Where to Stay in Mammoth Lakes

So you’re planning a trip to Mammoth Lakes and need to figure out where to set up the perfect home base for epic adventures in the Eastern Sierra.

With breathtaking scenic beauty in every direction—the town is surrounded by public lands—there is truly no “wrong” place to stay. Mammoth Lakes is quite compact and easy to navigate, and an extensive, efficient free transit system can transport you wherever you need to go.

Mammoth Lakes offers accommodations to fit every group and budget, from elegant hotel rooms for couples, to multi-bedroom condominiums for families and large groups, to forest cabins for people who want to unplug and get away from it all. Mammoth Mountain also offers packages at their properties if you plan to partake in activities offered by the resort.

Here are the primary segments of town:

Main Lodge

Located a few miles outside of town at the resort’s highest-elevation base lodge, this area is the best choice if you want to maximize your time on the mountain. Whether it’s top-to-bottom skiing and snowboarding in winter or a summer adventure at Reds Meadow, staying at the Main Lodge area is ideal. The lifts here are also the first to open and last to close at the beginning and end of the ski season. It gets quiet quickly once the après-ski crowds depart around sunset. Insider tip: The Mammoth Mountain Inn hot tubs are the perfect spot to relax and take in the alpenglow at the end of your day.

Lodging Types: Full-service hotel (Mammoth Mountain Inn), cabins (Mammoth Mountain Chalets)

Best for: Ski-in, ski-out; romance; seclusion

Canyon Lodge

The Canyon Lodge area is great for families and groups who want to be able to get up, eat breakfast, and tackle the entire mountain while also enjoying proximity to the amenities of the Village via the Village Gondola. Novice, intermediate and expert skiers and snowboarders will all find suitable terrain easily accessed from the lifts originating here, and numerous condominium complexes situated in this area allow guests to be within walking distance to the slopes at reasonable rates. Many of the complexes have game rooms and on-site staff and make a great base camp for summer activities as well. Insider tip: Book early for events based at Canyon Lodge such as Night of Lights.

Lodging Types: Condos, small hotel (Austria Hof Lodge)

Best for: Walking distance to slopes, moderately priced accommodations, families

The Village At Mammoth

The Village is the ideal place for visitors to find everything at their doorstep, from Starbucks to ski boots. In winter it’s easy to access Mammoth Mountain via the Village Gondola, while summer brings a plethora of events including movie nights, free live music and many other activities. Mammoth Child Care (http://www.mammothmountain.com/winter/plan-a-vacation/plan-a-vacation/child-care), a state-licensed facility, is also located here.

Lodging Types: Hotels (luxury – Westin Monache, moderate – Alpenhof Lodge), condos

Best for: Convenient access to Canyon Lodge via gondola and ski-back trail, childcare, restaurants, shopping, events

Eagle Lodge

Of Mammoth Mountain’s three base lodges, Eagle Lodge is the closest to town. Some of the best beginner and low-intermediate ski and snowboard terrain is accessed from here, so it’s ideal for families with young children. In summer, it’s convenient to paved bike paths and Sierra Star Golf Course. Many of the larger homes available for rent in Mammoth Lakes are also in this general area.

Lodging Types: Condominium hotel (Juniper Springs Resort), luxury homes

Best for: Ski-in/ski-out, beginner ski terrain, high-end lodging, summer outdoor activities

Main Street

Most of Mammoth Lakes’ branded motels are located along Main Street and offer clean, comfortable accommodations at reasonable prices. It’s easy to access any of the Mammoth Mountain base lodges via shuttle from this area, and some accommodations aren’t far from the Village at Mammoth. Main Street is also lined with stores, coffee shops and restaurants.

Lodging Types: Basic and midrange hotels and motels (Motel 6, SureStay Plus By Best Western, Empeiria High Sierra Hotel)

Best for: Budget, in-town, accessibility to services

Downtown/old Mammoth Road

The downtown corridor between Main Street and Mammoth Creek Park on Old Mammoth Road offers a variety of accommodations and activities and has become increasingly animated with the opening of the Mammoth Rock ‘n’ Bowl, the formation of Old Mammoth Restaurant Row, and late-night live music at Rafters Restaurant and Lounge. Nothing tops this area for the perfect combination of convenience and fun.

Lodging Types: Condos, hotels (Mammoth Creek Inn, Outbound Mammoth)

Best for: In-town atmosphere, nightlife, off-mountain activities

Old Mammoth

Nestled at the foot of the Sherwin Range, Old Mammoth is best suited to those looking for a low-key, more residential setting, where a paved trail shared by bikers and dog walkers winds quietly alongside Mammoth Creek. Here you’ll find homey bed and breakfasts, as well as the posh Snowcreek Resort (http://www.livesnowcreek.com/resort) which offers luxury accommodations with sweeping views and amenities including a 30,000 square foot athletic club and 9-hole golf course. Insider tip: The views of fall foliage from this area are quite stunning.

Lodging Types: Bed & breakfasts, Snowcreek Resort

Best for: Views, quiet

Mammoth Lakes Basin

The Mammoth Lakes Basin is ideal for visitors seeking a consummate, woodsy rustic retreat. Here you can get away from it all, yet still be just a few minutes’ drive from town via car or trolley. In winter, the road is closed at Twin Lakes and becomes a Nordic playground with over 19 miles of stunning groomed trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Tamarack Lodge offers both inn rooms and cozy cabins year-round. In summer, additional seasonal cabins and rooms become available and are popular with anglers and hikers.

Lodging Types: Cabins, historic hotel (Tamarack Lodge)

Best for: Nordic access, quiet, romance

To find and book the perfect Mammoth Lakes accommodations for your party, visit the Hotels & Lodging page. Search listings by category (condominiums, hotels, bed and breakfasts) and amenities (unit size, fireplace, kitchens, WiFi availability, etc.).