Mammoth Lake California is surrounded by a backdrop of pines and majestic peaks and the perfect setting for people who love the great outdoors and aspire to live out their wild, west dreams. It is an outdoor lover's paradise with the range of activities including camping, kayaking, canoeing, skiing, golfing, fishing, mountain climbing, hot air ballooning, snowboarding, ice climbing, off-highway SUV driving, horseback riding, and much more.
Imagine a weekend in Mammoth Lakes with your adventure gear on. First you settle down at one of the 800 campsites, which open in June. You can make reservations at Sherwin Creek, Coldwater Creek, and Mammoth Lakes Twin Lakes, if you don't want to risk being turned away. The campgrounds have flush toilets and water and the lake facilities include fishing, a boat launch, boat rentals and a general store. If you'd like to experience the land the way the early pioneers did, you can camp in the wilderness areas but watch out for the grizzly bears! The goal in the wilderness area is to leave no trace behind so no one knows you've been there. You might want to leave your dog at home, due to the frequency of bears in the area; they might become someone's dinner.
After settling down in your tent or RV, you can go for a hike through the mountains. Mammoth Lakes has some of the best and easily accessed backcountry around. The deep winter snows and long cool springs help preserve the mountain snow pack.
After mountain climbing, you can take your SUV for some real off-road adventure. There are hundreds of miles of unpaved roads in the Inyo National Forest. The unchartered territories will remind you of scenes from your favorite western movie. From Lookout Loop to the Deadmans Creek Trail, there is something for everyone and roads for all levels.
When you get back, don your cowboy hat but keep your eyes open as your next adventure includes horseback riding through Mammoth's backcountry. Local companies provide a range of services from hour to weeklong adventures into the Ansel Adams wilderness areas. There is a guided horse ride along Convict Lake and McGee Canyon. Convict Lake is named for escaped convicts who shot it out there with a sheriff's posse in the nineteenth century. But don't worry, now it's just a picturesque lake resort with only memories of its wild west past.
Finally, you can soar through the air aboard a hot air balloon. Take in the scenic view of the Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierra while photographing beautiful rural countryside and wildlife. The breathtaking flight is a perfect way to close an exciting weekend at Mammoth Lake.