Filled with stunning alpine lakes, dramatic mountains, lush forests, and incredible hiking trails, Mammoth is a true California treasure. Mammoth has over 100 lakes from which many are easily accessible through short day hikes. Mammoth Lakes is one of the best places in California to explore the Sierra Nevada mountains and enjoy outdoor recreation activities like hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming. If you’re planning a trip to Mammoth and are looking for easy hikes to do in the area, this post has you covered! We share 7 of our favorite Mammoth day hikes plus other great hiking tips to make the best of your trip. Here are 7 of the…

Mammoth Lakes is known for having some of the best hiking trails in California. There are endless day hikes to explore and adventures to be had in Mammoth! The Heart Lake Trail is a secluded wilderness trail in Mammoth that is short in the distance and rarely crowded. This hike leads to an alpine lake that’s shaped like a heart with an option to go on a quick detour to a historic mining settlement in the forest. In this post, we share where the Heart Lake Trail starts, what to expect, and other helpful hiking tips. Heart Lake Trail Highlights Here are a few quick trail highlights before we go…

Sherwin Lakes Trail is a stunning mountain hike in Inyo National Forest that leads to an alpine lake. Located on the outskirts of Mammoth Lakes, this is a secluded wilderness trail that doesn’t get as busy as some of the other day hikes in Mammoth. If you’re planning a trip to Mammoth, we cover where the Sherwin Lakes Trail is located, hike difficulty, and other tips to know before you head out there! Quick Trail Highlights Here are a few quick trail highlights before we go into more details: Length: 4.5 miles long out and back Elevation Gain: Around 900 feet Time Needed: 2-3 hours Difficulty: Moderate Dogs allowed?: Yes, this trail is very dog…

Horseshoe Lake Trail is a beautiful alpine hike in Mammoth Lakes, California. This lake is located within Inyo National Forest and is part of the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Horseshoe Lake Trail is an easy loop that is popular for hiking and mountain biking. The one factor that sets Horseshoe Lake apart from other Mammoth Lakes is the strange landscape that consists of many fallen, dead trees as the result of earthquakes and high amounts of carbon dioxide gases that can be found in the ground. In this post, we cover details for where to park, trail difficulty, and what you should know before you head out to Horseshoe Lake! Horseshoe…

McLeod Lake Trail is a short wilderness hike in Mammoth Lakes that leads to a stunning alpine lake. If you’re looking for a relatively easy and quick trail – put McLeod Lake on top of your list! The Mcleod Lake Trail is less than 2 miles long so it’s perfect for families and dogs. This lake also offers great swimming and fishing opportunities (catch & release only). In this post, we cover where the McLeod Lake Trail is located, what you can expect if you plan to hike it, and other visitor tips. Quick Trail Highlights Here are a few quick trail highlights before we go into more details: Length: 1.8…

If you’re looking for an excellent day hike in Mammoth, The Skelton Lake Trail is an easy 3-mile long hike that leads to a pristine alpine lake. You also have the option to do this trail as a loop and visit three different lakes along it (which I highly recommend doing!) This is a trail that I’ve hiked several times including an overnight camping trip on Skelton Lake itself. It’s an incredibly rewarding hike that is great for beginner hikers, families, and dogs. In this post, we share what you can expect if you plan to hike the Skelton Lake Trail including where to park, trail difficulty, what route to…

Crystal Lake Trail is one of the best wilderness day hikes within Inyo National Forest that offers incredible views for somewhat little work. Crystal Lake Trail is 3 miles long round trip and overlooks Lake George and Lake Mary along the way. This hike ends at Crystal Lake, an alpine lake in Mammoth that’s known for its pristine water and clear reflections. In this post, we cover tips for hiking Crystal Lake Trail in Mammoth including trail location, difficulty, the time needed, and what to expect. Crystal Lake Trailhead Location Crystal Lake Trailhead starts by Lake George in Inyo National Forest. There is parking near the Crystal Lake Trailhead but…

Convict Lake is a picturesque lake in Inyo National Forest that features turquoise water, mountains, hiking trails, and secluded beaches. This area is also popular for fishing, swimming, boating, and backpacking. Despite a strange name, Convict Lake is one of the most scenic lakes near Mammoth and a must visit for anyone traveling in the Central California region. The most popular day hike at Convict Lake is a 3-mile loop that goes around the entire lake. Location & Parking Convict Lake is a drive-up lake and can be easily accessible from Highway 395. We usually take Highway 395 when driving up to Mammoth and we’ve passed this area numerous times…