01
Best overall pick
Crowley Lake Beach (Sandy Point Area)
South Of Mammoth Lakes Along Us-395 • Wide Open Reservoir Shoreline • Best Mix Of Access And Elbow Room
A big-sky lake with long, gently sloping shoreline that feels closest to a classic beach near Chalfant.
Crowley Lake’s Sandy Point-style areas offer broad, relatively flat shoreline where you can park nearby, haul a cooler, and set up for the day. It’s popular for paddleboards, kayaks, and letting dogs splash around when conditions allow. Go early for calmer water, and always watch afternoon winds, which can kick up quickly on this exposed reservoir.
02
Best for swimming
June Lake Beach
June Lake Loop Off Us-395 • Alpine Lake Swim Beach • Top Choice For Families And Paddlers
A sandy, shallow-fringe beach on a turquoise alpine lake that feels surprisingly resort-like for the Eastern Sierra.
June Lake Beach has soft sand, easy wading, and a roped-off swim area that makes it one of the few true family-friendly swim beaches in the region. The water is snowmelt-cold but usually calm, and there’s room to launch paddleboards or kayaks on quieter days. Shade is limited, so locals bring pop-up canopies, camp chairs, and layers for when the afternoon breeze comes off the water.
03
Best for picnics
Lake Mary Day-Use Shore
Mammoth Lakes Basin Above Town • Pine-Lined Mountain Lake • Perfect For Relaxed Half-Day Escapes
A string of small coves and pocket beaches tucked under tall pines with classic Mammoth peak views.
Around the day-use and campground areas of Lake Mary you’ll find tiny sand and pebble pockets where locals spread blankets between boulders and tree trunks. It’s less about long walks on the beach and more about quiet shoreline nooks for picnics, reading, and watching boats drift by. Afternoon thunderstorms are part of the charm here, so keep an eye on clouds and plan to be off the water if they build.
04
Most unique landscape
Mono Lake South Tufa Shoreline
Shoreline South Of Lee Vining • Otherworldly Tufa Shoreline • Best For Photographers And Sunset Watchers
A shallow, crunchy shoreline backed by surreal tufa towers rather than classic sand, but unforgettable all the same.
Mono Lake’s South Tufa area trades soft sand for salt-crusted flats and bizarre limestone spires rising out of the water. People come here to stroll the water’s edge, watch birds, and shoot moody sunsets with the Sierra crest glowing in the background. The lake’s highly alkaline water is not a typical swim spot, so think of this as a beach for wandering, stargazing, and soaking in the strange beauty instead.
05
Best quick stop off 395
Convict Lake Day-Use Shore
Just Off Us-395 South Of Mammoth Lakes • Scenic Cirque Lake Shore • Ideal For Short Walks And Big Views
A compact shoreline with tiny pebble beaches sitting directly under towering cliffs, only minutes from the highway.
From the day-use area at Convict Lake you can access bits of lakeside where polished pebbles meet glassy water, all framed by dramatic rock walls. It’s an easy place to stretch your legs on a road trip, let kids toss stones in the shallows, or walk part of the lakeshore trail. Space is limited, so aim for early or later in the day if you want a quieter, more contemplative version of this spectacular setting.