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Mammoth Lakes

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Other Names

Big Springs, June Lake, Crowley Lake, Owens River, Inyo National Forest, Hot Creek, Bald Mountain, Crowley Lake Campground, Mammoth Loops

Last Known StatusOpen

Looking for a great place to take the family for a weekend of casual riding? Then look no further. This area offers great scenery, free camping with a nearby creek, plenty of shade and miles of smooth and easy trails. The trails mostly consist of sandy with some hard pack dirt, but there are some single track to be found. This is a large trail system which is split in half by US-395. The eastern section can be accessed by staging at Big Springs Campground while the western section by staging at Glass Creek Campground.

Big Springs Campground has 26 sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring and bear proof storage box. Many people come to this campground just to fill their bottles with the water that flows from an underground stream near the creek (look for the white pipe). Big Springs is popular and fills up quickly, but Glass Creek Campground is another option and is located a few miles away but offers about 60 sites and can accommodate trailers up to 45 feet. Other campgrounds in the area that also offer direct trail access include Hartley Springs, Deadman and Obsidian Flat Group Campground.

There are around forty or more creeks and lakes in the area, as well as a cluster of hot springs about 15 miles away, swimming holes, boat rentals and gondola rides, so we suggest you plan to stay a few days and enjoy it all. Around mid June the annual Monster Energy Mammoth Motocross is hosted at Mammoth MX, which attracts thousands of spectators from around the country.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesCA OHMVR stickers required
Dates OpenYear-Round (recommend June through October)CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round
Other ATV Stickers AcceptedYesResidents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY)
Spark ArrestorYesA spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise LimitYes (96 dB)CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB)
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle WidthNo Restriction
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Permitted
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
PermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
2 Stroke EnginesNo RestrictionCA OHMVR restrictions apply
MX Helmet RequiredYeshelmets required by state law
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingNo Restriction(camp anywhere)
camp anywhere - with permits (wilderness permit & fire permit)
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night RidingUnknown
Trail BlazingProhibitedkeep vehicle on trail
AlcoholNo RestrictionCalifornia open container law
Rule EnforcementFew/PeriodicJeep/SUV Patrol
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TERRAIN

Approx Size256,000 acres (400 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail200
Climate TypeForest
Elevation7250 to 8500 ft.
Trail MaintenanceNot Marked, Not Rated, Not Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has mostly loose dirt.Mostlyvery loose, almost sandy, very dry and dusty
Hard PackThe trail has some hard pack terrain.Some
SandThis trail has some sandy areas.Somepretty loose in some parts
MudThe trail has little mud after it rains.Little
DustThe trail has mostly dust on typical days.Mostlyvery dusty as forest trails go
RocksThis trail has little rocks.Littleremarkably few rocks, trails very smooth
TreesThe trail has almost all trees.All
Steep HillsThis trail has few steep hills.Fewvery mild
Water CrossingsThe trail has few water crossings.Fewdidn't see any, but map shows a few
Small JumpsThis trail has few small jumps.Fewsome rockers on the narrow trail
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has few berms.Few
Sand/Gravel PitsThis national forest has few sand or gravel pits.Few
Single TrackThis national forest has some single track trails.Somesome great ones - fun & easy
RoadsThis national forest has few roads.Few
IntersectionsThis trail has some intersections.Someall trails 2-way
Rider TrafficThe national forest has few rider traffic on typical days.Fewnot crowded
ShadeThis national forest has many shaded areas.Many
Ranges/GunfireThis national forest has few shooting ranges or gunfire.Fewa few spots show evidence of shooting
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards not marked)
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has mostly beginner terrain.Mostly
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has some intermediate level terrain.Some
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has little expert terrain.Little
Commentexcellent for beginner/family

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails, Gravel Pit
LandNational Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline5-20 Miles (NW)June Lake Junction Gas Station (760) 648-7509
Diesel Diesel5-20 Miles (NW)June Lake Junction Gas Station (760) 648-7509
Potable Water WaterOn Sitepotable water
creek water is clean. Pay sites have water.
RV Hookups RV Hookup5-20 Miles (SW)Mammoth Mountain RV Park (760) 934-3822
RV Dump Station RV DisposalMammoth Lakes, CA
Primitive Camping CampgroundOn Site
Convenience Store Conv Store5-20 Miles (NW)June Lake Junction Gas Station (760) 648-7509

FEES & PASSES

Parking(None)
Entry(None)
Riding(None)
Camping(None)
CommentMost campgrounds free - recommend "Big Springs".

RATINGS

Prosrelaxing, easy & scenic trails, friendly rangers, free camping, shade, beauty
Consstinky bathrooms in free campground, all terrain is smooth & easy to moderate
Our RatingRatingVery Good
Recommended Stay3-5 Days
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityMammoth Lakes, CA
AddressOwens River Road, Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
Go Back To California List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Reno, NV
1) Take US-395 South towards town of Mammoth Lakes
2) Turn left (east) onto Owens River Road, continue 2 miles
3) Big Springs Campground is on the left (north).

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoInyo National Forest - Mammoth Lakes Welcome Center
P.O. Box 148
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
(760) 924-5500
mailroom_r5_inyo@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov
Contact InfoMammoth Lakes Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 48
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
(888) 466-2666
info@visitmammoth.com
www.visitmammoth.com
Contact InfoEnjoy the Mountain Off Road Adventures
29121 Hook Creek Road
Cedar Glen, CA 92321
(844) 386-6691
info@enjoythemountain.com
www.enjoythemountain.com
CommentGuided ATV tours and rentals.

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

Mammoth Lakes Trail

A nice shot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Bring the camera!

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

A trail at Mammoth Lakes Trail

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

Amenities at Mammoth Lakes Trail

Main entrance to the Bald Mountain fire lookout station.

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

Some amenities at Mammoth Lakes Trail

This warming hut is located next to the Bald Mountain fire lookout station. When we visited it had some canned goods, fire wood, basic furniture and a guest book.

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

OHV at Mammoth Lakes Trail

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

OHV at Mammoth Lakes Trail

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

Terrain example at Mammoth Lakes Trail

One of the few sections of single track.

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

Mammoth Lakes Trail

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

OHV at Mammoth Lakes Trail

Many of the trails look like this - wide, smooth and fairly easy. This is a good place to bring the ATVs or Jeeps.

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

Motorbike at Mammoth Lakes Trail

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

OHV at Mammoth Lakes Trail

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

OHV at Mammoth Lakes Trail

The trails can be a little dusty during dry weather. Overall, a good time is guaranteed.

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Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

OHV at Mammoth Lakes Trail

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

Scenery at Mammoth Lakes Trail

Big Springs Campground offers 26 primitive sites. There is no fee to camp here but sites are on a first come, first serve basis.

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

OHV at Mammoth Lakes Trail

Mammoth Lakes Trail Photo

OHV at Mammoth Lakes Trail

Mono Lake.

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