Road trip · Eastern California
Eastern Sierra Loop
The loop
Lake Tahoe down Highway 395 to Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern Sierra.
Overview line between stops, not turn-by-turn directions.
Stop by stop
- 1
Lake Tahoe
Suggested: 3 days (full guide: 3–5 days)
~105 mi straight-line from Lake Tahoe
2Mammoth Lakes
Suggested: 3 days (full guide: 3–5 days)
High Sierra Seasonal Access and Permits
~37 mi straight-line from Mammoth Lakes
3Eastern Sierra
Suggested: 4 days (full guide: 4–6 days)
Inyo National Forest Permits and Seasonal Road Access
Quick answers
How many days do I need for the Eastern Sierra Loop?
Plan about 10 days to give each of the 3 stops its suggested minimum time, plus extra if you add rest days.
Which order should I visit the stops in?
Lake Tahoe, then Mammoth Lakes, then Eastern Sierra. The order keeps each leg as short as possible.
Do any stops on this loop need reservations?
Check booking rules early for Mammoth Lakes, Eastern Sierra. Each stop's guide links to the official source.