Is Tamarack Lodge and Resort worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — Tamarack Lodge and Resort is worth it if you want lakeside, historic lodging with direct access to Twin Lakes and outdoor activities (hiking, biking, cross‑country skiing) and you value a small, quiet restaurant and fireplace lounge. It’s less suitable if you need on-site pool/spa, full accessibility, air conditioning, or modern hotel conveniences.
In this guide
Location & setting
Tamarack Lodge and Resort sits on the shore of Twin Lakes at 163 Twin Lakes Rd in Mammoth Lakes, California, with immediate access to the lakeshore and trails. The property dates to 1924 and is set roughly one mile from downtown Mammoth Lakes.
Because it’s lakeside and forested, the site is focused on outdoor access rather than nearby urban amenities — expect quiet, high‑alpine scenery and easy trailheads rather than shops within walking distance.
- On‑site: Twin Lakes shoreline, hiking and biking trails, canoeing/boating and fishing
- Nearby drives: Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and the Village/Gondola are about a 7‑minute drive
- Yosemite East Entrance is a scenic ~45‑minute drive
| Place | Approximate distance |
|---|---|
| Downtown Mammoth Lakes | About 1 mile (short drive) |
| Mammoth Mountain Ski Area | About 7 miles / ~10 minutes by car |
| Yosemite (east entrance) | About 45 minutes by car |
Rooms and cabin options
The resort offers both historic lodge rooms and separate cabins; the property inventory includes 11 guest rooms in the historic lodge and 35 private cabins. Room types include specific names you’ll see when booking, such as Room (Lodge Room with SHARED Bath-NO PETS), Room (Lodge Room with Private Bath-NO PETS), Deluxe Two Bedroom Cabin, Deluxe One Bedroom Cabin, Historic Studio Cabin, Historic One Bedroom Cabin, Historic Three Bedroom Cabin, and Historic Three Bedroom Fisherman's Cabin.
Lodge rooms tend to be simpler and some share bathrooms; cabins offer more living space, kitchens or kitchenettes, and (in many cases) allow dogs during the permitted season.
- Historic lodge rooms: smaller, some without TVs, no pets allowed in lodge rooms
- Cabins: range from studio to three‑bedroom units and are better for families or groups
- Pet rules: dogs allowed only in cabins (limits and fees apply; see policies)
| Room name | Typical bed setup |
|---|---|
| Room (Lodge Room with SHARED Bath-NO PETS) | 1 Queen Bed |
| Deluxe Two Bedroom Cabin | 1 King Bed and 1 Queen Bed |
| Historic Three Bedroom Cabin | 1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed, 3 Twin Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed |
Dining, common spaces, and atmosphere
The Lakefront Restaurant is the resort’s on‑site dining room, located in the historic lodge on the shore of Twin Lakes; it serves Contemporary French‑American (French‑California) cuisine with a small dining room, so reservations are recommended. The Lakefront has limited dinner hours and a summer lakeside lunch service.
The Tamarack Fireplace Lounge is a wood‑paneled lobby bar with fireplaces and a quieter lounge vibe for cocktails, small plates and occasional live music. The public spaces emphasize a traditional, lodge‑style atmosphere rather than a modern hotel lobby.
- Lakefront Restaurant: Contemporary French/American menu; dinner service with limited days/hours and smaller number of tables
- Tamarack Fireplace Lounge: cocktails, local beers, charcuterie, live music at times
- No on‑site spa or pool — guests may use Mammoth Mountain Inn pool/hot tub/fitness by showing a Tamarack room key
| Venue | Notes |
|---|---|
| Lakefront Restaurant | Small dining room; dinner service (hours vary); summer terrace lunch |
| Tamarack Fireplace Lounge | Wood‑paneled lounge with fireplaces and occasional live piano/jazz |
Activities and seasons
Tamarack is an activity‑focused property. In summer you can rent bikes, canoes and stand‑up paddleboards on site, hike directly from the property, or use the lakeshore for fishing and boating. The lodge runs guided hikes, mountain‑bike lessons and fly‑fishing classes at times.
Winter is a true outdoor season here: Tamarack operates the Tamarack Cross Country Ski Center with ski‑in/ski‑out access to extensive groomed cross‑country trails. Downhill skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and other winter activities are available in the surrounding Mammoth Lakes area.
- Summer highlights: hiking, mountain biking, canoeing/SUP, fly‑fishing, ziplining (availability varies)
- Winter highlights: cross‑country skiing from the property (groomed trails), easy drive to Mammoth Mountain downhill terrain
- Seasonal shuttle service: complimentary town shuttle and some airport/seasonal shuttle connections
| Season | Top activities at Tamarack |
|---|---|
| Summer | Hiking, biking, boating, fishing, guided activities |
| Winter | Cross‑country skiing, snowshoeing; close drive to downhill skiing |
| Shoulder months | Wildflowers and fall color (late spring/early fall are quieter but watch for road/closure issues) |
Practical details & policies to know
Check‑in is from 4:00 PM (available through evening hours) and check‑out is by 11:00 AM. The main guest checking in must be at least 18 years old and present photo ID and a credit card at arrival.
There is a nightly resort fee (a stated $25 plus tax) that covers Wi‑Fi and two parking spaces per reservation; the property reports limited on‑site parking. Housekeeping is available on request rather than daily by default.
- No air conditioning and the historic lodge rooms typically do not include TVs
- Pets: dogs allowed only in cabins (up to two dogs per cabin, charges and refundable damage deposit apply; dogs not permitted in lodge rooms)
- No on‑site pool or spa; guests can use Mammoth Mountain Inn’s pool/hot tub/fitness center with room key access
| Policy | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum check‑in age | 18 years |
| Resort fee | $25 plus tax per room, per night (covers Wi‑Fi and two parking spaces) |
| Pets | Dogs allowed in cabins only; fees and deposit required |
Pros and cons — who should book (and who should not)
Good if you want historic, lakeside lodging with easy access to trails and a quality on‑site restaurant and lounge. Cabins make the property a practical choice for families and groups who plan to use the kitchenettes and living areas.
Not a good fit if you need modern hotel amenities such as air conditioning, an on‑site pool/spa, full accessibility, or if you require central town walking access to restaurants and nightlife.
- Pros:
- Historic lakeside location with direct trail and water access
- Choice of cabins and lodge rooms for families and groups
- The Lakefront Restaurant (small, well‑regarded) and a cozy lounge
- Access to Mammoth Mountain Inn pool/hot tub/fitness with room key
| Strength | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Lakeside setting | Immediate access to Twin Lakes activities and scenic views |
| Cabin inventory | Space and kitchens for families/groups |
| Small‑scale dining | Higher likelihood of a quiet, sit‑down dinner experience (reservations recommended) |
