Crystal Crag Lodge

Came out the second week of August 2015. The place was hopping with kids, dads and moms. We stayed at the twin cabin and it was clean and well kept. All in all we had a great time. If you’re looking for modern amenities TV, blow dryer, AC, wi-​Fi etc. etc. this isn’t the place for you. Because they don’t have any of these amenities.

My girlfriend and I stayed here for a few days late last summer. This place is awesome. Very rustic and charming. I don’t know how much more I can add that already hasn’t been said. If in the area again, I would most definitely stay here again.

Terrific vacation which was enjoyed by our whole family! The cabins are cozy and literally on the lake! Staff are accommodating and friendly especially CJ and Dane who really went the extra mile for us! Thanks for a great little getaway!

This is a housekeeping cabin and as long as you understand what that means, you won’t be disappointed. This is also a pet friendly lodge, which is why we decided to stay here during our 4-​day getaway. It was adequate for us and the location is spectacular. The atmosphere is laid back and it is the perfect place to really get away. There are no TVs or wifi. Wireless reception is weak so expect to really be removed from it all and simply enjoy nature. The property is lake front and all cabins have a lake view. It is so peaceful. There have been bear sightings in the premises and one guest actually saw one while she was walking her dog. So be careful during early morning or evening strolls in the woods. There’s so much to do during the day – boating, fishing, hiking, bike trails aplenty and the town is so quaint. And lots of lakes around. And remember that you’ll be at high altitude — about 9,000 feet, so don’t push yourself too hard.

My husband, our dog and I just came home from a two week stay. We had to book a year in advance. We stayed in a cabin called Mamie, one bedroom, one bath, kitchen, fireplace, on the lake. We enjoyed it very, very much. The staff is attentive and conscientious. The cabins are clean, appropriately (not lavishly) stocked, well cared for and the mattress was very comfortable (in Mamie). We fished for trout in the lake and grilled them on the B-​B-​Q on the front deck overlooking the lake. The setting is serene and like growing up in the 50’s. This is a cabin in the mountains, not a hotel. They honestly describe themselves as a notch above camping and below a hotel. (At least a notch below hotel) Comfortable beds, sheets, blankets. A heater and fireplace are there. Bring your own fav pillows. Bring your own fav cooking items, like your Japanese knives and your wok. It’s 10 degrees colder than in town so bring warmer clothing than you would have thought. Not great cell coverage but the personal hotspot with a USB cable worked acceptably. The place is heaven, if you ask me. Downside, it’s right on the little mountain road that circles the lake so America’s big trucks’ show is all there in all their finery. Up there fishin. But you can hear a pin drop after sunset and it’s not a major thorougfare by any means. Families come up year after year, generation upon generation. If you want to see Bald headed eagles, fox, deer, bears, chipmunks, seagulls, and trout, right from on your deck, come up. Rough it. Oh yeah, bring your bikes, you ride down the mountain and a free trolley takes you back up to your front door. Ha!

These are a bit pricey but the view is well worth it. If you are expecting a Four Seasons type room this is not for you. This is a cabin with the bare essentials. It is so quaint and quiet and the views of Lake Mary are just amazing. The bedroom faces the lake, it makes for a great way to wake up in the morning. Book in advance they fill up pretty fast. I can’t wait to go back. Another perk, they accept dogs. So many places in Mammoth do not so this was great for our little family.

Crystal Crag Lodge offers rustic cabins with a 5-​star view of Lake Mary.
Nestled above the Twin Lakes of Mammoth, Crystal Crag Lodge has 21 cabins to choose from. They’re dog friendly and only charge an extra $ 10 per pet. They offer boat rentals and lake shore fishing is only steps away from the cabins. The cabin I stayed at was Crystal, it had a full kitchen, fireplace and bathroom with a shower. The nice thing about Crystal is that it had it’s own driveway. Some of the other cabins share a driveway.
The best thing about Crystal Crag Lodge is the view. You step outside on to your private patio and just soak in the view. You should also be aware that there are bears around. One came down to investigate as I was BBQing, he must have smelled the grill and wanted to crash the party. He was about 20 feet away, but high tailed it up the hill as soon as I pulled my camera out. I guess he was camera shy.
If you feel the need to get away from the rat race and want some quiet time to fish and maybe do some mountain biking, I can’t think of a better place to go than Crystal Crag Lodge.