Lake Mary is the best place to paddle board in Mammoth Lakes. It’s the centerpiece of the Lakes Basin above town, it has two places to rent a board, and Crystal Crag rises right above the water. For a gentler first paddle, start at Twin Lakes by Tamarack Lodge; for the most dramatic scenery, drive south to Convict Lake under Mount Morrison.
Mammoth works for paddling because it has a cluster of clear, road-accessible mountain lakes within a few miles of town, plus the June Lake Loop a short drive north. The town itself sits at 7,880 feet, and the lakes are higher still, so the season is short and the water is cold. Paddle in the morning, before the wind and the afternoon storms.
Quick answer
- First time on a board: Twin Lakes, renting from Tamarack Bike & Paddle at Tamarack Lodge.
- Most popular: Lake Mary, with rentals at Pokonobe Lodge and Lake Mary Marina.
- Most dramatic scenery: Convict Lake, below Mount Morrison, south of town.
- No motorboats: Horseshoe Lake, at the top of the Lakes Basin road.
- A beach day: June Lake, with a public beach and rentals in the village; Gull Lake next door is smaller and quieter.
The best places to paddle board in Mammoth Lakes
Lake Mary
Directions
Best for: most paddlers, a classic Mammoth morning. Flat water, with afternoon wind.
Lake Mary is the biggest draw in the Mammoth Lakes Basin, often called its crown jewel. It’s ringed by pines and old fishing lodges, with Crystal Crag and the Mammoth Crest reflected in the water on a calm morning.
Where to launch: Pokonobe Lodge, a 1930s fishing lodge on the north shore, has a boat launch and marina. Lake Mary Marina is the other main access. Lake Mary Road reaches the lake only in summer; in winter, the road is a groomed cross-country ski trail.
What to avoid: Motorboats are allowed on Lake Mary. Stay clear of the marinas and the boats going in and out, and give anglers plenty of room.
Rentals and lessons: Pokonobe’s marina rents boats, canoes and stand-up paddle boards. Lake Mary Marina rents boats and sells tackle and snacks from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in summer.
Good to know: Crystal Crag Lodge rents cabins on the southwest shore if you want to stay right on the water.
Twin Lakes
Directions
Best for: beginners and families. Flat water.
Twin Lakes is the first lake you reach in the Lakes Basin, at about 8,500 feet, right off Lake Mary Road. It’s small and narrow, with a waterfall tumbling in at the far end below the Mammoth Crest. Tamarack Lodge sits on the shore, so it’s the easiest place in Mammoth to rent a board and push off.
Where to launch: Rentals go out from the yurt at Tamarack Lodge (163 Twin Lakes Road). The paved Lakes Basin bike path also runs past the lake.
Rentals and lessons: Tamarack Bike & Paddle rents stand-up paddle boards and kayaks by the hour, full day or two days. Each board comes with a life jacket, adjustable paddle, pump, fin and leash. In 2026 it was open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from May 22 to September 27, with weekends only early and late in the season. Online bookings need 24 hours’ notice; walk-ups can book at the yurt.
Good to know: The boards are inflatables, so the shop recommends inflating them yourself. Staff can help if you’re stuck.
Horseshoe Lake
DirectionsBest for: a paddle with no motorboats. Flat water.
Horseshoe Lake is at the end of Lake Mary Road, at the top of the Lakes Basin. The Inyo National Forest lists it as a non-motorized lake, so you’ll share it only with other paddlers.
Where to launch: Park in the Horseshoe Lake lot and carry your board to the shore.
What to avoid: The soil around Horseshoe Lake gives off high levels of carbon dioxide, which has killed stands of trees nearby and can be dangerous to people. Obey every warning sign, and don’t linger in closed areas, low spots or enclosed spaces.
Good to know: The lake level can drop a lot in dry years, leaving a longer walk to the water.
Convict Lake
Directions
Best for: scenery and photographs. Flat water, often windy.
Convict Lake sits about 10 miles south of Mammoth Lakes and 2 miles west of US 395, at the base of Mount Morrison. It’s known for its turquoise water and the dramatic peaks around it. A roughly 3-mile trail loops the shore.
Where to launch: The marina has a paved boat ramp and trailer parking by the bait shop. Hand-launch from the shore nearby, away from the ramp.
What to avoid: Both motorized and non-motorized boats use the lake. Wind can pick up quickly, so stay close to shore.
Rentals and lessons: The Convict Lake Resort marina rents boats and paddle boards in season.
Good to know: There’s a Forest Service campground with 85 sites next to Convict Creek.
June Lake
Directions
Best for: a beach day and families. Flat water.
June Lake is a subalpine lake at 7,621 feet on the June Lake Loop, north of Mammoth off US 395. It has a public beach, and the village has places to rent boards.
Where to launch: June Lake Beach, at the north end, is the easiest place to start. Big Rock Resort’s marina, on the south side near the village, also lets you launch small boats for a day-use fee (around $10 per person at the time of writing).
What to avoid: Motorboats are allowed on June Lake, so stay near shore and out of the routes to the marinas.
Rentals and lessons: June Lake Marina (125 Brenner Street) rents stand-up paddle boards.
Good to know: Inyo National Forest has no designated swimming areas, so there are no lifeguards. The water is cold, so wear your life jacket on the board.
Gull Lake
Directions
Best for: a quiet paddle near June Lake village. Flat water.
Gull Lake sits right next to June Lake village on the June Lake Loop. It’s smaller than June Lake, with reeds along parts of the shore.
Where to launch: The Forest Service’s Gull Meadows Car Top Boat Launch is set up for kayaks, canoes and paddle boards, and there’s no fee. It has flush toilets but no drinking water.
Rentals and lessons: Gull Lake Marina (47 Granite Avenue, June Lake) rents paddle boards.
Good to know: Motorboats are allowed here too, so keep near the shore.
When to go
Mammoth’s paddling season is roughly late May to late September. Rentals open around Memorial Day, and Lake Mary Road into the Lakes Basin is only open to cars in summer.
- June: snowmelt fills the lakes and waterfalls, but the water is very cold. Wear a wetsuit or dress for a fall in.
- July and August: the warmest, busiest months. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Sierra, so be off the water by early afternoon.
- September: quieter lakes, calmer weather and the start of fall color, with cold mornings.
- Water temperature: these are snow-fed lakes above 7,500 feet, and they stay cold all summer. Our wetsuit check uses water and air temperature to suggest what to wear.
- Altitude: if you’ve just arrived from sea level, take it easy on day one.
Planning a lap of Lake Mary or Convict Lake? Our Trip time calculator estimates how long a route will take at your pace.
Rules and safety in Mammoth Lakes
California treats a paddle board like any other vessel when you’re paddling outside a swim area. According to the state’s Division of Boating and Waterways:
- Life jacket: carry a US Coast Guard–approved life jacket for each person on board. Children under 13 must wear one while underway. See our pick of the best PFDs for SUP.
- Sound device: carry a whistle.
- After dark: have a white light ready to show in time to prevent a collision.
Local rules and habits:
- Motorboats: the Inyo National Forest allows motorboats on Lake Mary, Lake George, Convict, June and Gull lakes. Horseshoe Lake is non-motorized only.
- No designated swim areas: the forest has none, so watch for swimmers near beaches and give them room.
- Carbon dioxide at Horseshoe Lake: obey the warning signs and closures.
- Clean, drain and dry your board between lakes to avoid spreading invasive species. Some marinas may ask where your board was last used.
- Leash and life jacket: cold water saps your strength fast. Wear both.
FAQ
Where can beginners paddle board in Mammoth Lakes?
Twin Lakes. Rent from Tamarack Bike & Paddle at Tamarack Lodge, stay near the shore and go in the morning.
Can you rent a paddle board at Lake Mary?
Yes. Pokonobe Lodge’s marina on the north shore rents stand-up paddle boards, and Tamarack Bike & Paddle, a short drive down the road at Twin Lakes, rents inflatables you can take to other lakes.
Do I need a permit to paddle board in Mammoth Lakes?
No permit is needed for a paddle board on the Lakes Basin, Convict or June Lake Loop lakes. You’ll pay a fee at some private launches, such as Big Rock Resort on June Lake.
Can I paddle board at Convict Lake?
Yes. Launch near the marina, which also rents paddle boards in season. Go early, because the wind often picks up in the afternoon.
Is there anywhere similar nearby?
See our guides to Yosemite, over Tioga Pass to the west, and to Lake Tahoe, further north on US 395. Not sure which board to bring? Our Board Fitter suggests a size for your weight and the water you’ll paddle.
