The 10 Best Things to Do at Convict Lake, California

Last updated on July 29th, 2024 at 03:47 pm

Ever since moving back home to California after my year of traveling and the craziness of 2020, I’ve been trying to do more local trips. Over the past few summers, I’ve taken a trip to the Mammoth Lakes area in the Eastern Sierras and have honestly fallen in love with this part of the state. In 2021, I did my first backpacking trip into the John Muir wilderness to Lake Ediza. In 2023, I visited the little Bavarian town of June Lake, and this summer, I snagged a campsite at Convict Lake. A couple of friends and I spent a weekend hiking, paddleboarding, and simply relaxing. In this post, I’ll share everything you all of my favorite things to do at Convict Lake, California!

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How Did Convict Lake Get its Name?

Prior to its current name, the Indians called the lake Wit -Sa-Nap after a legend about protecting water babies. Its current name is the result of a shootout that occurred in 1871 between a group of convicts that escaped from a Carson City prison and Wells Fargo Agent Robert Morrison and sherrif Mono Jim. Both Robert Morrison and Mono Jim were killed, and the convicts escaped.

The mountain peaks above the lake were renamed Mount Morrison, and the smaller one was renamed Mono Jim.

Where is Convict Lake?

Convict Lake is a stunning alpine lake in the Eastern Sierra region of California. Tucked away in the Inyo National Forest, it boasts pristine, turquoise waters and awe-inspiring mountain vistas. 

The lake is situated at an elevation of approximately 7,850 feet. 

Convict Lake’s easily accessible location, is just 10 miles south of Mammoth Lakes and a mere 37 miles north of Bishop, makes it an ideal stopover for anyone exploring the Eastern Sierra Nevada.

How to Get to Convict Lake

The best way to get to Convict Lake is by car. Convict Lake is almost the perfect middle point between Northern California and Southern California. The road trip from Los Angeles and San Francisco takes approximately 5-6 hours.

From Los Angeles:

If you’re driving from Los Angeles, take U.S. Route 395 North for about 300 miles until you reach Convict Lake Road, which is well-signposted. 

From San Francisco:

There are multiple routes from San Francisco to reach Convict Lake. One of them takes you through Yosemite National Park. While this is the fastest route, you’ll need a reservation to drive through the park. This may be available on Recreation.gov, and it costs $2.00 for 3 days. You would also have to consider the time it takes to enter the park and the traffic through it.

Alternatively, instead of taking Tioga Road at Yosemite Junction, use Highway 108 through Stanislaus National Forest to 395 South. This is the route I take, and it’s beautiful!

​Once you turn onto Convict Lake Rd from 395, the lake is just a few miles away!

There are three day-use parking lots: one next to the marina, one near the campgrounds, and one near the Convict Lake trailhead.

The Best Time of Year to Visit Convict Lake

Late Spring to early Fall is the best time to visit Convict Lake. There may still be some snow and cooler temperatures until June!

The summer months of June through August offer warm daytime temperatures and cool nights, perfect for enjoying outdoor activities without extreme heat. However, I visited during a July heatwave, and many campsites do not offer shade. The water was a refreshing respite during the day!

Fall, especially September and October, brings stunning foliage as the aspen trees turn vibrant shades of gold and orange, adding a layer of color to the scenic beauty of Convict Lake. I really want to visit this area during mid to late October to see the fall color!

Make sure to check current weather conditions prior to your trip!

The 10 Best Things to Do at Convict Lake

Hike Convict Lake Loop Trail

The Convict Lake Loop Trail (aka Fisherman’s Trail) is the most popular trail in the area. It is a mostly flat 3-mile trail around the shore of Convict Lake. You can start it from either direction at the marina or the day-use parking area at the far left of the lake near the beach.

The lake’s eastern shore has a paved trail between the marina and the beach.

From there, the trail meanders along the shore of the lake through Aspen groves and crosses Convict Creek at the far side. A boardwalk path crosses the creek for a portion of the trail.

That being said, there was also a part of the trail where a few logs were laid down to help cross the creek. 

Most people I saw (of all ages) were able to navigate this easily either by crossing on the logs or using their waterproof boots to cross in the creek.

Hiking this trail is an enjoyable way to start the morning and get a bit of exercise that’s not overly strenuous!

From this trail, you can do a longer hike to Mildred Lake, which has significant elevation gain and is quite a bit more challenging. 

Go for a Swim

Morning cold plunge in crystal-clear waters, anyone? You can definitely go swimming in Convict Lake, but the water is quite cold!

Convict Lake is one of the deepest lakes in Mono County, and there is a steep drop-off just a few feet into the water. The water is tolerable when you’re in the shallow area, but as soon as you go past the drop-off point, it is very cold!

That being said, the cold water felt very refreshing during the heat wave, even though I could only stay fully submerged for a few seconds!

There are many access points to the water, but the easiest is the beach area, where you can walk into the water. Although it is very rocky, I highly recommend water sandals like these Tevas. 

Go Paddleboarding or Kayaking

One of my favorite things to do at Convict Lake was paddleboarding. The morning is the best time of the day to paddleboard as the wind picks up in the afternoon. That’s not to say that we didn’t paddleboard in the afternoon. We did. We just had to stay kneeling!

You can put your paddleboard or kayak in at the boat launch or near the beach.

If you don’t have a paddleboard or kayak, rent one at the Convict Lake Marina for $45 for two hours.  

Rent a Boat

If you have a bigger group and want to spend more time on the water, you can also rent a boat from the Marina! Their boat rentals include pontoon boats and a 4-person v-helm. Each pontoon boat comes with a BBQ and Bluetooth speaker.

There is a minimum two-hour rental requirement, and the price varies depending on the type of boat.

Go Fishing

I’m no fisherwoman, but apparently, Convict Lake has some of the best fishing in the Eastern Sierras. That was evident by the number of people fishing from around the shoreline and on boats. I saw so many people catching fish!

During fishing season, which starts annually on the last Saturday of April and ends on November 15, the lake is stocked weekly with rainbow trout and brown trout. 

Practice your Photography Skills

I’m so annoyed with myself that I did not bring my camera to the lake because the sunrise is stunning. In the morning, the mountains glow orange as the sun rises, and the water is so calm and clear you can see to the bottom of the shallow parts! 

The best photo spots are right near the marina, where the rocks make a shallow area or the beach!

Relax in the Hot Springs

I discovered my love of natural hot springs during my camping trip last summer to June Lake when it was still so cold in June! I’m talking 35^o overnight! I headed to the hot springs to defrost and fell in love!

The closest hot spring to Convict Lake is Wild Willy’s. 

It’s about a 20-minute drive from the campgrounds, the last mile of which is down an unpaved road until you reach the parking lot. 

Once you park, follow the boardwalk path to a series of inviting hot springs. On the left side of the path, you’ll find the Insta-famous heart-shaped pool, known for its size, depth, and hot temperature. On the right side are 5-6 additional pools, each offering different temperatures, with the upper ones typically being the hottest. The water cools as it flows down from the top pools.

Wild Willy’s is known for its lively atmosphere, especially on weekend nights. If you prefer a more tranquil experience, plan your visit for the morning or during the week.

Keep in mind that these hot springs are clothing-optional, so don’t be surprised if you encounter other visitors enjoying the natural surroundings in the nude.

Look for Wildlife

We saw a Bald Eagle soaring overhead on our first afternoon at Convict Lake. As you walk the trail or spend time at the lake, look up into the pine trees to see if you can spot bald eagles. 

We also frequently had deer visit our campsite, along with small chipmunks, squirrels, and other birds. 

Thankfully, we did not see any black bears although they do live in this area.

Have Dinner in Mammoth Lakes

My friends and I needed a break from the heat and they’d never been to Mammoth so one night we headed into town for dinner at Mammoth Brewing Company. They’re known for their burgers so we each had one and a side of brussel sprouts. To be honest, the brussel sprouts weren’t great, but the burgers hit the spot, especially when washed down with a crisp IPA.

Mammoth Lakes is a super cute mountain town that has everything you could need, including a great cafe for a matcha latte.

While in town you could visit Devil’s Postpile National Monument, Rainbow Falls, or shop around Mammoth Village.

Explore Nearby June Lake

June Lake is an incredible place to visit, and it’s about a 35-minute drive from Convict Lake. The Bavarian style town has a few great places to eat, a brewery, and cute shops. There are four lakes in June Lake, and the June Lake Loop scenic drive passes by all of them. I highly recommend driving this loop, it’s one of the best things to do in June Lake.

Where to Stay Near Convict Lake

Since the lake is so close to Mammoth, you could stay in the town of Mammoth Lakes and visit Convict Lake on a day trip. However, if you want to spend the majority of your time at Convict Lake, you can either camp at Convict Lake Campground or rent a cabin at the Convict Lake Resort.

Convict Lake Campground

The closest place to stay is at the June Lake Campground. It is open from April to November, coinciding with fishing season. There are 88 campsites for tents or RVs, although there are no hookups.

There are multiple bathrooms with flushing toilets although there was no soap, so bring hand sanitizer or your own soap with you. 

The camp hosts are incredibly friendly!

You can book your campsite through recreation.gov or with the camp hosts when you arrive if there is a site available. 

Convict Lake Resort

If camping isn’t your thing, consider staying at the Convict Lake Resort. The cabins of varying sizes, from studio to family lodging, are available for rent year-round. The resort also has a restaurant and general store.

For campers, there are showers available from the general store.

If you’re looking for a great spot to visit for a long weekend that has a beautiful lake and isn’t one of the most popular destinations in California so that you can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery and surrounding mountains, Convict Lake is the perfect place. You’re close enough to towns for restaurants and other services while feeling completely immersed in nature. This spot is a great way to get the best of both worlds and see more of the beautiful places in California! My trip here reminded me that I don’t have to go internationally to find beauty. It could be just a few hours away by car!

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