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