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Things to do in Mammoth Lakes in April is a rare combination of winter and spring, making it a playground for outdoor enthusiasts celebrating the best of both seasons. Skiers and snowboarders at Mammoth Mountain are enjoying world-class spring skiing in mild, sunny weather amid a deep snowpack still blanketing the slopes. At the same time, the lower elevations begin to melt, and with it, stunning hiking trails, clear lakes and opportunities for mountain biking. April is an ideal time to visit this alpine paradise due to the lack of summer crowds, allowing for a more tranquil experience.
10 Things To Do In Mammoth Lakes In April
Here are the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes in April, from adrenaline-fuelled snowmobiling to quiet nights beneath a starry sky.
1. Spring Skiing At Mammoth Mountain
Photo: Emmanuel Maceda / Wikimedia Commons
In April, Mammoth Mountain is a skier’s paradise with soft, sun-kissed snow and fewer crowds. As one of the longest ski seasons in North America, pow stashes still wait at higher elevations, while lower slopes reach buttery spring corn. The park is also spectacular in April, with terrain parks, like Main Park and Forest Trail, containing perfectly formed jumps and rails. For more of a thrill, ride the Panorama Gondola to 11,053 feet, then drop into the expert-only Cornice Bowl. Grab après-ski steins at the Hit the Yodler or lounge in the sunshine at Tusks Bar. With good timing, you can catch the annual Pond Skim event, in which skiers try to skim across a freezing pool.
Best runs: Cornice Bowl for experts, Stump Alley for intermediates
Après Hotspots: The Yodler, Tusks Bar, and 53 Kitchen & Cocktails
2. Soak In Wild Willy’s Hot Springs
Photo: blmcalifornia / Wikimedia Commons
Nestled in the high desert south of Mammoth Lakes, Wild Willy’s Hot Springs is an unspoiled geothermal oasis that has breathtaking views of the snow-dusted Sierra Nevadas. April is a great time to visit when it is cool enough to enjoy the heat of the pools. Two main pools make up the springs, sitting right on top of the hot spring water and hovering between 95°F and 105°F, depending on the geothermal activity of the day. A larger pool accommodates a crowd, while the smaller, heart-shaped pool is for a more intimate soak. Being a natural hot spring, the experience is rustic with just the raw beauty of the Eastern Sierra.
Location: About 20 minutes south of Mammoth Lakes, accessible via Benton Crossing Road
Best Time To Visit: Sunrise or sunset
3. Hike To Rainbow Falls
Photo: Kinney / Wikimedia Commons
Rainbow Falls, an incredible 101-foot waterfall in the Ansel Adams Wilderness and hiking here is one of the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes in April. The typical summer route to visit from Devils Postpile includes lots of snow but may allow access via Reds Meadow or Agnew Meadows, depending on snow conditions. April is a fascinating month to visit, as the falls start to swell with snowmelt, resulting in a raging cascade. You can most likely have the area to yourself compared to the peak summer months, which makes it a peaceful and rewarding hike.
Distance: 5 miles round-trip (depending on route availability)
Best Time To Visit: 10 AM – 2 PM
Nearby Attraction: Twin Falls at Lake Mamie
4. Snowmobiling In The Eastern Sierra
Photo: Sebastian V. / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
If you’ve been waiting for high-speed thrills, hitting the snowmobile trails is among the best things to do in Mammoth Lakes in April. As the winter crowds begin to dwindle, the snow-covered backcountry trails become an expansive playground. Ride in and through the Inyo National Forest, where groomed trails lead to stunning, almost otherworldly alpine meadows, frozen lakes and expansive vistas. Popular routes include the 30 miles of trails in Shady Rest Park, which has a variety of beginner and advanced terrain.
Best areas: Shady Rest Park, Minaret Vista
Rental Options: Machines available from Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures
5. Backcountry Skiing In The Mammoth Crests
Photo: Visit Almaty / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
If you’re a seasoned skier in search of solitude and more distinctive than frosted confetti, April is prime time for backcountry skiing in the Mammoth Crest area. With a heavy snowpack left over from winter storms, the ridges and bowls surrounding Crystal Crag, Duck Pass and Red Cone provide thrills without the resort crowds. The key is to engage early as snow changes quickly in spring, turning from firm and icy in the morning to perfect corn snow by mid-morning. Avalanche season is a priority, so ensuring that you check forecasts and take proper equipment (beacon, probe, shovel) is a must.
Best routes: Crystal Crag; Duck Pass for longer runs
Skill Level: intermediate to advanced
6. Fishing At Hot Creek
Photo: Gaspar Zaldo / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Fishing is one of the things to do in Mammoth Lakes in April. Since it is the beginning of the prime fly-fishing season on Hot Creek, a famed trout stream fed by geothermal springs. The warmer waters make it a year-round fishery, but when the snow starts to melt, the trout become more active. The creek has wild rainbow and brown trout, and fishing is challenging with catch-and-release only, all in an exquisite canyon. Though wading is prohibited, anglers can cast from the banks or cautiously walk the jagged rocks of the shoreline.
Accessibility: A short hike from the parking area off Hot Creek Hatchery Road
Best Time To Fish: Late morning and early afternoon when insect activity peaks
7. Scenic Drive To Convict Lake
Photo: Kate McGahan / Wikimedia Commons
The lake derives its name from a band of escaped convicts who engaged in a shootout with law enforcement in 1871. April tends to be prime time for a scenic drive to the Lake, as the surrounding peaks are still dusted with snow and the contrast against the deep blue water is breathtaking. The road to the lake is usually ploughed year-round, making it an easy getaway into nature. The 2.5-mile loop trail around the lake can have a few snow patches, but it’s generally passable with sturdy footwear.
Trail Conditions: Require waterproof boots in early April due to melting snow
Wildlife Sightings: Bald eagles and mule deer
8. Explore The Earthquake Fault
Photo: Andy Atkins / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The Mammoth Lakes Earthquake Fault is an intriguing geological formation created thousands of years ago by seismic activity that resulted in a giant fissure in the earth. The eerily beautiful, 60-foot-deep chasm slices through volcanic rock, making for a natural wonder. In April, the week or so leading up to the fault itself is usually devoid of deep snow, making it relatively easy to get there. You can walk the edges of the fault, seeing the tremendous forces that created this region, and signs explain how the fault is volcanic.
Location: Near the Mammoth Scenic Loop, accessible via a short hike
Nearby Attractions: Inyo Craters and Obsidian Dome
9. Mountain Biking in Lower Rock Creek
Photo: H005 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
By mid-to-late-April, Lower Rock Creek Trail begins to dry out, making it one of the first Eastern Sierra mountain bike trails to open for the season. The trail is split into three separate sections, the uppermost of which is the most difficult due to steep switchbacks and boulder fields. More intrepid riders seeking less bumpy rides can start lower down, where the terrain is a bit easier. This zone is also a good introduction to high-desert riding because it is at slightly lower elevation than Mammoth’s summer trails.
Bike Rentals: Available at Footloose Sports in Mammoth Lakes
Best Time To Ride: Afternoon
10. Stargazing At Minaret Vista
Photo: Sindre Fs / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
One of the best places in the Eastern Sierra to stargaze with hardly any pollution in the sky is Minaret Vista. In April, the clean spring nights allow constellations, planets, and even the Milky Way to be seen clearly. The road to the vista can still have snow in early April, but it’s often navigable by car or with a short hike. You can use a telescope or binoculars and dress warm, as the temperatures fall quickly after sundown. If you visit during a new moon, you can see the unforgettable celestial spectacle above the rugged Minaret Range.
Best Viewing Time: 10 PM – 2 AM
Nearby Attraction: Hot Creek Geological Site for stargazing
Things to do in Mammoth Lakes in April is a transition between the end of winter adventures and the start of spring activity, and there are a multitude of ways to enjoy the outdoors in both seasons. Whether you’re carving turns on Mammoth Mountain, soaking in hot springs, or hiking to stunning waterfalls, there’s no shortage of adventure and beauty around every corner. Plan your visit with TripXL for a combination of snowy peaks and blooming valleys.
