This Epic Bass Lake Camping Guide includes information on seven different campgrounds, many of which have amazing views of Bass Lake!
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Bass Lake Camping
The Bass Lake Recreation Area is part of the 1.3 million-acre Sierra National Forest making it a perfect campground location to get away from the crowds and have lake time too.
There are five standard front country campgrounds and two more that are group campgrounds. Many of these campgrounds can be reserved six months ahead of time so you know you have the perfect spot for your camping trip.
The great thing about camping around Bass Lake is you are close to the city of Oakhurst and several resorts on the lake in case you forgot needed supplies. There are also stores and numerous restaurants around Bass Lake and in the city of Oakhurst.
Bass Lake is also known for being the filming location of the 1988 hit movie "The Great Outdoors," featuring Dan Ackroyd and John Candy.
Things to do Bass Lake
Bass Lake is an excellent destination for camping! The area offers numerous outdoor and water-based activities, including swimming, motorized boating, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, sailing, and jet skiing.
Hikers can find several area trails, including Willow Creek, Spring Cove, Goat Mountain, and Way-of-the-Mono Interpretive Trail.
Area wildlife includes Black Bears, deer, bobcats, coyotes, western gray squirrels, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Golden Eagles, herons, ducks, and more!
Fishermen will enjoy a large variety of fish, including Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, and Catfish.
Bass Lake and Oakhurst also offer numerous events each year, including a fishing derby, the Yosemite Half Marathon, and the Light up the Sky- Fourth of July fireworks Show on Bass Lake.
Other popular recreational activities include exploring the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, taking a train ride on the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, and visiting Wassama Round House State Historic Park.
You will also be located just 24 miles from the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park! You will be camping about a 90-minute drive from the heart of Yosemite National Park. This beautiful drive also takes you by park highlights like Mariposa Grove, Tunnel View, and the road to Glacier Point as you drive towards Yosemite Valley.
Check-In to your Campsite
All campers must check-in at the campground registration office located on Forest Road 222!
Cedar Bluff Campground
Location: Southeast on Forest Road 222 for approximately 2.75 miles to Cedar Bluff Campground.
Cedar Bluff is located 24 miles from the entrance of Yosemite National Park.
- Latitude:
- 37.309554
- 37° 18' 34.3944" N
- Longitude:
- -119.547104
- 119° 32' 49.5744" W
Elevation: 3,400 feet
Open: Year-round
Number of sites: 22
14 double sites
8 quad sites
Accessible Sites: There are no accessible campsites; however, the toilets in the restrooms are handicap accessible.
Reservations?: Yes, Recreation.gov
Individual campsites are released on a 6-month rolling basis
Campground amenities: water, flush toilets, picnic table, grill, campfire ring, and paved parking spur.
RVs allowed? Yes, up to 40 ft parking length
Things to know:
Many sites are on slopes and/or have very limited tent space (some are limited to paved parking spurs only).
Sierra Recreation will be assessed a $10 additional vehicle fee per day on the second vehicle in each single-family campsite, and on the third and fourth vehicle in any double-family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site.
Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
No more than two pets per site
Forks Campground
Location: Travel Forest Road 222, 4.75 miles to the campground
- Latitude:
- 37.312674
- 37° 18' 45.6264" N
- Longitude:
- -119.57003
- 119° 34' 12.1080" W
Elevation: 3,400 feet
Open: Spring - Sept
Number of sites: 28
Accessible Sites: Campsites 5 and 13 are accessible sites.
Reservations?: Yes, Recreation.gov
Individual campsites are released on a 6-month rolling basis
Campground amenities: water, flush toilets, picnic table, pedestal grill, stone fire ring, and paved parking spur.
RVs allowed? Yes, up to 40 ft parking length
Things to know:
The parking spurs here are not large enough to fit boat trailers.
Sierra Recreation will be assessing a $10 additional vehicle fee per day on the second vehicle in each single-family campsite, and on the third and fourth vehicle in any double-family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site.
Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
No more than two pets per site
Lupine Campground
The Lupine Campground is located right next to the Cedar Bluff Campground.
Location:
- Latitude:
- 37.309503
- 37° 18' 34.2108" N
- Longitude:
- -119.547201
- 119° 32' 49.9236" W
Elevation: 3400 ft
Open: Year-round
Number of sites: 51
Accessible Sites: N/A
Reservations?: Yes, Recreation.gov
Individual campsites are released on a 6-month rolling basis
Campground amenities: water, flush toilets, picnic table, grill, campfire ring, and paved parking spur.
RVs allowed? Yes, up to 40 ft parking length
Things to know:
Most parking spurs are large enough to accommodate boat trailers.
Sierra Recreation will be assessing a $10 additional vehicle fee per day on the second vehicle in each single-family campsite, and on the third and fourth vehicle in any double-family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site.
Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
No more than two pets per site
Spring Cove Campground
Location: Spring Cove is located about 20 miles south of Yosemite National Park.
- Latitude:
- 37.301819
- 37° 18' 6.5484" N
- Longitude:
- -119.541463
- 119° 32' 29.2668" W
Elevation: 3,400 feet
Open: Spring - Fall
Number of sites: 61
Accessible Sites: Campsites 4 and 7 are accessible sites.
Reservations?: Yes, Recreation.gov
Individual campsites are released on a 6-month rolling basis
Campground amenities: water, flush toilets, picnic table, grill, campfire ring, and paved parking spur.
RVs allowed? Yes, up to 30 ft parking length. This camp is not suitable for large travel trailers or RVs.
Things to know:
Sierra Recreation will assess a $10 additional vehicle fee per day on the second vehicle in each single-family campsite and the third and fourth vehicles in any double-family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site.
Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
No more than two pets per site.
Wishon Point Campground
Location: Adjacent to Miller's Landing Resort
- Latitude:
- 37.297464
- 37° 17' 50.8704" N
- Longitude:
- -119.534606
- 119° 32' 4.5816" W
Elevation: 3400 ft
Open: April - September
Number of sites:
24 single sites
22 double sites
Accessible Sites: Campsites 21 and 28 are accessible sites.
Reservations?: Yes, Recreation.gov
Individual campsites are released on a 6-month rolling basis
Campground amenities: water, flush toilets, picnic table, stone fire pit, and a pedestal grill.
RVs allowed? Yes, this facility has narrow, bumpy roads. Motorhomes over 24 feet or trailers over 20 feet are not advised.
Sierra Recreation will be assessing a $10 additional vehicle fee per day on the second vehicle in each single-family campsite, and on the third and fourth vehicle in any double-family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site.
Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
No more than two pets per site.
Crane Valley Group Campground
Crane Valley will be closed the entire 2019 - 2028 camping season due to a massive hazard tree removal
Location:
- Latitude:
- 37.333279
- 37° 19' 59.8044" N
- Longitude:
- -119.586071
- 119° 35' 9.8556" W
Elevation: 3400 ft
Open: Closed through 2028
Number of sites: 7
Accessible Sites: No Accessible Sites
Reservations? Yes, when the campground is open. Recreation.gov
Campground amenities: NO water! The campground does have vault toilets, grills, fire rings, and tables.
Portable toilets are provided; however, campers are required to bring their drinking water.
RVs allowed? Yes, up to 30 ft parking length
Recreation Point Group Campground
Maximum group sizes range from 30 to 50 people per campsite and 50 to 100 people per picnic site.
Location:
- Latitude:
- 37.328579
- 37° 19' 42.8844" N
- Longitude:
- -119.57993
- 119° 34' 47.7480" W
Elevation: 3400 ft
Open: Year-round
Number of sites: 4
Accessible Sites: No Accessible sites.
Reservations?: Yes, Recreation.gov
Group campsites are released on a 12-month rolling basis
Campground amenities: water faucet, picnic tables, and a large pedestal grill. The group picnic areas offer picnic tables and pedestal grills. The restrooms have flush toilets.
RVs allowed?: No
Things to know when planning a Bass Lake Camping Trip
Directions to the Campground Office - From Fresno, take Highway 41 north through Oakhurst. Turn right on Forest Road 222 (toward Bass Lake), keep right for 3.5 miles to the Bass Lake campground office.
Campground office hours - The station is open seven days a week from May 15 through Labor Day weekend, with office hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m
For current fire conditions or weather closures, contact the Sierra National Forest Headquarters at (559) 297-0706.
There are no electrical hookups or showers at any Forest Service campgrounds.
All flush toilet buildings have an accessible toilet.
Bass Lake Campgrounds are operated under a special use permit with California Land Management, and reservations are managed by the National Recreation Reservation System.
For campground reservations call: 1-877-444-6777 or TDD 1-877-833-6777, or online at www.recreation.gov
The Interagency Senior and Access Pass entitles holders to a 50% discount on single campsite fees only. Cardholders must have their card with them and be present.
Sierra National Forest Headquarters
1600 Tollhouse Road
Clovis, CA 93611
(559) 297-0706
Bass Lake Ranger District
57003 Road 225
North Fork, CA 93643
(559) 877-2218
High Sierra Ranger District
29688 Auberry Road
Prather, CA 93651
(559) 855-5355
Hearing Impaired
TTY: (559) 322-0425
California Relay Service 711
The lake elevation is 3,400 feet, with a maximum water volume of 45,000 acre-feet.
Campground Regulations
The maximum number of people in a campsite: Single-family sites - 6 people
Double sites - 12 people
Quad sites - 24 people
The number of cars per campsite: 1 vehicle in single sites
2 vehicles in double sites and 4 vehicles in quadruple sites.
Additional vehicles must purchase and display a valid car pass.
Check-out time: 12 noon
Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.
Maximum Stay: 14 days
Pets: Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
A maximum of two dogs are allowed per campsite.
Parking: Parking is allowed only on spurs and in designated parking areas.
All boat trailers must be parked in the site spur or in the trailer parking area.
Day Use: day-use areas close at 9 pm
What are you waiting for? It's time to start planning out the perfect camping vacation to Bass Lake!
Additional information on Bass Lake and Yosemite National Park
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Yosemite National Park Tours
California Audio Tour Bundle (Get 4 Audio Tours)
⭐️ Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 days | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
With Shaka Guide's GPS Audio Tours, you are guided to hidden gems and iconic sights. Now, you can explore at your own pace without worrying about keeping up with a tour. Tours include:
- Yosemite's Majestic Beauty
- Death Valley's Unique Geology
- Joshua Tree's otherworldly Landscapes
- Lake Tahoe's Clear Waters
Private Full-Day Fly Fishing for Beginners and Experienced Anglers
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🎣 Check Rates and Availability
Here is your chance to enjoy fly fishing in Yosemite with your private guide! This full-day adventure (Approx. 8 hours) is where you can fish the Tuolumne and Merced River watersheds for Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Golden Trout on the catch-and-release excursion. The tour includes:
- all fly fishing gear, fishing license, Peak Season Reservation, and entrance fees
- round-trip transportation from Yosemite Valley or Groveland
- snacks/lunch
Private Family Hike in Yosemite
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4-6 Hours | 🥾Check Rates and Availability
Experience the monumental scenery of Yosemite on a guided, half-day hike designed especially for families. Choose from a beginning to moderate hike to suit your family's experience level, and embark on a series of trails that wind through the famous natural attractions of either Yosemite Valley or the high country. Enjoy Spectacular views from on of America's favorite National Parks, and stop for a scenic picnic near a stream, lake, or meadow.
4 Days Guided Yosemite Half Dome Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 Days | 🥾Check Rates and Availability
Ready to turn your bucketlist into a brag list? This 4 day Yosemite adventure takes you from secret swimming holes to the iconic half-dome cables without the crowds or the chaos. Every detail is covered, from wilderness permits to those elusive Half Dome Spots. Just bring your personal camping gear including a tent, sleping bag & pad, and headlamp. A full packing list will be provided after you register. With expert guides, chef-style meals, and starry skies, you'll hike, relax, and conquer like a pro!
Check out more great tours of Yosemite. Tours include hiking, snowshoeing, roundtrip tours from San Francisco, and more!
Lodging Options at/near Bass Lake
Bass Lake is extremely popular and you may decide to look for hotel options if campgrounds are already full. Here is a list of a few hotels I have stayed at in the Bass Lake Area.
The Pines Resort - Bass Lake Beachfront Resort with lots of amenities, including Spa services, gym, two restaurants, bar/lounge, Airconditioning and more!
Click here to book your stay at the Pines Resort.
Sierra Sky Ranch - located near Oakhurst, California, offers easy access to Highway 41 into Yosemite National Park. They offer several amenities, including free WIFI, pool, Air Conditioning, free self-parking, complimentary continental breakfast, arcade/game room, and a fantastic restaurant on-site!
Click here to book your stay at Sierra Sky Ranch.
Chateau du Sureau - Exceptional 5-star luxury accommodations south of Yosemite National Park. Includes breakfast, feww WIFI, pet friendly, air conditioning and much more! Also has an incredible restaurant o-site and a spa!
Click here to book your stay at Chateau Du Sureau.
The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you plan to visit to see the current availability.
One Day in Yosemite National Park
Things to do in Yosemite National Park
Complete Lodging Guide Yosemite National Park
Make sure to check out all the California National Parks and Nevada National Parks and make a Road Trip!
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