Great Location & Warm Water, But Pack Light and Bring Bug Spray Well, it's time for my family's annual camping trip! This year we wanted to check out Bass Lake, CA. There are several spots around the lake, but since we were booking through Recreation.gov, we landed on Spring Cove. I always try to book campsites close to the water, and on paper, this campground looked perfect. The Good Prime Lake Access: The location is super close to the water. You just have to cross the main road, walk down a little hill, and there you are! We selected sites nearest the road to ensure easy access to the lake, which is our main source of entertainment. The kids absolutely loved it. The water was warm enough to swim for hours, but cool enough to be refreshing in the summer heat. Bonus Perks: We loved that our parking permit came with a 15% discount for boat rentals at Miller's Landing Resort (just about a mile down the road). We used it to book a half-day boat rental, and it was easily one of the highlights of the trip! Awesome Camp Host: Shout out to Patrick for being incredibly cool and helpful. The Not-So-Good The Bathroom Situation: The flushing toilets were shut down, meaning we had to use porta-potties. Yuck! I am not a fan and found it pretty stressful. Thankfully, Miller's Landing was close enough to "take care of business" when needed. Yes, I'm weird, but I just can't with the porta-potties. Tiny Sites: The sites themselves are small. We are used to the larger, less crowded campgrounds up north at higher elevations, so we had to seriously adjust our layout for our party's three campsites and varying tent sizes. When the website says "small tent," they really mean small tent. Don't try bringing a mansion tent here unless you want to be moving picnic benches around just to make it fit. Mosquitoes: There were a lot of them. Be sure to pack plenty of bug repellent options. Despite the tight squeeze and the bathroom bummer, it was a great trip. I think we might have just found our new annual spot! read more

Been coming here for years! Bass has 3 marinas (The Pines being the largest). The beauty is amazing. A little of Yosemite ... Rock formations, green tree and wildlife. Some gorgeous homes am an be rented if you wish, or there are plenty of campgrounds. The lake is not huge... But, you. An find some quiet coves here and there. Just like most places, it can get crowded on the weekends. Lots of beaches, just make sure you are parking legally. Don't miss the FORKS BURGERS! Or, their club sandwich. Delish! Love love this place. Come on over! read more

Spring Cove Campground - Recreation Point! - Campgrounds Near Me - Oakhurst, California

Beautiful campground with great facilities and right across from the lake with a nice beach. Matthew was an awesome camp host, so helpful and friendly!! Definitely recommend! (Note: definitely bear country, we saw two at the campground but they were relaxed doing their own thing, so just put your food away always and bring bear spray just in case) read more

Spring Cove Campground - Sunset at the campground - Campgrounds Near Me - Oakhurst, California

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Love, love ,love Bass lake! I get a spa suite at the Pines Resort every year. It is so relaxing and peaceful. At night I enjoy sitting by the water, making a bon fire and star gazing. Only gripe at night time is a ton of raccoons will pop out of nowhere and just be nosy Rosies. But they never get TOO close, it's nature what do you expect? Last year, the lake was devastating to look at; it was virtually empty. Today it was the complete opposite-was absolutely beautiful and the running water was raging! Makes me happy! I must note that Bass lake has a lot of cool little hidden trails along with more popular ones IE. Willow Creek Trail or Mono Trail. Speaking of, I do not recommend the Mono Trail right now. It starts off nice but you will end up in an area that was burned down in the fires and that's just depressing. I think April is a great time to bring the family because the weather is perfect and the crowds are not over bearing like they will be come summer time. You do have to pay $10 in designated parking areas. I just find free parking on the side of the road... read more

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Winter is definitely not the season to visit Bass Lake. But there is something calming about walking the lake bed, something you'll probably miss during the busy seasons. Parking is pretty easy, so no need to worry about finding a spot in the winter. I highly recommend staying on the parts of the lake that are absolutely dry, since some spots might be deeper than they appear. There are some trails nearby if you want a better view of the lake (Glass rock etc.). Last, don't forget to check out the giant fallen tree right across from the gazebo. Nice place to sit and take photos. read more

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23 Jun 2021: The lovely weather today welcomed us to Bass Lake. We noticed several people out sailing - but we also noticed that the water level was down to zero in some areas. read more

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I loved it here, we recently camped here at the Spring Cove site for the weekend while we were visiting Yosemite National Park. Bass Lake is about 30 minutes away from the entrance at Yosemite Park, & from there's it's another hour drive down into Yosemite Village. The camp sites at Spring Cove had picnic tables & a fire pit/grill. The sites are a good space away from other site so you're not too close to other campers, but you're not that far away either. The rest rooms & trash areas were fairly clean, I'm not sure if there was a shower area where we were so we ended up doubling down on the baby wipes for the weekend. The rest of Bass Lake is awesome, the lake itself is pretty big. They have a variety of boat rental options along with a few restaurant/market where you can pick up goods for your camp site Incase you forgot to bring something. read more

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This review is for Lupine-Cedar Bluff Campground: Beautiful campground across from the lake with all the necessary accommodations; picnic table, grill and parking spot at the actual site and restroom, firewood vendor and water source near the campground entrance (no showers at this campground but I heard there is one close by that you can drive to). We stayed at campsite #65 and it was perfect. My puppy love exploring the "woods" and there was enough room for all of our gear without being on top of each other. The camp sites are spaced out well where you don't really see your neighbor unless you are looking for them. The reservations for this campground can be made on line and then you just need to check in with the camp host upon arrival. Really enjoyed our short stay and looking forward to coming back. *Dog friendly (limit 2 per site)! read more

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Bass lake is a nice getaway from Fresno which is about 30-45 mins away if you are coming from North Fresno or Clovis. It's so nice to be so close to the snow but not actually have to deal with the annoyance of it if you live in the city of Fresno or Clovis. If you are coming from the bay area, you don't go through Fresno, but if you are already in Bass Lake and want to go to the nearest big city Fresno/Clovis is close by for all the usual dining and entertainment options you might be looking for. As for Bass Lake itself, the lake is beautiful and a relief during hot summers. I wouldn't say this place is a hidden gem because everybody in the Fresno metro area of over 1million people know about it, but it definitely is a nice alternative than going to say Tahoe or other lakes in the north valley. Check for events they have during 4th of July and other holidays. read more

There are two types of mountain lakes: developed and undeveloped. Most nature lovers prefer the undeveloped ones: no campgrounds, no pavement, trees double as bathrooms, music is provided by birds and not by stereos, and (most important) no rangers. If they must car-camp, make it as primitive as possible. It's no surprise to Yelpers that I am one of this bunch. I also realize that millions of Americans do NOT fall into this category. And for them, there are the developed lakes, with lots of amenities, the more the better. For them, may I present Bass Lake. I live in Northern California, and for us, Lake Tahoe is the premier mountain lake. Tahoe is one of the prettiest lakes in the world, with its legendary clear water and world-class skiing. But South Lake is a textbook example of development gone bad: too many roach motels that are now overpriced, traffic is horrendous, so many regulations that it's nearly impossible for businesses to survive or residents to afford to live there. In my opinion, Bass Lake has Tahoe beat. Bass Lake appears to have gotten the mix just right. Houses and cabins mostly on the northeast shore, both permanent and vacation homes. Campgrounds and picnic areas mostly on the southwest shore. Neither overwhelm the area. I saw just about every form of water recreation in only two hours: swimming, fishing, waterskiing, jetskiing, houseboats, paddleboards, kayaks. The lake is big enough for everyone. (Maybe Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear Lake are similar and do it better, I've never been to either.) Food can be either restaurants or do-it-yourself barbecues. Or you can do like the Hunny did, and just sit there, watching everyone have fun and staring at the pretty pine-covered mountains surrounding the lake. Bass Lake is not a hidden gem by any means. Families have been coming here generations before I discovered it. Unlike Tahoe, which is on one major US highway (50) and several miles south of another (I-80), Bass Lake is at least an hour's drive north of Fresno and 99, so it's not very convenient. It's convenient enough, though, and Oakhurst is an easy drive from the lake if you need supplies. There are limits to the development, therefore overnight spots are in high demand and that means higher prices and you must book months in advance. "But the entrance to Yosemite is only 20 miles away! Why go to a PG&E reservoir when you can go to Yosemite???" I'll simply answer that Bass Lake is not a mere option to settle for because you can't get a campsite in Yo Valley. You can make an entire vacation here, and you and the kids will enjoy it more because you're not fighting the traffic, dust, and weirdos in Yo Valley. It's a stereotypical family vacation on the lake - but it's real, and it's worth it! read more

Spring Cove Campground - Fantastic lake for a swim, fish, boat, waterski, barbecue . . . anything. - Campgrounds Near Me - Oakhurst, California

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We camped at Cedar Bluff Campground last week. We would never camp there again. The campsite itself was quite uncomfortable (little shade, hardly a flat spot to pitch a tent or have table, crowded, toilets are gross). The camp hosts were nice, except the one working at the check in building who was kind of rude. She would not give us any information as I was not the one holding the reservation. The lakeshore is so dirty!!! Really makes me sad to know so many people trash the environment that they want to recreate in. We could walk across the street from the campsite to the shore and there was so much trash. Toilet paper, glass, cans, broken tents, whole trash bags full. It was so disgusting. We camp quite often and have never seen a place so abused. My friends dog stepped on a piece of glass and spent the whole next day in Fresno at the vet to get him stitches. So disappointing. We rented a boat on the other side of the lake. Thank goodness we had that day which saved our weekend. The lake was the prefect temp and the views were nice. read more

Half the park is after dark! Came here around 8pm at the beginning of February to look at the stars and it did not disappoint. The road in is really dark, and there are quite a few parking areas to just look at the stars. Being from Orange County, I never really get a chance to see so many stars, so being out on the lake with very little light pollution was quite an experience. Obviously I need to learn how to take better pictures of the stars, but just look at all of them! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bass-lake-recreation-area-bass-lake?select=vlvVR6dalCSBKpltZBMXtw&userid=97Dj5h5CQUsWZrEWj3wWOg https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bass-lake-recreation-area-bass-lake?select=XU1qZQ0l70W2-4SY5copMw&userid=97Dj5h5CQUsWZrEWj3wWOg read more

Spring Cove Campground - Campgrounds Near Me - Oakhurst, California

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Camp Lupine campground.. really nice and quiet. Beautiful lake, flowers..and family.. read more

Spring Cove Campground - Pretty pretty flowers everywhere! - Campgrounds Near Me - Oakhurst, California

(July 2020) WISHON CAMPGROUND. Bathrooms were clean and lit all night. Site was level, spacious, and shady. Quiet at night. Dogs allowed. Good view and walking distance from lake! Lake has buoys for swimming and boating. A beautiful drive around the lake will get you to a trailheads; lusciously full of waterfalls, wildlife, and nature! "I WILL BE BACK." (Terminator voice) read more

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The Lake looked amazing!!! Due to Covid-19, pretty much everything was closed down. We did see a young lady who looked like a waitress heading towards Duceys. She did say they have "take out" only. The General Store was open. We drove over by Miller's Landing & saw a gentleman there who said "things will be opening up this Friday the May 8th. Hopefully they all get to open soon!!! Stay safe! Shop local!! read more

Spring Cove Campground - Campgrounds Near Me - Oakhurst, California

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We are staying at the Wishon Campground on Bass Lake. We were pleasantly surprised to see the Lake is completely full with water. Its beautiful right now, blue and pretty clear. Our campsite is 30, and is a double campsite. Its a pull through, but there are 2 trees and some Posts which make it difficult to manouver an 18 ft trailer into. There are also about a thousand cut dead trees piled up behind our campsite. But its far enough away it doesnt bother us too much. Its also great if you have a Dog who loves to chase balls. Theres lots of room for them. And very private. Its close to the boat launch site and to Millers Landing to buy hamburgers, supplies and rent Boats. There are no showers, but you can shower at Miller's Landing. No power and there are water faucets across the street. There is also a dump station for $10.00 down the road a bit. read more

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Great place to camp. Close to lakes and Yosemite. Best time ever. The fish didn't take any of our offerings, but we still got out and casted a line. Will we comeback. Yes we will read more

Last March Marty & I ventured up to Mom's in Mariposa to spend 4 days with her, just the three of us, and we all decided that a trip to Bass Lake, where my Mom & Dad went often and, had taken me many times (before my Dad's death in 2011) to this place as my Dad put it, " To just Be Michael, just be, your Mother & I fall in love again every time we come here." ============================================================= Me, Mom and Marty spending a beautiful day out on the lake that truly is a part of American beauty at its finest! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bass-lake-recreation-area-bass-lake?userid=hr8l47KjKwMVP69B2K0Qog#trqALmycPned5-AYmDMreg http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bass-lake-recreation-area-bass-lake?userid=hr8l47KjKwMVP69B2K0Qog#G5_u9kuKqAnsxU04qCp_Uw Even in the midst of our drought, the lake recedes to crystal clear water, clean enough to scoop up in your hands and drink, its cold & refreshing saturation; boating, fishing, water skiing, jet skis, you name it, its done here and, most of the craft are powered by electronic convertors & some even by natural gas-staff are friendly, prices are average, fun is priceless!. The mountainous terrain surrounding the lake casts shadows and let in sunlight at the same time so much so throughout your visit, that it appears to be like a landscape painting by Renoir or Monet with wildflowers & trees blooming all at once! http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bass-lake-recreation-area-bass-lake?userid=hr8l47KjKwMVP69B2K0Qog#SZlKX6XRne9vtiXofxGJgg http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bass-lake-recreation-area-bass-lake?userid=hr8l47KjKwMVP69B2K0Qog#6OjxFzu0y3c-i8dbK5ufvw Also, with temperatures reaching 105 degrees F during the summer, and consistently in September & October, (the hottest & driest months of the year in this area), there is nothing like a dip in clean refreshing clean water with a temperature of 60 degrees is a nice way to cool off quickly-thunderstorms do appear unexpectedly, yes you will cool down, but do take cover unless you want to become a lightening rod! Even in winter with temps in the teens, when the ice covers this lake, ice skating and other fun times are to be had in the shallower parts of this beautiful lake. There is lodging for tourists and passers by, shops & restaurants which are pricy and the food is 3-4 Stars, so take a picnic lunch & cooler even if you are staying at one of the lodges here; many hiking trails to be traveled, undisturbed nature at its finest with mountain lions, bears, racoons, squirrels, butterflies not seen anywhere but here, wood peckers & other Spring & Summer critters abounding and, in the winter, Bobcats, deer, and brightly colored birds, many species of birds that make this a paradise to admire and enjoy. *Two very helpful things to remember more than wildlife, this stuff is not more afraid of you than you are of them: In the Summer & Fall months do be careful to avoid Meat bees, http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-meat-bee.htm they bite more than they sting, are beneficial to the environment; along with the description here, they are seen in many traps hanging from homes and around the lake because they can be relentless if you are fishing; a good bug repellent from any Army Surplus store does the trick and, attacks are random unless disturbed. Also, Poison Oak http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxicodendron is common, now contrary to the description here, everyone of US has had the unfortunate exposure to this deceptive weed, in these parts it will take the form & shape of any plant to avoid being removed, it is the "Camellion of Yosemite" because of this and does not do this anywhere except here, talk about a Hybrid with a punch; treatment is easy though http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART02773/poison-oak.html Do go and experience this lake, for all that I stated and more; you definitely will not have this happen to you I assure you, because this is Bass Lake Recreation Area, and despite the Meat Bees & Poison Oak, this is not: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTaaSz3v6FM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Po7Ed2bT8 read more

Camped at Wishon at Bass Lake twice: 2011 and 2014. Cons: 1. Bass Lake is managed/operated by Sierra National Forest/Sierra Recreation, a Division of California Land Management. So signage for hiking trails and roads are held to a different/lower standard. However, the lake is gorgeous and shores & coves bountiful! 2. The campgrounds are small, spaces tight and grounds not level so it's hard to find a flat spot to pitch a tent. 3. We were just there last weekend and there was choliform in the drinking water (spigots at campground, bathroom, etc). There are signs posted on the bathrooms and they were treating the water with chlorine so everything tasted with pool water. The signs said it was okay to drink the water without boiling but seriously tasted awful! 4. There were all sorts of loud amplified music throughout the weekend. 5. There were diapers on the shore. Rolled up but still gross. Clean up after yourselves people. 6. Someone in our group last weekend caught a huge trout but it had lesions on it. Whether it's stress induced or parasites, it's not good to eat a sick fish. Please check out your fish before you cook it. Pros: 1. There are campsites that are close to the lake which sorta makes up for it. We were about 10 min walk from the lake/boat launch ramp which made it convenient for swimming and fishing. 2. Dogs allowed on shore. We were there with our dog and it was totally cool. A few other dogs came by and I didn't see a single poop pile on the beach. Good responsible dog owners! 3. Clean shores for swimming and building sandcastles. 4. Various watercrafts for rent: paddle board, kayak, wave runner, etc. We had serious mosquito problems in 2011 but none in 2014. We also had dozens of caterpillars in 2011 that were everywhere at the campsite (be hyper vigilant during meal times) but none in 2014. As you can imagine, water level was extremely low this year but you can still do all the fun activities in the lake! read more

20 foot Party... I mean Patio Boat .... Wave Runners... Paddle Boards... Clear lake water w/hues of teal and dark blue... Friendly Locals... Warm weather... Beautiful Lodge Pole Pines... Faux Gold Sand & a Glitzy Shoreline... Great Company... Guaranteed Good Time! Could you ask for anything more? read more

Spring Cove Campground - Campgrounds Near Me - Oakhurst, California

We've been coming to Bass Lake for 7 yrs with all our family. We stay in Spring Cove campground, where there are more trees and space between sites. Deer, raccoons, and the occasional bear will visit various campgrounds in the area. Restrooms are cleaned 2x a day and showers are just a few minutes drive to Millers Landing ($3 for 5 minutes). Laundry machines are available there too, with a little store and eatery. Due to the extreme drought no camp fires were allowed this year, no charcoal grilling either, so bring propane for cooking. They didn't warn us ahead of time . The Lake is considerably low, but still plenty of water for boating and swimming. It's a family friendly place not crazy busy. Weekends are busy from non locals with birthday parties at the day use areas ($5 parking there, or free along the road). We tend to stay away from the day use areas and pick a spot that's within walking distance for bathroom use. You must stop by the The Forks and treat yourself to "The Meal" with onion rings and a chocolate shake. Yummy. If you stay during the week make you way to the other side of the lake near The Pines on Wednesdays for the Farmers Market. Also, it's close by Yosemite for a day trip if you wanted to leave the beautiful lake for a day. My family and I love Bass Lake. We look forward to our trip all year long. We came home and did the rain dance this year in hopes it'll help start filling it back up. read more

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A very scenic lake! Even though other Yelpers have mentioned that this lake has dried out quite a bit from previous years, it is still very big and beautiful. Went in mid September and it wasn't crowded at all. It's a pretty big lake so you can easily do a numerous amount of water sports. I saw people kayaking, jet skiing, swimming and fishing. Definitely wear water shoes because most of the bottom of the lake is lined with jagged rocks. There is a place called The Forks Resort that's on the perimeter of the lake. You can rent a lodge, purchase fishing/water sports equipment, and grab a bite to eat at the little cabin themed diner (food isn't too bad and they have a bubblegum milkshake that is pretty interesting in the best way). I would totally recommend this place for people who love nature. When you first arrive to the lake you see this huge sparkling body of water lined by millions of beautiful forest trees. It is quite breathtaking. There are also a lot of little critters you can see if you come at the right time...just beware when it get's dark as bears like to scavenge around the lake. Have fun! read more

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This gorgeous sizable lake, which is located not too far from Fresno (1 hour) is great for tourist, the three things you could expect here is: First the getaway from the city and a nice cool retreat in the summer months with plenty of fun water activities, picnics and BBQ, second the amazing hiking area and the view you get while hiking and thirdly the gorgeous lake homes that you could see from right across this big lake. I would plan to spend 2-3 hours as a recreational visitor. Its also a great place to rent boats and other water vehicles for a longer retreat. The parking at the lake is Free and there are plenty of day parking located along the road surrounding the lake, its also like 10 minutes from Oakhurst, therefore lots of places to get food and drinks. Its a great pit stop if your visiting yosemite or the sugar pine railroad. The view is beautiful here and water appears blue, with sandy styled beeches, there are tall trees surrounding the lake, also the air is very clean here and so fresh to breath in. I would however be cautious around here because it is the wilderness and any animals can be dangerous. I have never spot a dangerous animal like snakes, but be cautious. The water here is relatively clean, and water level may rise or fall according to the flow projected by a nearby dam. Its important to bring food, water, a hat and maybe plenty of sunscreen if you planning on coming during the summer months, because the sun can be pretty excruciating. Its a perfect place to picnic so bring plenty of food and have fun at this gorgeous lake. read more

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Wishon campground at bass lake was a great spot to camp at for the July 4th weekend. Site #20 has a lakeside view and was close to clean restrooms. The site was level for our tent and had 2 grills; one was on the fire pit and another separate grill which our kids used as a wash station. There was an odd cement structure on the site which could be a trip/fall hazard if you weren't paying attention. The site had really nice shade but only after lunch time. The kids had a great time exploring Angel Falls, and swimming and fishing Bass Lake. The lake was extremely busy for July 4th because of the firework festivities which was a spectacular show. We will definitely be coming back to Bass Lake again! read more

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Have been coming here with my family since 2006! This year the water level was kinda low, but thats alright. It created more beach surface to post up your day campsite by the water. We love renting the Patio boats at Millers Landing to circle the lake in and BBQ. Its always a great time here. For added excitement, if you like to keep your camping area messy expect a visit from the raccoons & black bears THAT WILL knock over your cooler looking for food! Now is the time to visit Bass Lake. Its minutes from both Oakhurst & the entrance to the Yosemite Natl. Park. I should also mention that if camping is not your thing, there are also cabin rentals, and a Hotel to stay in as well. I do hope you'll visit! read more

Beautiful little getaway about an hour south of Yosemite. You can camp here (great for last minute camping trips where you can't book a site in Yosemite) and do water sports too (jet skis, tubes, banana boats, wake boarding, etc). We tend to get the patio boats, which depending on the size can be less than $200 for a few hours that could easily fit 6-8+ people comfortably. The larger ones have a propane bbq grill too. The lake is large enough to easily kill a few hours. And it's fresh water that's not very cold during the summertime so it's super refreshing to jump in. Don't forget a cooler, beers, and munchies! read more

Spring Cove Campground - Bass Lake - Campgrounds Near Me - Oakhurst, California

I have been coming to Bass Lake since I was little, so over 25 years. When I was a kid they had the waterfalls on the rocks on the north end, but sadly the lake has dried out alot since then. The Great Outdoors movie was filmed here and the restaurant they used was Ducey's. I still have to check that place out. There are numerous areas around the lake that you can park and go into the lake. They allow jet-skis and boats still (most lakes don't allow jet-skis). Also in the movie shows the stores on the east side of the lake. I love walking into those cute stores, they have some random stuff, but nice to walk and check them out! Also, if you like Camping, there is Fresno Dome, you can camp or hike the dome. It's not too rough. Also Yosemite is about an hour away read more

Really sad to see a lake go downhill like this. Whether the blame lies in the stewards (Sierra Recreation) who care more about harassing campers than maintaining the camp sites or preventing trash from accumulating everywhere, or just the patrons, this just another loud, crowded, polluted recreation area. There are no beaches, only slippery algae-covered rocks, and the tent sites are very small and on sheets of solid rock (so bring rebar and a sledge). read more

If there is such a thing as a perfect place to go camping, THIS IS IT! Why would a camper who loves the serene solitude of nature shout out to the world about this fantastic spot?!! Because the lake is spread out across such a large area, there's plenty of campsites and sand to go around for you, me and every Yelper! Driving along the lake, the winding road seems to go on forever. So don't worry, you won't be stealin' my site or bummin' my towel at the beach, well, unless you wanna hang out of course. Bass Lake has a little bit of everything. It's perfect for campers of all ages, water sport enthusiasts and dare devils. If jet skiing and wake boarding isn't thrilling enough, you can try out your luck on the 20 foot rope swing. I hear from my tall guy friends that you have to be 6 feet to reach for the end of it. It's a small jump up and big one on the way down! Belly flops abound! So, whether you like to rough it: cook on the camp stove, pitch a tent and stink 'til you're bear bait...or if you prefer a touch more luxury: there's also showers (bring lots of quarters), a brew pub, and a general store stocked with plenty of beer, ice cream and band-aids if you're clutzy like me. If that's still not enough like home, you can stay close-by at Ducey's or The Pines Chalet. Located a half hour from Yosemite, it's a nice stop along the way or a good alternative. My first camping experience here was for a Fourth of July several years ago. Imagine...hundreds of pontoon boats (rent yours early!) drifting on the darkened water under a sky illuminated by multicolored showers of light. The sounds of explosions echo across the lake in the loudest and most fantastic way you've ever heard fireworks. Once you've celebrated Independence Day on Bass Lake, you'll love it even more! Happy Fourth everyone! read more

Bass Lake is beautiful, and I'm not too much of a nature person. Bass Lake isn't super crowded, nor is it dirty or Lake Havasu in nature. The people are friendly and helpful. The water is clean, warm, and refreshing. I recommend bringing a life vest if you don't know how to swim, because the shallow areas are often rocky, so if you're thinking of just standing in the water, make sure there isn't too many rocks in the area. I also recommend a pair of those swim shoes to protect you from the rocks. The water also gets deep relatively quickly. If you don't plan on swimming, bring a swim suit anyway, the water is too hard to resist! I recommend Rocky Point as a good place to spend the day. The name is somewhat deceiving, yes, the area has rocks, but they are much smoother and larger than other sites I've been to. Stay away from the Day Use spot with the word "Amphitheater" on it, the rocks are jagged and covered the entire shoreline, as well as the first 10 feet of water. The weather was relatively mild for a last week of July and second week of August trip, with the heat cranking up in the late morning to early afternoon. Parking is limited in the Day Use recreation areas around the lake; $2 fee collected my attendant on site. If you can't find parking, don't despair, most people park on the side of the road on a dirt shoulder. Get to the lake early if you want to reserve a picnic table+BBQ site+parking spot. The campsites are very comfortable. We've used both Lupine-Cedar and Wishon and I much prefer Wishon over Lupine-Cedar. Wishon has more of that "deep woods" feeling and has more campsites, but is still very private. Wishon is also closer to the shower facilities at Miller's Landing (like, footsteps from Campsite #19) as well as the General Store/Restaurant/Marina. We got lucky both camping trips, the restrooms were located right in front of our campsite, but walking distance from any other. I've never been camping, but I was seriously expecting to urinate on trees and use leaves as toilet paper, but these restrooms are clean (host cleans the restrooms everyday), not communal, and private (as in, single use and the door locks). Tip: If you want to take a shower, shower tokens must be purchased from Miller's Landing General Store. Don't worry, they take Debit and Credit. $3 for a 5 min hot shower in a private stall with a lock. Laundry facilities next door. Watersports are Bass Lake's crowning glory. Rentals are competitively priced, you just pay for a full tank at the end. Rent an inflatable or a Shark Boat/Banana Boat. Boats can seat anywhere from 2-16, the 16 passenger boat has plenty of room and even has a Propane BBQ grill. FOR THOSE OF YOU WONDERING IF YOU HAVE CELL PHONE COVERAGE AT BASS LAKE, the answer is YES (unless you are using MetroPCS). I lost many nights of sleep wondering if I would have cellular reception in the event that a bear eats me. This is particularly important if you're like me and your iPhone is practically a third limb. If you are an iPhone/SmartPhone user, there is EDGE connection available, but you must be at a higher elevation. This is one reason I prefer Wishon over the Lupine-Ceder campsites. Lupine-Cedar is lower and closer to the lake, versus Wishon is higher. I got full EDGE connection and full reception at Wishon (even in my tent), no EDGE and 2 bars of reception at Lupine-Cedar (sad face). However, the EDGE connection CRAWLS and is 85% reliable. Call quality is clear. Devices used: iPhone 3G, 3G S, and iPhone 4, all on AT&T. Go ahead, take a leap. Take a day trip to Bass Lake or spend a night or two camping. You'll be more comfortable than you think. read more

To post a review or not to post a review, that is the question. I absolutely LOVE Bass Lake. I have been going to Bass Lake my entire life, and years ago my family bought a cabin here. So we have year-round access, and it is amazing. As owners, we like to keep the lake from getting overly crowded, but it seems selfish to keep this treasure to myself. Additionally, I love the locals and the local businesses, and they need consumers, so I guess I will have to share the lake. One of the things I love most about Bass Lake is the weather. I am a warm weather kind of girl, but for whatever reason, the winter does not bother me here. It does not snow all the time, but it has gotten its share, and it is beautiful. It gets cold (I've been there into the low teens), but it often feels warmer than it really is. The lake gets warm (into the 70s), which means it is still refreshing but you can swim and frolick in it with no hesitations. The lake is conduscive to wakeboarding, kneeboarding, wake surfing and skating, tubing, and all the other activities you look forward to doing on the lake. There are falls where freezing water is rushing into the lake. Kids and adults love sliding down it. There are jet skiing areas and lots of campgrounds. The lake is surrounded by trees and has many coves in which to relax for the day. Miller's is my favorite eatery because they have delicious freezes, which are really blended root beer floats. I like to change up the ice cream I use. We also frequent the Pines Bar and the Pines Restaurant. The views are awesome, and the food is often very good. The Village Corner is an adorable shop, and the owners are amazing. One of them recently passed away, and we will miss her. The Pines grocery store is a little expensive, but the people are nice, and it always has exactly what we need. You can even rent movies. There is a new clothing store that has long jeans, which I really appreciate given how long my legs are. The Forks has good hamburgers, from what I have heard, and it was recently redone so now it has a nice outside eating area. There are a number of gas stations on the water and plenty of places to rent boats and toys. There are campgrounds and cabin rentals, so all types of vacationers can be accommodated. They have fireworks every Friday during the summer, and the 4th of July fireworks show on the lake is AMAZING. The Pines has Friday night bands and dinner on the lake, and the bar has a couple of pool tables and live music. It is definitely a dive bar but only in the most fantastic of ways. Bass Lake has been the setting for a number of movies, including The Great Outdoors. Unfortunately the cabin was torn down a year or two ago. It was also featured a few years back on the cover of Sunset magazine. The city of Oakhurst is only about 15 minutes away, and it has two full grocery stores, a movie theater, bowling alley, and much more. The gate to Yosemite is only 14 miles away, and along the way there is plenty to do, including visiting the Tenaya Lodge, which is especially awesome in the winter, and the Sugar Pine Railroad, which is really fun for families, especially those with younger kids. Bass Lake is my favorite place to be. I wish I could live here year round. read more

Have you ever swam in a lake where the sand literally glittered gold when you stepped in? We stumbled upon the gorgeous gem of Bass Lake with a lucky catch on a campground opening at Spring Cove. Came with minimal expectations, but was BLOWN AWAY. I got the feeling this was a hidden secret that some families have enjoyed for generations...charming family fun environment. Took a good 1 hr and 45 mins to get into the Yosemite Valley from the lake on a Saturday in the summer- plan accordingly. I love Bass Lake! read more

bass lake is a great place to take your power boat, party boat, or RV, but as far as tent camping, it's good, but not my ideal setting. i loved the lake itself. it's gorgeous, clear, and deep; practically built for boaters. even though all we had were innertubes, we had a great, fun-filled day on the lake. we were able to float around in a cove, soaking up the sun and reaping the benefits of the boats' wakes, and we grilled sausages and played frisbee in the shade of the trees near the beach. but campsite #22 in the cedar bluff campgrounds left a bit to be desired; all of the campsites were right up on top of each other! we could practically hear law and order booming out of the RV in site #21. which brings me to the fact that we were the only campers without an RV. and while i think people should get outdoors any way they enjoy, the electric blue glow from the satellite tvs and icicle christmas lights did make it a bit harder to see the stars. the last gripe i have with bass lake is their lazy labeling of nearby trails. Martin W. and i set out to hike the goat mountain trail and got totally lost. the trails are definitely well kept; shrubbery is tamed back and not at all overgrown, but they could use with some more signage, and signage that says something more than simply "trail" (which trail? to where? from where?). read more

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Just stayed at Cedar Bluff campground, WARNING: THEFT is a problem. Had my new ice chest with ice cold beer and cokes stolen while unattended. My neighbor had their 6yr old grandson's NEW bicycle and helmet stolen, likely the same afternoon. Protect your stuff! I haven't experienced opportunistic theft in years and years of camping. Campground itself is wonderfully located with a short walk to the Bass Lake shoreline. Been coming to Bass Lake for years with no other issues. Have stayed at Skylake (private family camp) and Cedar Bluff and Lupine campgrounds. Interestingly this time the main insects at the campground were yellow jackets (wasps). The wasps were hilarious to watch as they tried to fly off with pieces of meat. Sometimes they would make it with a fleck of chicken, but sometimes they would struggle for a time with a whole hamburger patty. Can't say whether the yellow jackets kept the mosquitoes and flies under control, but in 5 days/4 nights, we didn't have an issue with either. The many yellow jackets were not really a bother if you just ignored them. I did get stung when I slipped my foot into a sandal and smushed one. This trip we utilized the services of ezcampin.com to set up a self-contained travel-trailer. The trailer was set up as we arrived, it was clean and fully stocked. We simply cleaned it up and arranged for ezcampin to retrieve. Wonderful service! Would visit Cedar Bluff campground again and would use ezcampin.com again. read more

my other favorite place to go! It's all about TIMING. You will either go when the whole summer is at the lake, or you'll go when just the pros are hitting it. During the summer this place is PACKED, and the wake is ROUGH. Any type of physical water sport (wakeboarding, skiing) will be hard to do during the day when everyone is out. This is the best time to hit the tubes, but beware, even then your kids will go FLYING. Fishing here is difficult if you don't have the proper bait and still water, but it is possible. Haha. My family and I have talked about buying a house here for years, hopefully that day will come soon! Beautiful sunsets, beautiful views, and beautiful memories made here! read more

We read about Bass Lake and decided to come and camp the entire week leading up to July 4th. I had my reservations ... as we're accustomed to quiet (fishing oriented) lakes that are paddle boarding friendly. I am pleased to report that (aside from a mediocre experience checking into the campground), we had a grand time at Bass Lake. Here are the reasons why we liked it: 1. Warm Aqua-Blue Water: Because Bass Lake is at about 3,400 feet altitude, the water is actually warm enough to comfortably swim in - and the kids did so nearly everyday for hours on end; 2. Pitch-and-Leave Equipment: Because our campground was located directly across the road fronting onto the lake, we would pitch our shade structures, anchor our floating "island" and leave it there for the entire week. It made it easy for us to get back and forth without having to re-set everything every day. We noticed that people would similarly anchor their boats. 3. Tempering Effects of the Lake: The temperature soared into the upper 90s each day we were there, but the ambient temperature next to the lake (under a shade structure) was so pleasant that one can nap comfortably. 4. Dog Friendly: Unlike other lakes (such as Pinecrest), you can bring your pet onto the beach/water at Bass Lake. This could be a plus or a minus ... and thank goodness everyone only brought well behaved animals. SOME CONSIDERATIONS: - It was CROWDED on July 4th, as it seemed that an entire contingent of the Central Valley poured itself into the area around the lake. The shoulders of the tight two-lane road were over flowing with vehicles and people crowded onto the numerous Day Use areas. We, unfortunately, had to walk pass a family who didn't understand the concept of using garbage bags and literally dropped their trash (cups, plates) right onto the ground when they were done with it. - There are NO off-road trails that one can take around the lake. You either drove around the lake or biked/ran along the road. All in all, a good experience and we'll be back. read more

So Bass Lake is obvious stocked with Bass in the early summer. Fishing is plenty full if you're out early because once the water gets choppy with boaters, the fish tend to go down below. The coves are the best places. The coves are also the best areas because you get a little shade and privacy. You can steer your boat to shore and hand out on the sand and tie it just off shore and swim in. The rental boats are electric and can do at the top end 35 knots. Most rentals have a BBQ off the back side and music. This is a really fun area. With no traffic, you're 15 minutes from the gate to Yosemite. If you come late in the summer, you'll find most of the BASS gone from fishing and those that are left will stay at the bottom because the lake gets soooo Hot! Prepare for some good clean fun! You need permits to fish and you can get one at the Post Office in the small town. read more

Love this place! Annual Family Vaca! Boating. Swimming. Relaxing. Don't forget to eat at the Forks. Great grilled cheese, fries and MILKSHAKES/MALTS :) read more

Spring Cove Campground - Bass Lake Annual Family Vacation!! - Campgrounds Near Me - Oakhurst, California

We love how this is a family friendly lake! So close to Yosemite also. Beautiful scenery and lake is clean. Gone were the speedsters, young partyers , rowdies and drinks we often see at similar boating areas. People were respectful out on the water and sheriff boat was seem and visible. Got a bit crowded later in the day. Fishing wasn't as good as hoped and this place got really hot. We will be back. read more

Trully a nice gem in Central California. The nice warm blue water. The towering pine trees. The crisp fresh air. Amazing lakeside homes (many are rentals!). Small and intimate lake setting. Easy access to boat and jet ski rentals. Even in the peak summertime this lake is not only full of water but even the trees are healthy green! We make the yearly trek to Bass Lake and we always have great memories. Can't wait to return. read more

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