Written by: Sarah Hinds Friedl
If you’ve ever plugged “Mammoth Lakes” into your search engine, you’ve probably seen a list of suggested questions on the search page. These questions might have even piqued your interest! But when you clicked on the dropdown icon, all it gave you was a whole new search thread to follow or a block of generated text that may or may not be accurate.
As Mammoth locals, we thought we could create a more user-friendly experience for all the quirky, interesting questions about Mammoth Lakes that you might not have even known you had. These are all questions that we’ve seen on major search engines…but with real-life answers from real-life locals.
What is special about Mammoth Lakes?
We love this question, because obviously, we think that Mammoth Lakes is one of the most special places in the world. If we had to narrow it down to just a few reasons why, though, we’d definitely highlight:
The natural beauty
Mammoth Lakes is nestled within the Inyo National Forest, an area of almost 2 million acres of protected wilderness. In the summertime, we’re lucky enough to enjoy the beauty of alpine lakes, pine forests, wildflowers, and many native animal species. And fall and winter treat us to changing foliage, snow, and some of the most beautiful sunsets imaginable.
We really never get tired of the views
The year-round activities
There’s something for every kind of hobbyist, curious person, or athlete here in Mammoth Lakes. The most well-known activities include skiing and snowboarding as well as hiking, fishing, and cycling during the summer. But there are so many more unique activities that make Mammoth Lakes special. From birding to paddleboarding to ice skating to photography, the Eastern Sierra attracts people from all over the world to enjoy our vast array of activities.
The local flair
If you’ve ever been to one of our many community events, including trivia night at or a town clean-up, you can tell that we’re pretty tight knit around here. Our eclectic mix of seasonal snow chasers, life-long locals, nature enthusiasts, athletes and dedicated service workers make Mammoth a really special place to live and visit.
Are Mammoth Lakes better than Lake Tahoe?
This question gives us a giggle because for one thing, it’s a bit grammatically incorrect. There are no “mammoth lakes” or singular “Mammoth Lake.” Instead, our area has a spattering of small to medium sized lakes (all with their own unique names) that are known for different things. Some are good for swimming, others are more popular for fishing and others still are so dang cold that we prefer to simply look at them in awe.
Now, do we think that our lakes are better than Lake Tahoe? Well, better is a subjective term. Lake Tahoe is beautiful, as are our bodies of water. Both areas have affordable places to stay and very upscale places to stay. Both have world-class restaurants as well as charming local watering holes. Both have bears.
If you want us to go on record as saying that we think Mammoth Lakes are better than Lake Tahoe, well, okay, then yes, we’ll say it (we’re biased, after all.) But we think the premise is kind of silly.
Okay, fine. Tahoe is very pretty.
What are the best hiking trails in Mammoth Lakes?
Ahh, now this one we can answer confidently. Because with over 300 miles of trails around Mammoth Lakes, we have some of the best hiking in the Western US. Some of our favorites include:
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Easy: Horseshoe Lake to McCleod Lake.
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Medium: Skelton Lake Loop
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Hard: Deer Lakes Loop
Take a look at our guide to the best hikes in Mammoth Lakes and the sequel, 8 of the Best Moderate to Hard Hikes in Mammoth Lakes for more info!
Are Mammoth Lakes Part of Yosemite?
Nope! Mammoth Lakes is not part of Yosemite National Park. But it is close! The eastern entrance of the park is just 32 miles north of Mammoth Lakes and many folks include both areas when planning a trip to the Sierras.
The confusion might come from the fact that our airport is called Mammoth Yosemite Airport.
What celebrities are at Mammoth Lake?
Again, no singular Mammoth Lake. But if you’re wondering whether celebrities can be seen hiking the backcountry or dancing the afternoon away at an apres ski party, the answer is yes! Over the years, we’ve welcomed many a famous visitor, including Tony Hawk, George Clooney, Rob Lowe, Gwen Stephanie, Pink, Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas…that’s enough name dropping right?
Now, if the question is really “What celebrities are in Mammoth Lakes right now?” well, we’re going to have to keep that info to ourselves. Famous people often come up to the Eastern Sierra to relax in nature, and we like to give them the kind of low-key anonymity they’re looking for.
How do scenic gondola rides in Mammoth Lakes compare to other attractions?
This is going to depend on what kind of experience you’re looking for up here in Mammoth Lakes. If you’re interested in spectacular 360 degree views, a comfortable ride, and just a hint of adrenaline that comes from being suspended at 11,053ft elevation, then you’ll love the gondola ride at Mammoth Mountain. Plus, your tickets will grant you entrance to the interpretive center at the summit.
Now, how does that compare to other attractions? Well, if you want a higher dose of adrenaline, then you might prefer spending the day at the bike park or Woolly’s Adventure Park. Or, if you’re afraid of heights, you’ll probably be happier doing something at ground level, such as visiting the natural geothermal hot springs or learning how to fly fish.
Are Mammoth Lakes swimmable?
We hate to bring this up again, but there are no “Mammoth Lakes.” So, let’s break it down into swimmable versus non-swimmable lakes in the Mammoth Lakes area:
Swimmable: we would recommend Crowley Lake, Horseshoe Lake, June Lake, or Grant Lake as these are the warmest (warmest being a relative term) lakes which also feature beaches. They’re also not popular for fishing or they have designated fishing versus swimming areas.
Not swimmable: We would not recommend swimming in lakes that are stocked for fishing, such as Lake Mary, Lake George, or Twin Lakes. They don’t have great beaches, you’ll be at risk for stepping on a fishing hook, and the fishermen will glare at you for scaring away the fish.
If you see camping chairs and fishing line, it's not a good swimming lake
Swimmable but not for everyone: The alpine lakes. Hey, we love taking a cold plunge in a snow-melt lake like Crystal Lake, TJ, or McLeod, but it’s not everyone’s cup of (iced) tea. Take a dip at your own risk and make sure that you’re able to properly dry off and warm up before sunset.
Also, we hope this doesn’t come off as patronizing, but we have to say it: don’t swim in any lake around Mammoth Lakes when it’s cold enough for ice and snow.
Do people live in Mammoth Lakes year round?
Of course we do! Although we experience dips in tourism between the peak summer and winter seasons, we do welcome guests to come visit throughout the year. In fact, we encourage shoulder season visits for anyone who wants to enjoy smaller crowds and the beauty of the changing seasons (aka early wildflower blooms in spring and leaf peeping in autumn.)
No matter what time of year you plan your trip to Mammoth Lakes, we’re happy to help you find the right condo for your stay! Take a look at the accommodations we have at Mammoth Mountain Reservations and feel free to call us with even more questions!