Top Spots for Dog Walking in Mammoth Lakes

Horseshoe Lake

It is unofficially known as dog beach and no dogcation is complete without a visit to Horseshoe Lake in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. The sandy shore is great for stick chasing, the cool water is perfect for a summer swim, and Fido will most likely make a few local paw pals. The Horseshoe Lake Loop is a scenic trail perfect for dog walking, easy hiking, biking, and trail running. The route circles the lake through a shaded lodgepole pine forest, and crosses a few spring creeks. The trail is relatively flat and varies in width from a few feet wide to single track and has several footbridges to make creek crossings easy.

• Distance: 1.7-mile loop
• Trailhead: Horseshoe Lake
• Trailhead coordinates: 37.615172, -119.021097
• Trailhead elevation: 8,900 feet Highest point: 9,000 feet
• Difficulty: easy

Sherwin Lakes

Another local favorite dog walking spot, Sherwin Lakes is very close to town and is one of the first trails to melt out of snow in the spring months. The hike climbs more than 800 feet to the largest of the Sherwin Lakes. Views of Mammoth, the Glass Mountains, and Long Valley will be a nice respite from the constant uphill. Fido will love a sip of the cold alpine water before heading back down the trail.

• Distance: 6.0 miles round trip
• Trailhead: Sherwin Lakes
• Trailhead Trailhead coordinates: 37.624440, -118.945652
• Trailhead elevation: 7,826 feet
• Lowest point: 8,655 feet
• Difficulty: moderate

Mammoth Creek Park – Town Loop

Located on Old Mammoth Road, Mammoth Creek Park is a great starting point for a stroll on the paved town loop. The path heads east from the park to a lookout point, while offering views of the Sherwin Ridge, Laurel Mountain, and Valentine Peak. Grassy picnic areas are located on the east and west sides of the park as well as toilets, parking, dog bag dispensers, and trash cans.

• Distance: 2.0 miles round trip (to lookout point and back)
• Trailhead: Mammoth Creek Park
• Trailhead coordinates: 37.636008, -118.966758
• Trailhead elevation: 7,855 feet Lowest point: 7,700 feet
• Difficulty: easy

Mammoth Rock Trail

The multi-use trail Mammoth Rock Trail is another great dog hike in Mammoth’s backyard. Named for the Mammoth’s iconic limestone monolith, the trail passes under Mammoth Rock, and offers fantastic views of the town and meadow below. Be sure to watch for mountain bikers whizzing down the trail, and groups of horseback-riders steadily climbing up.

• Distance: 5.0 miles round trip
• Trailhead: Mammoth Rock Trailhead
• Trailhead coordinates: 37.628920, -118.956826
• Trailhead elevation: 8,500 feet Highest point: 7,868 feet
• Difficulty: moderate

On leash: In town and in the Mammoth Lakes Basin where it’s developed such as campgrounds, picnic areas and the parking lots. Mammoth Lakes is known for being dog-friendly but for our neighboring lands and forests may have different rules. Yosemite National Forest does not allow dogs on the trails. You can only take your dog in the front country area such as their campgrounds, facilities and developed recreation areas. And as always, recreate responsibly. Pickup after your dog and don’t leave the doggy bags on the trail.

Off leash: In some areas around Mammoth Lakes you can have your dog off leash under voice command on hiking trails in the wilderness and in undeveloped areas. Undeveloped means anywhere where there are no improvements, so the natural environment around Mammoth.

If you are camping with your pet, please practice the following (these rules will be enforced in developed recreation areas and wilderness areas):

• Leave vicious or unusually noisy dogs at home.
• During the day keep your dog on a leash no more than 6 feet long, or otherwise restrict its freedom to roam at will.
• At night keep your dogs and other pets inside an enclosed vehicle or in a tent.
• Developed campgrounds are for people, not animals.
• Please do not bring more than two dogs or other pet to any one campsite.