50 Best Whitewater Rafting Adventures in the USA
Looking to conquer some rapids this summer? Here are 50 of the best whitewater rafting experiences in the United States.
Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes is located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada’s in central California. Mammoth is commonly known as the premier mountain resort. Offering some of the finest recreational opportunities, this is a top travel destination to leave behind the urban lifestyle and experience nature at its best. The area’s startling granite peaks, high-desert vistas, crystal clear lakes, and lush alpine meadows will hold you spellbound.
A World Away from It All
The Inyo National Forest, located the beautiful Eastern Sierra, offers fresh clean air, crystal blue skies, clear mountain lakes and streams, challenging bike or hike trails, towering mountain peaks, and dazzling views. Numerous natural wonders, including Mt. Whitney, Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes Basin, and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest are located in the Inyo National Forest. Be sure to visit the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to the oldest living trees in the world; some of which are nearly 5,000 years old and still living.
Yosemite National Park harbors a spectacular collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world’s largest living trees. Hike or bike to waterfalls in Yosemite Valley, walk amongst giant sequoias, enjoy the breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point or drive the scenic Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows and enjoy a picnic or hike. Yosemite National Park is a top travel vacation destination that will delight the entire family.
Things to Do
Many summer activities are offered for the whole family in the Mammoth Lakes region. Excellent canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boating are available at the numerous lakes and streams in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Some of the many other attractions include the Pacific Crest Trail, Devil’s Postpile National Monument, Mammoth City Historical Site, Rainbow Falls, and geothermal springs. In the summertime visitors will find many activities to enjoy, including day hikes in the John Muir and Ansel Adams wilderness areas, great trout fishing, horse back riding in the backcountry, and golfing at one of the scenic Sierra golf courses. For some great fun and adventure, hire a local guide to show you the top fishing, hunting, and family outdoor destinations.
The scenic Panorama Gondola provides uphill access for mountain bikers. It’s also a good choice for the trip down—ride the Gondola or take one of several hiking trails. Panorama Gondola seats eight people per cabin. View the Minarets—incredible rock spires that are a favorite centerpiece of the Eastern Sierra landscape, Mono Lake, and 400 miles of peaks that average 12,000 feet in elevation. The Scenic Gondola is also open for rides during the month of June.
A great way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Mammoth is mountain or road biking. There is a network of trails, paved and unpaved roads that offer the biker an unlimited number of environments and views to discover. Mountain Bike Park has more than 80 miles of ski slopes that get transformed into groomed zigzagging single track trail. Road bikers will find plenty of asphalt routes to choose from, whether it be peddling around town, gearing down to puff up Minaret Road to the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge and on up to the breathtaking Minaret Vista, or ride the scenic stretches of U.S. Highway 395. The Gondola provides uphill access for mountain bikers, along with the Bike Park shuttle, which begins its route at the Village at Mammoth.
Mammoth is also host to music festivals and concerts for everyone’s enjoyment in the pristine surroundings of the Sierra Nevada. Events include the Mammoth Lakes Jazz Jubilee, Mammoth Music Festival, Bluesapalooza, Sierra Summer Festival, and Festival of Beers.
June Lake, right down the road from Mammoth, offers a variety of summer activities. Trails for hiking and horseback riding can be found along with ample choices for camping and bicycling. Some of the best fishing in the West can be found here with five marinas and lakes filled with wild and stocked trout. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy bike trails, camping, hiking, boating, horseback riding, rock climbing, sailing, kayaking and sunbathing on the sandy beaches of the canyon’s four lakes.
Getting Here
The area has a small airport but is a several hour drive from major cities. It’s about a half day drive from Southern California or three hours from the Reno airport. Visitors to the area often take more than a weekend vacation here due to its seclusion and amazing amount of activities.
Mountain Getaway Discounts
Scenic Mammoth Lakes and June Lake have it all. For deals and discounts on hotels, holidays, guided tours, adventure, fishing and more, click on the coupon categories on the upper left and get the Free Coupons to save money. Make the Mammoth Lakes and June Lake area your top vacation destination of choice.
Mammoth Lakes is located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada’s in central California. Mammoth is commonly known as the premier mountain resort. Offering some of the finest recreational opportunities, this is a top travel destination to leave behind the urban lifestyle and experience nature at its best. The area’s startling granite peaks, high-desert vistas, crystal clear lakes, and lush alpine meadows will hold you spellbound.
A World Away from It All
The Inyo National Forest, located the beautiful Eastern Sierra, offers fresh clean air, crystal blue skies, clear mountain lakes and streams, challenging bike or hike trails, towering mountain peaks, and dazzling views. Numerous natural wonders, including Mt. Whitney, Mono Lake, Mammoth Lakes Basin, and the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest are located in the Inyo National Forest. Be sure to visit the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, home to the oldest living trees in the world; some of which are nearly 5,000 years old and still living.
Yosemite National Park harbors a spectacular collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world’s largest living trees. Hike or bike to waterfalls in Yosemite Valley, walk amongst giant sequoias, enjoy the breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point or drive the scenic Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows and enjoy a picnic or hike. Yosemite National Park is a top travel vacation destination that will delight the entire family.
Things to Do
Many summer activities are offered for the whole family in the Mammoth Lakes region. Excellent canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boating are available at the numerous lakes and streams in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. Some of the many other attractions include the Pacific Crest Trail, Devil’s Postpile National Monument, Mammoth City Historical Site, Rainbow Falls, and geothermal springs. In the summertime visitors will find many activities to enjoy, including day hikes in the John Muir and Ansel Adams wilderness areas, great trout fishing, horse back riding in the backcountry, and golfing at one of the scenic Sierra golf courses. For some great fun and adventure, hire a local guide to show you the top fishing, hunting, and family outdoor destinations.
The scenic Panorama Gondola provides uphill access for mountain bikers. It’s also a good choice for the trip down—ride the Gondola or take one of several hiking trails. Panorama Gondola seats eight people per cabin. View the Minarets—incredible rock spires that are a favorite centerpiece of the Eastern Sierra landscape, Mono Lake, and 400 miles of peaks that average 12,000 feet in elevation. The Scenic Gondola is also open for rides during the month of June.
A great way to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Mammoth is mountain or road biking. There is a network of trails, paved and unpaved roads that offer the biker an unlimited number of environments and views to discover. Mountain Bike Park has more than 80 miles of ski slopes that get transformed into groomed zigzagging single track trail. Road bikers will find plenty of asphalt routes to choose from, whether it be peddling around town, gearing down to puff up Minaret Road to the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge and on up to the breathtaking Minaret Vista, or ride the scenic stretches of U.S. Highway 395. The Gondola provides uphill access for mountain bikers, along with the Bike Park shuttle, which begins its route at the Village at Mammoth.
Mammoth is also host to music festivals and concerts for everyone’s enjoyment in the pristine surroundings of the Sierra Nevada. Events include the Mammoth Lakes Jazz Jubilee, Mammoth Music Festival, Bluesapalooza, Sierra Summer Festival, and Festival of Beers.
June Lake, right down the road from Mammoth, offers a variety of summer activities. Trails for hiking and horseback riding can be found along with ample choices for camping and bicycling. Some of the best fishing in the West can be found here with five marinas and lakes filled with wild and stocked trout. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy bike trails, camping, hiking, boating, horseback riding, rock climbing, sailing, kayaking and sunbathing on the sandy beaches of the canyon’s four lakes.
Getting Here
The area has a small airport but is a several hour drive from major cities. It’s about a half day drive from Southern California or three hours from the Reno airport. Visitors to the area often take more than a weekend vacation here due to its seclusion and amazing amount of activities.
Mountain Getaway Discounts
Scenic Mammoth Lakes and June Lake have it all. For deals and discounts on hotels, holidays, guided tours, adventure, fishing and more, click on the coupon categories on the upper left and get the Free Coupons to save money. Make the Mammoth Lakes and June Lake area your top vacation destination of choice.
