If you’re looking for a more casual experience with the family and hoping to avoid the lines and crowds, Mammoth Lakes is home to several public areas perfect for sledding and general snow play.
These spots allow you to enjoy the scenery of the Eastern Sierra at your own pace. Public snow play and sledding areas are accessible along the Mammoth Scenic Loop or designated locations like Shady Rest Park and Sherwin Meadows. The Mammoth Lakes Basin has a free groomed public access trail on Lake Mary Road in the winter, making it an ideal and scenic spot for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and more.
Each area offers a unique type of terrain, from gentle slopes for toddlers to more adventurous dips for older children.
NOTE: Sledding and snow play on the groomed Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center trails within the Mammoth Lakes Basin is prohibited. Be sure to stay off all groomed cross-country ski trails in the Mammoth Lakes Basin to avoid collisions with skiers and disturbing the groomed tracks.
When visiting these public spaces, please use designated parking areas to keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles and snowplows. Take free public transit when possible and follow all safety expectations and posted signs in these community spaces.
Important note: from November 1 through April 30, no parking is allowed along town streets unless otherwise noted.
These natural spaces are part of the delicate ecosystem of the Eastern Sierra. Practicing stewardship means treating these areas with the same respect as a pristine trail. Snow play etiquette includes leaving no trace and respecting the environment. Always pack out what you pack in, including any broken sled pieces, to ensure the land remains beautiful for the next family.