01
Closest sandy escape
Crowley Lake Fish Camp Beach
Crowley Lake Shoreline • Laid-Back Lake Marina Beach • Quickest Beach From Sunny Slopes
A convenient stretch of lakeshore with parking, a small beach feel, and big-sky views just minutes down the road from Sunny Slopes.
If you want a beach vibe without a long drive, the shoreline by Crowley Lake Fish Camp is your go-to spot. It’s more rustic launch area than manicured resort, but there’s enough flat lakeside space to lay out a chair, let kids dig in the sand-and-gravel mix, and watch boats come and go. Late afternoon is especially pleasant here, when the wind usually drops and the light softens over the Glass Mountains.
02
Best overall pick
June Lake Beach
June Lake Loop • Classic Alpine Swimming Beach • Best For A Full Beach Day
A wide, sandy lakeshore with shallow entry, clear turquoise water, and towering peaks that make it feel like a mini mountain resort.
June Lake Beach is where locals send friends who want a true beach day in the mountains. The gently sloping sand is great for families, there’s plenty of room to spread out, and the water near shore warms up just enough by midsummer for bracing swims. Bring a cooler, a shade tent, and a float, and plan to linger as the evening light turns the surrounding peaks gold.
03
Best small-lake feel
Gull Lake Marina Shoreline
Village Of June Lake • Quiet Fishing-Friendly Shoreline • Best For Anglers Who Still Want A Beach Feel
A smaller, more intimate lakeside with pockets of grass and shoreline that balance relaxed hanging out with easy access to boats and fishing.
Just down the road from June Lake Beach, the shoreline around Gull Lake Marina feels calmer and more compact. There are nooks of grass and bank-side spots where you can set up chairs, let kids toss rocks at the water’s edge, and still keep a line in the water. It’s a good choice when June Lake feels busy but you still want that alpine lake atmosphere and simple amenities close at hand.
04
Best for picnics and paddling
Lake Mary Lakeside Beach
Upper Mammoth Lakes Basin • Forest-Fringed Picnic Beach • Best For Lakeside Picnics And Paddleboarding
A scenic fringe of shoreline where pines meet the water, ideal for spreading out a picnic and launching kayaks or SUPs into calm morning water.
Around Lake Mary you’ll find several small pullouts and day-use spots with easy water access, any of which can stand in as your personal little beach. The vibe is more pine-needle shoreline than broad sand, but the trade-off is quieter corners, great shade, and immediate access to glassy water for paddling. Aim for a morning visit to catch the lake at its calmest and watch the sun creep down the ridgelines above Mammoth Lakes.
05
Most scenic close-to-town spot
Twin Lakes Beach (Mammoth Lakes)
Below Mammoth Mountain • Scenic Waterfall-Side Lake Cove • Best For Sunrise And Photography
A photogenic lakeshore with dramatic cliffs and a nearby waterfall, where small pockets of beach and shoreline invite low-key lounging.
Twin Lakes offers some of the most dramatic lakeside scenery near Sunny Slopes, with steep cliffs and the sound of a waterfall in the background. The shoreline is broken into small coves and clearings rather than one big beach, which makes it easy to find a semi-private corner to sit, sip a coffee, and watch the light change. It’s especially rewarding at first or last light, when the surrounding rock walls catch soft alpenglow.