We love every type of activity that lets people get outside and in the beautiful environment we get to call home in Mammoth Lakes.
Kayaking stands apart though thanks to just how serene noiselessly gliding along the water can be. Add in a few stunning views of the Eastern Sierra mountains and you’ll see why kayaking in Mammoth Lakes is so popular.
To help you do just that, the ASO Mammoth team has listed a few of the best places for kayaking in Mammoth Lakes below. Read all about it, then visit the ASO Mammoth shop for the best gear and rentals in Mammoth Lakes!
We’re starting with the lakes that are the closest to Mammoth Lakes itself, which means we’re heading into the Lakes Basin.
Fortunately, it’s not a far trip since the Lakes Basin is just a short drive, walk, or bike ride from The Village at Mammoth Lakes. Once there, you’ll enjoy several lakes, but Lake Mary is one of the best thanks to its size and the number of activities that can be done there.
In fact, Lake Mary has multiple marinas and other developed areas which makes it easy to find things to do nearby. Of course, you may not want to do much else once you kayak through Lake Mary’s calm and clear water with towering mountains surrounding you.
Horseshoe Lake sits further into the Lakes Basin, but it’s well worth the extra time to get there for a day of kayaking and picnicking on its sandy shores.
Horseshoe Lake is unique in the fact that its shore is mostly clear of trees while also being made up of sand. A natural carbon dioxide leak killed most of the plant-life in the area years ago, and Horseshoe Lake’s water levels often drop during Mammoth’s dry summers leaving a beautiful lake with plenty of shore to enjoy by kayak!
If you don’t mind leaving Mammoth Lakes then you can drive north to June Lake where you’ll enjoy incredible scenery, water, and unique food and drink options nearby.
June Lake is another large, calm lake that’s perfect for relaxed kayaking. There’s even a beach where you can come ashore to eat, drink, and relax before getting back on the water to see more spectacular mountain views!
Speaking of spectacular mountain views, Convict Lake is one of the most beautiful places in all of the Mammoth Lakes area thanks to its enclosed nature and the mountains towering overhead.
Convict Lake is just south of Mammoth Lakes, but the trip to kayak there is well worth it. Don’t believe us? Convict Lake is so beautiful that there is a marina, resort, and fine-dining restaurant all on its shores!
Mono Lake may be the most unique lake in the entire area thanks to its size, unique water chemistry, and all the geography and wildlife that comes with it.
Mono Lake is another lake that’s outside of Mammoth, but the smooth water there and size of the lake will give you enough room to kayak all day long!