Long considered by campers, hikers, and anglers to be the hidden gem of the Sierra National Forest, Bass Lake Recreation Area is one of Northern California’s most popular outdoor recreation spots.
Bass Lake is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life with year-round activities. Conveniently located just 14 miles from the Southern gate of Yosemite National Park and just 56 miles north of Fresno – Bass Lake is truly a unique resort-style retreat. Constructed in 1895, the surrounding community of Bass Lake Village developed around the newly created Bass Lake Reservoir, which supplied the first hydroelectric generating project in Central California.
Today, the waters of the Bass Lake Recreation Area are owned and operated by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. They are still used to generate electricity and irrigate farmland in the Central Valley. A myriad of recreational activities take place on the water and along the lake’s nearly 10 miles of accessible shoreline.
Bass Lake Fishing
Bass Lake is considered a warm-water lake, with temperatures reaching nearly 80 degrees during the summer months, thus attracting thousands each year for swimming, fishing, and waterskiing.
Serious anglers will enjoy catching Bass Lake’s many fish species, including Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Catfish, Crappie, and Bluegill. If you’re new to fishing, your best chance of catching “the big one” is with a guided fishing tour of Bass Lake, which will show you all the hot spots and secret fishing holes.
The ambient temperature around the lake also attracts hikers, who will discover miles of unpaved trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding.
Bass Lake Camping
For campers, Bass Lake Recreation Area offers over 250 tent camping sites, many of which feature full electrical, water, and sewer hookups for your recreational vehicle.
Many sites offer picnic tables, fire rings, water access, and accommodations for boats and trailers, with some camp areas located as close as 24 miles from the entrance to Yosemite National Park.
For those seeking a more comfortable night’s sleep, several lakefront hotels and cabin rentals are available, including the Pines Resort at Bass Lake, which features 84 fully furnished chalets offering the comfort and charm of a private mountain cabin.
Boating and Watercraft
For boaters, mooring watercraft is permitted only overnight in designated areas and costs between $15 and $35 per night, offering an on-the-water lodging experience. Guests will also find a full-service marina offering Ski boats, Patio boats, and Fishing Boat rentals, along with personal watercraft rentals, including Jet Skis, Wakeboards, Canoes, Kayaks, Paddleboards, Tubes, and Paddle Boats.
If you plan to extend your stay a little longer than a weekend, a camp store carries ice, firewood, and other general merchandise that you may have left behind during your hasty escape.
Besides the lake, there is plenty to do in the area, including the Fresno Flats Historic Village–a museum complex built around several buildings dating back to 19th Century life in the Sierra Nevada foothills and mountains of Central California.
Don’t Miss The Sugar Pine RR
Another nearby attraction is the Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad. The two steam locomotives operate daily during the summer. At the same time, the railroad’s Model A “Jenny” rail cars, capable of carrying about a dozen passengers, run on the line during the off-season.
Finally, wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy more than a hundred species of birds spotted at Bass Lake. Many are migratory, while others make their permanent residence here.
Bass Lake Camping Reservations
Reservations must be made at least one day in advance. Park requires a 2-day minimum stay on weekends. Park requires a 3-day minimum stay on Holiday Weekends. All pets must be leashed. Campground quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. No discharge of firearms or fireworks.
Wishon Campground, Bass Lake, 47 campsites, some offering lake views. Forks Campground On a hillside overlooking Bass Lake.
The camping fee includes an entry for one vehicle and one legally towed vehicle. Additional costs for extra vehicles will be collected at the campground, with a $ 5 per night fee for each extra vehicle if the number exceeds the maximum allowed.
Where is Bass Lake Recreation Area
Bass Lake Recreation Area is open 365 days a year, making it an excellent destination for visitors in both summer and winter months. Bass Lake is about 275 miles north of Los Angeles and 225 miles southeast of San Francisco, off Highway 41.