With its untamed beauty, Mammoth Lakes is still a place where you can both unplug and recharge. As the gateway to California’s natural wonders located in the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Lakes is a great base camp for outdoor adventures no matter what the season may be.
During the summer, the most popular reasons people visit the area are to take in the natural beauty, hike, camp, or pursue other outdoor activities like fishing, boating, swimming, and biking. History buffs can learn about age-old methods of mining, and see how that industry shaped the region at local museums and a former mining camp. The Mammoth Lakes area also has a robust summer festival season, which is followed by an awe-inspiring fall. Mammoth Lakes is one of the top spots in California to take in the fall foliage. During the winter, Mammoth Mountain is the main attraction in the area for skiing (both downhill and cross-country) and snowboarding, along with other snow activities like tubing and snowmobiling. After you’ve conquered the slopes, have a soak in one of the many local hot springs.
The California Welcome Center located in Mammoth Lakes is a valuable resource for travelers, a collaboration of multiple agencies—the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Mammoth Lakes Tourism, and the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Center—that can help visitors make the absolute most of their time in the region. In addition to information and referrals, the center also issues backcountry permits, sells local and educational-based souvenirs, and leases bear boxes.
Access is easy. Take the scenic and not-so -curvy U.S. 395 or fly on Advanced Airlines into the Mammoth Yosemite Airport, which is only 10 minutes from Mammoth Lakes. Or, fly United Airlines into Bishop Airport in nearby Bishop.
Please contact the Welcome Center for specific hours of operation.