Things to do in Mammoth Lakes

2026 Global 50 - Fall Viewing Attractions

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is characterized by its glacier-carved granite landscapes, with most of the area designated as wilderness, preserving its pristine natural environment. Yosemite Valley is the core area for visitors, bringing together many of the park's iconic views. El Capitan is a massive granite monolith that rises from the valley floor, with a vertical height of approx. 900 m, making it a classic challenge for rock climbers from around the world; Half Dome is the symbol of the park with its unique semi-domed shape; Yosemite Falls cascades down in three sections—upper, middle, and lower—with a total drop of approx. 740 m. Tunnel View, located near the entrance to the valley, offers a vantage point where you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall all in one frame. The park also features several giant sequoia groves, including Mariposa Grove, home to giant sequoias that are hundreds to thousands of years old. Glacier Point is a high-elevation observation deck for panoramic views of the valley, while hiking up the Mist Trail allows you to experience the spray of the waterfalls up close. Hiking in the valley, taking in the views from Glacier Point, and capturing photos at Tunnel View are all classic ways to experience the park.

No. 15 of Ski Resorts in United States

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada in California, known for its abundant snowfall and expansive alpine terrain. The resort receives an average annual snowfall of about 400 inches, and roughly 70% of winter days are sunny; ample sunshine combined with deep snow creates excellent skiing conditions. The ski area covers about 3,500 acres, with nearly 180 named trails, a vertical drop of 3,100 feet, and a summit elevation of over 11,000 feet. Most of the terrain lies above the tree line, offering extremely open views. The resort primarily features north-facing slopes, which naturally help preserve snow and give it a notable advantage in snow quality among California ski areas. The resort has multiple terrain parks, among which the Unbound series parks are the core gathering area for snowboarders and freestyle skiing enthusiasts, with a rich array of features and jumps and a high reputation among similar parks. The Cornice run at the summit is a signature challenge route for advanced skiers, with steep chutes and moguls scattered across the open terrain above the tree line. A panoramic gondola provides direct access to the summit, offering views over the entire resort and the magnificent landscape of the Sierra Nevada in the distance. Mammoth Mountain itself is a volcanic lava dome situated on the southwestern rim of the Long Valley Caldera, which gives the ski resort a unique geological setting. The resort is adjacent to the town of Mammoth Lakes and not far from the eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park, surrounded by beautiful natural scenery.

Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes is a major tourist town in the Eastern Sierra. It offers skiing in winter and is a summer retreat with hot springs, snow-capped mountains, and rock climbing, making it a fantastic mountain town in Southern California.

No. 12 of Ski Resorts in California

June Mountain Ski Area

June Mountain Ski Area is a winter resort in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, located near June Lake, southeast of Yosemite National Park. Like its neighbor and current owner, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, it has traditionally been popular with skiers from Southern California, partly because it is relatively easier to access by car in winter compared to the Lake Tahoe resorts, which are traditionally more accessible to Northern California residents. It is also popular with locals, elementary and high school ski programs, and racing teams from the small towns around Mono County, many of whom rely on the resort for a large portion of their winter tourism base. In March 2006, June Mountain hosted the 2006 Ski Mountaineering Competition Series and the skiing and snowboarding portions of the 2006 California Winter Games. June Mountain also offers chairlift rides to the chalet throughout the summer, and provides hiking trails and other scenic features, which are available throughout the summer.

Devils Postpile National Monument

This nature reserve is famous for its unique geological view, attracting many tourists and nature enthusiasts. There is a massive array of rock columns here, forming a spectacular view. These columns are made of basalt and are regular and uniform in shape. They were formed by volcanic activity and glacial action over millions of years of geological processes. This geological wonder is rare worldwide, and it has therefore been designated as a national monument. The ecosystem here is rich, and it is home to many wild animals and plants.

Mammoth Mountain

Twin Falls Overlook

Minaret Vista

Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center

Hot Creek Geologic Site