Located 14-miles from the south gate entrance of Yosemite National Park, Bass Lake is known for sparkling warm water, boating, fishing, hiking, and majestic Bald Eagles. Many visitors return year after year, making this destination a family tradition. Locals know, and newbies soon discover, Bass Lake is a hidden gem in the Sierra Nevada.
The last Friday of March has been the traditional opening day for Bass Lake’s south shore resorts stretching back for decades. However, last year, The Forks Resort and Miller’s Landing Resort could not open their doors until May. This year, the celebration of opening day on Friday, March 26, feels even sweeter due to the challenges we’ve all overcome in the past twelve months.
“The Forks Resort opened its doors in the 1920s, but it’s been in my family since 1941, so this is our 80th anniversary,” recounts Leslie Cox, Owner of the Forks Resort. “I’m the third generation, and my son, who works full time with us, is the fourth generation. I couldn’t be more proud of our family’s legacy and how our establishment is a special place for locals, and travelers, too.”
The Forks Resort and Miller’s Landing Resort offer delicious breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert favorites within steps of Bass Lake’s spectacular views. Find well-appointed cabins, boat rentals ranging from kayaks to party barges, and all the lakeside essentials you’ll need, like drinks and fishing bait at their markets. Dogs are welcome too, so bring along the whole family.
In addition to Miller’s Landing Resort and The Forks Resort, Bass Lake’s north shore boasts year-round businesses like The Pines Resort, Bass Lake Boat Rentals, Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort, Bass Lake Realty, Casa Velasco Mexican Restaurant, Good Ol Daze gift store, and magnificent vacation home rental properties. If camping under the stars is your family’s favorite warm-weather pastime, the Sierra National Forest campsites are available to book now.
Not far away, on route to Yosemite National Park, the historical (and HUGE) Shay locomotives of the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad are scheduled to begin running seven days a week by Thursday, April 1. Take a scenic ride through the Sierra National Forest, explore the Thornberry Museum, and shop at the Toy Depot and gift shop.
Eastern Madera County is a haven of recreation. Don’t miss the annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby on May 1 and 2, outdoor arts and craft fairs, plus so much more. For information about visiting the region, check out the Bass Lake Micro-Guide, with photos and information about 31 things to do in Bass Lake.
