Bass Lake is the summer playground of the southern Yosemite gateway and a peaceful off-season escape. Set in pine forest in the Sierra National Forest a short drive from Oakhurst, it is a long, narrow reservoir lined with campgrounds, cabins, marinas and three full-service resorts — The Pines Resort, The Forks Resort and Miller's Landing Resort, according to the Madera County tourism bureau, Visit Yosemite Madera County. Sunset Magazine once named it among the West's best lakes, and in summer it is easy to see why: the water is warm enough for swimming, and the three marinas rent boats and watercraft for waterskiing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding and fishing. The lake also has its own small-town traditions, including an annual fishing derby, and in 2026 the community celebrated the lake's 125th birthday. Trails wind through the surrounding forest, and the lake makes a natural pairing with a day in the park through the South Entrance on Highway 41. In winter the character changes completely. Boat traffic disappears, the resorts quiet down, and the shoreline becomes a place for misty morning walks, a canoe on a calm day and a meal by a fire. Snow sometimes dusts the surrounding hills, and the lake is far less crowded than the valley, which makes it a relaxed base for travelers who want to drive into the park for the day and return to a cabin at night. There is no entrance fee simply to visit the lake, though campgrounds, boat launches and rentals charge their own fees. For maps, lodging and current conditions, the Oakhurst Visitor Center on Highway 41 is open daily.
Why go. Families have been coming to Bass Lake for generations because it does what Yosemite itself does not: lazy days on the water, swimming off a dock, and a resort-town feel with ice cream and burgers. For a multi-day Yosemite trip with children, a few nights at the lake gives everyone a break between big park days, and its location near Oakhurst keeps the South Entrance, the Mariposa Grove and the Sugar Pine Railroad within easy reach.
Planning a visit. In summer, book cabins, campsites and boat rentals well ahead, because the lake is a regional favorite and weekends fill. Arrive early for a parking spot at the busier day-use areas. In the off-season, check which resort restaurants and marinas are open, as winter hours are reduced, and pack warm layers for lakeside evenings. Check boating safety rules before renting a boat. Oakhurst has the area's main supermarkets, fuel and services, and the visitor center there is a good first stop for maps and current conditions.
Who it suits. Families with children, groups renting cabins, anglers and boaters, and couples who want a quieter base than the busy gateway towns. Travelers focused purely on hiking in the park may prefer to stay closer to the entrance. Pair a lake day with the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad near Fish Camp, a morning in the Mariposa Grove, or a winter drive into the valley via Tunnel View.
What to expect
The experience
A forested reservoir in the Sierra National Forest with marinas, three full-service resorts, campgrounds and lakeside trails near Oakhurst.
Best time
Summer for swimming and boating; late fall and winter for quiet walks and off-season cabin stays.
How long
A half-day visit, or several nights as a base for the south side of the park.
Tips
Book summer rentals and campsites early, check winter opening hours for resorts and marinas, and stock up in Oakhurst.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families who want lake days between big Yosemite outings.
- Families
- Ideal — swimming, boating and cabin stays for all ages.
- Couples
- A quiet off-season lakeside cabin makes a romantic base.
- Pair with
- Sugar Pine Railroad and the Mariposa Grove.
- Time needed
- Half a day to several days.
Good questions
Where is Bass Lake?+
In the Sierra National Forest near Oakhurst in Madera County, a convenient base for Yosemite's South Entrance on Highway 41.
What is there to do in summer?+
Swimming, boating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding and fishing, with three marinas renting boats and watercraft, plus forest trails and an annual fishing derby.
Is Bass Lake worth visiting in winter?+
Yes, if you want peace and quiet. Boating crowds are gone, shoreline walks are lovely, and cabins make a relaxed base for day trips into the park. Some resort services run reduced hours.
Is there an entrance fee?+
There is no fee simply to visit the lake. Campgrounds, launches and rentals charge their own fees.
Where can I get local information?+
The Oakhurst Visitor Center at 40343 Highway 41 is open daily and has maps, lodging lists and current conditions.
