Easy Dog-Friendly Hikes in Mammoth Lakes (2026 Guide)

Not every dog hike needs to be a summit push. Some of the best dog moments in Mammoth happen on completely flat terrain: a dog running into Horseshoe Lake for the first time, or your dog sleeping in a patch of sunlight at McLeod Lake while the rest of the trailhead rushes past. Here are the best easy dog hikes in Mammoth Lakes.

Quick Answer: Easy Dog Hikes at a Glance

Horseshoe Lake Loop

Distance: 1.5 miles.
Elevation gain: less than 50 feet.
Trailhead: end of Lake Mary Road.

This is the definitive easy dog hike in Mammoth. The trail circles a beautiful high-alpine lake with consistent mountain views and a sandy beach where dogs can swim. Parking is free — get there before 8:30 AM on summer weekends. Stay on the main trail and beach; avoid the clearly marked dead-tree area (CO2 zone).

McLeod Lake

Distance: 2.2 miles round trip.
Elevation gain: 200 feet.
Trailhead: Horseshoe Lake parking area — take the trail heading north, not the main lake loop.

McLeod Lake is my go-to for people who want a genuine forest trail experience without crazy crowds. You start from the same parking area as Horseshoe Lake but head through lodgepole pine forest to a quieter lake. Most visitors at the Horseshoe Lake parking area don't know this trail exists — crowds drop dramatically once you're 10 minutes in.

Earthquake Fault Loop

Distance: 0.5 miles.
Trailhead: Earthquake Fault parking area on Mammoth Scenic Loop.

The Earthquake Fault is a long, deep crack in the earth created by a 1980 earthquake. The trail loops around it on packed pumice — the softest trail surface in the Mammoth area. A great short walk for older dogs, dogs recovering from injury, or as a quick morning constitutional before a longer hike.

Shady Rest Park

Distance: 2–5 miles depending on route.
Location: north side of Mammoth Lakes, off Sawmill Cutoff Road.

Shady Rest Park is a 300-acre forest park with a network of trails right in town. XC ski trails through the park become excellent easy snow hikes in winter.

Convict Lake Loop

Distance: 2.6 miles.
Trailhead: Convict Lake parking area, 35 minutes south of Mammoth off US-395.

Convict Lake is worth the short drive south. The lake loop is flat, stunning, and allows dogs. Turquoise water set against dramatic 12,000-foot peaks is one of the most photogenic dog walks in the Eastern Sierra. Dogs can swim in the lake. The lakeside resort has a dog-friendly patio in summer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these trails accessible in winter?

Horseshoe Lake and McLeod Lake are snow-covered in winter and the road is closed a few miles down the way but it is walkable. Shady Rest Park remains walkable year-round with appropriate boots or snowshoes. The Earthquake Fault trail may be accessible in low snow years.

Which easy trail has the best swimming?

Horseshoe Lake has the best combination of easy access, flat approach, and sandy beach. McLeod Lake has a good swimming area with significantly fewer people. Both are cold even in August — most dogs don't mind.

Are dogs allowed at Convict Lake on the water?

Dogs are welcome on the trail loop and can enter the water at Convict. Keep your dog leashed on the trail.