June Lake is an excellent spot to go fishing (in a lake, naturally) or camping. I’ve been countless times in my youth and it’s nice to reminisce.

How long to stay?

How long you stay ultimately depends on how long you enjoy the outdoors. In all my times coming here, we’ve only stayed 2-3 nights at a time. That has always worked well for me as it gives enough time to be out on the water. It also gives plenty of time to explore the area, take a hike or two, and enjoy the outdoors.

Also, keep in mind that Mammoth is just down the road from June Lake. So if you’re looking to combine a visit to both June Lake and Mammoth, you might want to tack on an extra night.

What we did in June Lake

Fishing

The whole point of our trip was to go fishing. It’s something that both Jennifer and Char haven’t done before. Alex goes on a couple of fishing trips with Grandpa a few times a year, so he’s a regular. While you could do some fishing from the edge of the lake, you’ll have a better time on a boat. If you’re not bringing your own boat, I’d recommend a pontoon, which comes with some much needed shade and plenty of room to walk around. That will run you $175 for half a day or $225 for a full day. (Half a day is preferred if you have younger kids.)

You’ll see from the map below where the best places are to fish.

There are plenty of boats here at the lake.

Out on the lake, we got plenty of fresh air (and needed no screen time for the kids).

As I mentioned, the pontoon was a great choice for us. Being out on the lake is so serene, especially with the beauty of the mountains around us.

There is some debate as to who caught this trout, as it was on Jennifer’s line but Alex reeled it in. He claims it was all him so we let him have his moment.

What did Char do? Admire the ducks in the lake and occasionally feed them. The ducks loved to hang out by us. I wonder why?

And if you’re not wanting to fish, there are other things to do in the lake. Take this person jumping into the water to take a break from paddleboarding.

The beach

On the righthand side of the map above, there are references to the June Lake Beach. It’s far off in the distance in the picture below. We didn’t get a chance to stop by on this visit, but it’s a nice place to come relax. Don’t expect waves crashing on the shore like you would at a beach by an ocean. But it works if you just want to get in the water (a little cold) or catch some rays.

Where we ate in June Lake

Erick Schat’s Bakkerÿ (Bishop, CA)

It’s not necessarily a recommendation to drive an hour from June Lake to get to Bishop to eat at a bakery. But if you’re on the way over to June Lake from Southern California, maybe you’ll pass by here around lunchtime. That was the case for us and so we decided to stop by Erick Schat’s Bakkerÿ to check it out. Go figure the place was absolutely popping when we showed up and we faced rather long lines.

There are interesting baked goods inside with plenty of samples. The kids loved the banana bread but the dried chili mango wasn’t too tasty. So stick with the breads or pastries. Speaking of bread, what you’ll want to get are the sandwiches. They had some good flavor and are a decent size if you get a whole rather than a half. I went with the turkey pot pie, which was delicious (and cheaper than half a sandwich, so it’s a good deal).

There are sandwiches for kids, if they’re just feeling like peanut butter and jelly. In short, we liked it and wouldn’t be opposed to stopping by again. But watch for the rush right around noon on Saturdays.

Where we stayed in June Lake

The Westin Monache Mammoth

Staying in nearby Mammoth isn’t all that bad if the intent is to come to June Lake. It’s about a 20 minute drive, which goes by pretty quickly. The Westin is the best points option in the area (and the free self-parking is awesome).

The room we booked had both a bed and a sofa bed in separate rooms, which meant we all could easily stretch out. It’s a very comfortable stay, and the plush bedding helps get good sleep.

The kids also enjoyed having access to the outdoor pool, which we used after we were done with fishing. There’s something about being surrounded by trees that makes me feel one with nature.

June Lake Villager

Grandpa and Alex have stayed at the June Lake Villager a few times, mainly because it’s affordable and the excellent location. You could just walk over to the marina from here but with free parking at the marina, it’s not a must. It’s a motel and there aren’t any awesome amenities, but it has rooms that include a kitchenette. And who doesn’t like having the option of saving money by cooking your own meals?

If you are looking for a cabin, they do have some available that will fit up to eight. For only $300-$400 for the room, that’s fairly affordable if you’re here with a crew.

June Lake Campgrounds

Let me caveat by saying I’ve been here in my youth but not as an adult. For the most part, you know what you’re getting into when you go to a campground. The comfort of the trip is going to depend heavily on what you bring with you.

That said, the location of the June Lake campgrounds is pretty desirable. You’re right next to the marina, near the start of a trail, and within walking distance of town. At $32/night, it’s not a bad deal at all.

Have you been to June Lake before?

Suggested reading:

• Other destinations we’ve visited
• Overcome Your Travel Fears and Enjoy Life
• The Value of a Marriott Bonvoy Elite Night