GETTING TO AND FROM
MAMMOTH LAKES, CALIFORNIA
We know we’ve picked a destination wedding location that is not the easiest to get to, and we completely understand if the travel isn’t feasible for you to attend. Know that we feel your love from miles away, and can’t wait to toast together the next time we see you.
For those who would like to join us for this epic adventure, there are a few different travel options listed below.
The Mammoth Mountain Getting Around page offers additional details to help you plan.
*WARNING* – The Police love to patrol the area between and near Bishop – Mammoth. Please mind the speed limit and weather conditions!
RENO AIRPORT
The closest major airport with multiple airline options is Reno, Nevada. Reno is about a 3 hour drive to Mammoth. We can assure you the drive is beautiful, taking you through the Eastern Sierras.
IF DRIVING
Please look up current weather conditions! We have had late storms and possible light preciptiation throughout the week.
BUS FROM RENO
If you’d rather not rent a car to make the trek, there is an Eastern Sierra Bus route that will take you directly from the Reno airport to Mammoth Lakes.
- Buses depart daily at 1:40 pm from the Reno airport to Mammoth Lakes
- And 8:20 am from Mammoth Lakes to the Reno airport
You can book through Eastern Sierra Transit.
REGIONAL AIRPORT OPTIONS
- Eastern Sierra Regional Airport – Connect through Denver on United Airlines to this airport in Bishop, CA only about 40 minutes outside of Mammoth! (A good option for our Texas folks.)
- Mammoth Yosemite Airport – A small private airport in Mammoth Mountain with charter flights available from Hawthorne (near Los Angeles).
Visit the Flying page of the Mammoth Lakes site for more information on regional options.
We recommend you book your rental car or shuttle early!
OTHER MAJOR AIRPORT OPTIONS
- Los Angeles – 5 to 6 hour drive (Lindsay and Carter will be driving up from Los Angeles)
- Las Vegas – 5 to 6 hour drive
- San Francisco – 6.5 to 7 hour drive
Reno Travelers - Advisory
Many of our guests are making the drive down from Reno, which is one of the most scenic stretches of highway in the country. It’s about 3 hours and 160 miles straight south on US-395 — but late April means mountain driving, and this particular route has a few spots that demand respect.
Before you leave, always check current road conditions:
- Caltrans QuickMap — real-time chain controls and closures
- roads.dot.ca.gov — Highway 395 specific info
- Call 1-800-427-7623 for live Caltrans road conditions
Chains and tires: California uses a three-tier system. R1 means snow tires required on drive wheels; R2 means chains required OR AWD/4WD with snow tires on all four wheels; R3 means chains on all vehicles, no exceptions. CHP enforces these at checkpoints and can turn you around if you’re not equipped. AWD or 4WD with proper snow tires is strongly recommended. All-season tires do not qualify as snow tires under R2 conditions.
The two spots that get real:
- Conway Summit (8,138 ft) — about 1 hour from Mammoth, just south of Bridgeport. This is the highest point on all of US-395 and where chain controls are most commonly enforced. The climb from Bridgeport and descent toward Lee Vining and Mono Lake is steep and exposed. In any kind of storm, this section can be slow or temporarily closed.
- Deadman Summit (8,036 ft) — just north of Mammoth on the final approach. The second elevation pinch point, particularly between the summit and town.
The good news: US-395 is a maintained priority highway and Caltrans keeps it moving. Between storm events, the drive is typically clear and dry. Just check conditions before you leave — they update hourly.
GETTING AROUND
MAMMOTH LAKES
Once in Mammoth, there are regular, free buses around town and the ski resort. You can check the shuttle bus schedule here.
Many of the hotels also offer shuttle service to the village shopping/dining area.
If you’re looking for taxi service you can contact Mammoth Taxi here.
**NOTE: Although this will be the spring season, weather is unpredictable in the mountains. If you rent or drive a car, we recommend you keep an eye on the weather and carry tire chains (and be comfortable using them) if necessary!