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

See all

Great camping and boating location. This was my first time here and hopefully not my last. The weather was perfect, I anticipated triple digit weather but I don't think it ever did reach that point. Our group rented a boat which was so much fun, plenty of areas to anchor and swim around. A great mini-vacation for kids with plenty of nature fun. My only issue and warning is to: Beware for the crazy "white" girls, we encountered two on our trip. Yup, I know it sounds wrong but what kind of person tells you that you (two guys) should wrestle each other in the water. Totally random a** stuff from a chick you dont even know or a wanna be MILF who sees you walking and makes it a point to get up from her area and walk over to ask if the kids in our group are ours, Why? trust me she looked drunk. Sorry but this was the only weirdness you could encounter. LOL read more

If i could put ZERO STARS I WOULD. Over priced... This place is a dump. Don't waste your time

Wake surfed all afternoon with hardly any boats out. Had to get my surf on before this crazy weekend coming up. read more

See all

We came up here for a 3 day weekend. Rented a cabin near by... Manzanita Cabin for those that would like to know... It was amazing... But the water level is considerably low. It was really heart breaking to see. We drove around the whole lake and some areas were alot more beautiful then others... It was relaxing nonetheless... We will come back. read more

Spring Cove Campground - Campgrounds Near Me - Oakhurst, California

Great Lake, great weather, but $200 reservation to sit at a picnic table. You all are nuts.

Bass Lake is truly gorgeous. We did a family camping trip here for three days last summer and had a great time. Wishon Village campground was well-maintained and felt private even though all the sites were full. The water was crystal blue and surrounded by pine trees as far as I could see. I took one star off because the water sports get pricey real fast. We had our own jet skis and tubes, but you'll still spend quite a bit registering them with the sherriff and buying gas on the lake ($5/gallon if I remember right). The patio boats are good for relaxing on the water when you need a rest. Overall, a beautiful place to get away and play. read more

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

See all

Soooo excited to go camping at Wishon Point in July. Been waiting since I left there last year to go back. Been going for 4 years with my husband and 3 sons and plan to go many more. The lake is beautiful and we love the watersports.We went up to Yosemite and did the Valley a floor team tour which I recommend. Yosemite is truly the most breath taking place I have ever seen and will continue to spread the word read more

Spring Cove Campground - My son last year at Bass Lake - Campgrounds Near Me - Oakhurst, California

This is one of my favorite spots! My friends and I have made this destination an annual summertime vacation spot. I really like bass lake because not a lot of people come here and it's perfect for an afternoon summertime hangout spot. We always rent a patio boat and bbq out on the lake. This lake is also warm enough to go swimming. I would check the weather before you go though. We went in June and it rained and thunderstormed, it only happened once but it ruined the trip. Apparently it rains at the beginning of June every summer. There are a few resorts where you can rent jet skis, patio boats and fishing boats. You can also rent camping spots and cabins in the area. Bass lake is 30 minutes from Yosemite (1 hr from the park village). This could be a good place to stay rather than staying inside Yosemite. read more

Sooo much fun! We recently stayed at the Pine Lodge and rented a boat from The Bass Lake WaterSports marina - it rocked! We fished, we BBQ'd on the lake, we tubed, we rode around and took in all of the incredible beauty here. We will be back! read more

I first spent time at Bass Lake as a teenager as a camper at Skylake Yosemite Camp back in the late 90s and fell in love with the area. I decided then and there that I would one day be married at The Pines Resort on the lake. This dream came true on June 25, 2011 and it was an absolutely beautiful ceremony that couldn't have been better. My husband and I returned to the lake this past weekend to camp here at Lupine-Cedar Bluff Campground. We had a wonderful time being so close to the lake with friends and our new daughter (10 mo) also loved the outdoors. The lake is beautiful and is glittering with fools gold. It was warm enough for many in our group to enjoy the water though I personally prefer it to be much warmer. We brought our kayaks and enjoyed kayaking the lake. We didn't use the boat launch for the kayaks so there was no charge. One of the families we went with brought their Aqua-car (a car that drives on the road and into the lake). They were charged $5 to use the boat launch or an annual pass was $50. Regarding the campsite, the quiet hours were strictly enforced from 10pm to 6am which was nice. The flushing toilets were well maintained. The campsite itself could do with more upkeep though. It was overrun with pine needles which in the case of a fire would sweep through the campground in seconds. With no phone at the loop we camped on (sites 94-99) and being quite far from the camp host, there would have been no way to reach anyone quickly enough for help. This realization came about when a neighboring group let their fire get a bit out of control and several feet high right under the trees. The other big downside to the campsites are that there aren't any bear boxes despite frequent bear sightings. This meant loading all of our food boxes and coolers back into the car every time we left camp and unloading them each morning. The bears go after the coolers if they see them so they even had to be covered with blankets in the car. One bear was seen in the two days we were there so it's definitely an issue. We spoke to a ranger about the bear box issue and they do hope to have them installed over the next few years now that the recession is coming to an end. Hopefully that actually happens as it was quite an inconvenience loading and unloading over and over again - especially since we were in 'hike-in' sites. The other downside to these particular sites that we didn't know about and, in my opinion, should have been listed on reserveamerica.gov is that this campground is literally directly below the cabins for Skylake Yosemite Camp. I didn't mind this as it was familiar to me and I knew what was going on when the intercom went off throughout the day. It brought back memories of my own camping days at the camp. However, some of the families we were with were quite upset about the bugles sounding at 7:15am each morning and various messages being blasted through the intercom every few hours. Anyway, overall this was a great camping experience and we're already planning another trip to Bass Lake but I wanted to write a review in case others would find these as deal breakers. Enjoy your trip! read more

Decided last-minute to catch the 4th of July up in the mountains (were planning to head to Yosemite on the 5th) and read about the fireworks show at Bass Lake. It was too late for reservations online, so we called and were told that everything was booked up (unsurprising) but that we could try our luck by just driving there the day of to see if anyone cancelled or didn't reserve. We arrived at about 6:30 pm, having left the Bay Area at around 3 pm and getting stuck in some traffic. We checked out a couple of the different campgrounds (Forks is just one of three camping areas) but couldn't find any staff to ask about the situation. We later learned that the spots are managed by a ranger at the main station, but that was pretty unclear at the individual campgrounds. Anyway, finally we found a spot that was empty and didn't have a reservation slip on the post, so I left my guy at the spot to sort of reserve it and drove back to the Forks campground entrance. As I got out of the car, an unfriendly guy informed me that I couldn't park there, and I told him I was just trying to figure out whether there was space available. He grumpily mumbled something and went into his trailer that was parked there. Then a lady came out, who was marginally friendly. I explained the situation. She asked which spot I was talking about and then used her walkie-talkie to see whether the spot was booked for the night (no cell service there...big surprise). It sounded like we were in luck, so I paid the $26 and we went for a nice swim in the lake (really close by) and had some dinner. Then the fun started!!! At about 10 pm a truck pulled up and about 6 noisy guys got out and one of them came over with his reservation in hand. Guess what??? Same spot we had just paid for. Hmm...what to do? We had noticed that there was another spot close by that wasn't taken, and although it had a reservation, we figured maybe it was theirs (no names on the reservations, at least that we could see) so they started to set up there. We went back to relaxing around the campfire. At about 11 pm, another truck and BOAT TRAILER pulled up. Guess who that was? Yes, you've got it, the people who had ACTUALLY reserved the other campsite. Awesome. Somehow at this point there was a fourth car there (it was very crowded and our poor neighbors were already trying to sleep) and luckily it was the ranger on duty. It was a guy who, although super nice, really had no clue what he was talking about. After conferring with all parties, he offered a truce to us-we could stay two nights (which we wanted anyway) at the host site of the group campground, which was currently unoccupied. He tried to describe how to get there, but was getting confused (and so were we) so we just asked him to guide us there. We loaded everything up (he was nice enough to put our freshly inflated air mattress on the back of his truck) and headed to the other site. Thank goodness we asked him if we could follow him...it would have been impossible alone. The sites are hardly labeled, and it was pitch dark midnight. So, as we got out of the car, we heard pretty loud music playing up the hill. He sort of chuckled and apologized for that, so we thought he might go up there and ask them to respect the "quiet hours". No such luck...he just took off. Right after he left, it got louder and LOUDER and I kid you not, it was like a club. I have never heard anything like it. No idea where they got the juice for that, since there was 1) no electricity 2) no running water 3) no bathrooms (which we didn't find out until we asked right before he left and he pointed out the outhouse down the road...) Anyway, luckily we were prepared with earplugs, since after the music until 2 am, the boats started up at 7 am on the lake. I guess everyone and their mom who had a jet ski or motor boat had to get an early start. Awesome. I do realize it was a holiday, but that doesn't excuse bad organization and the fact that $26 is too much for conditions like that. We won't be back. read more

Camping for the first time @ Bass Lake = Loved it!!!! I loved it so much that now, other camping sites fail miserably compared our days here at Bass Lake. I came June 10th last year and July 7th this year, both great times to go boating and camping here. Last year it sprinkled a bit, but it didn't bother me one bit. Lots of great things about Bass Lake: 1. Lupine campsites (at least where we have stayed) are rather far apart, plenty of trees in between the campsites, and an easy walk down to the lake. 2. Beautiful, clean, rather large lake. Easily a full day of fun ... boating, swimming, bbqing, or picnicking. So much fun!! 3. Millers landing has lots of rentals. Each year we rent a patio boat (enough for 16 people maybe?). It comes with a bbq right on the boat. They also have tubes, jet skis, smaller boats, kayaks... etc. I can't stress how fun this is. 4. Showers are a quick drive down to Millers Landing Resport, where you can pay $3 for a 5 minute shower (visa/mastercard ok). Pretty clean and they have a laundromat next door. 5. Only 30 minutes or so from the Yosemite Gates. We spend a full day in yosemite when we go to Bass Lake. Best thing ever!!! 6. Deer everywhere... breathtaking to wake up early in the morning and see the little creatures prance around. 7. For those who care, you get decent reception here. Except for the bears wandering around, I would have no reason to want to use my phone because there is plenty to do that its hard to remember I have a phone! Cons: 1. I cant really think of anything except... boating and such can get expensive. But... its worth every penny. 2. Bears in the area. Both times, members of our camping group have seen a bear. Yikes! In the end, I am forever grateful to the people who took me camping for the first time at Bass Lake. If I had gone elsewhere, I may not have wanted to go again. Bass Lake = Best time of the summer! read more

beautiful lake!! Full of water!! rare for a California lake. I must say, this lake (madera sheriff) is NOT THE FRIENDLIEST!! if you are on a Jet Ski, make sure you get the rules and regulation pamphlet... We launched out of pine resort, paid the $50 per SKI for lake usage, they DID NOT give us a rules pamphlet. Needless to say, we got 2 Tickets from the MADERA Sheriff for going the wrong direction on lake (you must go counter clockwise)... Also JET SKIS are only allowed to "play" in 2 VERY SMALL designated areas, way too small once there are 2-3 skis in that designated area.. VERY DANGEROUS. When sheriff wrote our tickets "she" asked if we got pamphlet, when replied no, its our first time at lake, she said ignorance is NO EXCUSE.. ha ha. No problem... anyways... beautiful lake if your a water skier, will probably not go back with jet skis. read more

We have been camping at Wishon Bass Lake for over 10 years. We know it's been a rough couple of years with the closures because of the tree removal but still live the campground. We prefer rustic camping and of all the lake campgrounds this is the only one that is still original, dirt and all. Also have to give huge kudos to this years camp hosts who are very attentive, and ensure bathrooms are clean, quiet time is enforced and they are very family friendly people. Already planning our next trip. This was our first time coming over July 4th and was pleasantly surprised. Please do not change this campground. read more

I wish someone would say if/how you get a kayak on the lake and how much it's going to cost you. All I can find is 32$ for low HP boats, does that mean I have to pay 64$ bucks for 2 kayaks???? That's ludicrous.. It says its for the season, what if you come in Nov? is that in "season" or am I paying for 1 day on the lake... The lack of information on the net and clarity is ridiculous.. What a joke to come here if that is so. Please if anyone knows please post!! read more

The lake has become way too crowded- half of Fresno must come here every weekend! Parking around the perimeter of the lake is limited (narrow roads) and the parking lots cost money. So many boats on the fairly small lake that you'd better be a good skier as it will be a rough ride. Find someplace else- away from Fresno. read more

For nine summers our family vacationed there for a week at the end of summer. The water was warm, the Pine trees decorated the air, and there was always time to water ski, ride horses, or practice volleyball. This is a non snobby, warm, beautiful place to soak up nature or challenge yourself with adventurous sports. read more

This is our 2nd time to this lake. Both in the colder seasons and we have loved the scenic drive around the lake as well as the general location being so close to Yosemite. You can camp here and dive into Yosemite and save on lodging inside the park! We are staying at a lake for the whole week Christmas and are so excited! read more

Great place to fish and get a cabin. People here are so nice. Drop a line in off the dock and catch some trout.

Great place to bring the kids. My boys tried out fishing and caught some toads. I got eaten alive by Mosquitos because I didn't have on bug spray. Lake level was low but we still had a lot of fun. read more

We decided with hesitation to take our yearly camping trip to Bass Lake Spring Cove campground. Prior to going I called the Recreation area to attempt to find out if the same Camp Hosts would be returning this year. To my surprise they had "retired" which is funny since they were only there the 2017 season. When we arrived at Spring Cove we had to wait because the people who were in our site previously broke down and needed to wait for AAA to tow them out. We decided to make our rounds and say hello to all our friend within the campground. I can not even begin to tell you how happy we were to meet this years Hosts. They were absolutely amazing, so nice, welcoming, friendly, just such perfect hosts. Apparently they had heard from many people previously of the challenges campers faced with the previous years hosts. Needless to say our trip was drama free. Besides the smoke from the Ferguson fire it was perfection. read more

Where they filmed 'the great outdoors,' and that is exactly what you can get... it is amazing. It is full of life all year round, just depends on whether you like to fish or party on a serene lake in the mountains. read more

This review is for the lake (duh) and Spring Cove Campground. The lake: we were told when we checked in (and checking in is kiiiiind of a pain as its four miles away from Spring Cove), that father's day weekend is their second busiest weekend of the year. We had brought inflatable kayaks and were afraid the lake would just be totally overrun with power boats. However, we found that the lake is primarily populated by humans on the beaches/shorelines. Out on the actual lake, there were only a handful of boats and jetskis and, therefore, we had a great time paddling around. We wound up out on the lake for about five hours, which definitely would not have happened if the lake was super crowded. However, be prepared that if you are just planning on hanging out on a day beach or the shoreline, you're going to have a ton of people (and a ton of kids) around you. Sheriffs patrol the lakes, so make sure you follow the rules, including having necessary life jackets, if required. The campground pros: Flat land to set up your tent. The fire rings at Spring Cove have a ring and a grill-grate to support your cooking needs (rather than just a ring), which was a nice touch. Bathrooms (toilet + sink only) were clean and more than adequate. Cons: the campsites at Spring Cove are quite close together, so be prepared for the luck of the draw as to who your neighbors are going to be. Very, very, very family friendly -- both the lake and the campsite . We got lucky and, even though there were a ton of kids, they were fairly well behaved. No showers, which wasn't really a con for us, since we were only there for two nights, but if you're there for longer and/or need showers, this probably isn't the campsite for you. Absolutely loved the lake and the campsite was pretty great. Will be back. read more

First, Bass Lake is Totally Beautiful and the water is great! We rented a boat from Miller's and that was great! even with the water levels low it was still so enjoyable!!! However, my family(of 5) were disappointed with campsite # 23 at Wishon. It was literally connected with site 44 and we camped with strangers.. The sites on the map appeared to be far from each other. But we were on top of each other along with #19. And the people there were talking Loud till late hours of the night..It felt like we were in a fish bowl. In addition to this the campground was LOUD (screaming, yelling, hooting and hollering, dogs barking, Super Loud talking, blowing up air mattresses at 1 am etc etc) all night yes even at 2 am. This was a Sunday and Monday night. So at night it was not cozy or fun. My husband nick named it "Camping in New York City". The rangers or camp host do not enforce the quiet hours. I'm guessing these inconsiderate people don't do anything all day but drink and they are not tired. Verses people who go wakeboarding/skiing all day they are tired and want to enjoy a serene evening in the wilderness. Although I was grateful the people weren't cussing I wanted to like it but just couldn't stand the NOISE. Wondering if there are any other sites that are quiet or private or if the sound travels there too? So I give Bass lake 5 stars and WISHON 1 star. Would like to go again but need a Peaceful campground. or hubbie says forget it!! I hope this review helps someone else read more

Great vacation spot! We have been coming to Bass Lake for 10 years and love it! It's quiet, peaceful, and has a little something for everyone. read more

Stopped by on the way out of Yosemite hoping for a quick swim near the village. Seeing the dry docks and water levels at 60% just made us sad. read more

Great Lake, minimal trash unlike most rec areas. Not too crowded, no hassles. Law Enforcement presence which is always nice to keep the riff raff away. read more

Unless you are on the tent only side, the sites are very cramped and in need of a face lift. The road inside the site is extremely bumpy and over run. There is no such thing as quiet hours. If you want to party, come to Bass Lake. One night we were asleep and a group if people came into the site to set up camp at 2am. They were so loud!!! And we were right across from the Host and he did nothing. When we complained the next day he was aloof and acted as if he had heard nothing. There was no way he had no idea what we were talking about. From the rude people to the staff not doing their jobs to the unkemptness of the site, I will never camp here again but spend the 1-1/2 hours more in the car and head up to Yosemite!! read more

rented a boat and tube for 5 hours. they checked our boat for damages which was none but the engine wasnt working so we changed boats and they forgot to check for damages. when we returned it they said we did damage on it when they didnt check the new boat in the first place. we did no damage to the boat. they would not help us there and talk to us, then charged us 500 dollars a few days after we left and horrible worker is of no help. DO NOT GOT HERE. read more