Traveling with teens can be, well, challenging. But, with the right itinerary, you might be surprised to find out just how much your teenager can enjoy a trip to Mammoth Lakes!
In this article, we’re offering advice for teen-ifying your next summer vacation in the mountains so that everyone in the family can have an unforgettable time!
Tip #1: Involve them in the planning process
You might have fond memories of fishing, camping and hiking in Mammoth. But try not to be offended if your teen rolls their eyes at the things that you find enjoyable. Does that mean that you should cater entirely to the whims of your teen? Of course not. But, allowing them to contribute to the itinerary can make them more enthusiastic about visiting the mountains.
To be sure, you might have to bring some ideas to the drawing board for your teen to accept or reject. So, take a look at some things that tend to be popular with “the young folk”:
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Mountainbiking. For the adrenaline-loving teen, mountain biking is sure to be a major draw. And there are many different places to go, from the bike park at Mammoth Mountain to the Mammoth Rock Trail to the Panorama Dome.
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Mammoth RecZone. During the summer, this is Mammoth’s massive community rec center, complete with roller rink, volleyball and basketball courts, hockey shooting cages and more.
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Volcom Brother’s Skate Park. Mammoth may not be flat enough to cruise around on a long board, but there’s some great skateboarding options here! Check out the skate park at Trails End Park, which offers 40,000 square feet of well-maintained concrete featuring a variety of pro-level elements.
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E-bikes. There are many places around Mammoth that rent e-bikes for the teen who wants to zoom around without having to put in too much effort! Check out our article on enjoying E-bikes in Mammoth.
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Kayaking or paddleboarding. If your teen has a more laid-back personality, then kayaking or paddleboarding might be right up their alley! These two activities are relaxing and fun, and can be a great way to explore the Lakes Basin or June Lake.
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Woolly’s Adventure Summit offers a lot of fun summer activities, including a ropes course, climbing wall, and zipline.
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Bowling. Mammoth Rock ‘N’ Bowl is a great venue for, of course, bowling, but they also offer indoor golf and full-service restaurant.
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Horseback riding. For the animal-loving teen, there are a few different pack stations in the area, such as the Mammoth Lakes Pack Outfit and the McGee Creek Pack Station, that offer trail riding!
Word of warning: your teen might start asking you for a horse of their own after this.
Tip #2: Book accommodations that give them some space
If there’s something that teens love, it’s having their own space. And booking the right condo is a great way to ensure that they have the downtime they need to stay in good spirits for the majority of your trip.
Take a look at our recent blog (Part 1 and Part 2) highlighting condos with ample space for families.
Tip #3: Expect an adjustment period
If your teen seems more tired and cranky than normal during your first couple of days in Mammoth, don’t take it personally! The transition to high altitude can cause lethargy, brain fog, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and loss of appetite.
These symptoms should go away in a day or two, but in the meantime, make sure that everyone in your family is drinking plenty of water and resting as needed. In fact, it’s better to take the first day or two slow and then ease into activities once you’ve acclimated to the change.
Tip #4: Give your teen the freedom to explore on their own
If you feel comfortable with your teen venturing out on their own, they may develop their own appreciation for this wonderful area. Of course, we’re not suggesting that you send them off on a 5 hour hike alone. But, allowing them to take the free trolley to the village to get an ice cream or go for a bike ride without the family can be safe ways to give them some autonomy and independence.
Tip #5: Make sure you’ve always got some emergency snacks
Most teens are all about the food, and don’t be surprised if they seem even more ravenous during your trip to Mammoth. In addition to the extra activities and excitement of being on vacation, being at high altitude also causes you to burn more calories (even when you’re not doing anything!) So, in order to avoid food-related crash outs, make sure that you’ve always got snacks on hand and dinner reservations.
Tip #6: Plan the early morning activities sans-teen
Maybe you want to catch a sunrise hike or get out fishing at dawn when the trout are most active. That’s amazing, but early morning activities can quickly become miserable when you drag your teen out of bed.
The fact is, your teen isn’t just being lazy. A 2024 study found that adolescents living at moderately high altitude reported a greater need for sleep than their sea level counterparts, and were more likely to develop mental health symptoms if those needs were not met.
To be sure, a short-term visit to the mountains isn’t going to have lasting effects in the case that your teen doesn’t sleep til noon every day. But, you can help them feel more energized and relaxed if you don’t wake them up at the crack of dawn.
Tip #7: Set the example by enjoying yourself
At the end of the day, your teen might simply not enjoy the great outdoors the way you want them to. After all, young people not appreciating the things their parents do is a timeless tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation!
But instead of ruining everyone’s vacation by trying to force your teen to love Mammoth, you might find that the better course of action is to just enjoy yourself. When you set the example and allow your teen to come around on their own terms, you might just be able to lower the chances of conflict and resentment.
Clearly, this is easier said than done. And we wouldn’t blame you for feeling annoyed by your teen choosing to look at their phone instead of that incredible sunset over the Minarets. But, trust us, most kids look back fondly on their trips to Mammoth Lakes once they’re all grown up. And in the meantime, you might as well enjoy your vacation as best you can!
We’re here to welcome the whole family!
Whether you’re planning your first trip to Mammoth Lakes with a teen or your family has been visiting the mountains since your kiddos were in diapers, Mammoth Mountain Reservations wants to make your next trip one to remember! Take a look at the condos we have available for your next visit to the Eastern Sierra!
You might recognize our manager Rob, who managed to convince his teenage daughter to love hiking!