Mammoth Lakes Fall Colors Weekend Itinerary

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Mammoth Lakes fall colors in California. Photography by California Travel Escapes.

The Mammoth Lakes fall colors bring travelers from all over as it has become the go-to spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers. I believe Mammoth Lakes is one of the best places to enjoy the seasonal kaleidoscope of colors that adorn the trees and foilage during the captivating fall season.

Where is Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes is in the eastern part of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is known for its breathtaking mountain vistas, pristine lakes, and lush forests along with being a great place for outdoor activities. From rock climbing and biking to hiking and boating, you can choose to be adventurous or just take in the views for a tranquil weekend. Despite being a more remote location, it is a thriving community with two grocery stores, a hospital, shopping, dining, and trendy bars.

Hiking in Mammoth Lakes, California. Photography by California Travel Escapes.

How to get to Mammoth Lakes

Whether you drive or fly, here are the easiest access points to get to Mammoth Lakes.
From Reno-Tahoe Airport: 3 hours, 166 Miles
From Los Angeles: 4 hours, 45 minutes, 313 miles
From San Francisco: 5 hours, 15 minutes, 262 miles
From San Francisco, check 511 and nps.gov for road closures if you’re planning to head into Mammoth Lakes via Tioga Pass and Yosemite National Park. 


Best time to visit the Mammoth Lakes fall colors

Twin Lakes fall colors in Mammoth Lakes, California. Photography by California Travel Escapes.

You can enjoy the beautiful Eastern Sierra foliage from mid-September through the first two weeks of October. Mammoth Lakes even offers a newsletter you can sign up to receive updates on their fall colors status. All the photos taken in this blog post are from October 15-18th, 2021. You can also utilize the Mono County website for fall color updates.


Where to stay for Mammoth Lakes fall colors

Westin Monache Resort
This is a full-service hotel just steps away from the Village Gondola, restaurants, and shops. It is so convenient to enjoy Mammoth Lakes with their complimentary airport and town shuttle service and it is pet-friendly. I highly recommend this hotel when in Mammoth Lakes, it was great to come back to a spacious suite at night after a long day of exploring. Book your stay!

The Village Lodge
Be close to all the action with easy access to nearby hiking trails, lakes, and outdoor activities. Perfect for soaking in the fall season. The Village Lodge offers a heated pool, and spa and often hosts special events for seasonal activities.

Tamarack Lodge
Enjoy rustic charm and stunning lakeside views when you stay at Tamarack Lodge. You will be one mile from downtown Mammoth Lakes and 45 minutes from Yosemite National Park. While staying here, you can register for mountain bike lessons, guided hikes, and fly fishing classes to maximize your outdoor experience. Tamarack Lodge is also a pet-friendly resort.

Snowcreek Resort
Snowcreek Resort is like staying at a wilderness retreat where you can embrace the essence of resort mountain living. Situated within the Snowcreek Meadow Preserve, you can explore Mammoth Creek with ease. Mammoth Mountain is also nearby and offers miles of hiking and biking trails.


Where to eat in Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes is a small mountain town but because of the active tourism, they have a great food scene to enjoy!

Black Velvet Coffee
This espresso bar is known for brewing organic, Rain Forest Alliance, and Fair Trade coffees. For all the tea and matcha lovers, they have you covered, too! You’ll also want to try one of their seasonal lattes for a little extra fall flair.

Stellar Brew & Natural Cafe
Breakfast bowls and sandwiches, coffee, smoothies, and salads are Stellar’s specialty. I was so happy to see a place that offered a variety that offered gluten-free and vegan options. I had the Acai bowl and a cup of jasmine rose tea, it made for the perfect breakfast.

Elixir
Located right on Main Street, this is my favorite stop whenever I am in Mammoth Lakes. The menu is diverse with elixir drinks, veggie bowls, smoothies, and Acai bowls. While the cozy interior does have limited seating, if it happens to be crowded, you can always opt for takeout. I recommend the Thai bowl, and the Golden Latte, and try any one of their smoothies, you can’t go wrong!

Mammoth Brewing Company
With plenty of indoor and outdoor space you can easily dine on-site and this is one of the most popular spots in Mammoth Lakes! You can enjoy a variety of microbrews made with local ingredients. They offer standard brewery cuisine like sandwiches, tacos, fish and chips, and flatbread pizzas.

Noodle-ly
One of my favorite spots for Asian food. I loved their noodle and rice bowls, which you can order with or without broth. I tried their spinach noodle bowl and it was delicious! You can order dine-in or take-out.

The Lakefront Restaurant
This restaurant is at Twin Lakes, which is part of the Mammoth Lakes Basin area and is part of the Tamarack Lodge. It’s sophisticated and fine dining in this mountain town and my verdict is a solid A. The atmosphere is quiet and intimate and the food is carefully presented, while being surprisingly delicious! I tried their asparagus soup, Rainbow trout, and truffled cannelloni and all were really good!

The Warming Hut
You need to enjoy at least one breakfast here! The Warming Hut offers a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I enjoyed their hearty breakfast menu.I had the eggs, toast, pancakes, and a cup of hot tea and felt ready to take on the day exploring Mammoth Lakes.

Where to find Mammoth Lakes fall colors

I found that some of the most picturesque locations to view the fall colors are near the lakes and rivers. There is nothing like seeing the vibrant colors reflected in the water as you walk or paddle your way around. Try visiting these lakes for some of the best fall color displays!

Convict Lake

Convict Lake at sunrise in Mammoth Lakes, California. Photography by California Travel Escapes.

Convict Lake is one of the best ways to see the Mammoth Lakes fall colors. Convict Lake is clear with a mirror-like reflection and has an easy three-mile-long trail that you can hike around the lake. In the background, you will see Mount Morrison. Convict Lake is one of the deepest lakes in the region and was named because in 1871 a group of escaped convicts were trapped in this area. I recommend spending at least half a day here, either kayaking or canoeing on the lake or hiking the loop.

June Lake

The June Lake Loop on CA 158 loops away from U.S. Highway 395 for 16 miles, then converges back to HWY 395. It follows a horseshoe-shaped canyon and includes four lakes, surrounded by mountains. You will be able to see June Lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake.

June Lake is the first lake you’ll hit in the loop depending on which direction you enter and you will be able to see the fall colors immediately. There are a few places to stop off the loop to take in the scenery. You can also head down to the June Lake beach for a different view.

Gull Lake
Stop by the Gull Lake Campground because the views from there are incredible. There’s also a cute downtown community between June Lake and Gull Lake that is worth checking out. Gull Lake is a fishing favorite because of the trout, crayfish, and Sacramento perch.

Silver Lake

Kayaking on Silver Lake in Mammoth Lakes, California. Photography by California Travel Escapes.

I highly recommend kayaking in this area because the water is serene and there are no waves. If you’re not experienced in kayaking, this spot is ideal for giving it a try. You can conveniently rent kayaks at Silver Lake Resort, and while you’re there, you can also enjoy a meal at their café.

For those interested in hiking, the Rush Creek Trailhead is situated near the resort’s northern edge, granting access to the Rush Creek Basin, The Ansel Adams Wilderness, and Yosemite National Park. The Rush Creek Trail seamlessly connects with the Pacific Crest Trail system and the John Muir Trail, making it a gateway to some stunning backcountry experiences.

Grant Lake
With eight miles of shoreline, this is a great lake to picnic by the beach and enjoy the extraordinary views of Mount Wood and the High Sierra.

McGee Creek

McGee Creek in Mammoth Lakes, California. Photography by California Travel Escapes.

Located off HWY 395 at the McGee Creek exit, this area is great for camping, hiking, and fishing. Head over to McGee Creek Pack Station to saddle up horseback and trot the trails to take in the views.

Crowley Lake
Drive past McGee Creek to the Crawley Lake exit. At the intersection of Juniper Drive and Crawley Lane, there are residential streets packed with beautiful colors.
Rock Creek
Enjoy the drive and fall colors. Once you get up to the lake itself, the colors aren’t quite as vibrant and it is colder, but the drive there is almost worth the trip itself.

Mammoth Lakes fall color activities

Kayaking in Mammoth Lakes

Kayaking on Silver Lake in Mammoth Lakes, California. Photography by California Travel Escapes.

Twin Lakes is a great place for families and first-time kayakers to begin exploring the spectacular views provided by Mammoth Lakes Basin. Bring picnic supplies from Tamarack Lodge or the Twin Lakes General Store to make an afternoon of it.

June Lake is popular for canoeing, kayaking, and sailing along the mile-and-half-long lake.

Silver Lake is awesome for kayaking, especially while the fall colors are visible.

Lake Mary Marina is a launch spot on the north shore and has kayak, SUP, and fishing boat rentals.

Hiking in Mammoth Lakes

Rest assured, you don’t need to go on a hike to enjoy the Mammoth Lakes fall colors. However, if you are able to, you will experience more variety and perspectives from one of the local hiking trails.

Don’t forget to download all your trail maps before heading out just in case you lose service. Enjoy a discount on AllTrails+ using my link with my promo code: eagertraveler30

Mammoth Lakes has tons of trails to choose from, ranging from beginner to advanced to backcountry trails. My favorite trails are the following:

Convict Lake: 3 mi loop around the lake, the views are incredible and the trail is pretty flat

Crystal Lake: 3.1 mi out and back with a good amount of incline. With an 833 ft elevation gain, you’re ending at 9,600 ft. The views on the way and up at the lake make this hike so worth it. You’ll see the best colors if you go in late September or early October.

Inyo Craters Trail: 1.6-mile hike to two impressive water-filled craters.

Devils Postpile Loop: 1.3mi loop trail that is at its best from June through October. Check road access before going on this hike.

Horseshoe Lake Trail: This is a 1.8mi loop trail and is great for all skill levels

Rainbow Falls Trail: If you start the trail from shuttle stop #9, it’s 1.3 miles each way. It’s pretty easy on the way down but has a slight incline on the way back. The falls get their name from the rainbows that appear on sunny days in the mist created by the falls. You will most likely see rainbows on sunny days during the summer, generally around mid-day. The two overlooks along the trail are the best spots to photograph the rainbows. The road may be closed, so double-check before planning this hike.

Travel tip: Be sure to pack your best hiking or trail walking boots! You can shop my personal favorites from Merrell! You save 20% off your order when you use my code: MHC_TRAILBLAZER20_Preethi 

SkyTime Helicopter Ride

This was one of my favorite ways to see the vibrant Mammoth Lakes fall colors. I chose the ‘doors off’ option because it allowed me to take photos without the glare of a window. Make sure to wear several layers, including gloves, and be extremely careful when using your phone. A heavier camera is a safer option because it will be windy up there. I saw Mono Lake, the Tuffas, horses galloping near the lake, the Geological Hot Creek, the Minarets range, Convict Lake, June Lake Loop, and the Mammoth Lakes from above and I was utterly speechless. The ride lasts an hour and I always recommend this for people who want an extraordinary experience.

Troutfitter Fly Fishing

Mammoth offers some of the best trout fishing in the world! I really enjoyed getting to stand by the river, cast the fly, watch for the fish, and connect with nature. It was an extremely meditative experience. I did the ‘catch and release’ fly fishing technique with Troutfitter’s guide service. You use a fake fly to attract the fish and then once you catch it, you release it without taking it out of the water. If you have ever been curious about fly fishing, this is the time to try it!

Weekend Travel Itinerary in Mammoth Lakes

Day 1HWY 395 Scenic Drive + Hike

I recommend booking your stay at Westin Monache Resort. I really enjoyed it! 

Start your day with brunch at The Warming Hut for a good meal before heading out to explore. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy later as you’re exploring the trails.

Driving the June Lake Loop is a good way to see a lot of the fall colors and beautiful lake landscapes. You can take the Mammoth Scenic Route to HWY 395 to navigate to June Lake.

While traveling the loop, you should stop off at Silver Lake for a picnic and to hike. This is a great place to stop and take a moment to connect with the magnificent surroundings. 

Drive back to Mammoth Village to freshen up and get ready for dinner.

After a long day of adventuring through nature, a dinner at The Lakefront Restaurant is the perfect way to take in the sunset and wind down.

Day 2Out and About in Mammoth Lakes

Get an early start with a coffee and breakfast sandwich from Stellar Brew & Natural Cafe.

Book a tour with SkyTime for a unique perspective of the fall scenery.
OR
If you’re more of a land dweller, schedule a guide service with Troutfitter for a fun lesson on fly fishing.

Stop by Elixir for a fresh lunch and smoothie to keep you fueled up for kayaking on Twin Lakes.

Rent kayaks from Twin Lakes General Store and glide through the serene waters.

Enjoying the fall colors at sunset will be the most picturesque to close out the weekend. Head up to Minaret Vista which has a scenic overlook that is stunning for photos at sunset.

After a long day, you will want to stop in at Mammoth Brewing Company to get a taste of the local microbrews and a hearty meal.

Travel tip! Download all your hiking maps ahead of time and plan your routes. Get a free month of my favorite hike planning app, AllTrails just by using my code: eagertraveler

Now you are fully ready to take in the Mammoth Lakes fall colors! Which lake will you visit first?
Looking for other California adventures to inspire your travels?
Check out the Majestic Mountain Loop guide!

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