This spring we visited Mammoth Lakes over the Memorial Day weekend and it was a perfect 3 Day gate-away. There are a lot of summer and winter activities you can do here. The pristine natural landscape here is like no other and you will have a cozy and warm feeling in the small town itself. I will share some must-visit spots in and around Mammoth Lakes you can check out.
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Places to Visit in and around Mammoth Lakes
1. Mono Lake
Mono Lakes is located 29 miles and around 30 minutes drive to the north of Mammoth Lakes town. If you are someone who loves to see unique landscapes then this place is perfect for you. It is one of the oldest lakes in western hemisphere and has a salinity level which is 3 times of the ocean. The landscape you will not see anywhere else and it has interesting structures called ‘Tufa towers’. They are spires of Calcium carbonate which is formed when fresh water springs met the lake’s alkaline waters. Due high salinity of the water, you will float in the water which makes for an amazing buoyant swim here.
2. Hot Creek Geological Site
If you want to see a natural hot spring bubbling in turquoise pools with steam rising above then do visit here. It is located around 9.7 miles east of Mammoth lakes and takes a quick 15 minutes drive. There is a short walk down the trail from the parking area if you want to go near the springs. You can view it from the parking area view point as well, but do walk down it feels really amazing so see it up close.
3. Twin Falls Overlook and Lake Mamie Vista Point
There are so many beautiful lakes in and around Mammoth Lakes town you have to visit a few of them. Take a drive along the Lake Mary Road and take in the views of the mountains around you as you climb up. From the Twin Falls overlook you can either just park and enjoy the beautiful scenery or hike and bike around.
Just across it is Lake Mamie Vista point across the road and from the bridge the view will take your breath away. Crystal clear water, snow covered mountains and the lake reflecting all the glory as the water is very still.
4. June Lake
If you want to have an amazing family time full of beach activities in summer, then visit June lake. It is around 20 miles north of the town. The June lake loop is 14 miles scenic loop where you can revel in the view of blue waters and alpine forest surrounding the lake. It looks as if straight from a postcard or a travel magazine and no wonder it has appeared in many commercials and prints. There are several water activities you can do here like fish, kayak, picnic and hike, just take your pick. We decided to just sit there and relax and take in that gorgeous view in front of us.
5. The Village at Mammoth
The best things in a town can be found in its hub and The Village at Mammoth is the heart of it all. You can find amazing shops and restaurants of many different cuisines here. You can take gondola ride to Canyon Lodge and it is directly accessible from the mountain via the Ski Back Trail. All you skiing supplies you can get here and it serves as the hub of the town shuttle system. Take a stroll in the evening with the pretty lights on, you will feel like you are in a Christmas movie.
6. Convict Lake
One more lake you have to visit is Convict lake and the beauty of the nature will take your breath away. It is so peaceful and quiet we just sat there on the rocks for 2 hours watching the sunset. It is also popular for fishing and there are hiking trails around. The rugged mountain backdrop and the still water casting reflection of it makes for an unforgettable experience. If you visit during fall season, the leaves in the trees change to yellow color making it look so magical.
7. Devil’s Post Pile
This is a National Monument and is very popular place to visit. It is one more place of geological wonder where columns of basalt are formed in such a symmetry it looks unreal. Check for yourself how it looks in National Park website. It stays open during summer so when we visited it was closed.
8. Earth quake fault
You can visit this here to see the fissure cuts in the volcanic rock which is located on the outskirts of the city. This is one more spot which was closed due to snow, but if you are visiting in summer you can check it out too. It will be a really cool place to explore with kids.
Best Places to Eat and Drink in Mammoth Lakes
9. Hugs Ice Cream – Very Popular in Mammoth Lakes
Now coming to some local recommendations on food my first pick will be Hugs Ice Cream in the Village at Mammoth. We had to wait around 45 mins to just place our order. There is a great selection of flavors and the price is not too high. That’s why its a favorite among tourists.
10. Lakanuki Bar and Grill
We had our lunch at this tropical themed restaurant serving Hawaii fare. The Mai Tai was really good and the Fish taco was really light and yummy. So do try it out for a special night out during your trip.
These are my picks for the Best 10 things to do in Mammoth Lakes. If you have any other suggestions please share in the comments below.
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