Before you drive to Mammoth: live Caltrans chain controls on US-395 and SR-203, highway cams, weather alerts, and the lot, shuttle and overnight rules.
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Mammoth Mountain parking rules (full text)
- Reservations
- None. Preferred Parking is 'first come, first served'; 'Your parking space will not be reserved for you if you leave.'
- Fee
- General Parking free (Main, Canyon, Eagle Lodges, Chair 4, Chair 2/The Mill). Preferred Parking paid at all lodges; pay the attendant at white-and-black signs.
- Lots
- Main Lodge (lettered lots A–G plus Chair 4 and Chair 2 & 10/The Mill lots), Canyon Lodge, Eagle Lodge. Lots typically open 6:00 AM; may be limited or delayed during snow removal.
- Village gondola
- The Village: free 2-hour spaces and paid parking in the general lot/underground garage (rates vary seasonally, posted at entrance). Free Village Gondola rides up to Canyon Lodge (winter only).
- Overnight
- Winter: prohibited in all lots; violators may be towed or ticketed. Town: no parking on city streets Nov 1–Apr 30 unless noted.
- RVs
- No overnight in Mammoth lots in winter. Mammoth Mountain RV Park offers paid overnight overflow parking (pricing by phone) — per Visit Mammoth.
- Black Pass
- Black Pass holders get designated priority parking; permit must be visible or vehicle may be booted with a service fee.
- Drop-off
- Guest Drop-Off Zone: free 10-minute parking; follow orange lot signs, park parallel, hazards on if you leave the car. Equipment wagons available.
- Shuttle
- Main Lodge parking shuttle free daily 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, every 10 min from outside Main Lodge ticket office; stops E, F, G and Chair 10/Chair 4 lots on demand only.
- Park & ride
- Mammoth Lakes Park and Ride at Old Mammoth Rd & Tavern St (free day use) — per Visit Mammoth.
Source: Mountain Parking Guide | Mammoth Mountain. Always follow the resort’s posted rules.
Getting there
Typical drive: 5 hr from Los Angeles, 2 hr 45 from Reno. Check the Road and Chains lights before you leave.
Chains on the way up? Live: Do I need chains to Mammoth today? · What R-1, R-2 and R-3 mean · How to put on chains · Mammoth & Hwy 395 conditions