Best places to see bears in Mammoth Lakes

Are you interested in seeing a bear while in Mammoth Lakes? Where are the best places to see bears in Mammoth? In this blog post we will discuss the prevalence of American Black Bears in and around the Mammoth Lakes area.

Before you start looking for bears, please review this article from Mammoth Lakes Tourism about Bear Safety It covers topics like food & trash storage, bear cannisters for backpacking, and what to do when you encounter a bear. Black Bears are generally not very aggressive, so if you see one don't panic, just proceed with caution and do not approach or corner a bear.

As for where to see bears in Mammoth Lakes, you should be aware that they are just about everywhere in town. There is a quote from the "bear whisperer" Steve Searles, who is sadly no longer employed by the Town of Mammoth Lakes - "if you are in Mammoth, you are always within 100 yards of a bear". Despite their size, they are super quite and not easy to spot. If you want to see one while on a hike, make sure you go out super early, the more people out on the trail, the less likely you are to see a bear out in it's natural surroundings.

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The truth is that you are just as likely to see a bear walking through a neighborhood as you are to see one on a hike in the middle of nowhere. You don't see them as often on or near Main Street, but they spend a lot of time on side streets and in areas with less traffic. They tend to be more active late in the afternoon and at night. Sadly, they are often spotted trying to get into dumpsters or campsites where people have left food out. Since much of the summer camping happens up in the Lakes Basin close to Lake Mary, Lake George, or Horseshoe Lake, those can be hotspots for bears. They are also often spotted near Snow creek Golf course and Sierra Star golf course. There isn't really a fail-proof strategy to spot a bear in Mammoth, but the more time you spend in Mammoth Lakes, particularly around popular camping sites, the better you chance is to spot a bear.

Gear Up for Your Mammoth Adventure

Whether you're spotting bears at Horseshoe Lake or hiking the backcountry, the right gear makes all the difference.

Carson Sun Hoodie — UPF 50+ sun protection for long trail days

Crushable 5-Panel Camper Hat — packable, durable, built for the outdoors

Langley Tech Button Up — lightweight and breathable for warm Sierra days

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