Mammoth Lakes is where it all began! Scooby, Mom…theScoobylife! Just a couple of months after Scooby adopted Mom they took their very first PawVenture – which was a BIG one – to Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierra and stayed at Tamarack Lodge! The rest is history!
Summer…? Yes!
Fall…? Yes!
We WUV and recommend Both! Typically we will choose Mammoth Lakes for one season and usually Parcher’s Resort in Bishop for the other season! However, we would be remiss to leave out Rock Creek Lake (streams and water everywhere) and Convict Lake (spa cabin and 5 star Restaurant on the premises anyone)?! We WUV them all depending on our mood each season.
Regardless of Summer or Fall, we prefer to head up on a Sunday or Monday and return on a Thursday or Friday – less people and maximum relaxation in nature!
Summer is AMAZING in Mammoth Lakes!
Long days, beautiful walks, day hikes, peaceful fishing or reading a book by a lake or on your cabin porch surrounded by nature makes Mammoth Lakes in the Summer the perfect getaway.
The Forest Service often delays openings of many of the surrounding campgrounds in early June which means the majority of those vacationers end up crowding around the Twin Lakes at Tamarack Lodge. That’s not jam fur pawcation so, to avoid all of that, Mom recommends calling Tamarack Lodge in the Spring (or sooner) and making your pawcation reservations for the last 2 weeks of June through early October to avoid the majority of unwanted surprises. Pro Tip: You can also use credit card points if you have them at Tamarack! Call them directly to coordinate the dates and cabin you want with your points!
There are sooooooo many lakes within walking distance to Twin Lakes! If you’re up for a 45 minute pleasant, gradual uphill walk, we highly recommend using your feet and paws and walk from Twin Lakes to Lake Mamie. The incline is fairly easy but the altitude will have your whole fur fam huffing and puffing! It’s a great workout for all! Take a break at Lake Mary on your way there and back to relax, watch for eagles (if you’re lucky), enjoy the early morning fishermen at peace on the lake and to take in nature at it’s finest. Lake Mary is a perfect area for a little snack or morning picnic!
If you’re not into walking the drive to all the lakes is also gorgeous! Since you’ll have your car, be sure pack even more picnic food and snacks and lots of water – you can easily enjoy a half day parking and exploring at each lake area! Be sure to take some extra blankies, chairs, your camera equipment and / or fishin gear for relaxin’ by Lake Mary or Lake Mamie! Early mornings and around Sunset are the most peaceful times! You won’t be disappointed!
Summer is also a FANTASTIC time to head North and East to other full day lake activities! Typically the roads to Virginia Lakes, Lundy Lake and Saddlebag Lake and Silver Lake in June Lake are all thawed out and open for visitors! It’s the perfect time for day hikes, fishing, photography and just relaxing by a lake with a good book and snacks (and always extra water fur all). You can easily make an entire day of this round trip! Bonus tip: Saddlebag has a cafe! YUM! We think Lundy Lake serves food but only on certain days. Whoa Nellie Deli is on the way to and from Saddlebag plus you can stop at the June Lake entrance or do Mom’s Favorite – call in your pizza order at Nik-N-Willies Pizza n Subs as soon as you exit back into Mammoth and take a pizza home to enjoy on your cabin porch picnic table! THA BEST!
Mammoth Lakes is also AMAZING in the Fall!
We also LOVE and Highly recommend Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierra in the Fall! All of the lakes on Lake Mary Road explode with color! We really extra WUV taking Mammoth Scenic Loop as we take a day to head north to enjoy breathtaking views and color at Virginia Lakes, Lundy Lake and Silver Lake (in June Lake) in that order – north to south – as you drive back to Mammoth. Don’t furget to stop at Whoa Nellie Deli Lee Vining which intersects Highway 395 fur fish tacos! Puppos WUV to share some of your fish (you can also order extra) and sit at one of the picnic tables at the adjacent grass park which overlooks Mono Lake as the sun begins to set. It’s a great day! The views are spectacular along Higheway 395 as you travel to your peak color destinations!
Autumn is generally a super peaceful time to go to Mammoth, specifically, because it’s considered off-season. Less people / more nature – that’s our kind of vacation! A few shops are closed during this time but there’s still plenty of places open.
While there may be several dog-friendly options in town at Mammoth, we only recommend staying in a cabin or a campground at one of the lakes for the MAXIMUM Nature experience. There are some local dog-friendly RV companies who will roll an RV into your pre-reserved camping spot at Twin Lakes or Lake Mary, set it up and all you do is move in! We did this on the Central Coast which was a blast!
We WUV the Deluxe Cabins at Tamarack Lodge (gas fireplace and full kitchen) so much because we’re all about that cabin in the woods life! Crystal Crag Cabins are also dog-friendly and people often recommend them but we have not stayed. Mom’s opinion is that you can stay in a hotel anywhere else in the U.S. so gift yourself a stay in a lake cabin at Lake Mary or Twin Lakes in Mammoth! There is NOTHING like walking out your front door with a gorgeous view of a lake and the aroma of Mountain pine trees in the air!
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