Where to Stay in Mammoth Lakes (Best Areas & Places)

Mammoth Lakes is a small mountain town that packs a big punch in terms of natural beauty and outdoor activities. Skiers and snowboarders flock to the town during winter to take advantage of some of the best slopes in California. Meanwhile, campers, hikers, and outdoor lovers enjoy the trails and beautiful alpine lakes in warmer months. 

Because of its year-round beauty, Mammoth is a popular tourist destination. There are tons of hotels across four main areas: Downtown, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Mammoth Lakes Basin, and Old Mammoth. 

These areas are all close to one another, so you really can’t go wrong staying in any of them!  But depending on your priorities, you may want to stay close to the mountain for ski access, near the lake’s basin in summer, or close to downtown to enjoy the restaurants and breweries.

Mammoth Mountain Ski Area

👉 Best Area For Ski Slopes | ✨ Best Mammoth Mountain Hotels: Juniper Springs Resort • Alpenhof Lodge • Westin Monache Resort • Austria Hof Lodge • The Village Lodge

Mammoth Mountain is one of the top ski resorts in California, so visiting during ski season means taking advantage of the 3,500 skiable acres.

Staying at the base of the mountain gives you direct access to the lifts from whatever hotel, ski resort, or lodge you book. By staying as close as possible, you can avoid wasting valuable slope time waiting in traffic. 

Stay at Westin Monache Resort if you’re here to hit the slopes. The hotel offers a concierge service that will deliver your ski equipment directly to The Village at Mammoth Gondola, which then takes you directly to the mountain. Plus, all rooms have fireplaces to help guests warm up upon return! 

Many of the resorts near the mountain also have après-ski parties and events that keep the fun rolling into the evenings. During winter and early spring, the mountain is undeniably the place to be in Mammoth.

Pros of Staying near Mammoth Mountain Ski Area:

• Many of the hotels offer ski-in ski-out convenience
• During ski season, hotels have events and celebrations
• Ski resorts often offer ski packages and shuttles

Cons of Staying near Mammoth Mountain Ski Area:

• Hotels and resorts can be expensive during the ski season
• Can get very busy

Downtown Mammoth Lakes

👉 Best Area For Central Location | ✨ Best Downtown Mammoth Lakes Hotels: Empeiria High Sierra Hotel • Outbound Mammoth • Timber Ridge Resort

Mammoth Lakes has much more to offer beyond its premier skiing and snowboarding. Between its stunning alpine lakes, miles of hiking and biking trails, and historic landmarks, Mammoth is a year-round destination.

Downtown Mammoth Lakes is the perfect central location to be able to easily hop around between all of the sights and attractions. Empeiria High Sierra Hotel is an affordable choice in the heart of downtown, making it convenient for people who want to see many of the attractions in the area. 

Being in town also means that you’re close to the grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants, and bars located on Main Street. Staying in the heart of town has tons of advantages for those who have their eyes set on more than the mountain and the hotel hot tub.  

Pros of Staying in Downtown Mammoth Lakes:

• Close to restaurants and bars
• Easy to drive to all of Mammoth’s sights and attractions
• Many hotels offer shuttles to ski slopes
• More budget hotel options than right at the mountain

Cons of Staying in Downtown Mammoth Lakes:

• No ski-on ski-off access
• Must drive to all of the attractions

Mammoth Lakes Basin

👉 Best Area For Lake Activities | ✨ Best Lakes Basin Hotels: Tamarack Lodge • Crystal Crag Lodge

During warm summer months when the snow melts to reveal Mammoth’s gorgeous forest, trails, and lakes, Mammoth Lakes Basin is the prime spot to spend time. 

The absolute best hotel in this area is Tamarack Lodge, which is directly across from Twin Lakes. The lodge’s cabins are clean and comfortable, and it offers bike, kayak, and paddle board rentals in the summer.

The basin contains five pristine mountain lakes of varying seclusion and size that are perfect for cooling off and enjoying summer activities like swimming, hiking, and mountain biking. Lake Mary has kayak and stand-up paddle board rentals, and the fishing at all of the lakes is superb.

Staying near the lakes allows for quick and easy access to all of these activities, and means you can enjoy the incredible natural beauty right from your bedroom.

Pros of Staying in Mammoth Lakes Basin:

• Close to lakes and hikes
• Showcases the beauty of mountains and alpine lakes

Cons of Staying in the Mammoth Lakes Basin:

• Further away from restaurants and bars
• Harder to access in winter

Old Mammoth

👉 Best Area For Experiencing History | ✨ Best Old Mammoth Hotels: The Sierra House • Mammoth Creek Inn • Edelweiss Lodge

Mammoth Lakes’ beginnings date back to the 1887 gold rush when prospectors set up a mining operation along what is now Old Mammoth Road.

Nowadays, you can still appreciate much of Mammoth’s vibrant mining town history, especially in this historic part of town. Old Mammoth has a quaint, mountain town atmosphere that gives it a sense of timelessness. The Edelweiss Lodge is the perfect place to stay to experience this.

In addition to its unique architecture and history, Old Mammoth is a great home base for day trips to the lakes, mountains, or any Mammoth adventure. Its central location means that it’s easy to get around and there are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby, making it a perfect spot for families.   

Pros of Staying in Old Mammoth:

• Close to mountains, lakes, and downtown
• Quaint mountain town atmosphere
• Close to Snowcreek Golf Course

Cons of Staying in Old Mammoth:

• Fewer hotel options

Tips for Staying in Mammoth Lakes

Book in Advance for Ski Season

Mammoth Lakes is home to some of the best ski resorts in California! This means they book well in advance during the winter months. Be sure to make your reservations early to ensure getting a room and the best rates. 

Get Your Rentals at the Village

Green Room Snowboard & Ski is a conveniently located rental store in The Village that usually has shorter lines and cheaper prices than the rental facility on the mountain. I recommend you head there to save some serious time.

Consider Camping During Warm Months

Mammoth Lakes has tons of incredible campgrounds that allow visitors to fully appreciate the natural beauty of the Eastern Sierras. Plus, camping tends to be cheaper than hotels. Just make sure to reserve a campsite in advance since they book up quickly.

In fact, one of the best campgrounds in California is just outside of Mammoth Lakes. Head over to Brown’s Owens River Campground to fully experience the great Californian outdoors.

FAQs

How many days do you need in Mammoth Lakes?

Three days in Mammoth Lakes will give you ample time to ski or snowboard, hike the trails, or sightsee around Mammoth.

What is the closest city to Mammoth Lakes?

June Lake Village lies about 25 minutes or 20 miles north of Mammoth Lakes via Highway 395. June Lake is a beautiful mountain town situated on a stunning alpine lake and is home to one of the best RV parks in California.

Is it easy to drive to Mammoth Lakes?

During warm months without snow, Mammoth Lakes is easily accessible by car. However, road closures around Mammoth can occur in the winter during heavy snowfall.

How big is Mammoth Lakes?

The town of Mammoth Lakes is only a few miles across. Driving the two miles from downtown Mammoth Lakes to Canyon Lodge takes less than ten minutes.

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Thanks for reading my guide! For more fun, check out my epic list of the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes.