Mammoth Mountain towers above Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra, about midway between Lake Tahoe and Death Valley. Powder piles up on ski runs here, at nearby June Mountain, and across the landscapes below. Make pretty Mammoth Lakes your basecamp for skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and building snow forts with the pups and people you love. The area’s rustic cabins and full-service resorts offer special amenities for dogs.
On Main Street in Mammoth Lakes, comfortable motels like the SureStay Plus by Best Western and the recently updated Motel 6 accommodate pets. The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth, greets dogs with a dog bed, water bowl and amenities. Edelweiss Lodge has a reasonable $20 per day pet fee that includes a welcome basket with bowls, treats, waste baggies and sheets to cover furniture.
Historic Tamarack Lodge, a DogTrekker favorite, welcomes dogs in well-appointed cabins just a stick’s throw from Tamarack Cross-Country Ski Center. Dogs can roam ungroomed areas here or explore select snowshoe trails. On the other side of town, families can toss snowballs at Shady Rest Park. The park’s trails typically are groomed several times a week, and they’re popular with dog walkers and snowshoers. On a clear day, the views from Shady Rest toward the Sherwin Range are spectacular — bring your camera.
McGee Creek Lodge and Convict Lake Resort, sister properties southeast of town, welcome leashed pets on the property for $18 per pet, per day. The backdrop for hiking or snowshoeing along Convict Lake is especially striking in the winter, with snow-dusted peaks reflected in the still water. Well-behaved dogs are also allowed on many other trails throughout the Inyo National Forest.
A few practical tips for visiting with your dog in winter: bring paw wax or booties to protect against ice and salt on roads, pack an extra towel for drying off after snowy romps, and keep your dog leashed near ski runs and groomed trails where they’re not permitted. The elevation here tops 7,800 feet in town, so give your pup time to adjust if you’re coming from lower ground. Watch for signs of altitude discomfort like heavy panting or reluctance to walk — if your dog seems off, head to a lower elevation and let them rest.
Remember, this is mountain country and storms sometimes cause travel challenges. The Visit Mammoth website shares helpful info on road conditions and the status of local ski hills and adventure parks. Nearby Bishop is another dog-friendly destination worth exploring along Highway 395.
For a wider look at the 395 corridor once the roads start thawing, see our Eastern Sierra dog-friendly spring guide — it walks the full stretch from Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills up through Bishop, Convict Lake, June Lake, and Mono Lake as the season opens.
