Epic Bass Lake Camping Guide

This Epic Bass Lake Camping Guide includes information on seven different campgrounds, many of which have amazing views of Bass Lake! 

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.

 

Things to do Bass Lake

Bass Lake is a great destination to go camping! The area offers numerous outdoor and water-based activities including hiking, picnicking, boating, swimming, fishing, sunbathing, and much more! Bass Lake and Oakhurst also offer numerous events each year including a fishing derby, Yosemite Half Marathon, and the Light up the Sky- Fourth of July fireworks Show on Bass Lake. 

If you still need more to keep you entertained, you can explore the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway, go wine tasting along the Madera Wine Trail, you can ride the logger at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, or visit the 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:

11 double sites
7 quad sites 

Accessible Sites: 

Cost per night: $65.77 - $137.73 / night

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: 

Cost per night: $33.34 - $35.34 / night

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: 

Cost per night: $33.34 - $35.34 / night

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: 

Cost per night: $33.34 - $35.34 / night

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 be assessessing 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.

 

 

Wishon Bass Lake 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: 

Cost per night: $33.34 - $69.77 / night

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 - 2022 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 2022

Number of sites: 7 

Accessible Sites: 

Cost per night: ?

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, but campers must bring drinking water.

RVs allowed?: yes up to 30 ft parking length

Recreation Point Group Campground

Maximum group sizes range from 30-50 people per campsite and 50-100 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: 

Cost per night: $107 - $263.97 / night

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, (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 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 entitle holders to a 50% discount on fees for single campsites 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. 

Checkout 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. 

Maximum of two dogs for each 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 Yosemite National Park 

One Day in Yosemite National Park

Things to do in Yosemite National Park

Complete Lodging Guide Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Winter Guide

Make sure to check out all the California National Parks and Nevada National Parks and make a Road Trip!