Fun activities to do with your dog during the summer months: Mammoth Lakes is bursting with life as summertime warms the Sierra. The days are filled with activities for your dog centered on the great outdoors.
Mammoth Mountain Gondola / Top of the Sierra: Ride the gondola to the summit and get lunch at the Top of the Sierra Cafe. Take a walk by following the signs to the Twin Lakes/Dragon's Back Trail for a great view of the Lakes Basin. Dogs must be on a leash at all times. Dogs ride free with paying adult.
Camping: Camping with a dog can be a joyous experience for both owner and dog. Dogs are thrilled with all the new smells and sights of a campsite. No matter how well-behaved you think your dog is, it is both impolite and dangerous to other campers NOT to have your dog somehow restrained at all times. Read more on camping with your dog.
Hiking: Almost all dogs love to go on hikes and the exercise is good for everyone. Start with short hikes. This allows for you and your dog to acclimate to the altitude and terrain. Dogs are allowed on the shuttle bus to Reds Meadow and almost all the Inyo National Forest trails except Bighorn Sheep Habitat areas. Check with the Mammoth Lakes Ranger Station at 760-924-5500 or go into the Welcome Center on Hwy 203 for the location of those areas. Read more on Hiking with your dog.
Swimming: Take your dog for a swim in the brisk water of Horseshoe Lake. Throw a stick or a ball on the wide sandy beach. Don't let your dog dig too far below the surface where the CO2 level could be high. The Forest Service does not recommend that dogs or other small pets enter the tree-kill area or adjacent roped-off area at all, as they are closer to the ground where CO2 concentrations are more dense.
Summer Care: Summer is a time for both you and your pet to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors. and Mammoth Lakes is a perfect place. Along with fun in the sun, it also offers situations that can endanger your pet. By taking precautions, you can decrease the chance of this happening. Never leave pets in a parked car for any period of time. On a warm day, even with the windows cracked, the temperature in a car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. Dogs and cats don't have sweat glands. Take your dog to a daycare facility or hire a pet sitter for the day. If you absolutely have to leave you pet in the car for a short time always leave at least two windows open in the car (for cross draft) and keep pets in shaded areas to prevent heatstroke.
Always supply plenty of fresh water. Make sure pets have adequate ventilation and cool, comfortable quarters where they can lie and escape the heat. If you see an animal in a car exhibiting any sign of heat stress, call the local Animal Control agency at 760-935-4734 or The Mammoth Lakes Police Department at 760-934-2011 immediately! Pet Friendley Information.
