Easily accessible from major West Coast hubs, this group-friendly mountain retreat is a tour stop that’s almost too good to be true
Rainbow Falls in Reds Meadow is a 101-foot waterfall known for the rainbow that appears around midday.
Take a scenic gondola ride up Mammoth Mountain to the peak, where you can enjoy lunch, explore hands-on exhibits at the interpretive center, and take a group photo at the famous summit sign.
Held every July, Villagefest features food and drinks from local vendors and free live music.
Devils Postpile National Monument was formed 100,000 years ago by cooling lava and is accessible by an easy 1.2 mile loop trail.
The two-mile loop around Convict Lake hugs the shore and provides gorgeous views of both the lake and the mountains surrounding it.
“Mammoth Lakes is a group-friendly destination for all seasons and all people—where stunning natural landscapes meet warm, inclusive hospitality.” —Sarah Winters, vice president of marketing, Mammoth Lakes Tourism
Tucked into California’s Eastern Sierra region at 7,881 feet, Mammoth Lakes is the California you never knew existed. While most visitors think of coastal landscapes, Hollywood lights, and iconic surf breaks when envisioning California, Mammoth Lakes represents an entirely different part of the state—one with high alpine peaks, stunning blue waters, and truly unreal views. Add a charming village that makes you feel like a local, iconic landmarks, and seamless logistics for large group travel, and it’s no wonder tour operators are increasingly adding Mammoth Lakes to their itineraries.
Mammoth Lakes Insider
SPECIAL EVENTS
Summer in Mammoth Lakes buzzes with energy. From craft beer and live music at Bluesapalooza to free outdoor concerts at The Village at Mammoth, there’s always something happening. Sports-minded groups will love spectator-friendly events like Mammoth Trailfest and Spartan Super World Championships. Check the events calendar for more!
LODGING
From elevated comfort at The Westin Monache Resort and central access at The Village Lodge to boutique charm at Alpenhof Lodge and modern mountain vibes at Outbound Mammoth, these properties offer walkable, group-friendly lodging with full amenities.
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
Opening this fall, the Minaret Club offers a moody speakeasy experience tucked away in the mountains. Looking ahead, the Limelight Hotel Mammoth brings elevated, luxury lodging to town with its highly anticipated winter debut.
HIDDEN GEMS
The hidden gems are endless in Mammoth Lakes, and for nature lovers, exploring the Mammoth Lakes Basin is a must. Find crystal clear lakes, hidden picnic spots, and unique viewpoints throughout the town’s namesake.
GROUP FAVORITES
Favorites include a visit to Convict Lake—a stunning alpine lake that’s always worth the stop—the otherworldly Hot Creek Geological Site, and stops at local breweries and distilleries such as Mammoth Brewing Company, Distant Brewing, Devils Creek Distillery, and Shelter Distilling.
Scenic Routes, Smooth Moves
The drive itself is part of the magic. Groups can reach Mammoth Lakes via scenic U.S. Highway 395 from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Reno, or Las Vegas—routes that offer dramatic views and natural pull-offs along the way. And because of its proximity to major cities and national parks like Yosemite and Death Valley, Mammoth Lakes is a convenient stop for tour operators planning a California road trip itinerary. Once in town, groups will find a vibrant community and local culture designed to welcome new visitors. Motorcoach parking and group drop-off areas at all the main attractions—and a completely free transit system that connects them—are just a few of the amenities for bus tours.
“Mammoth Lakes is a group-friendly destination for all seasons and all people—where stunning natural landscapes meet warm, inclusive hospitality,” says Sarah Winters, vice president of marketing at Mammoth Lakes Tourism. “From the vibrant colors of fall to the wildflower blooms of spring and the serene beauty of summer, we are always open and ready to welcome travelers from every walk of life.”
Use Mammoth Lakes as your outdoor adventure base camp, making exploring the High Sierra and scenic Highway 395 a breeze.
The Real Deal for Groups
The centerpiece of any visit is the scenic gondola ride to the summit of Mammoth Mountain at 11,053 feet. The ride offers panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada, including the famed namesake lakes basin. At the top, visitors will find interpretive displays and walking paths suited for a range of activity levels. It’s a highlight that combines accessibility, education, and scenery—ideal for ABA tour guests.
Nearby, Devils Postpile National Monument and Rainbow Falls provide a half-day adventure through ancient geology and forested trails. These federally protected landmarks are popular with groups thanks to paved paths, ranger programs, and coach-accessible drop-off zones in the summer months (note: accessible via Reds Meadow Shuttle or permit-required road access for commercial vehicles).
Mammoth Lakes is home to its own incredible landmarks, but it is also the perfect base camp for exploring nearby Yosemite National Park. Only an hour to the eastern park gates in Tuolumne Meadows, groups can find incredible day trip opportunities to visit Yosemite and nearby Bodie State Historic Park, Mono Lake, and June Lake.
In town, Mammoth’s pedestrian-friendly village offers an easy hub for lodging, dining, and entertainment. Group-friendly accommodation includes full-service hotels and lodges with on-site dining, centralized check-in, and opportunity for pre-arranged group meals.
“Introducing world travelers to the wonders of Mammoth Lakes and the majesty of the Eastern Sierra is one of the special benefits of partnering with the American Bus Association,” says Michael Vanderhurst, vice president of global tourism at Mammoth Lakes Tourism. “The more ABA’s readership of travel trade professionals learns about Mammoth Lakes, the more unique travel experiences can be provided for their clients.”
Come for the Color, Stay for the Culture
Mammoth Lakes is a year-round destination, but fall offers a particularly relaxed pace and brilliant scenery with one of the country’s longest fall color shows. Groups can explore vibrant aspen groves along the June Lake Loop, Convict Lake, and Rock Creek Canyon, all of which have safe roadside pullouts and short nature paths. This is a prime time for photography tours, scenic drives, and slower-paced exploration.
Operators can also add cultural depth to itineraries with a visit to the Mammoth Museum at Hayden Cabin, housed in a 1920s-era log cabin alongside Mammoth Creek. Surrounded by meadows and mountain views, the museum offers private tours and showcases early tourism, the mining era, and local Indigenous history. For a broader regional perspective, consider a short detour south to the Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center in nearby Bishop. Operated by the Bishop Paiute Tribe, the center features traditional artifacts, a replica village, and interpretive exhibits that honor the culture, resilience, and history of the region’s original stewards. Both locations offer opportunities for groups to engage meaningfully with the Eastern Sierra’s past and present.
From ancient lava flows to cool alpine lakes, Mammoth Lakes is a place where the extraordinary is easy to reach—and impossible to forget. With coach-accessible infrastructure, mild summer weather, and a landscape that feels straight out of a dream, it’s the perfect place to experience “The Real Unreal.” For tour operators, Mammoth Lakes makes group travel seamless; for visitors, it’s nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Mammoth Lakes Tourism | visitmammoth.com, (760) 934-2712
Ally Watson is public relations manager for Mammoth Lakes Tourism and brings a lifetime of outdoor adventure to her work along with extensive experience in strategic communications, brand management, and tourism and hospitality.
Photo Credits: Samantha Lindberg – Mammoth Lakes Tourism; Josh Wray – Mammoth Lakes Tourism.
