The name Mammoth Lakes is somewhat of a misnomer. There aren't any lakes in this California town located in the Eastern Sierra - plenty of mountains, but no lakes. Within a very short distance, however, are beautiful high-altitude lakes that reflect the surrounding snow-capped peaks and provide lots of recreational activities for visitors. One of the favorite pastimes is boating, a wonderful family adventure! Check out these waters near Mammoth Lakes:
Convict Lake Just 7 miles south of Mammoth, Convict is one of the most pristine lakes in California. It's the lake in the Nature Valley commercials on TV. Measuring 168 acres, it's not huge, but it's very deep - up to 140 feet. The lake is surrounded by high desert, mountain peaks, and verdant forests. Visitors can rent motor boats, fishing boats, pontoon boats, rowboats, and canoes by the hour or the day. Or bring your own vessel and launch it at the ramp next to the marina. Convict is home to lots of brown and rainbow trout, and there's a general store available for supplies. There are some great places along the shore for picnics, or try the restaurant on the lake. Fall boating is especially scenic here, and there's usually no snow til December!
Crowley Lake Just 15 minutes south of Mammoth, Crowley is 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, with superb trout fishing. The lake is a man made reservoir fed by many natural springs, surrounded by rolling hills and craggy mountains. Pontoon boats are are available for rent, and they're lowered into the water by an electric platform, so you won't have to worry about launching! Water skiing is popular here, and strong summer winds make it perfect for sailing. If you bring your own boat, you'll need a permit.
June Lake This 5 million-year-old lake is just 11 miles north of Mammoth, and it's one of the most photographed lakes in the state. Two full-service marinas rent boats and repairs motors and have docking available for vessels up to 24' in length. The mile-long, half mile wide lake is popular for water skiing, sailing, kayaking, and sail boarding. There's a nice sandy beach at the northeast end, too!
Mono Lake This is one of the most fascinating lakes in the world! Actually an ancient inland sea, Mono is one of the oldest lakes in the Western Hemisphere. The salty water is home to many Tufa Formations, created by limestone deposits. Some of these towers are 900 years old! Mono is 30 minutes north of Mammoth and is a major stopover on the Pacific flyway. Almost 100 species of birds can be seen, along with 1,000 plant species in the surrounding area. Pontoon boats, fishing boats, and kayaks are available for cruising the 695-square-mile lake. There are also a grocery store and an ATM on shore.
If you bring your own boat to the Mammoth area, be sure it has been cleaned and dried to ensure you're not bringing along uninvited guests like mussels. All these bodies of water are delicate ecosystems, and non-native species could wreak havoc!
This guide to the amazing lakes around Mammoth was brought to you by Holle Abee.