10 Epic Things to Do in Mammoth Lakes during the Summer

Summer in Mammoth Lakes blew us away! Hot springs, mountains, countless alpine lakes, geological features, and incredible hiking made Mammoth Lakes one of our favorite trips of the summer. There is so much to see and do in this area, but we’ll help you narrow down the 10 best things to do in Mammoth Lakes.

How to get to Mammoth Lakes

Fly into Mammoth Yosemite Airport (MMH) in Mammoth Lakes via Advanced Airlines.

Fly into Bishop Airport (BIH) in Bishop, CA via United Airlines. This small regional airport has flights seasonally and is located an hour drive from Mammoth. Check out the flight schedule to be sure there is a flight during the time of year you plan to arrive.

You can also drive from airports in Nevada, Northern California, or Southern California, but keep an eye on road conditions during the winter.

Where to Stay in Mammoth Lakes

There is a plethora of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals in Mammoth Lakes. We stayed at Tamarack Lodge and loved having our own cozy cabin with a kitchen and a fireplace. The lodge grounds are beautiful and Tamarack is centrally located to all of the places on this list.

Responsible Recreation in Mammoth Lakes

The Leave No Trace Principles are so important to follow in order to recreate responsibly, stay safe, and keep Mammoth Lakes beautiful for years to come.

There are 7 principles:

1. plan ahead and prepare: research current weather and trail conditions, bring enough food and water, bring/download an offline map, prepare for crowds in certain areas
2. travel and camp on durable surfaces: be sure not to hike off trail or use social trails! Camp at designated areas only
3. dispose of waste properly: even an orange peel or cherry pit can disturb the ecosystem and take years to decompose. Be sure to pack out absolutely everything! 
4. leave what you find: do not take rocks or build cairns of rocks, do not carve into trees or other natural object
5. minimize campfire impacts: know current fire restrictions, keep fires small and only use established firerings
6. respect wildlife: be sure to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and 25 yards away from all other animals
7. be considerate of other visitors: drones are not allowed, do not play music on the trail, give the right of way to uphill hikers

10 Epic Things to Do in Mammoth Lakes

Hot Creek Geological Site

This unique spot is home to geysers and geothermal features and is a must visit. We loved taking photos here. You can and should walk the short trails, but be sure to respect the signs that tell you where to avoid as this area can be dangerous and people have died here.

Devil’s Postpile and Rainbow Falls Trail

This 5 mile hike takes you past hexagonal basalt columns formed by lava and ends at a stunning 101-foot waterfall. Shuttle reservations are required during the summer and you should reserve tickets in advance on Reds Meadow Shuttle from Mammoth Mountain.

Duck Pass Trail

This ten mile hike takes you to five alpine lakes with amazing and diverse views throughout! This hike is incredibly scenic and a must for anyone who likes hiking. Start early to avoid crowds. Remember to pack out all of your trash and stay on trail. Be sure to wear hiking boots with good traction.

Rock Tub Hot Spring

Soak in a beautiful natural hot spring while surrounded by mountain views. This is on BLM land, so be sure to pack out all of your trash.

Convict Lake

A large lake that you can swim, boat, and kayak in. You can also walk the lakeshore trail. We loved relaxing on the shore and swimming here. There are multiple entry points where you can swim.

Distant Brewing

Definitely add this brewery to your list! We were impressed with the variety of beer and they also offer food and occasionally live music.

Kayak at Lake Mary

You won’t regret renting a kayak at Lake Mary! We had so much fun paddling around this scenic lake. Go in the morning for the calmest water and less crowds.

Dos Alas Cafe

An amazing fusion of Cuban and Puerto Rican food. We tried so many new to us foods and loved everything! They serve some of the best sangria we’ve tried. The outside seating area has beautiful mountain views, although it was really windy when we went. Definitely sit outside if the weather is in your favor.

Mono Lake

This unique saline lake is like nothing we have ever seen. This is a popular place, but the parking lot is large so parking shouldn’t be an issue. Tons of mineral structures called “tufa” surround the lake resulting in gorgeous reflections in the lake. We went here during the day, but have heard sunrise and sunset is magical. You can walk the trails here and even kayak on the lake. Definitely a must see in Mammoth Lakes.

Dinner at The Lakefront Mammoth

The best dinner of our trip and maybe even our whole summer! The Lakefront is located at Tamarack Lodge and was just steps from our cabin. This charming restaurant offers delicious fine dining in a romantic setting. The service was excellent and it was such a memorable meal.