Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or spending a full week in the Eastern Sierra, Mammoth offers plenty of family-friendly adventures ranging from easy walks and scenic gondola rides to bowling, fishing, and afternoons spent skipping rocks along the shore. Here are some of our favorite things to do in Mammoth Lakes with kids.
1. Ride the Gondola to the Top of Mammoth Mountain
You don’t need to ski to experience Mammoth Mountain. During summer, the Panorama Gondola carries families to over 11,000 feet where kids can explore volcanic landscapes, spot marmots, and take in views stretching across the Sierra and into Nevada.
2. Walk to Devils Postpile
Kids love places that look like they belong in a video game. The towering basalt columns at Devils Postpile are one of the most unusual geologic formations in California and the easy walk makes it accessible for most families.
3. Explore Rainbow Falls
Just beyond Devils Postpile, Rainbow Falls plunges more than 100 feet into the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River. Visit in the morning when sunlight often creates rainbows in the mist.
4. Rent Bikes and Cruise the Town Path
Mammoth’s paved trail system connects much of town and offers a safe way for families to explore without worrying about traffic. Stop for ice cream, playground breaks, or lunch along the way.
5. Search for Obsidian at Obsidian Dome
This massive volcanic glass flow feels more like another planet than the Sierra Nevada. Kids can climb around the shiny black rock and learn how volcanic eruptions shaped the region.
6. Bike & Paddleboard
Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and spend a morning on the water beneath dramatic mountain scenery. Twin Lakes is calm, scenic, and often one of the most family-friendly places to get on the water.
7. Feed Their Curiosity at Mammoth Museum
Tucked among the pines near Mammoth Creek, Hayden Cabin offers a glimpse into Mammoth Lakes before ski resorts, mountain bikes, and vacation homes. Built in the early 1900s, the restored cabin now serves as a small museum where families can learn about Mammoth’s early settlers, mining history, and life in the Eastern Sierra long before modern conveniences arrived. It’s a quick stop, but one that helps put the region’s history into perspective and gives curious kids a chance to connect with the people who first called this mountain valley home.
8. Go Fishing
Mammoth is one of California’s best fishing destinations. Convict Lake, Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, and the Mammoth Lakes Basin all offer opportunities for kids to catch their first trout.
9. Spot Wildlife in the Lakes Basin
Mule deer, chipmunks, marmots, ducks, and countless birds make the Lakes Basin feel like a real-life nature documentary. Bring binoculars and turn the outing into a scavenger hunt.
10. Go Bowling at Mammoth Rock ‘N’ Bowl
Part bowling alley, part entertainment center, Mammoth Rock ‘N’ Bowl is a great backup plan when afternoon thunderstorms roll in or the kids need a break from hiking. Families can enjoy bowling, arcade games, and casual dining, making it one of the easiest ways to spend an evening in Mammoth. It’s also one of the few places in town where teenagers, younger kids, and adults can all find something to do under one roof.
11. Take a Short Hike to Crystal Lake
A relatively short trail with a big payoff. Kids get a real mountain-hiking experience without committing to an all-day adventure.
12. Explore Hot Creek Geological Site
Boiling water, steam vents, and bright blue pools create one of the most fascinating natural areas in the Eastern Sierra. Stay on designated trails and enjoy the show from a safe distance.
13. Ride the Mountain Coaster
Part alpine coaster, part thrill ride, the Woolly’s Mountain Coaster is usually the first thing kids talk about on the drive home.
14. Visit the Wolly’s Adventure Summit
During summer the Adventure Center offers climbing walls, ropes courses, bike rentals, and other family-friendly activities.
15. Watch the Sunset at Minaret Vista
An easy stop with one of the best views in the Eastern Sierra. Bring snacks, let the kids scramble on the rocks, and watch the Minarets glow pink and orange as the sun drops.
AWE Tip
You don’t need to fill every minute. Some of the best family memories in Mammoth come from skipping rocks at Lake Mary, spotting marmots near a trail, building forts in the forest, or watching a thunderstorm roll over the mountains from a campsite. The magic of Mammoth isn’t just the attractions, it’s the freedom to explore.
