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Mammoth Ranger District
Mammoth Lakes Ranger District is located in the northern half of Inyo National Forest, and is centered around the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA. While known for winter sports, it is also a mecca for mountain biking and fishing enthusiasts when the snow melts. Hiking and equestrian trails go into wilderness areas of Sierra Nevada.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Roads Open: Mammoth Scenic Loop Roads Closed: Reds Meadow Road closed at Mammoth Mountain Inn. Old Mammoth Road closed to Lakes Basin, Lakes Basin Road closed. |
|---|---|
| Information Center: | Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center 760-924-5500 |
General Information
General Notes:
John Muir and Ansel Adams Wilderness fill the west edge of the district, including Devils Postpile National Monument.
Click map for larger view
Activities
Mountain Biking
Areas for Mountain Biking at Mammoth Ranger District
- Big and Little Smokey Mt. Bike Loops
- Craters Loop Trail
- Craters Spur Trail
- Hot Creek Geologic Site
- Mammoth Lakes Area
- Horseshoe Lake Trail Single Track
- Knolls Loop Mountain Bike Trail
- Mammoth Mountain
- Mammoth Mountain Bottomless Pit Trail
- Mammoth Rock Mt. Bike Route
- Mountain View Trail Single Track
- Panorama Dome Trailhead
- Vista Trail Single-Track
- Hard Core Mt Bike route
Campground Camping
Areas for Campground Camping at Mammoth Ranger District
- Mammoth Lakes Area
- Coldwater Campground
- Convict Lake Campground
- Lake George Campground
- Lake Mary Campground
- New Shady Rest Campground
- Old Shady Rest Campground
- Pine City Campground
- Sherwin Creek Campground
- Twin Lakes Campground
- Reds Meadow Road
- Agnew Meadows Campground
- Minaret Falls Campground
- Pumice Flat Campground
- Reds Meadow Campground
- Upper Soda Springs Campground
RV Camping
Areas for RV Camping at Mammoth Ranger District
- Mammoth Lakes Area
- Coldwater Campground
- Convict Lake Campground
- Lake Mary Campground
- New Shady Rest Campground
- Old Shady Rest Campground
- Sherwin Creek Campground
- Twin Lakes Campground
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Mammoth Ranger District
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Mammoth Ranger District
- Mammoth Lakes Area
- Convict Creek Trail
- Convict Lake
- Convict Lake Day Use Picnic Area- East Shore Trail
- Deer Lake Trail
- Duck Pass Trail
- Lake George Picnic Site
- Lake Mary Fishing Site
- Laurel Lakes Trail
- Red Cones Trail (Mammoth Pass)
- Sherwin Lakes Trail
- T.J. Lake Trailhead
- Valentine Lake Trail
- Beck Lake Trail
- Fern Lake Trail
- Fish Creek Trail
- High Trail
- John Muir Trail - North of Devils Postpile
- John Muir Trail - South of Devils Postpile
- Minaret Lake Trail
- River Trail
- Shadow Creek Trail
- Sotcher Lake Picnic Site
- Sotcher Lake Trailhead
- Starkweather Lake
River and Stream Fishing
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Mammoth Ranger District
- Mammoth Lakes Area
- Convict Creek Trail
- Duck Pass Trail
- Lake Mary Fishing Site
- Laurel Lakes Trail
- Red Cones Trail (Mammoth Pass)
- Sherwin Lakes Trail
- Valentine Lake Trail
- Reds Meadow Road
- Beck Lake Trail
- Fern Lake Trail
- Fish Creek Trail
- High Trail
- John Muir Trail - North of Devils Postpile
- John Muir Trail - South of Devils Postpile
- Minaret Lake Trail
- River Trail
- Shadow Creek Trail
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Mammoth Ranger District
- Long Valley Caldera
- Hot Creek Geologic Site
- Inyo Craters
- Inyo Craters Trailhead
- Mammoth Lakes Area
- Convict Creek Trail
- Convict Lake
- Convict Lake Day Use Picnic Area- East Shore Trail
- Deer Lake Trail
- Duck Pass Trail
- Laurel Lakes Trail
- Mammoth Mountain Bottomless Pit Trail
- Mammoth Pass Trailhead
- Mammoth Rock Trailhead
- Panorama Dome Trailhead
- Red Cones Trail (Mammoth Pass)
- Sherwin Lakes Trail
- T.J. Lake Trailhead
- Valentine Lake Trail
- Reds Meadow Road
- Agnew Meadow Wildflower Trailhead
- Beck Lake Trail
- Fern Lake Trail
- Fish Creek Trail
- High Trail
- John Muir Trail - North of Devils Postpile
- John Muir Trail - South of Devils Postpile
- Minaret Lake Trail
- Rainbow Falls Trailhead
- River Trail
- Shadow Creek Trail
- Sotcher Lake Trailhead
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Mammoth Ranger District
- Mammoth Lakes Area
- Convict Creek Trail
- Deer Lake Trail
- Duck Pass Trail
- Laurel Lakes Trail
- Mammoth Pass Trailhead
- Red Cones Trail (Mammoth Pass)
- Sherwin Lakes Trail
- Valentine Lake Trail
- Reds Meadow Road
- Beck Lake Trail
- Fern Lake Trail
- Fish Creek Trail
- High Trail
- John Muir Trail - North of Devils Postpile
- John Muir Trail - South of Devils Postpile
- Minaret Lake Trail
- River Trail
- Shadow Creek Trail
Horse Camping
Areas for Horse Camping at Mammoth Ranger District
- Duck Pass Trail
- Reds Meadow Road
- Agnew Meadows Campground
- Fish Creek Trail
- High Trail
- John Muir Trail - North of Devils Postpile
- John Muir Trail - South of Devils Postpile
- Minaret Lake Trail
- River Trail
- Shadow Creek Trail
Horse Riding
Areas for Horse Riding at Mammoth Ranger District
Viewing Wildlife
Areas for Viewing Wildlife at Mammoth Ranger District
Viewing Plants
Areas for Viewing Plants at Mammoth Ranger District
Viewing Scenery
Areas for Viewing Scenery at Mammoth Ranger District
OHV Road Riding
Areas for OHV Road Riding at Mammoth Ranger District
Visitor Centers
The Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center is managed by the US Forest Service, and operated with the National Park Service, Town of Mammoth Lakes, and the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association partners. Purchase or view art from local artists. Books, Maps and much more are offered at the Center. Obtain permits ranging from Wilderness and Fuelwood to Interagency Passes and State Sno-park Permits. Information is available on history, wildlife, geology, skiing, lodging, and more. View exhibits and watch a movie. Check out the museum in the auditorium.
Areas for Visitor Centers at Mammoth Ranger District
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Mammoth Ranger District
- Long Valley Caldera
- Earthquake Fault
- Hot Creek Geologic Site
- Mammoth Lakes Area
- Convict Lake
- Hayden Cabin Interpretive Site
- Lake George Picnic Site
- Sherwin Creek Picnic Site
- Twin Falls Picnic Site
- Twin Lakes Picnic Site
- Reds Meadow Road
- Minaret Vista Observation Site
- Sotcher Lake Picnic Site
- Starkweather Lake
Skiing/Snowboarding
Areas for Skiing/Snowboarding at Mammoth Ranger District
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Mammoth Ranger District
- Long Valley Caldera
- Earthquake Fault
- Hot Creek Geologic Site
- Inyo Craters
- Inyo Craters Trailhead
- Mammoth Lakes Area
- Sawmill Cutoff Road
- Shady Rest Park Trails
- Sherwin Creek Snow Trail
- Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center
- Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center
Snowmobiling
Areas for Snowmobiling at Mammoth Ranger District
Related Links
Highlights
- Annual Report for Commercial Services
- Fee revenues make a difference
National Forests in California are using recreation fee revenues to improve and enhance recreation opportunities. See how your fees have made a difference!
