Thru-Hikers' Guide to Mammoth Lakes

May 14, 2024

The luxury of hot showers and good food are enough to lure backpacking thru-hikers off the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail, and into Mammoth Lakes.

For thru-hikers traveling between Yosemite and Mt. Whitney or Mexico and Canada, Mammoth Lakes is the perfect place to resupply and take a zero day (or two!). Here is your thru-hikers guide to resupplying in Mammoth Lakes.

The luxury of hot showers and good food are enough to lure backpacking thru-hikers off the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail, and into Mammoth Lakes. For thru-hikers heading south from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney or north from Mexico to Canada, the town is an easy place to resupply, rest, and get back on the trail again. Here is your thru-hikers guide to resupplying in Mammoth Lakes.

PCT and JMT Hikers Guide to Mammoth Lakes

How to get to Mammoth Lakes from the trail

Most PCT and JMT thru-hikers will jump off the trail at Reds Meadow, Devils Postpile, or Agnew Meadows. From any of these trailheads, take the Reds Meadow Shuttle to Mammoth Mountain’s Main Lodge. Round-trip tickets can be purchased on-site, cash or card. Hop on the free trolley that heads into town. Each of these shuttles operates about every 15 minutes during peak summer season. If you are hiking in to Coldwater or Mammoth Pass trailheads in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, there is a free summer trolley that runs hourly. Check with Eastern Sierra Transit for an updated summer schedule for all.

Good food that you don’t have to cook

We know that hot food that you don’t have to cook is usually top on the agenda for thru-hikers visiting Mammoth Lakes. Luckily, we have plenty of spots that serve the best pizza, beer, chicken wings, and more. Try Giovanni’s or John’s Pizza Works. If the local brew pub is your style, head over to Distant Brewing or Mammoth Brewing Company and the Eatery. Veggie-loving hikers will enjoy the bowls, smoothies, and juices at Elixir Superfood & Juice. If you're craving a hot sandwich or burger, try Burgers Restaurant. Mammoth Lakes boasts stellar diner breakfasts too. A few of the locals’ favorite spots include The Stove, Good Life Café, and the Breakfast Club.

Hot showers

There is nothing better than a hot shower after days on the trail, and the restaurants you choose will thank you for showering before you eat out. It’s true, there are free hot springs showers at Reds Meadow Campground—natural hot mineral spring water is piped into the shower house and it feels so good. There are also pay showers and toiletries available at Red’s Meadow Resort or at the Mammoth RV Park in town.

Internet and coffee

Because Mammoth Lakes is a resort destination, just about anywhere you go for food will have WiFi, but if you want to hang out at a local coffee shop and spend some time on the Internet, there are a few options. Black Velvet makes a great cappuccino, or relax at the wine bar. Looney Bean, which is located in the Rite Aide Center near the laundromat. If you need to use a computer, try the Mammoth Lakes Library near the community college and Vons.

Clean your clothes

If you decide to camp while in Mammoth or your hotel does not have washing machines there are a few Laundromats in town. Try Aloha Sudz on the corner of Main Street and Old Mammoth Road in the Rite Aide Center, the Mammoth Lakes Laundromat on Laurel Mountain Road, or Hollywood Soaps and Suds on Old Mammoth Road. If your base layers and socks are all worn out, stop by Ridge Merino and stock up before the next resupply.

Backpacking gear and equipment

Many resupply spots that are close to the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail have minimal choices for backpacking gear and equipment, but Mammoth Lakes has everything you will need. Whether your stove breaks, you puncture a hole in your air mattress, or you just want a new pair of hiking socks you can find it in Mammoth. Kittredge Sports and Mammoth Mountaineering Supply both have an extensive selection of gear and they are located across the street from one another on Main Street.

Where to resupply

Mammoth Lakes has two supermarkets, Vons and Grocery Outlet. Vons offers a rewards club for savings, plus a wide variety of your favorite trail snacks to fight flavor fatigue. Grocery Outlet features an extensive selection of bulk foods that are ideal for backpackers. You’ll find dehydrated beans and soups, quinoa, snack mixes, nuts, and more.

Campgrounds and affordable hotels

If you are ready for a break from the tent, there are affordable accommodations in Mammoth Lakes.

Motel 6, 3372 Main Street, (760) 904-6991
Shilo Inn, 2963 Main Street, (760) 934-4500
The Austria Hof Lodge, 924 Canyon Blvd., (760) 934-2764

Campgrounds abound in Mammoth Lakes, but these options are the closest to town:

For the most up-to-date information on dispersed camping responsibly, download the Camp Like a Pro app and explore its easy-to-use map function before choosing a camp space.