Mammoth Lakes is surrounded by two million acres of Inyo National Forest with dozens of hiking trails. Many of the trailheads in Mammoth Lakes are accessible by shuttles, so you don’t even need to worry about your car when you want to explore the area on a hike.

The Mammoth Bike Park Shuttle (free for hikers and sightseers) offers summer transportation from The Village at Mammoth to the Mammoth Adventure Center, where you can access a number of Mammoth Mountain hikes.

What To Expect On Hikes On Mammoth Mountain

When it comes to shuttle-accessible hiking in Mammoth Lakes, nothing beats a visit to Mammoth Mountain. These trails provide access to the summit of Mammoth Mountain and Minaret Vista. Climb the western side of Mammoth Mountain for sweeping views of Reds Meadow, the Ansel Adams Wilderness, the Ritter Range, the Minarets, Balloon Dome, the Central Valley and more. At the summit, spend some time learning about the area’s geology at the Eleven53 Interpretive Center.

Choose a more moderate hike for an up-close look at the Minarets, with views of the San Joaquin Ridge, the Junction Bluff and the Ritter range. Or take the Panorama Gondola at Mammoth Mountain to the trailheads at the top of Mammoth Mountain and hike back down to Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge or the Twin Lakes Campground in the Mammoth Lakes Basin.

Tickets for the gondola are available at the Mammoth Adventure Center at Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge.

Trailheads On Mammoth Mountain

Stop by the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center to purchase a map of hiking trails on Mammoth Mountain.

Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge Trailhead

From this trailhead, you can access the Minaret Vista Trail and Mammoth Mountain Trail. The Minaret Vista Trail also connects to the Mountain View Trail.

Mammoth Mountain Summit Trailhead

From these trailheads, you can access the Dragon’s Back Trail. Take the gondola to the summit to hike the trail downhill. Alternatively, start at the Twin Lakes trailhead (Trolley Stop 96) in the Mammoth Lakes Basin to hike the trail to the summit of Mammoth Mountain.

Getting To Mammoth Mountain

By Shuttle

The Mammoth Bike Park Shuttle provides free roundtrip summer transportation to Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge and the Mammoth Adventure Center. The shuttle is the recommended mode of transportation to Mammoth Mountain, as traffic by car can be heavy during holidays and weekends.

By Car

Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge and the Mammoth Adventure Center are also accessible by car. Parking at Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge is free. A number of Mammoth Lakes taxi and shuttle services also provide transportation to Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge.

Author

Meghan Miranda

Meghan has been living and playing in Mammoth Lakes since 2016. She enjoys any outdoor activities that her dogs can tag along for. See more of Meghan's adventures on her blog Meg Moves Mountains.