Forks Campground sits on a hillside above Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest, where cedar, ponderosa pine, and oak trees shade sites at 3,400 feet elevation. Some sites catch limited lake views while others back up to the creek, and you're 24 miles from Yosemite's entrance with trail access right from camp.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Group
- 💵Fee per Night
- $10
- 📍GPS
- 37.31267, -119.57003
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📞Phone
- 559-642-3212
- 🗺️Address
- CA
The Camp
The hillside setting puts you in mixed forest with sites scattered among the trees rather than lined up in rows. A few lucky campers get partial lake views through the canopy, while creek-adjacent sites offer running water sounds instead of lake vistas. Each site comes with the standard setup: picnic table, pedestal grill, stone fire ring, and paved parking spur, though those spurs won't fit boat trailers if you're planning to launch at Bass Lake.
Flush toilets and drinking water keep this firmly in the developed camp category, with accessible facilities available. At $10 per night for group sites, it's positioned as a budget-friendly base camp rather than a destination in itself.
What to Know
Bass Lake draws crowds for good reason — the fishing includes bass, trout, bluegill, and catfish, plus there's a beach and boat ramp for motorized boating, water skiing, and sailing. Weekend educational programs run during summer, so expect more activity then.
The camp offers immediate trail access to Goat Mountain Trail (2.6 miles), with Willow Creek (2.7 miles), Spring Cove (2.6 miles), and the easier Way-of-the-Mono Interpretive Trail (1 mile) all nearby. Bald and golden eagles nest in the area, adding some wildlife interest to the lake setting.
Being this close to Yosemite means you're well-positioned for day trips into the park, though you'll want to factor in that 24-mile drive and potential park entry delays during busy seasons.