Sitting at 7,800 feet, Mammoth Lakes is a grouping of five high altitude lakes fed by snow melt in the Eastern Sierra Mountains. Close to Yosemite National Park, Mammoth is known for year round outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, skiing, rock climbing, and, of course, kayaking. These large alpine lakes are a stellar summer destination for flat water kayakers and fisherman who are looking to immerse themselves in a landscape that Bob Ross would paint.
Mammoth Lakes is an ideal flat water kayaking location for nature lovers and fisherman alike. The kayaking is accessible to all level and has easy boat launch access. Additionally, the calm waters are protected from the wind as they sit within the valley, surrounded by granite peaks of the Eastern Sierra.
Read on to discover how to get to Mammoth Lakes, best time of year to kayak, why you should kayak in mammoth, and so much more!
Enjoying Lake Mary, one of the five lakes at Mammoth Lakes, all to ourselves on a sunny fall afternoon. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Pros
Easy access to launch boat
Stunning views
Water is refreshing on hot days
Cons
Limited camping
Few public restrooms
Lakes have motorboats, so look out
WATER ACCESS TO MAMMOTH LAKES:
Accessing the flat waters of Mammoth Lakes is incredibly easy via boat ramps, docks, and sandy beaches. Boasting as one of the premier winter and summer destinations in the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Lakes is a hot spot for flat water kayaking.
When to kayak at Mammoth Lakes:
Winter (January - March):
Kayaking in the winter months at Mammoth Lakes is not advised. The water is deadly cold and many of the lakes freeze over making the paddling unsafe. With that said, if you are looking for a one-of-a-kind adventure, there is nothing like paddling around a snow covered lake. It’ll be silent and lakes access will be difficult.
Spring (April - June):
Mammoth Lakes in the spring season is a stellar time to go kayaking on the lakes around Mammoth. The snow is melting, the birds are singing, and the area is coming alive. As the green starts to pop on the trees and temperatures warm, there is no doubt that spring has sprung. A word to the wise, as the snow melts, the water levels will rise and this can make the lakes unsafe as the flow and cold waters can be unpredictable. If you decide to go kayaking in the spring, just be aware of the risks.
Summer (July - September):
The best time to kayak in Mammoth Lakes is during the summer. The snow is gone and the waters have warmed (but, they are still cold). The days are long, the fish are hungry, and the lakeshores are waiting to be sat upon after a paddle on any of the five lakes. My personal favorite to paddle on is Lake Mary because it’s a larger lake with great views of Mammoth Mountain. While kayaking in the summer, if you can, stay for sunset. I have watched some of my best sunsets from the shoreline of Mammoth Lakes during the summer.
Fall (October - December):
As the temperatures begin to cool off and the days get shorter, kayaking in the fall at Mammoth Lakes comes in second place for best time of year. The crowds are fewer, but the weather is a mixed bag. Some days it’ll be amazing, others it’ll be very cold. During the fall, I am not a fan of going swimming, but if you like to cold plunge, this could be your jam.
WHY IS MAMMOTH LAKES ONE OF THE BEST FLAT WATER KAYAKING LOCATIONS:
Mammoth Lakes is one of the most visited destination of the Eastern Sierra because this mountain town boast of the calmest waters to flat water kayak upon. The chain of five lakes are all incredibly well protected from the wind by the Eastern Sierra Mountains and the large evergreens that inhabit the shores of these lakes. Additionally, all of the lakes you can kayak on have access to camping and bathrooms.
Much of Mammoth Lakes is on a first come, first serve basis. Since Mammoth Lakes is a popular place for tourism, make sure to show up early and claim a parking spot alongside these stunning mountain lakes.
DIRECTIONS TO MAMMOTH LAKES:
Making the most of a kayaking trip to Mammoth Lakes:
We loaded the van with two kayaks and left Lake Tahoe for a kayaking road trip down Highway 395. With a little over a week to explore highway 395 with our kayaks, we knew we wanted to make the most of our trip and paddle on as many bodies of water as possible, little did we know that we would fall in love with Mammoth Lakes.
Having visited Mammoth Lakes several times for rock climbing, trail running, and hiking, we had not explored the kayaking potential in the area that we had heard so much about. So, the only logical thing to do was visit. After three days on the road, we arrived at Mammoth Lakes.
Filled with excitement, we pulled up to Lake Mary and started to carry the kayaks down to the lake. The walk wasn’t very far and we quickly found a place to set up the chairs and chill. Over the next few hours we paddled around Lake Mary, dove into the waters, and snacked. Lots of snacks!
Nearby, there were some fisherman pulling in fish and laughing. I wish we could have joined, but there was a language barrier that couldn’t be broken, so we just kept to ourselves.
As the sun moved across the sky and down towards the horizon, some clouds moved in. Despite the heavy cloud coverage, the sunset was insane! Popping with oranges, then pinks with a touch of purple. The clouds danced with the wind, allowing the sun to poke in and out making us feel as though we were given many sunsets. The best part, we enjoyed this from the lakeside.
Once the sun was gone and color show was over, we considered leaving until I had an idea.
“What if we put lights in the kayak and paddled around at night? We might even be able to see the Milky Way!”
Kristin, tired from the day, but a trooper, agreed and the rest was history!
DON’T MISS OUT ON THESE OTHER ADVENTURES NEARBY:
Soak in Wild Willy’s Hot Spring
Rock Climb at Crystal Crag
Mountain Bike in the Eastern Sierra
Soaking in the Milky Way from the lake shore of Mary Lake while kayaking at Mammoth Lakes. Photograph by Dalton Johnson
Now that you have discovered how to get to Mammoth Lakes, best time of year to kayak, and why you should kayak in Mammoth, it is your turn to pack your paddle and boat in the car and head down HWY 395 for a kayaking adventure at Mammoth Lakes. If you have any additional information that would be helpful to other kayakers, please drop a comment below!
