Winter Recreation on the Inyo National Forest

Cross country skiier on the Buckeye Nordic trail in Bridgeport, CA.

Mono County offers an awesome assortment of winter recreation opportunities outside of the traditional ski-resorts. The Inyo National Forest (INF), in partnership with the Town Of Mammoth Lakes, offers a wide variety of both motorized and non-motorized, groomed and un-groomed trail systems in and around Mammoth, June Lake, and the Mono Basin, perfect for any type of winter adventure.

Inyo National Forest Winter Trail System

For those wanting to explore the Eastern Sierra by ski, snow-shoe, or winter fat-bike, the INF offers both groomed (30+ miles) and un-groomed (7+ miles) non-motorized trails. Non motorized trails are typically marked with Blue Diamonds.

Want to explore by snow mobile? The INF maintains about a 100 miles of groomed trails leading to approximately 150,000 acres of un-groomed snow mobile play areas. Trails specifically designated for snowmobiling are marked with orange diamonds.

Grooming updates

The Inyo National Forest is responsible for grooming and maintaining most of the groomed trail system in Mammoth Lakes and the Mono Basin. Check for grooming updates here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/inyo/recreation/wintersports or on the Inyo National Forest Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/inyonf/

The Town of Mammoth Lakes grooms the Shady Rest Winter Trails. Check for grooming updates here: https://www.mammothtrails.org/trail-conditions

Winter Operations & Etiquette

* Grooming and plowing operations are weather dependent.

* Please respect TEMPORARY winter closures - 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

*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 located in the Town of Bridgeport (Bridgeport County Park). Bathrooms are limited within the Twin Lakes Valley. Please do NOT poop on the trail or leave your dogs waste on the trail. Pack out ALL trash, toilet paper, and dog bags.

* Camp Like a Pro! ESSRP.org/camping RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY - NO TRESPASSING

* Do not ride or walk in cross country ski tracks.

* Respect other trail users. Be courteous and yield right of way according to etiquette code. All users yield to grooming machines

* Over-Snow-Vehicles (OSV) yield to all other users. SPEED LIMIT IS 15 MPH

* FAT BIKES: Yield to other non-motorized users. Do not ride in soft conditions - If you leave a rut deeper than 2 inches, it’s too soft.