Mammoth Lakes, California, covers just over 25 square miles. Mammoth Mountain has hiking, biking, skiing, and snowboarding, depending on the time of the year. There are many things to do around Mammoth Lakes no matter what time of year you visit. One thing people enjoy is the variety of hot springs around the area. Here are some of the best ones to check out, brought to you by the friendly folks at ASO Mammoth, your year-round one-stop shop for everything from fishing gear to mountain biking equipment and Mammoth snowboard rentals.
Wild Willy’s Hot Springs
This is probably the most well-known natural hot spring at Mammoth Lakes. The path to it is easy to travel. The quarter-mile hike is divided between the boardwalk and a rocky path. The hill has only a slight rise. There are three pools at this hot spring. The main one is about 10 feet in diameter. There’s a smaller heart-shaped pool to the left and a small pool for personal use. Never go to the personal pool until the other pools seem cool, because the small pool is very hot. Don’t be shy, as there are almost always people there. Swimsuits are optional, but the soaking culture of the area isn’t nudist.
The Crab Cooker
The Crab Cooker is partially manmade. There’s a pipe that sends the hot spring water into the pool. This pool is farther down the path and less crowded than others. There’s a boardwalk that goes up to the hot spring as well as a parking lot. This pool is big enough to hold at least seven people comfortably. It also has the hottest water among the hot springs in the area. You can sit on the rim of the pool and cool off while still being with everyone else. The pool also has a good view of the area, since it’s higher than the other springs.
The Travertine
This hot spring past June Lake is popular and has multiple pools, from very hot to slightly cooler. There’s a small pool near the entrance if you just want a quick dip. To reach the main pools, take the short dirt path. These hot springs are popular with couples, families, and even park rangers. As with the other hot springs, swimsuits are optional. You could even head deeper into the area to find more secluded hot springs. There are toilet pits near the entrance if you want to make a day of it.
The Whitmore
This tub is the smallest pool at Mammoth Lakes. It’s near the main parking lot and is always crowded. The pool can hold up to three people comfortably. This pool has water pumped in, so it’s pretty clean. Since it’s by the parking lot, it’s a great location for those who have RVs to spend the night. You can wake up, enjoy your coffee, and have a soak. People who can’t walk the one to five miles to other springs can access this one easily.
People who visit the Mammoth Lakes area often love to take side trips to the hot springs when they’re not enjoying the variety of sports on the mountain. Whether they need fishing gear, mountain biking equipment, or high-quality ski rentals, Mammoth visitors can find everything they need at ASO Mammoth. Drop by our store on your way to the lakes or give us a call at 760-965-3444.