At 8,600 feet, Twin Lakes - really a single lake with a narrow choke in the middle - is the lowest lake in the Lakes Basin and the only one accessible by car year-round. Nestled between Panorama Dome and the steep southern flank of Mammoth Mountain, Twin Lakes is a popular fishing destination and the source of Mammoth Creek. There is a busy campground here with campsites on both shores, a historic lodge and restaurant, an outdoor wedding chapel, a general store offering basic supplies, fishing tackle and boat rentals and, in winter only, a world-class fee-based cross-country ski center.
Twin Lakes
Destination adopted by: Drew Hild & Stacey Kwiatkowski - Highmark Advisors
Avalanche Forecast for 02/17/2025
- AVALANCHE FORECAST: A person could trigger consequential and unpredictable avalanches today. Buried weak layers 3-6 feet below the surface on shaded aspects are of greatest concern. Fresh wind slab avalanches remain reactive to the weight of a human and may be enough to trigger a larger and more destructive avalanche. Using conservative terrain choices and maintaining a wide safety margin are the best ways to manage the hazard. Find out More
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Destination Activities
Public Services
Hours of Operation: N/A
Season: Year Round
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From Twin Lakes Vista, take Lake Mary Road south to Twin Lakes Road to reach the lakeshore.
*Note that not all facilities are accessible via public transit.
Related Trails
Black Bear Run
0.9 mi
- Surface: None
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Lakefront Path
0.3 mi
- Surface: Asphalt
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Lakes Basin Path
5.3 mi
- Surface: Asphalt
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Mammoth Mountain Trail
3.9 mi
- Surface: Soil
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Related Trails
Trail | Length (mi) | Surface | Activities and Services |
---|---|---|---|
Black Bear Run | 0.9 |
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Lakefront Path | 0.3 | Asphalt |
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Lakes Basin Path | 5.3 | Asphalt |
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Mammoth Mountain Trail | 3.9 | Soil |
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Related Experiences
Family Biking the Lakes Basin
6.2 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Mixed,
- Duration: Less than 4 hours
Family Biking the Lakes Basin Path
10.6 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Asphalt,
- Duration: Half day
Family Biking the Lakes Basin Path Downhill
5.3 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Mixed,
- Duration: Less than 4 hours
Fishing at Twin Lakes
N/A
- Rating: ,
- Surface: None,
- Duration: Less than 4 hours
Kayaking on Twin Lakes
0.4 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Water,
- Duration: Less than 4 hours
Photography at Twin Falls Overlook
0.2 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Mixed,
- Duration: Less than 4 hours
Photography at Twin Lakes Vista
N/A
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Asphalt,
- Duration: Less than 4 hours
Snowplay in the Mammoth Lakes Basin
1.7 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Snow,
- Duration: Less than 4 hours
Vista Viewing from the Twin Lakes Vista
N/A
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Asphalt,
- Duration: Less than 4 hours
Walking the Lakes Basin Path at Twin Lakes
1.3 mi
- Rating: ,
- Surface: Asphalt,
- Duration: Less than 4 hours
Related Experiences
Experience | Rating | Length (mi) | Surface | Duration |
---|---|---|---|---|
Family Biking the Lakes Basin | 6.2 | Mixed | Less than 4 hours | |
Family Biking the Lakes Basin Path | 10.6 | Asphalt | Half day | |
Family Biking the Lakes Basin Path Downhill | 5.3 | Mixed | Less than 4 hours | |
Fishing at Twin Lakes | N/A | Less than 4 hours | ||
Kayaking on Twin Lakes | 0.4 | Water | Less than 4 hours | |
Photography at Twin Falls Overlook | 0.2 | Mixed | Less than 4 hours | |
Photography at Twin Lakes Vista | N/A | Asphalt | Less than 4 hours | |
Snowplay in the Mammoth Lakes Basin | 1.7 | Snow | Less than 4 hours | |
Vista Viewing from the Twin Lakes Vista | N/A | Asphalt | Less than 4 hours | |
Walking the Lakes Basin Path at Twin Lakes | 1.3 | Asphalt | Less than 4 hours |




