Forks Campground (Sierra) campground
BASS LAKE, California

Forks Campground (Sierra)

Mixed (reservable + first-come)
27 campsites
Open in maps

27

Total Campsites

Campground

24

Reservable Sites

Mixed (reservable + first-come)

2

Accessible

ADA-compliant sites

Organization

Managing agency

Overview

About Forks Campground (Sierra)

Overview Forks campground is located on a hillside overlooking Bass Lake. The camp is forested with cedar, ponderosa pine and oak trees and offers a few sites with limited lake views, while others are adjacent to the creek. Recreation Bass Lake offers a beach and boat ramp. Popular activities include swimming, motorized boating, non-motorized boating, water skiing, sailing and fishing for bass, trout, bluegill and catfish. Goat Mountain Trail (2.6 miles) can be accessed directly from this camp. Other foot trails in the area include Willow Creek (2.7 miles), Spring Cove (2.6 miles) and Way-of-the-Mono Interpretive Trail (1 mile). A variety of educational programs are offered on weekends during the summer. Facilities Bass Lake offers a beach and boat ramp. Popular activities include swimming, motorized boating, non-motorized boating, water skiing, sailing and fishing for bass, trout, bluegill and catfish. Goat Mountain Trail (2.6 miles) can be accessed directly from this camp. Other foot trails in the area include Willow Creek (2.7 miles), Spring Cove (2.6 miles) and Way-of-the-Mono Interpretive Trail (1 mile). A variety of educational programs are offered on weekends during the summer. Natural Features Forks Campground is located in the Bass Lake Ranger District at an elevation of 3,400 feet. Bass Lake is a very popular area known for its variety of fish, as well as the bald and golden eagles that make their home here. The Sierra National Forest, located on the western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, is known for its spectacular mountain scenery and abundant natural resources. The terrain includes rolling, oak-covered foothills, heavily forested middle elevation slopes and the starkly beautiful alpine landscape of the High Sierra. Nearby Attractions Forks Campground is located approximately 24 miles from the entrance of Yosemite National Park. Charges & Cancellations Rules & Reservation Policies As you make travel plans that include reservations on Recreation.gov, there are standard policies that apply to most locations of which you should be aware. Do keep in mind, however, that there are many exceptions, so it is best to review reservation information listed on individual facility pages for those policies and procedures that pertain to your specific locations. Any location or activity requiring a permit or lottery will have unique requirements and policies. Please check individual facility pages for pertinent information for those sites. Booking Window For most locations, you can reserve six months in advance of your stay for individual sites and 12 months in advance for group sites. There are some exceptions, so it is best to check with each facility. Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees Overnight and Day Use Facilities: To ensure fairness, reservation arrival or departure dates may not be changed beyond the booking window until 18 days after booking the reservation. Camping / Day Use: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation (including campsites, cabins, lookouts, group facilities, etc.). The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. You can cancel or change reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Tours & Tickets: You may request changes to tour dates at no cost before the arrival date. If you cancel before your tour date, you may be eligible for a refund. Cancellation fees apply. Please check the tour facility description details page for cancellation policies. Permits: Varies by location. Please check the permit details for the permit location. Late Cancellations Overnight and Day Use Facilities: Late cancellations are those cancelled between 12:01 a.m. (Eastern) on the day before arrival and check out time on the day after arrival. Individual Campsites: If a customer cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival they will be charged a $10.00 service fee and will also forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a single night's reservation will forfeit the entire use fee but no cancellation fee will apply. Cabins / Lookouts: Customers will be charged a $10.00 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee if a cabin or lookout reservation is cancelled within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Facility: If a customer cancels a group overnight facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date they will be charged the $10.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. Cancellations for a single night's use will not be assessed a service fee. Group Day Use Area: If a customer cancels a group day use facility reservation within 14 days of the scheduled arrival date, they will forfeit the total day use fee with no service fee charge. No-Shows Camping / Day Use: A camping no-show customer is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Reserved campsites and group overnight facilities will be held until check-out time on the day following your scheduled arrival. Group day-use facilities will be held until check-in time on your scheduled arrival date. If a customer does not arrive at the campground or group facility by check-out time the day after arrival or does not cancel the reservation by the times listed under "Late Cancellations" above, the customer may be assessed a $20.00 service fee and forfeit use fees. Tours: A tour or ticket no-show is one who does not cancel a ticket before arrival and does not arrive for the tour. Tour no-shows are not entitled to a refund. Refunds Customers must request refunds no later than 14 days after the scheduled departure date. Recreation.gov will not grant refund requests after 14 days of departure. Reservation Fee: For some facilities, tours or permits an additional reservation fee is charged. For some overnight and day-use facilities, an additional non-refundable reservation fee may apply. The non-refundable reservation fee for tours and tickets is $1.00. The non-refundable reservation fee for permits varies by location. Refunds for Bankcard Purchases: Refunds for bank card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank card. Refunds for Check or Cash Purchases: Refunds for Recreation.gov payments made by check or money order, and cash payments at selected campgrounds will be issued a check refund. A refund will be processed within 30 days of receipt and approval. Please Note: Refund requests made during or after departure can only be processed when approved by the facility management staff based upon local policy. Refunds for Emergency Closures: In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team will attempt to notify users and offer alternate dates (as appropriate). If this is not possible, reservations will be cancelled and all fees paid will be refunded. Reservation fees for free tickets are non-refundable in the event of an emergency closure. Recreation.gov Billing Information Reservation transaction will appear on customer's credit card statements as "Recreation.gov 877-444-6777." Changes to Policies and Procedures Recreation.gov reserves the right, when necessary, to modify reservation policies. These policies were last updated July

  • 27 total campsites listed.
  • 24 reservable sites plus first-come options.
  • 2 accessible campsites listed.
  • Most common site type: standard nonelectric (22).
  • Map coordinates are available for trip planning.
Forks Campground (Sierra) photo 2
Forks Campground (Sierra) photo 3

Our Take

What makes Forks Campground (Sierra) special

Forks Campground sits on a forested hillside overlooking Bass Lake in the Sierra National Forest, offering a front-row seat to one of central California's most popular mountain getaways. Incense cedar, ponderosa pine, and black oak shade the sites, filling the air with that unmistakable Sierra fragrance that deepens on warm afternoons. From several vantage points in camp, you can catch glimpses of Bass Lake's sparkling surface through the trees -- a constant invitation to head downhill and jump in. The campground features well-spaced sites that accommodate both tents and RVs, with paved roads and accessible facilities that make it a solid choice for families. Bass Lake itself is the main attraction, offering swimming, boating, waterskiing, and fishing for bass, trout, and kokanee salmon. The surrounding forest is laced with trails, including paths leading toward the Ansel Adams Wilderness and the dramatic granite country beyond. Summer is the high season, and weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day book up fast -- reservations are strongly encouraged. Spring visits in May bring wildflowers and mild temperatures, while September and October deliver golden foliage and uncrowded trails. The small community of Bass Lake, just minutes away, provides grocery stores, restaurants, marinas, and boat rentals. Yosemite National Park's south entrance is roughly an hour's drive north, making Forks an excellent base for a multi-day Sierra adventure.

Campsite Inventory

27 sites to choose from

STANDARD NONELECTRIC

22total sites

21

Reservable

1

Accessible

TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC

5total sites

3

Reservable

1

Accessible

Amenities & Details

Everything you need to know

Accessibility

Yes

CAMPFIRE CIRCLES

Campfire Circles

CAMPFIRE RINGS

Campfire Rings

Site capacity

Single

Check-in time

2:00 PM

Check-out time

12:00 PM

DRINKING WATER

Drinking Water

Driveway entry

Back-In, Pull-Through

Driveway Grade

Severe

Driveway length (ft)

10, 15, 20, 25

Driveway surface

Paved

FLUSH TOILETS

Flush Toilets

Fire Pit

Yes

HOST

Host

Max guests

6

Max vehicle length (ft)

10, 15, 20, 25

Minimum guests

Yes

PAVED PARKING

Paved Parking

Reservations & Contact

Plan your stay

Mixed (reservable + first-come)

Phone

559-642-3212

Email

clm@clm-services.com

Getting There

From Fresno, California: Take Highway 41 north through Oakhurst. Turn right on Forest Road 222 (toward Bass Lake), keep right for 3.5 miles to the Bass Lake Campground office. After registering, continue on for approximately 1.25 miles to the Forks Campground.

FAQ

Common questions

Everything you need to know before your trip to Forks Campground (Sierra).

How do reservations work for Forks Campground (Sierra)?

Reservation availability for Forks Campground (Sierra) can vary by season and campsite type. Check the contact and access section before booking.

What campsite types are available at Forks Campground (Sierra)?

Forks Campground (Sierra) currently lists STANDARD NONELECTRIC (22), TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC (5).

Where is Forks Campground (Sierra) located?

Forks Campground (Sierra) is in California near BASS LAKE. Coordinates: 37.3127, -119.5700.

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