Lake Mary Cove Shore

For Californians seeking a quintessential mountain camping experience with stunning lake views and abundant recreational opportunities, Lake Mary Campground in Mammoth Lakes is a highly sought-after destination. Situated on the north shore of the largest and most developed lake in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, this campground offers a vibrant atmosphere for families, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. It's a place where the grandeur of the Eastern Sierra meets the convenience of lakeside living, creating an unforgettable backdrop for your next outdoor adventure.

This comprehensive guide will provide a detailed and engaging overview of Lake Mary Campground, highlighting its prime location, the essential services it offers, and the unique features that make it a perennial favorite among California locals. We'll explore its accessibility, recreational potential, and what you can expect during your stay, all with the goal of helping you plan a memorable trip to one of California's most beautiful high-country settings. Discover why Lake Mary Campground is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it's a gateway to experiencing the best of Mammoth Lakes.

Lake Mary Campground is exceptionally well-located within the Mammoth Lakes Basin, specifically on the north shore of Lake Mary, near the Pokonobe Lodge and Marina and Lake Mamie. Its address is Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, USA. This prime lakeside position at an elevation of 8,900 feet offers campers breathtaking views of Lake Mary, the majestic Mammoth Crest, and the surrounding verdant forest, making it incredibly popular, especially in the summertime.

Accessibility to Lake Mary Campground is quite convenient for California residents. From U.S. 395, take the Mammoth Junction exit and follow Highway 203 through the town of Mammoth Lakes. Continue straight through the intersection of Minaret Road/Highway 203 and Lake Mary Road, then drive approximately 3.6 miles to Lake Mary Loop Drive. A right turn onto Lake Mary Loop Drive for about 0.5 miles will lead you directly to the campground entrance. The roads leading to the campground are paved, ensuring easy drive-in access for most vehicles.

Beyond vehicular access, a significant accessibility feature is the presence of a shuttle stop in close proximity to the campground. This shuttle provides convenient transportation throughout the Lakes Basin, allowing campers to explore other lakes, trailheads, and points of interest without needing to move their vehicles. Additionally, the Lakes Basin Path, which connects to the larger Mammoth Lakes Trail System, is nearby, offering seamless access for walkers, hikers, and bikers directly from their campsite. This excellent connectivity makes Lake Mary Campground a highly accessible and desirable base for exploring the diverse recreation opportunities of the Mammoth Lakes area. The campground is generally open from June 15 to September 30, weather permitting, making it a seasonal gem.

Lake Mary Campground provides a range of essential services designed to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience for its visitors.

• Standard, Non-Electric Campsites: The campground offers 43 standard campsites. These sites are non-electric, catering to campers who prefer a more traditional experience or who are self-sufficient with their power needs.
• Drinking Water: Potable drinking water is available within the campground, which is a crucial amenity for all campers, eliminating the need to bring large quantities of water.
• Flush Toilets: The campground is equipped with flush toilets, offering a significant comfort upgrade compared to vault toilets often found in more rustic settings. This amenity enhances the hygiene and convenience for all campers.
• Campfire Rings: Each campsite typically includes a campfire ring, allowing campers to enjoy traditional campfires for cooking, warmth, and gathering under the stars. (Always check for current fire restrictions before lighting a fire.)
• Picnic Tables: Every site also comes with a picnic table, providing a dedicated surface for meal preparation, dining, and other camp activities.
• Food Storage Lockers: As the Mammoth Lakes area is active bear country, each campsite is equipped with a bear-resistant food storage locker. These are essential for securely storing all food items and scented products, preventing bear encounters and ensuring the safety of both campers and wildlife.
• Fish Cleaning Station: For the avid anglers, a fish cleaning station is a convenient amenity provided at the campground, allowing for proper processing of catches.
• Camp Hosts: The campground is managed by Inyo Recreation (doing business as California Land Management), and camp hosts are typically on-site. These hosts are valuable resources for visitors, providing information, assistance, and collecting additional vehicle fees.

Lake Mary Campground stands out with several key features and highlights that contribute to its immense popularity and make it a highly desirable camping location in Mammoth Lakes.

• Lakeside Location with Views: The most prominent feature is its stunning location directly on the shore of Lake Mary. Many sites offer direct views of the lake, the Mammoth Crest, and the surrounding forest, providing an idyllic setting for a mountain getaway.
• Popularity for Fishing: Lake Mary is renowned as a prime fishing destination, and the campground's lakeside access makes it particularly popular among anglers. The lake is the largest and most developed in the area, providing ample opportunities for a rewarding fishing experience.
• Proximity to Lakes Basin Path and Shuttle: Direct access to the Lakes Basin Path allows for easy walking, hiking, and biking. The nearby shuttle stop provides convenient transportation throughout the entire Lakes Basin, connecting campers to various other lakes, trailheads, and recreational spots without needing a car.
• Great Base for Activities: The campground serves as an excellent base for a wide range of activities, including fishing, viewing waterfalls, hiking, backpacking, and exploring the numerous other lakes in the basin.
• Family and Outdoors Enthusiast Friendly: Lake Mary Campground is highly popular among families and general outdoors enthusiasts, suggesting a lively yet respectful atmosphere suitable for a diverse range of visitors.
• High Elevation: Situated at 8,900 feet, the campground offers a refreshing high-country climate, which can be a welcome escape from warmer temperatures at lower elevations. Campers should be mindful of altitude effects.
• Managed by Inyo Recreation (California Land Management): The campground is professionally managed by a concessionaire, ensuring that operations, maintenance, and visitor services are handled efficiently.
• Reservations via Recreation.gov: The ability to make reservations through Recreation.gov is a convenient feature for planning trips, especially given the campground's popularity which often leads to it being full during the summer.

For inquiries or to make reservations at Lake Mary Campground, please use the following information:

Address: Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, USA

Phone: (877) 444-6777 (This is the Recreation.gov national reservation line, which manages bookings for Lake Mary Campground)

Note: For local inquiries or specific conditions, you might also contact the Mammoth Lakes Visitor Center at (760) 924-5500, as they can provide regional information.

Lake Mary Campground is an exceptional choice for California locals seeking a vibrant and amenity-rich camping experience in the heart of the Eastern Sierra. Its prime lakeside location at 8,900 feet offers not only stunning views but also direct access to one of the most developed and popular recreational areas in Mammoth Lakes. For Californians, this means a relatively straightforward drive to a renowned mountain destination, providing a fantastic escape into nature without sacrificing convenience.

The availability of flush toilets, drinking water, and bear-resistant lockers significantly enhances comfort and safety. The campground's popularity among families and fishing enthusiasts speaks to its broad appeal. Critically, the proximity to the Lakes Basin Path and the convenience of the shuttle system allow locals to explore the surrounding beauty extensively without the need to drive, making it a truly immersive experience. While demand is high, the ability to book through Recreation.gov allows for proactive planning. For Californians eager to embrace the full spectrum of outdoor activities – from fishing and hiking to simply enjoying a breathtaking mountain sunset – Lake Mary Campground serves as an ideal and highly recommended basecamp.

Lake Mary Cove Shore

Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546, USA