The Town of Mammoth Lakes is a small but lively region of only four square miles.
Incorporated in 1984, Mammoth Lakes is a relatively young town even though it has been around since 1877 when four prospectors hunting for a mine formed the Lakes Mining District on Mineral Hill near Lake Mary. Soon General George Dodge, a prominent San Francisco resident, bought the group of claims and founded the Mammoth Mining Company. Nearly overnight, the nearby camp grew into a mining town. Dubbed “Mammoth City,” its population ranged between 1,500 and 3,000 hearty souls. By 1879 it hosted hotels, saloons and two newspapers.
Mammoth Lakes is located in the Inyo National Forest, of Mono County. The town is surrounded by acres of forest and is bordered by the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas. Yosemite National Park’s eastern entrance is located just 32 miles north of town and its short 100-mile drive to the valley floor. The Town of Mammoth Lakes is situated in the southwestern, mountainous region, of Mono County and many of its trails, campgrounds, and roads either abut or cross the crest of the Sierra. Included within is one of the finest ski resorts in the western United States – Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.
The Town of Mammoth Lakes Tourism & Recreation Department in partnership with the Inyo National Forest maintains the Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center, a facility dedicated to providing information about the Mammoth Lakes region to walk-in customers.
Location: The Town of Mammoth Lakes is located in the heart of California’s Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range in Mono County. Mammoth Lakes is about 325 miles north of Los Angeles, and about the same distance east of San Francisco. Mammoth Lakes is about 164 miles south of Reno, NV.
Access: By automobile, Mammoth Lakes can be reached via U.S. Highway 395 from the north and south and Interstate 80 and Hwy 50 from the east and west. State Highway 120 and State Highway 108 are open in the summer months only.
Transportation: Mammoth Yosemite Airport is located just 10 minutes from the Town of Mammoth Lakes. For charter air service call Hot Creek Aviation (760) 924-9127 for charter services. Reno/Tahoe International Airport (775) 328-6400 is a three-hour drive by automobile and is served by all major airlines. Mammoth Shuttle (760) 934-6588 and Sierra Express (760) 934-8294 both offer service to and from Reno. To travel by bus north to Reno or south to Los Angeles there is the Crest (Inyo-Mono Transit), (800) 922-1930 or (760) 872-1901.
Elevation: The Town of Mammoth Lakes sits at an altitude of 7,800 feet. The surrounding mountains rise to elevations exceeding 12,000 feet.
Climate: In summer, temperatures average 75-80 degrees for a high and seldom dips below 40 for a low. Winter temperatures average 30-40 degrees for a high and 10-20 degrees for a low with mostly sunny skies.
Precipitation : Based on figures compiled for more than 20 years, snowfall at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area averages 33 feet or 400 inches (10 meters) per year.
Accommodations: There are more than 8,500 rental units in Mammoth Lakes, accommodating various size groups. This figure includes condominiums, hotels, motels, lodges, hotel condominiums, Bed & Breakfasts, and cabins.
Restaurants: With more than 70 restaurants and lounges in town, Mammoth Lakes offers a wide variety of menus. Traditional, American, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, German, Italian, Thai and French cuisine are all available. There is a restaurant in town that can satisfy any palate or budget.
Shopping: The majority of Mammoth’s retail shops and stores are located in a variety of shopping plazas: The Sierra Center Mall, Old Mammoth Mall, Main Street Plaza, Minaret Village Mall, Sherwin Plaza, Mammoth Luxury Outlet Mall and The Village at Mammoth. Items of every description can be found in town, from gourmet wines, designer clothes and sporting equipment to local art, jewelry and home furnishings.
Local Transportation: A free shuttle service provided by Mammoth Mountain Ski Area provides transportation between the ski area and the town of Mammoth Lakes during the winter months only. The Town of Mammoth Lakes operates the evening Trolley, offering free transit around Mammoth until 1:00 a.m. During the spring, summer and fall months, the Town in partnership with the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority (ESTA) operates the Town Trolley, Dial-a-Ride and LIFT – local and workforce buses. There is a mandatory shuttle bus to the Devils Postpile National Monument during the summer months.
TAXI Services: Mammoth Shuttle (Out of area only) (760) 934-6588 , Sierra Express (760) 934-8294,
Dial-a-Ride (760) 937-9089/ 800-922-1930
Skiing & Snowboarding: Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, one of the country’s largest resorts, is located just five miles from town. June Mountain Ski Area is located approximately 20 miles from the town of Mammoth Lakes in June Lake. Contact: Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (800) MAMMOTH (800-626-6684) or (760) 934-2571.
Other Information: Mammoth Lakes is located in the Inyo National Forest, Mammoth Ranger District. The Town is surrounded by acres of forest and is bordered by the Ansel Adams and John Muir Wilderness Areas. Yosemite National Park’s eastern entrance, Hwy 120/Tioga Pass (closed in winter), is located just 45 minutes from the Town of Mammoth Lakes and approximately 2 ½ hours to the valley floor.
Important Phone Numbers:
Mammoth Lakes Tourism & Recreation – (760) 934-2712
Ranger Station – (760) 924-5500
Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center – (888) GO-MAMMOTH (888-466-2666)
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area – (800) MAMMOTH (800-626-6684)
Town of Mammoth Lakes Offices – (760) 934-8989