict Lake Loop, or spend some time out on the water.
Second day
For your second day, choose one of the larger hikes in the area to do. We suggest Duck Pass and Pika Lake, but the Little Lakes Valley (between Mammoth Lakes and Bishop) is another good choice!
Third day
Today, head to the Devils Postpile National Monument in the morning. Make sure to arrive before 7 AM to avoid the shuttle.
The monument is pretty small and can be experienced in 3-4 hours. So afterwards, head to the Mammoth Lakes Basin and relax at Lake George for the rest of the day! Go fishing and swimming, or just read a good book by the water’s edge.
Fourth day
Today we suggest driving Tioga Road into the east side of Yosemite National Park. This will be a full day, with many stops and hikes along the way! Afterwards, return to Lee Vining for dinner at Whoa Nellie Deli.
Fifth day
For your final day, start off with a visit to Mono Lake! This can be a quick stop, depending on how much time you want to spend. And then we’d suggest spending the rest of the day driving the June Lake Loop and hanging out at the lakes, plus grabbing food in town.
Where to stay in Mammoth Lakes in the Summer
Being the largest town in the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Lakes offers a wide variety of lodging options, from free to more luxurious resorts.
Campgrounds
Sherwin Creek Campground
Old Shady Rest Campground
Mammoth Campground
Lake George Campground
Lake Mary Campground
Coldwater Campground
Convict Lake Campground
Oh Ridge Campground
Free camping (boondocking)
Mammoth Scenic Loop: There are tons of options all along the Mammoth Scenic Loop. They are forested, so they aren’t the best for solar or Starlink. But they are great if you pull in late and just need a spot to sleep.
Dry Creek: We stayed here off and on for almost a week. Despite being in a wooded area, this spot is more open, so you can get solar and use Starlink.
Near Brees Lookout: We stayed right by Brees Lookout for multiple nights and it is an amazing spot, with incredible views and open skies for solar and Starlink.
Pullout near The Rock Tub Hot Springs: We stayed here one night and it was fine. It’s just a pullout next to the dirt road that leads to the hot springs. Not our top pick, but it works!
Hotels
The Village Lodge
The Westin Monache Resort
Cinnamon Bear Inn
See more hotel options in Mammoth Lakes
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Vacation Rentals
Cute and Comfy Studio + Loft (1 bedroom, 1.5 bathrooms)
Updated 1 bedroom condo (1 bedroom, 2 bathrooms)
Recently renovated condo (1 bedroom, 1 bathroom)
See more vacation rentals in Mammoth Lakes
Tips for visiting Mammoth Lakes in the Summer
Trail parking can fill up early
Although the crowds in Mammoth Lakes are nothing compared to the nearby National Parks, the trails still can be busy in the summertime. And parking will usually fill up fast! Getting an early start for any hikes in the area will set you up for the best chance of parking and solitude on the trails. During our visit to Mammoth Lakes in the summer, we always started our hikes right around sunrise and usually encountered few people until the hike back.
Make reservations early
Paid campgrounds and lodging can fill up quickly during the peak summer season in Mammoth Lakes and the surrounding area. Make sure to make reservations early to get the best spot possible! For those who want to backpack, you will need a wilderness permit for most areas, which are limited and can sell out fast.
Summers can be warm
Mammoth Lakes is located at a higher elevation compared to some of the surrounding areas in the Eastern Sierra. So although that makes it cooler, we still experienced 85ºF+ some days. While that doesn’t sound hot, the air feels dry and the exposure on many hikes makes it feel pretty warm.
Check for fire restrictions
Wildfires are very common out west and the Eastern Sierra experiences fires every summer. Make sure to check fire restrictions before having a fire. It is very common for there to be bans on fires outside of designated campgrounds. You are also required to get a free campfire permit in California!
Make sure to adjust to the altitude
Many hikes in Mammoth Lakes are over 8,000 feet, which is when altitude sickness can kick in, especially if you’re not accustomed to it. We recommend that you spend a day or two acclimating your body to the elevation. Make sure to stay hydrated (we love drinking LMNT), wear sun protection, and if you feel sick, descend to a lower altitude.
Dog friendliness
Many of the hikes in this area are dog friendly and a lot of trails seem to allow off-leash. Which for us, with a reactive dog, was very stressful at times. So PLEASE make sure your dog has impeccable recall if they are off-leash. We encountered far too many off-leash dogs that were running around on the trails and did not listen to their owners. Not every human or dog wants a strange dog running up to them!
Also, make sure you not only pick up your dog’s poop, but also take the bag with you. We saw quite a few poop bags left behind on the trails.
What to bring to Mammoth Lakes in the Summer
You can see all of the products we use and love on our gear page, but some items we would especially recommend are hiking shoes (Lowa Renegade GTX boots or ALTRA Lone Peak 8 trail runners), layers, rain jacket, offline AllTrails map, sun protection, bug spray, water storage and filter. These are all important to have when enjoying these things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer!
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Save this guide to the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes in the summer
About the Author
This article was written by Tori, one of our Adventures of A+K team members. Learn a bit about her below!
Hi, I’m Tori! I live in Nashville, TN with my husband and two daughters. We travel as much as possible throughout the year, around a 9-5 schedule and with babies in tow! My travel blog, Tori Pines Travels, aims to help people plan action-packed and culture-rich vacations around their busy jobs, fitting in as much exploring as possible. When I’m not working for Adam and Kathryn or entertaining my little ones, I’m writing, cooking, crafting or exploring Music City!