Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes is a mountain town in the Eastern Sierra, known for winter skiing, summer hiking and lakes, and as a base for the east side of Yosemite.
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Mammoth Lakes is a mountain town in Mono County, on the east side of the Sierra Nevada in California. It sits at about 7,800 feet and is reached along Highway 395, the road that runs north and south beside the range. Mammoth Mountain's ski area is the main draw in winter, and the town's lakes, trails and campgrounds draw visitors from late spring through fall.
The season decides the trip. In winter, snow can close mountain passes and chain controls are sometimes in force on the roads, so allow extra time for the drive. In summer, Tioga Pass Road opens the route into Yosemite National Park's east side, which is usually less crowded than Yosemite Valley. A stay of three or four nights leaves room for one day on the mountain, a day at a lake and a drive into Yosemite.
Mammoth Lakes in five
- Check pass and road status before you driveHighway 395 is the main road, and Sierra passes close for snow. Tioga Pass (Highway 120) is closed in winter. Carry chains from late fall and check Caltrans conditions on the day.Caltrans QuickMap
- Treat Yosemite as a long day tripWhen Tioga Road is open, Tuolumne Meadows and Yosemite's east side are within about two hours of town. Check the park's current entry rules before you go.Yosemite National Park
- Budget the $100 fee if you add YosemiteYosemite is one of 11 parks that charge non-US residents aged 16 and over $100 each on top of entry. The annual nonresident pass can be cheaper if you visit two or more of them.The $100 fee, explained
- Give yourself a day for the altitudeThe town sits near 8,000 ft (2,400 m) and the lakes and trailheads are higher. Drink water, go easy on day one and skip big hikes if you arrive from sea level.
- Book lodging early for ski weekends and holidaysCondos, lodges and motels fill on winter weekends and holiday weeks. Summer weekdays and early fall are easier and cheaper.Lake Tahoe, the other Sierra base
Need to know
- Airport
- Mammoth Yosemite (MMH), limited flights; Reno (RNO) is the big gateway
- Getting there
- Drive Highway 395: Reno about 3 hours, Los Angeles about 5 to 6 hours
- Getting around
- Car for lakes and trailheads; some summer shuttles and a town bus
- Best base
- Mammoth Lakes town or the Village, near the main gondola
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 days; add one day for Yosemite's east side
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow9 rainy days8 snowy daysHigh1°Low-9°Ski seasonJanuarySnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 160 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 8
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- FebruarySnow9 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh1°Low-9°Powder, skiFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -9°
- Precipitation
- 153 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Powder, ski
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh3°Low-8°Spring skiingMarchPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring skiing
- AprilClear6 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh8°Low-4°Mud, patchy snowAprilClear
Mixed
- High
- 8°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Mud, patchy snow
- MayClear8 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low0°Roads reopenMayClear
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 34 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Roads reopen
- JuneClear3 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh20°Low6°Trails clearJuneClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Trails clear
- JulyClear3 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low10°Hiking, lakesJulyClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hiking, lakes
- AugustClear3 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh24°Low10°Hiking, warmAugustClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hiking, warm
- SeptemberClear3 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh20°Low6°Fall colorSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Fall color
- OctoberClear3 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh14°Low1°Aspen, quietOctoberClear
Good
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 29 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Aspen, quiet
- NovemberClear6 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh7°Low-4°Quiet, snowNovemberClear
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Quiet, snow
- DecemberSnow8 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh3°Low-8°Ski seasonDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 3°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 170 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
Average daily high and low in Mammoth Lakes, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Mammoth Lakes
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- -1°
- Humidity
- 10%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Mammoth Lakes
12:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today9°-4°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue4°-6°14%Tuesday: Snow. High 4°, Low -6°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Wed7°-5°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 7°, Low -5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu7°-1°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri10°-1°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat13°2°0%Saturday: Clear. High 13°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 09:48 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Yosemite east sideabout 1.5 to 2 hours when Tioga Road is openTuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass views. Check road status first.Read the guide
- Mono Lakeabout 30 to 40 minutes north on Highway 395Tufa towers and flat water at the edge of the Great Basin.
- Devils Postpileabout 20 to 30 minutes plus a seasonal shuttleBasalt columns and a short walk to a waterfall. Check the NPS page for shuttle rules.
Before you go to Mammoth Lakes
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Rules for Mammoth Lakes, checked
- Visitors from visa waiver countries need an ESTA travel authorization before they fly or drive in; check travel.state.gov and the CBP ESTA site before you book.Source
- Campfire and food storage rules apply on Inyo National Forest land; check the forest's current rules before you camp or hike.Source
- Winter storms can bring chain requirements on US 395 and the roads into Mammoth; check Caltrans QuickMap before you drive.Source
- Mammoth Lakes sits at about 7,800 feet; drink water and take the first day slowly if you are arriving from sea level.Source
Plan around Mammoth Lakes
Valley, Tioga Road and the fee for visitors
Read the guideLake TahoeThe other big Sierra base, for skiing and lakes
Read the guideDeath ValleyDesert contrast south along Highway 395
Read the guide$100 park fee for visitorsWhich 11 parks charge non-US residents
Read the guideAll of the USAStates, parks and cities in one planning hub
Read the guideESTA, explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideMammoth Lakes FAQ
Is Mammoth Lakes worth visiting in summer?
Yes. Lakes, waterfalls and high trails are open, the weather is mild and Tioga Road to Yosemite is usually open. Weekends fill, so book ahead and start hikes early to avoid afternoon storms.
When does Tioga Pass open?
It closes for winter and reopens in late spring or early summer, with the date depending on snowfall. Check the Yosemite and Caltrans pages instead of planning around a fixed date.
Do I need snow chains in Mammoth Lakes?
Carry them in winter. Highway 395 and the roads into town can require chains or snow tires during storms, and rental companies may not allow chains, so ask before you book.
How far is Mammoth Lakes from Yosemite Valley?
About 3 hours by road when Tioga Road is open, through Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows. When it is closed, the drive around the park takes far longer, so Mammoth is not a base for the Valley.
How many days do you need in Mammoth Lakes?
Two or three days covers lakes, a hike and a day on the east side. Skiers should allow a weekend at least. Add a day for Mono Lake or Yosemite.