These four trails are local favorites for dog walking, ranging from an easy lakeside loop to a moderate climb with mountain views—all within a few miles of town.
Horseshoe Lake
- 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
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.
Water access note: swimming is great here, but keep dogs out of the tree-kill area and the roped-off zone near it, where naturally occurring CO2 levels run higher near the ground.
Sherwin Lakes
- Distance: 6.0 miles round trip
- Trailhead: Sherwin Lakes Trailhead
- Trailhead coordinates: 37.624440, -118.945652
- Trailhead elevation: 7,826 feet
- Highest point: 8,655 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
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.
Water access note: Fido will love a sip of the cold alpine water at the lake, but there’s no sandy entry point here, so it’s a better stop for drinking and wading than a full swim.
Mammoth Creek Park—Town Loop
- 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
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.
Water access note: Mammoth Creek runs along part of this route, giving dogs easy access to drink or wade in a few shallow, slower-moving spots.
Mammoth Rock Trail
- Distance: 5.0 miles round trip
- Trailhead: Mammoth Rock Trailhead
- Trailhead coordinates: 37.628920, -118.956826
- Trailhead elevation: 8,500 feet
- Lowest point: 7,868 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
The multi-use trail Mammoth Rock Trail is another great dog hike in Mammoth Lakes' backyard. Named for the Mammoth Lakes' 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.
Water access note: there’s no reliable water source directly on this trail, so bring enough for your dog, especially on warmer days.
