10 Best Things to Do in Mammoth Lakes

Convict Lake is a scenic and tranquil mountain lake popular for fishing that's named for a historic gunfight between police and a group of convicts on the run. Every spring and summer, the lake is stocked with rainbow trout, but many fishers here cast their lines hoping to catch the resident sucker and German brown trout that also occupy the lake.

Besides fishing, many come here to relax among the tranquil scenery with towering mountains all around, or to try the miles of hiking trails in the area. The lake is just a 15-minute drive southeast of town.

Rainbow Falls is a massive natural waterfall that tumbles more than 100 feet over natural rock cliffs and generates constant rainbows, especially around noon. The site is part of a major national monument, and thousands journey here every year to capture photographs of the brilliant colors that erupt within the cool mountain mists.

Parking is available at the trailhead, and shuttles can also bring you here from the downtown Mammoth Adventure Center. The hiking trail to get to the falls is just a 2.6-mile round trip and is rated as easy.

Mammoth Mountain is a sprawling ski resort on a 57,000-year-old volcanic mountain with over 3,500 acres of trails and slopes for skiers, snowboarders, and tubers. Nearly 30 lifts help patrons get to the summit, and the trails are well-groomed.

For the kids, the park offers a snow play area, and other outdoor adventures are available in the form of snowshoe trails, snowmobile courses, heated snowcat rides, and terrain parks. For a romantic experience, take your loved one on a gondola ride that traverses over 11,000 feet above ground to the mountain peak. The resort park is located just a few minutes' drive west of downtown.

Devils Postpile National Monument is a scenic natural formation that's a geological phenomenon of hexagonal columns of cooled volcanic rock. This destination, which is popular with hikers, allows you to witness a vast, tumbling waterfall that creates rainbow patterns within its mists. It also offers several hiking trails as well as fantastic photo opportunities.

The area was established as a national monument in 1911 and was originally part of Yosemite National Park until it was separated from the rest of the region by mining activities.

Lake Mary is a spectacular mountain 8,900 feet above sea level that's surrounded by peaks, hiking trails, and stunning scenery that's popular with hikers and fishers. The lake is regularly stocked with rainbow, brown, and brook trout.

A nearby campground offers campfire rings and public flush toilets, with many campsites being in view of the lake so you can crawl out of your tent and be right on the lakeshore. Though there are no designated hiking trails, many who come here enjoy exploring the nearby wilderness. The lake is just a 9-minute drive south of town.

Hot Creek is a scenic geologic site and hiking destination that consists of a bubbling creek running over an underground magma chamber that is always boiling from the heat beneath. Visitors can't enter the creek, which is dangerously hot, but it's a popular site to visit for its fumarole steam holes and geyser eruptions.

The creek is a stunning example of the awesome power of nature and is accessible by a well-maintained and -marked hiking trail. The trail to the creek is roughly a 20-minute drive northeast of downtown Mammoth Lakes.

Minaret Vista's towering, jagged spires pierce the horizon and offer a panoramic photo opportunity that shows off the crown jewels of the Ritter Range mountains. From Minaret Vista, you can see Mount Ritter, which rises over 13,000 feet above sea level, and Banner Peak, which reaches an elevation of almost 13,000 feet.

This location is also popular with stargazers after the sun goes down. In the winter, the area is popular for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowcat tours. It's just 14 minutes from downtown Mammoth Lakes.

Obsidian Dome is a volcano that last erupted in 1350 and today draws travelers from all over the world to witness the unique scenic geology left in its wake. Not only can you view the Obsidian Dome here, but you can also see its sister volcano Glass Creek Dome.

The rock formations left by the eruption of these 2 volcanoes include shards of obsidian, or natural glass, formed by magma gas bubbles inside the rock as it cooled. Few other places in the world offer the same level of breathtaking geologic formations. The dome is just a couple of miles from downtown.

The Crystal Lake Trail is one of several scenic hiking trails in the region that lead to a stunning blue mountain lake bordered by tall evergreen trees and rocky crags. The hiking trail to reach the lake is rated as moderate in difficulty. It takes you up a 900-foot elevation with scrambling and bouldering and is very steep at certain points, so it's best for more experienced hikers.

The round trip on the trail is roughly 2 to 3 hours depending on your speed, and it offers a range of natural wonders from rocks and trees to the lake itself. Thetrailhead is about 5 miles south of downtown.

Mammoth Brewing Company is a craft brewery and brewpub with a tasting room and beer garden that offers pints, flights, and tasters. It's located in the heart of downtown Mammoth Lakes and offers growler and crowler fills with popular staples such as Golden Trout Kolsch, Yosemite Pale Ale, Double Nut Brown, and Epic IPA.

Their selection of local brews is constantly changing, with rotating and seasonal offerings. The Eatery is a low-key restaurant on-site that offers everything from burgers to tacos on naan.