When are you open?
We open each year on the Thursday of Memorial Day Weekend, which is usually the last weekend in May. We close around the 15th of October for the winter.
How far in advance do I need to book?
Call or email us as soon as you know your dates! We can reserve cabins up to 51 weeks (A YEAR MINUS A WEEK) before your desired stay. Many people re-book for the following summer before leaving, so booking well in advance is a good idea. We also have periodic cancellations, so it is never to too late to try to grab one of those! Just call or email, and we will help you out!
What is provided in my cabin?
Our kitchens are stocked with basic dishes, eating and cooking utensils, glasses, pots and pans, salt and pepper, dish towels, potholders, dish soap, sponge, paper towels, coffee maker and filters, toaster, microwave, four burner stoves, and refrigerator. The bathrooms include bar soap, towels, and toilet paper (No shampoo and conditioner.) Most cabins have a wood-burning fireplace and there is a charcoal barbeque on your deck.
Do you have photos of my cabin?
We do have photos of the individual cabins that you can access on our Cabins page. We like to say we are a big step up from camping with comfortable beds, running water, and full kitchens. Think “comfortable and rustic,” rather than “stylish and luxurious.” That said, we are constantly upgrading our cabins to improve your experience.
Can I bring my dogs?
Yes! Every cabin is pet friendly. The first dog is $19/night, each additional dog is $6/night. We are happy to provide bags for dog waste when you are out on walks on request. Pets must be on leash on property. Please do not leave your dogs unattended at your cabin for long periods of time. Most of Mammoth town and trails are pet friendly as well.
Should I worry about bears?
We do have bears in the area, but they are California brown bears and not aggressive. They will seek out food, so please do not leave food, food containers (even sealed), coolers, or food trash in your car or on your cabin deck.
Will you clean my cabin?
We clean each cabin thoroughly before and after your stay, but not while you are here. If you need fresh towels or linens during your stay, we are happy to exchange them for your used towels/linens in the office.
Can I arrive early or late?
Check in time is 3pm. We cannot guarantee early check-in, but if you call on the morning of your arrival after 10am we can give you a better estimate of when your cabin will be ready. Showing up early makes it extremely difficult for our cleaning staff, as well as the staff here at Crystal Crag. Late check-ins are no problem – we will leave an envelope outside our office door with your name on it. Inside the envelope you’ll find a map to your cabin and a key. Please check in with us the following morning.
What’s the weather like?
Our season runs from May through October, and the weather is generally pleasant all season long. Our summer high temperatures rarely exceed 80 degrees. Our nighttime temperatures vary from 30s (May and October) to high 50s (June-August), so we do recommend layers for those chilly mornings and evenings. You can see local weather reports at Mammothweather.com. We are at 9,000 feet elevation, between the “slopes” and “mountain” forecast elevations.
How’s the fishing?
Fishing is great in the eastern Sierras, and especially on Lake Mary. You can read a recent fishing report here. Don’t forget to check out our brag board on the office deck, where you can weigh your catch and share the details. We also have fish cleaning rags and bags located in a bin on the office deck for your convenience. A fish cleaning station is set up in our “park” area, with cutting board, scrub brush and hose.
Do you have WiFi/cell reception/TVs?
Short answer: No. We are a place to get away from it all! It’s everything great about camping and backpacking without any of the challenges!
More details: There is no WiFi on the mountain, but we can recommend several places in town (just 5 miles away) with free WiFi. We use a hotspot in the office to answer emails, so if you need it, bring it! If you have AT&T, you will get cell phone reception. If you have any other wireless carrier, don’t count on being able to make calls. All major carriers do get a signal in town, and you are welcome to use our landline for emergencies. We have clips attached near the front door of your cabin where we can post messages, if someone were to call for you. We do not have TVs in the cabins, but there is a small movie theater in town and the local grocery store has a RedBox – you can rent DVDs and play them on your laptop.
Crystal Crag Lodge 