Mammoth Lakes
Lakes Basin
Enjoy the sparkling blue Mammoth Lakes - Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake George, Horseshoe Lake - some are perfect for boating and fishing, other have sandy beaches where kids can play and swim, but don't be surprised when you dip your toe in the water, the temperature of these deep high mountain lakes is on the cold side, but is refreshing on a hot day.
Boating - Rent kayaks, canoes or rowboats and spend a leisurely few hours exploring these sparkling blue lakes. At Twin Lakes, we paddled over to Upper Twin Lake for a view of Twin Falls cascading down the mountainside.
Go biking - Our favorite Mammoth bike ride is around the lakes basin. Pick up the Lakes Basin Trolley at Canyon Blvd. (put your bikes on the trailer), and ride to the last stop, Horseshoe Lake. The Lakes Basin Path is a well-maintained paved trail that goes through the forests, along Lake Mary, by Twin Lakes, and down into The Village and Canyon Blvd. Tip: For a longer ride, take the multi-use dirt trail that goes around Horseshoe Lake, then pick up the paved bike trail. Click here for the trail map.
Fishing on the lakes - Lake Mary, Lake George, and Twin Lakes are your best bet for fishing (lakes are stocked). You can rent fishing rods at the Lake Mary store, and boats and canoes at each of the lakes. Spend the morning out on the lake fishing for rainbow, brown or brook trout. Tip: Anyone over the age of 16 will need a fishing license, which can be purchased at the tackle shops in town. Fishing season is April to November.
Horseshoe Lake - Horseshoe Lake has sandy beaches, where kids can wade and swim (but the water is cold). Picnic tables are available, bring your lunch.
Hikes -
Lake Barrett and T.J. Lake - It's an easy hike to these two lakes. Start at the Lake George day parking, and stroll up to Lake Barrett, it's less than half a mile. Follow around the lake to a trail junction, take the trail that goes to T.J. Lake. At T.J., take the trail around the lake to the lovely meadow at the upper end.Mammoth Pass Trail - If you have older kids, or kids that are experienced hikers, here's one of our favorite hikes, Horseshoe Lake to Reds Meadow over Mammoth Pass (one that we did with our boys when they were 8 and 10). If you're going to take this day hike, bring along a map, as well as water and snacks. Start at Horseshoe Lake, and follow the Mammoth Pass Trail. It goes up and over Mammoth Pass, and then drops down into Reds Meadow (there's some uphill to the pass, but most of the trail is down hill, 4.5 miles). At Reds Meadow, have an ice cream at store, then pick up the shuttles to get back to Mammoth.
Horseback riding - The Mammoth Lakes Pack outfit has trail rides into the high county, with sparkling lakes, green meadows and spectacular views of the mountains. For ages 7 and up, there are 1 hour trips, for 9 and up 2 hour trips, and half day trips for kids 10 and up. For little kids there are half hour walk and lead rides.
Tip: During the summer months, the free Lakes Basin Trolley goes in a loop from Canyon Blvd. to Horseshoe Lake and back.
