15 Incredible Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes In Fall
Mammoth Lakes is one of those places that I keep returning to many times. And there is no better time to visit this region than the fall season!
Fall in Mammoth is a great time to get out in nature, do a bit of hiking, go for a scenic drive, and take in the stunning scenery.
In the fall the trails are much less crowded, you can enjoy the refreshingly crisp air, see the leaves change color, and book hotels for a fraction of the price.
Keep reading to learn more about what activities to add to your Mammoth Lakes fall bucket list!
15 Best Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes In Fall:
1. Mcgee Creek Trail
Located just 30 minutes south of Mammoth Lakes town, McGee Creek Canyon is one of the best places where to see fall colors in Mammoth Lakes, California.
If you have a few hours to spare, I recommend hiking the 3.6-mile-long McGee Creek Trail to Horsetail Creek. With around 700 feet of elevation gain, this trail is moderate in difficulty but the fall colors along this hike are just incredible!
We hiked this trail in early October when the fall foliage was at its peak. The entire canyon was covered in golden aspens that popped against the rugged mountain peaks.
The trail ends at Horsetail Creek where you can spot a waterfall perched on top of the mountain in the distance. At this point we enjoyed a quick break and turned around to head back, but you can also keep going further along the trail.
2. Rock Creek Road
Rock Creek Road is one of the highest paved roads in California. This is a great place to go for a scenic drive in the fall months, especially for photography enthusiasts.
Rock Creek Road is 10.5 miles long so set aside a few hours to drive it each way and explore some of the main stops along the way. The drive follows a gradual ascend and ends at the Little Lakes and Mono Pass Trailhead.
The trees in the higher elevations typically peak first followed by the lower elevations. This provides a pretty wide window of opportunity to see fall colors within Rock Creek Canyon.
For first-time visitors, I recommend stopping by Rock Creek Lake and Rock Creek Lakes Resort. Rock Creek Lakes Resort serves delicious BBQ meats and the best ‘Pie In The Sky’.
3. Convict Lake
Convict Lake is a wonderful destination to visit year-round. But fall is an especially great time when you can see stunning colors all around the lake.
Convict Lake is a popular location for hiking, camping, fishing, and boating. This is one of the most scenic lakes in Mammoth known for its pristine blue color.
With a maximum depth of 140 feet, Convict Lake is one of the deepest lakes in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The lake color changes depending on the water depth and weather conditions. On sunny days the lake looks bright turquoise while on gloomy days it looks deep blue.
Here you can go on a 2.5-mile-long trek that loops around the entire lake. If you don’t have time to do the entire hike, it’s well worth stopping by the lake marina to take in the scenery and take a few photos of the fall foliage.
4. Mammoth Lakes Basin
If you don’t want to venture far from Mammoth Lakes town, you can see fall colors within Mammoth Lakes Basin. Go for a drive along Lake Mary Road and stop by Twin Lakes Vista Point to see fall colors in the lower elevations.
Lake George is another great location where you can see golden aspen trees around the lake. Go for a leisurely walk around the lake or tackle the Crystal Lake Trail for some incredible views of the Mammoth Lakes Basin from up top!
5. Twin Falls Overlook
As you explore Mammoth Lakes, be sure to stop by the Twin Falls Overlook. This is a quick stop that offers incredible views of the Twin Lakes from a small viewpoint.
The viewpoint overlooks cascading waterfalls, expansive mountains, forests, and lakes as far as you can see. This is a great location to visit during sunset when it’s less crowded and the lighting is more vibrant.
6. Hot Creek Geological Site
Hot Creek Geological Site is a unique destination that looks like a mini Yellowstone National Park. Here you can witness Mars-like landscapes with a steaming meandering river at the center of it surrounded by rugged mountain peaks.
Hot Creek Geological Site is situated in a large geothermal basin that was created as a result of 700,000-year-old volcanic eruptions. As you approach the site, you will see fumaroles, bubbling hot springs, and steam rising from the river.
Keep in mind that the river and hot springs are boiling hot so it’s dangerous to get in the water. There are plenty of designated viewing areas and trails that offer safe vantage points of the location.
7. Minaret Vista
Minaret Vista is a scenic viewpoint north of Mammoth Mountain. Sitting at 9265 feet in elevation, this vantage point offers excellent views of Inyo National Forest and the Minaret Mountain range.
Many people come here during sunset to enjoy watching the sun set over the mountains. During the daytime, you can also bring some food and enjoy a meal in fresh air at one of the picnic tables.
8. Kayaking
If you’re looking for a fun activity, grab a kayak and head over to one of the many lakes in Mammoth Lakes Basin! Taking in the scenery from a kayak offers a unique perspective of the area and the surrounding mountain peaks.
A few of the most popular lakes to kayak in the Mammoth Lakes area are Lake Mary, Lake George, Twin Lakes, and Horseshoe Lake. If you book a stay at the Outbound Mammoth Hotel, they offer complimentary kayak rentals to their guests which is a great option if you don’t have your own.
9. June Lake
Located a 25-minute drive north of Mammoth Lakes, June Lake is a great place to visit year-round. In winter we love to go skiing at the June Mountain Ski Area which is much less crowded than Mammoth Mountain.
In the fall spend the day going for a scenic drive along Highway 158, go on a hike along June Lake Loop Trail, and stop at June Lake Brewing for a post-hike beer.
Highway 158 drive is 16 miles long and takes about 30 minutes to complete without any stops. This drive is best done in October when the surrounding aspen trees change to vibrant yellows and oranges.
A few other lakes that are worth checking out in this area are Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake.
10. Stay In a Cozy Hotel
For a quieter time in the mountains, book a stay in a cozy hotel like the Outbound Mammoth. This is where we stayed on our latest fall trip to the Sierra Mountains and absolutely loved it!
Inspired by the great outdoors, this recently renovated hotel features vibrant rooms along with an outdoor pool, hot tub, and a lively restaurant. The overall atmosphere of the property is very inviting and modern (and it’s pet-friendly!).
Located at the heart of downtown Mammoth Lakes, this hotel is just a short drive from gorgeous hiking trails, nearby lakes, and local restaurants.
Check Outbound Mammoth rates & availability here!
11. Tioga Pass
Tioga Pass is a mountain highway that connects Yosemite National Park and Mammoth Lakes. I often drive this road from Yosemite Valley but you can also access it from the Lee Vining entrance in Mammoth Lakes. Reaching an altitude of over 9,900 feet, this road is a great place to go for a scenic drive and enjoy the views from the comfort of your car.
The best time to see fall colors along Highway 120 is in September and October. By November this road often closes due to snow. Be sure to check on the latest Tioga Road updates here before heading out there!
12. Hot Springs
There is nothing better after a full day of activities than soaking in a hot spring! There are several outdoor hot springs in Mammoth to choose from.
Most of the hot springs are located just a 15-minute drive outside of Mammoth Lakes town. A few of the most popular ones are:
Visitor Tip: Please keep in mind that these are free, natural hot springs. Visitors are responsible for picking up all waste and trash after themselves.
13. Mountain Biking
Fall is a great time to go mountain biking in Mammoth! The weather is no longer scorching outside and you might get the trails all to yourself.
The Mammoth Mountain Bike Park typically stays open until September depending on the weather conditions. Outside of the bike park, Mammoth Rock Trail is a popular option for enjoying amazing views of the town of Mammoth Lakes and the surrounding mountains.
14. Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls via Devils Postpile Trail is a great 5-mile-long hike to do in the fall months until late October. By November this area starts to close in preparation for the upcoming winter season.
Rainbow Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls to visit in Central California. Rainbow Falls trail starts at the Devil’s Postpile Ranger Station and follows along the San Joaquin River.
Once you reach the waterfall, there are several viewpoints where you can see the river rushing down the towering volcanic cliff. For better views, climb down to the base of the falls to see it up close.
15. Octoberfest
When visiting Mammoth Lakes town in the fall, be sure to attend the Octoberfest in late September hosted by the Mammoth Lakes Rotary Club.
The festivities include Bavarian-style food, games, stein holding contest and so much more for a fun night out!
Mammoth Lakes is one of the most gorgeous places to visit in California during the fall season. Have you been to Mammoth Lakes in the fall before? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for more things to do in California? Here are a few other popular posts that you may like:
- 15 Amazing Places To Enjoy Fall Colors In California
- 12 Best Places To Stay In Mammoth Lakes
- 7 Incredible Day Hikes In Mammoth Lakes
- 15 Best Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes In Winter
- How To Hike Inyo Craters Trail In Mammoth Lakes
This post is written by Laura Sausina. Hi, I’m a California local and the founder of the California Wanderland travel blog. I currently live in Ventura County and help 30,000 readers a month discover things to do in Central California! Read more about me here.
Share This On Pinterest!
Some of the links used in this blog may be affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission when you book through these links for which I am very thankful!
You May Also Like
Hiking McGee Creek Trail To Horsetail Creek
8 Best Day Hikes In Sequoia National Forest
