Winter Recreation

Mono County offers an awesome assortment of winter recreation opportunities outside of the traditional ski-resorts, including extensive groomed and un-groomed trail systems, snow mobile riding areas, sno parks, ice skating, back-country touring, and more.

Read on below to explore featured winter recreation opportunities within Mono County, winter trip planning resources, safety information, and maps.

Winter Recreation Stewardship & Safety

When recreating in winter, along with the snow comes several additional responsibilities for respecting our lands, neighbors, and safety. Please read on below to see how you can be a good winter steward for the Eastern Sierra.

Winter Rules & Etiquette

Grooming and plowing operations are weather dependent.
Please respect TEMPORARY winter closures and areas closed for grooming - NO WHEELED VEHICLES BEYOND CLOSURES.
Please park in staging areas identified on map. DO NOT BLOCK ROADWAY - PROVIDE ACCESS FOR SNOW PLOWING AND EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS
Try not to ride or walk in cross country ski tracks
Yield Right of Way!
- Snow Mobilers yield to all
- Bikes and snowshoers yield to skiiers
- All users yield to grooming machines
Do not ride in soft conditions. If you leave a rut deeper than 2", its too soft.
Slow zones are generally 15mph
Use caution at night - be visible and use bright lights
Winter fat bikes are allowed on groomed trails outside ski areas.
E-Bikes are not allowed on any non-motorized trails or Nordic Recreation Areas.
Crossing 2-lane plowed roads at a right angle is permitted.
Snowmobiles must display a current registration sticker and are prohibited from entering designated wilderness areas.
- Backcountry permits are still required during winter for overnight use.

Winter safety

While Mono County is a winter wonderland with no shortage on fun, winter conditions and snow do come with risks.

For current conditions and avalanche snow summaries please check the following links:
- https://www.esavalanche.org/
- https://bridgeportavalanchecenter.org/
Try to recreate with a buddy. Always carry appropriate winter safety equipment such as beacons, a communcation device, ice-axe, crampons, and KNOW HOW TO USE THEM.
Check weather conditions before recreating.
Many roads in Mono County become impassable in winter and winter shoulder seasons.
- Respect road closures, especially for dirt roads or roads used as winter trails.
- The mud and snow don't care if your vehicle has 4-Wheel Drive, is lifted, has chains, etc. - if snow / mud are too deep or soft - you CAN get stuck. Mono County is very remote and rescue can be delayed and be expensive.
- Keep a shovel, ice scraper, warm blanket, extra water, and flashlight in your car in case you get stuck. If stuck in deep snow, be sure to clear snow away from your vehicle's tailpipe. Know ahead of time if it is feasible or safe for you to trek to safety.
- Always respect chain controls.

Winter Stewardship

Please respect our lands and trail systems by having a plan for where you will dispose of your trash and your waste (pet waste too!).
- Public restrooms and dumpsters for waste disposal are generally located within each community and the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
- Please do NOT poop on the trail or leave your dogs waste on the trail. It is unsanitary and destroys the place you came to enjoy.
- Pack out ALL trash, toilet paper, and dog bags.
Camping is limited in winter, but can still be done!
- Most campgrounds are closed and you may need to rely on dispersed camping.
  - Check that where you want to camp is legal: http://www.camplikeapro.org
  - Check that where you want to camp is accessible. Many roads become impassable in winter.
  - Obey all parking restrictions, including overnight parking prohibitions. If camping in a van or vehicle, careful not to block plow or groomer access.

Winter Trail Grooming for cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and snow mobiles

Grooming Information

FOR GROOMING INFORMATION ON THE BRIDGEPORT WINTER TRAIL SYSTEM, PLEASE SEE HERE:

Both the Buckeye Winter Trail and Paha Winter Trail have been groomed as of 12-27-2025! :) Happy trails!

FOR GROOMING INFORMATION ON THE INYO NATIONAL FOREST, PLEASE VISIT:

https://www.townofmammothlakes.ca.gov/1333/Winter-Trail-Grooming-Updates

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/inyo/recreation/wintersports

https://www.facebook.com/inyonf/

FOR GROOMING INFORMATION IN THE TOWN OF MAMMOTH LAKES, PLEASE VISIT THE MAMMOTH LAKES TRAIL SYSTEM CONDITIONS PAGE:

https://www.mammothtrails.org/trail-conditions/

Featured Winter Recreation

bridgeport winter trail system!

The Bridgeport Winter Trail System offers groomed winter recreation just outside of Bridgeport, CA, with sweeping valley views, quiet creek corridors, and access to iconic Eastern Sierra landscapes. This trail system is the result of a partnership between the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Mono County, and local volunteers. Grooming is provided on a volunteer basis by the Little family of the Virginia Creek Settlement, whose ongoing support makes winter access possible (thank you!).

Paha Winter Trail overlooking the sawtooths outside of Bridgeport, CA

Paha -Lower Twin Winter Trail

Distance: ~3.5mi out and back

The newest addition to the Bridgeport Winter Trail System, the Paha - Lower Twin trail winds through 3 miles of the Twin Lakes Valley alongside Robinson Creek offering peaceful forest scenery and scenic views of a snow-covered Lower Twin Lake.

Access & Amenities:

Parking is available either at the Paha Campground day-use parking area, or off South Twin Road just before the Robinson Creek bridge.
- South Twin Road temporarily closes in winter to host this groomed winter trail; please be respectful and do not attempt to drive wheeled vehicles past the South Twin parking area on South Twin Road.
Bathrooms with vault toilets are available within the Craggs Campground portion of the winter trail.

Buckeye Winter Trail

Distance: 3 miles one way (6 miles out-and-back)

The first trail of the Bridgeport Winter Trail system, this groomed winter trail provides access to the Buckeye Hot Springs area and offers expansive views of Bridgeport Valley, Bridgeport Reservoir, and the Hunewill Hills.

Access & Amenities

Parking is available off Twin Lakes Road just past Doc and Als (look for the trailhead kiosk!)
A bathroom with a vault toilet is open at the Buckeye Hot Springs parking lot
No overnight parking or camping is permitted within the Buckeye Hot Springs parking area; please find a previously disturbed dispersed campsite nearby and be prepared to pack out everything (including trash!) with you.
This trial is intended to provide groomed access to the Buckeye Hot Springs; the road is not plowed nor groomed North of the Hot Springs, and there is only foot or winter access from the north entrance of Buckeye Road.
!!! BUCKEYE ROAD IS CLOSED TO WHEELED VEHICLES WHILE IT OPERATES AS A WINTER TRAIL !!!
- Per Forest Order, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has deemed Buckeye Road CLOSED to vehicular traffic (snow-mobiles OK) when the trail is groomed for winter use. Attempting to take vehicles back to Buckeye is not only dangerous (you WILL get stuck), but also disrespectful. Taking vehicles past closure points is illegal and USERS WILL BE CITED FOR TRESPASSING. Thank you for your cooperation!
- As Buckeye Road builds a snow base in early winter and thaws out in early spring, the snowy / muddy surface is often IMPASSABLE to vehicles. No, it doesn't matter that your rig has 4WD, is lifted, has chains, etc. - YOU ARE LIKELY TO GET STUCK AND STRANDED - Rescue is expensive! Diving on soft and unstable road surfaces can cause long-term damage and can delay road opening. Causing damage to roads and other Forest resources can be a violation of federal regulations, which could carry a fine up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail.

Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area

The Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area (BWRA) is the first winter motorized recreation area in the nation! Experienced snowmobilers, backcountry skiers and snowboarders will enjoy the excellent snow conditions and challenging terrain of the 7,254 acre Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area.

Access & Amenities

Each person accessing the BWRA for motorized recreation is required to obtain a fee permit. Permits are self-issue in person at People’s Gate Trailhead on HWY 108 west of the Mountain Warfare training Center, and at Sonora pass, or online at the https://bridgeportavalanchecenter.org/ website.
Over the snow vehicles are permitted between the first Saturday in December until the last Sunday In April and only when the minimum snow depth requirements are met. The BWRA can open to motorized use once 24 inches of snow depth is measured at the HWY 108/ Leavitt Lake Junction Road. If snow depths fall below 12” at the Leavitt Lake Rd/Hwy 108 junction, or <10% snow coverage at Leavitt Lake, the BWRA will close to motorized use.
Be aware that the area is used by the USMC Mountain Warfare Training Center for winter warfare training activities.
For more information, visit this site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/humboldt-toiyabe/recreation/bridgeport-winter-recreation-area

Winter Trail at Inyo Craters, Mono County

Inyo National Forest Winter Trails

With at least 30 miles of groomed trails, the Inyo National Forest Winter Trail system allows you countless ways to enjoy winter fun in Mono County. This trail system is on Inyo National Forest lands and is maintained through a partnership between the Forest Service, CA State Parks, and the Town of Mammoth Lakes.

Access & Amenities

View all trails and staging areas on the Eastern Sierra Winter Recreation Map - linked below!
Mammoth Lakes Blue Diamond Nordic Routes offer 7 miles of ungroomed opportunities marked with blue diamonds attached to trees along the ways.
Trails specifically designated for snow mobiling are marked with orange diamonds.

Rock Creek Sno Park

SNO-Parks are cleared parking areas for vehicles that provide opportunities for non-motorized winter activities, including cross country skiing, sledding, snow snowing, snow play and more. Mono County has one SNO-Park located up Rock Creek Road just outside of Tom's Place, CA. Please note there is NO SNOW MOBILING ALLOWED at the Rock Creek Sno-Park.

Winter Recreation Opportunities

There's a winter adventure waiting for you all throughout Mono County, whether you want to motor around on your snow mobile or enjoy some tranquility on non-motorized trails.