Mammoth Lakes Roadtrip Ideas

Mammoth Lakes’ quiet atmosphere and countless activities make it a terrific getaway for the whole family. With activities such as fishing, hiking, boating, and golfing,  there is something everyone will enjoy. However, you might still have a lot of questions. How long should you stay? What are some other places you can visit as you’re driving there?

This article will provide a complete Mammoth Lakes road trip guide to help you get the most out of your adventure. Whether it’s securing a class B RV rental or camper van rental in San Francisco or planning an itinerary, we have you covered. Read on for all the details. 

How Many Days Do You Need in Mammoth Lakes? 

It’s usually recommended to stay 3 to 4 days in Mammoth Lakes to thoroughly explore and participate in the activities you want to do the most. However, even if you just have a weekend, spending 24 to 48 hours in the town can still make a nice getaway. If you have a little more time, many people love spending up to a full week. 

If budget is a concern, you can usually make your trip more affordable and stay for a longer duration by camping and renting a camper van from us at Escape Camper Vans. Reserving a campsite and renting a class B camper van is usually cheaper per night than hotel rooms. 

What Is the Most Beautiful Lake at Mammoth Lakes? 

Each lake in Mammoth Lake is strikingly beautiful. They each offer many scenic spots to appreciate the stunning views, as well as a multitude of activities. However, if you’re in search of the most beautiful lake to optimize your stay, Lake Mary is a fan favorite from visitors. 

The surrounding atmosphere around Lake Mary is picturesque and quiet, with towering pine trees all around. You can go on a leisurely walk down the shore, picnic, or just take in the views. Plus, you can even partake in water activities here, like paddleboarding, kayaking, or fishing. Lake Mary offers activities that everyone will love. 

Other Great Lakes in Mammoth Lakes

Some other great spots for different interests include: 

• Lake Mamie is a great place for birdwatching. You can potentially see golden eagles, peregrine falcons, prairie falcons, yellow-rumped warblers, mountain bluebirds, western tanagers, American goldfinches, and more. 
• Lake George offers a great opportunity for sightseeing and hiking. The surrounding mountains around the water have an elevation of up to 10,364 feet. It’s an 8 to 9-mile hike to get to the top, but it’s worth it for the splendid views of the surrounding area. 
• McLeod Lake is a favorite for swimming because of its crystal clear waters. It has shallow and deep swimming areas for people of all skill levels. 

Where Do You Stop on the Way to Mammoth? 

Planning a road trip in California to Mammoth Lakes is a great opportunity to experience some of the top scenic routes, and road trip stops along the way. Some of the best starting points for a road trip to Mammoth Lakes are in San Franciso, Los Angeles, and San Diego, so let’s go over an example itinerary for each. 

San Francisco to Mammoth Lakes Road Trip

The total drive from San Francisco to Mammoth Lakes is about 5 hours and 40 minutes. However, you can break up that drive time with lots of terrific stops along the way. Here’s a sample itinerary to give you some ideas: 

• Day 1: Drive about 1 hour and 45 minutes to Modesto, California. It’s a popular place for historic attractions like the Gallo Center for Arts, McHenry Mansion, or taking a historic graffiti cruise. 
• Day 2: Drive about 2 hours and 10 minutes to Yosemite National Park. Spend the day exploring top landmarks like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. (check out where to park your van overnight in Yosemite)
• Day 3: Drive about 25 minutes to Mono Lake. It’s a beautiful elevated lake with unique rock formations called tufa towers surrounding it. This is great for either a quick stop for memorable views or a day exploring the surrounding areas. 
• Day 4: Drive the remaining 35 minutes to arrive in Mammoth Lakes. 

LA to Mammoth Lakes Road Trip

Driving a camper van rental from Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes takes about 5 hours and 15 minutes. Here are some great stops along the way: 

• Day 1: Drive about 2 hours and 15 minutes to Red Rock Canyon State Park. You’ll find great hiking with scenic desert landscapes and unique rock formations. Optionally, you can also take a 30-minute detour from here to Randsburg, a living ghost town that makes for fun exploration. 
• Day 2: Drive 1 hour and 30 minutes to Alabama Hills, a popular historic site with the Museum of Western Films, Inyo National Forest, and Mobius Arch Loop Trail. 
• Day 3: Drive about 1 hour to Bishop, where you can visit the Laws Railroad Museum, Bishop Creek Canyon or pick up some sweets at Erick Schat’s Bakery.
• Day 4: Drive 45 minutes to arrive in Mammoth Lakes. 

San Diego to Mammoth Lakes Road Trip

The drive from San Diego to Mammoth Lakes takes about 7 hours and 20 minutes. Here’s where you can stop along the way:

• Day 1: Drive 2 hours and 15 minutes to Los Angeles with top attractions like Venice Beach, the Griffith Observatory, and Universal Studios. 
• Day 2: Drive 2 hours and 15 minutes to Bakersfield to see the California Living Museum, Wind Wolves Wildlife Preserve, and The Park at River Walk. 
• Day 3: Drive 2 hours to Sequoia National Park to see top attractions like the General Sherman Tree Crystal Cave or hike the Moro Rock Trail.  
• Day 4: Drive 2 hours and 45 minutes to visit popular sights like Yosemite Falls, Tunnel View, and Glacier Point. 
• Day 5: Drive 50 minutes to arrive in Mammoth Lakes. 

What Is the Drive to Mammoth Like? 

Many wonder, “Is the drive to Mammoth dangerous?” or “What are the road conditions like?” Overall, if you’re driving to Mammoth in California, the drive is very safe and easy. California has moderate temperatures and conditions year-round, so you’re unlikely to run into too much bad weather that would make it difficult. 

That said, it’s still best practice to check the weather reports. You can always look up “Mammoth Road Conditions Today” or similar searches to get an idea of what your drive will be like. If you’re ever seeing signs of severe weather, it’s a good idea to stay off the road to be safe. 

If you’re taking a trip like Los Angeles to the Mammoth Ski Resort, you will be driving up some steeper hills to get to the resort, but the average driver handles it just fine. Plus, you’ll be surrounded by some scenic mountains that make it more enjoyable. 

Rent a Camper Van from Escape Camper Vans to Optimize Your Trip to Mammoth Lakes

During a road trip to Mammoth Lakes, it’s a good idea to have a reliable and affordable travel vehicle that holds all your essentials. We have rental locations in Los Angeles and San Francisco for convenient pickup and dropoff as you begin or end your trip. You can also rent from us in nine other locations across the U.S. 

Some of the helpful features that come with our camper vans include:

• Queen size beds
• Propane stove
• Sink with a water tank
• Extra storage
• Foldaway tables and benches
• Refrigerator
• And more

Reserve yours today at our San Francisco camper rental location, or contact us with any other questions.