Forks Campground
Bass Lake

Bass Lake, California
Bass Lake, California

Forks Campground
Bass Lake


Forks Campground

Forks Campground is on the west shore of Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest. Four-mile-long Bass Lake is a popular mountain recreation destination, offering fishing, boating, waterskiing, and hiking. Visitors to Forks Campground have limited views of the lake but can easily walk to its shore and beach for swimming and relaxing in the mountain air.

Forks Campground has 27 campsites in a towering pine forest. Bark beetle infestations killed some of the trees, however dead trees around the campground were removed in 2016.

Three sites in Forks Campground are designated for tents-only; the rest can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. A 2-night minimum stay is required on weekends and 3 nights on holiday weekends. Check in at Bass Lake Recreation Office before proceeding to campground. The office is located at west end of the lake near Recreation Point.

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Forks Campground Basics
Forks Campground Location: Off Highway 222 on the west shore of Bass Lake
Elevation: 3,400 feet
Mileage from gateway cities: Fresno - 54 miles
Merced - 72 miles
Camping Season: Open mid-April through mid-September, weather permitting
Number of Sites: 27
Max. People per Site: 6 (including children)
Vehicles per Site: 2, $10 per night fee for un-towed 2nd vehicle
Pets: On leash, always attended, 2 maximum
Operated by: California Land Management for the Sierra National Forest
Bass Lake Ranger District: (559) 877-2218

Reservations at Forks Campground
Reservations Recommended: Reservations are available for camping dates any time the campground is open.
Booking Window: Reservations can be made from 1 day up to 6 months in advance of arrival date.
Maximum Vehicle Length: 40 feet
Wheelchair accessible sites: #16, 27, 28
Favorite Campsites: #3, 9, 16, 24, 25
Fees: $49 per night ($2 more during holiday weekends)
Plus $10 reservations fee
Reservations: Forks Campground Reservations
Check-in, check-out: 2:00 PM, Noon

Forks Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, pedestal grill, stone fire ring; no hook-ups
Campground: Restrooms with flush toilets, piped water
Showers: No
Dump Station: Nearby
Attractions near Forks Campground: Hike up the Goat Mountain Trail. Spend days at Bass Lake, visiting marinas for boat rentals, and heading out on the water for boating, waterskiing, and fishing. Enjoy hiking and mountain biking. Visit Way-of-the-Mono Interpretive Trail, Angel Falls and Devils Slide Falls Trail. Try to be there for the Bass Lake Fishing Derby in early May.




Forks Campground map, Bass Lake,  CA

map of campgrounds at Bass Lake, including Chilkoot Campground, CA



Forks Campground, Bass Lake, Sierra National Forest, CA

Forks Campground

Bass Lake Attractions

Bass Lake rests in the Sierra National Forest south of Yosemite. The lake is a popular camping and recreation area. Visitors who stay at Forks Campground enjoy being close to the lake and all its wonderful amenities.


Key Forks Campground Regulations

  1. Dogs are required to be on leash and attended at all times. No more than 2 pets are permitted per campsite.
  2. Fires must be confined to the provided fire ring.
  3. Obtain firewood locally to avoid bringing in invasive pests.

    Check Sierra National Forest - Forks Campground for any campground updates.



General Camping Information

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.

Accessible Sites

Designated Accessible sites are usually reserved for people with disabilities who have a vehicle displaying an accessible parking placard or license plate