01
Best overall pick
June Lake Beach
June Lake Loop • Family-Friendly Alpine Beach • Classic Sierra Swim Beach
Broad sand, turquoise water, and easy access make June Lake Beach the classic high-country beach day near Swall Meadows.
On the north shore of June Lake, this wide sandy beach offers a gentle, kid-friendly entry into startlingly clear water and plenty of room to spread out. Parking, restrooms, and nearby rentals for kayaks and SUPs keep things simple if you’re planning a full day on the water. Go earlier on summer weekends for easier parking and slightly warmer water before the afternoon winds pick up.
02
Best for dogs
Horseshoe Lake
Mammoth Lakes Basin • Forest-Fringed Lake Beach • Shady, Dog-Friendly Shoreline
A mellow, dog-friendly lake at the end of the Mammoth Lakes Basin road with sandy pockets and plenty of piney shade.
Horseshoe Lake is where locals bring their dogs for a splash and a nap in the trees, with a mix of sandy shoreline and soft forest duff right at the water’s edge. Being the last lake on the basin road, it feels a bit more laid-back than the stops below, especially on weekday afternoons. Pay attention to the posted CO₂ warning signs and stick to the main use areas, where people and pups are constantly coming and going.
03
Best for boat days
Crowley Lake
Crowley Lake Area • Lively Fishing And Boating Shore • Wide-Open Reservoir With Big-Sky Views
Crowley Lake’s long shoreline mixes casual beach spots with busy boat ramps and huge open views toward the Sierra crest.
Just south of Swall Meadows, Crowley Lake is the big-water option where sandy and gravelly stretches of shore sit alongside marinas and boat launches. It’s a great call if you want to mix a beach chair and cooler with fishing, paddling, or a small-boat cruise. Shade is limited, so locals come prepared with sun shelters and tend to time their visits for calmer mornings or golden-hour evenings.
04
Best roadside escape
Convict Lake
Along Us-395 South Of Mammoth • Dramatic Cirque Lake Shoreline • Quick Alpine Escape Just Off Us‑395
A compact pebbly beach and clear water framed by towering cliffs make Convict Lake a dramatic but easy stop off the highway.
Convict Lake packs a lot of scenery into a small footprint, with a day-use area that includes a modest beach, picnic spots, and quick access to the lakeshore trail. The shore is more pebbles than soft sand, but the water is inviting on a hot day and ideal for a quick dip or launching a rented kayak. Because it sits so close to US‑395, it’s an easy add-on to a travel day or a spontaneous after-work swim from Swall Meadows.
05
Best for paddlers
Lake Mary
Above Mammoth Lakes • Relaxed Marina-Side Lakefront • Calm Coves Made For Kayaks And Sups
Lake Mary offers small swim coves, multiple marinas, and a relaxed shoreline that’s ideal for mixing paddling with a casual beach hang.
Ringed by campgrounds and marinas, Lake Mary has several pullouts where you can hop down to little pockets of sand or gravel and claim a piece of shoreline. The water is usually calm in the mornings, which is when locals like to slip out on kayaks or paddleboards before lounging in the sun. Pair a quick dip with a lakeside picnic, then wander the road or nearby trails for bonus views back over the Mammoth Lakes Basin.