< PreviousWhile the trails in Yosemite Valley are some of the most popular in the park, we encourage you to explore other areas of Yosemite that are less familiar but just as impressive. Travelers are expanding their interests and discovering the beauty of southern Yosemite and Wawona. Find new paths and become a more sustainable traveler along the way. The Swinging Bridge (Wawona) RATING: EASY More of a walk than a serious hike, this 1 mile out-and- back trail provides access to the namesake bridge that crosses the South Fork of the Merced River. Unlike the Swinging Bridge in Yosemite Valley, this bridge actually swings (the Yosemite Valley Swinging Bridge originally did swing until it was replaced due to flood damage in 1965). Water levels rush in springtime, but drop down significantly months later making for the perfect swimming hole in late summer. At the Wawona store, turn right on Forest drive, then stay left when the road forks. There are pit toilets near the dirt parking area. Chilnualna Falls Trail RATING: MODERATE TO CHALLENGING This 8 mile (round trip) trail begins at the end of Chilnualna Falls Road. There are restrooms and bear boxes at the trailhead. On route to the top of the waterfall, you will climb over 2,000 ft of elevation. Access this trail in the late spring or early summer for the most impressive displays of water. Chilnualna Falls is ephemeral, meaning it does not flowall year round. By July, the conditions in the region are mostly dry. However, the jaw-dropping view from the top is impressive all year round. Alder Creek Falls RATING: MODERATE From the Wawona Campground, drive 4.2 miles to the parking area near the sign for Mosquito Creek, located at a distinctive hairpin turn in the road. The trail begins on the east side of the road, across from the bear boxes. Use caution if crossing the road. Climb uphill and east. It is an 8 mile, out-and-back journey to reach an impressive view of this hidden waterfall. The trail features many wildflowers, including colorful Harlequin Lupin in late spring. Wawona Meadow Loop Trail RATING: EASY This 3.5 mile loop trail traverses one of the largest meadows in Yosemite National Park. Although a nine-hole golf course occupies the northern part of the meadow, the stunning natural beauty shines bright. Green grass and wildflowers fill the senses in the spring and hikers delight in fall colors in late October and November. The trail is horse-friendly, dog-friendly and bike-friendly, too! Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias RATING: VARIOUS There are numerous day hikes found in the Mariposa Grove region of Yosemite National Park and they cover the full range of short and easy to long and strenuous. Explore the Grizzly Giant Loop, Big Trees Loop, Guardians Loop or even an excursion to the grove’s highest section, Wawona Point. Ask for a map of trails to explore in Wawona and the Mariposa Grove at the Oakhurst Visitor Center. Note that the free shuttle from the parking area to the Grove Access Area does not operate during winter months. Depending on conditions, exploring the grove by hiking, cross country skiing or snowshoeing is an option. Know before you go and make sure to check current conditions. MARIPOSA GROVE HIKE • VYMC Southern Yosemite Hiking Trails With over 800 miles of trails IN Yosemite and many more in the surrounding area, you have more that enough to fill a lifetime of adventure! Much more hiking area info can be found here 2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 8Find hidden gems in Madera County's gateway to Yosemite. The land captivates the imagination with stories of adventure, history and natural beauty. Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail to Corlieu Falls and Red Rock Falls RATING: MODERATE Yosemite National Park is not the only place around to find some amazing waterfalls in the area. The Lewis Creek NRT place is special. It deserves protection and care. This 7.4 mile out- and-back trail is heavily trafficked in the summertime and during holidays. To hike the entire length of the trail, park at the trailhead located on Cedar Valley Road and hike north toward Sugar Pine, following the route of the historic Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Co. flume. Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park RATING: EASY This stunning property has a lot of history. It was once home to the Ahwahnee Tavern, a stagecoach luncheon stop for President Theodore Roosevelt, Susan B. Anthony, John D. Rockfeller and the Crown Prince of Belgium. Today, there are 7 miles of walking trails, 6 miles of horse trails, a seasonal creek, a springtime pond and a picturesque barn on the property. The park is open Wednesday - Sunday 8am - 7:30pm. Nearby, take a self-guided tour of a California Registered Historical Landmark, the Wassama Round House State Park. Hensley Lake – Buck Ridge Trail RATING: EASY-MODERATE Hikers, mountain bikers, runners and horses are welcome on this 6.8 mile loop trail. The best time to visit is during the winter and spring, when raindrops and wildflowers grace the landscape for a few short months. Bring $5 for parking. Picnic tables, restrooms and campsites are available at Hensley Lake. Visit after winter storms to watch the surprising contrast of rolling grassy hills against the distant, snow-capped Sierra Nevada. Oakhurst River Parkway RATING: EASY The Oakhurst River Parkway is an easy, 3 mile out-and-back trail that begins at the Oakhurst Community Park and winds along the Fresno River. It passes Fresno Flats Historic Village and Park before it makes its way to Yosemite High School. You return back the way you came. Oakhurst Community Park RATING: MORE OF A WALK IN THE PARK THAN A HIKE While this one's not a real hiking trail, you can walk around the park with views of the Fresno River on all sides of this island-like space. It's also a great place to let the little ones run and play, put on performances in the center gazebo, and get their wiggles out in the playground area. There's also several live entertainment and family activities scheduled here throughout the year. North Fork – Manzanita Lake RATING: EASY Just 0.7 miles up Road 222 from downtown North Fork, you can explore this easy 2.1 mile out- and-back hike to Manzanita Lake. The largely paved trail is great for hiking and mountain biking and fishing at the lake is a favorite activity for many. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. While in the area, make a pilgrimage to the "Exact Center of California." OAKHURST RIVER PARKWAY • KIM LAWSON Sierra Foothills Hiking Trails DOGS ARE ALLOWED on any trail in the Sierra National Forest. Bring them along for the fun, but remember, to keep them protected, they must stay on a leash. YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 9Sierra National Forest 22 2 22 2 432 222 C r a n e V a l l e y R o a d S o u t h S h o r e R o a d R o a d 2 2 2 R o a d 2 7 4 N o r t h S h o r e R o a d M a l u m R i d g e R d . B e a s o r e To North Fork Goat Mountain Trail Goat Mountain Trail Way of the Mono Trail Willow Creek Trail Angel Falls 3,400 ft. elevation Goat Mountain Lookout The Forks Resort Miller’s Landing Resort To North Fork To Madera To Yosemite T e a f o r d S a d d l e 2 2 3 G o a t Mo u n t a i n M a l u m R i d g e R o a d 2 7 4 C r a ne V a l l e y R oa d 4 2 6 Sp r i n g C o ve T r a i l Bass Lake Recreation Office 1 1 2 2 3 5 1 2 3 6 7 8 4 5 VISIT YOSEMITE MADERA COUNTY Visitor Center 3 2 1 Oakhurst 4 7 8 5 6 4 Bass Lake Recreation Office The Forks Resort Miller’s Landing Resort Bass Lake Boat Rentals and Marina Bar & Grill Ducey’s on the Lake • Suites - Bar & Grill - Restaurant Outdoorsy Yosemite RV Campground Casa Velasco Mexican Restaurant Stars & Stripes Realty Bass Lake Home Rentals 3 6 8 2 5 7 9 1 4 THE PINES VILLAGE • Bass Lake Home Owners Association • Bass Lake Realty • Good Ol’ Daze • Nuture • Pines Village Bakery & Pizzeria • The Pines Resort • Market - Bar - Registration • Out West PICNIC AREAS 1. The Falls 2. Recreation Point 3. Denver Church 4. Little Denver Church 5. Pine Slope 6. Lakeside 7. Pine Point 8. Rocky Point GROUP CAMPGROUNDS 1. Recreation Point 2. Crane Valley Group Camp CAMPGROUNDS 1. The Forks 2. Lupine 3. Cedar Bluff 4. Spring Cove 5. Wishon Point CAMPGROUND INFORMATION 9 CALIFORNIA Bass Lake WATCH FOR ME high in the trees and fishing in the lake. 2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 10Bass Lake Bass Lake sits in a nearly perfect location. It is just 17 miles from the southern gate of Yosemite National Park and 7 miles from the park’s largest gateway community of Oakhurst. Its pristine waters and sandy shores are nestled among the tall cedars and pines at an elevation of 3,415 feet. It all comes together to create the perfect spring break, summer getaway, fall romantic adventure or winter escape. A year-round vacation destination, Bass Lake was named one of the “West’s Best Lakes” by Sunset Magazine and has been a popular tourist destination since the 1930s. The lake is renowned for excellent water activities, mountain bike trails, hiking, fishing, shopping and lakeside dining. With summer water temps reaching 80 degrees, Bass Lake is the perfect place to splash around during the warmer months. Relax on a sandy beach with a book, have a family picnic at one of the many day-use areas, or enjoy an array of water sports from swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking to motor-boating. Bring your toys and launch your own boat from one of two public boat launches, or rent a fully-equipped boat from any of the three full-service marinas. Want to learn a new skill? Ask about water-skiing or wakeboarding lessons. You can even start your day with a little more balance by joining a morning paddleboard yoga session at Miller's Landing Resort. On-water activities are not the only thing Bass Lake is known for. With the Sierra National Forest’s 1.3 million acres as a backyard, the lake is a great jumping off point for all sorts of adventures, both big and small. Hike or mountain bike on the many trails, or take an off-road adventure into the heart of the Sierra (check out the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway on page 22). There is a lot to love about Bass Lake and to be honest, there’s too much to capture it all here. To help with that, download our handy digital Microguide that outlines the 30 Things We Love About Bass Lake (see page 13). RECREATION POINT • VYMC Scan to view the “Bass Lake Play Like A Local” video YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 1130 Things We Love About Bass Lake BASS LAKE STAY 1.The Pines Resort - Lakeside, full-service resort, open year-round, with fine dining and many amenities. 2.The Forks Resort - Modern cabins with lake views, marina and restaurant with home-style dining. 3.Miller’s Landing Resort - Family cabins available year- round, with casual dining and all watersports rentals. 4.Vacation Home Rentals - Scores of vacation homes, many within walking distance of shopping, dining and recreation. 5.Outdoorsy Yosemite RV Campground - Full hook-up sites with cable and wi-fi, cabins, pool, café and playground for kids. 6.Campgrounds at Bass Lake - Tent and RV camping with fire rings, picnic tables, lake views, potable water and restrooms. BASS LAKE PLAY & EAT 7.Miller’s Landing Resort Boat Rentals and Grill - Waverunners, ski boats, kayaks and more in the marina. Plus a family restaurant and store are all found here. 8.Bass Lake Boat Rentals and Marina Bar & Grill - North Shore full-service watersports rentals, lakeside grill with premium casual dining. 9.The Forks Resort Boat Rentals and Restaurant - Homemade meals in the original 50s diner setting, boat rentals at the adjacent dock. BASS LAKE PLAY 10.Watersport Fun on Bass Lake - Every type of water fun imaginable can be enjoyed on the lake. 11.Patio Boat Fun - Designed for all-day cruising, patio boats may include canopy, gas BBQ and ice chest. 12.Paddleboarding and Kayaking - Affordable, low-key explorer activities that leave room for socializing on the water. 13.Mountain Biking - Exciting trails for riders of all abilities, complete with beautiful Sierra views. 14.Bass Lake Fishing Derby - First weekend in May, anglers have a chance at $50,000+ in prize money. BASS LAKE OPENING DAY • VYMC YosemiteThisYear.com/bass-lake Check out our handy online Microguide BASS LAKE PLAY 15.Sporting Events At Bass Lake - Outstanding challenges from elite and kids triathlons, 5ks, fun runs and more! 16.4th of July Fireworks and Boat Parade - Timeless celebration with patriotic boat parade and spectacular fireworks over the lake. 17.Special Events Around the Lake - Craft fairs, live music, boat & car shows and more - fun for all ages. 18.Lakeside Day Use Picnic Areas - Picnic and recreation areas for a day of family fun. BASS LAKE EXPLORE 19.Way of the Mono Trail - A self-guided mile-long loop to a spectacular vista point. 20.Falls Beach and Angel Falls - Day use area includes barbecue, picnic tables, potable water, restrooms and the trailhead for Willow Creek trail. 21.Bald Eagles - Bald eagles have been nesting at Bass Lake for over three decades. 22.Hiking Around Bass Lake - Trail hikes range from easy to more challenging, with stunning Sierra views. 23.Goat Mountain & The Dam - The lake was formed by constructing a 145-foot dam at the base of Goat Mountain. BASS LAKE SHOP 24.Out West - Shop featuring clothing, gifts, goods and much more - all showcasing the best of mountain living. Here are highlights of the many reasons we love Bass Lake! BASS LAKE SHOP 25.Good Ol Daze - High-quality gifts, clothing, accessories and tasty treats in an old fashioned setting. BASS LAKE EAT 26.Dining At Ducey’s On The Lake - Enjoy fine dining with magnificent views of the lake. 27.Pines Market - A little bit of everything to keep the traveler happy, including groceries, fresh produce and deli. 28.Pines Village Bakery & Pizzeria - A family-friendly place that's great for kicking back, located in the heart of the village. 29.Casa Velasco Mexican Restaurant - Some of the best authentic Mexican food in the mountains. BASS LAKE EAT & DRINK 30.Pines Bar - Down-home environment with a great selection of beers on tap and weekend live music. Want to see more? YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 13Clear alpine waters. Miles of beach and tree lined shoreline. Endless trails and creeks to explore. Yes – we have a lot to enjoy and be thankful for here at Bass Lake. But with thousands of people coming every year to recreate, we are bringing more to the lake and leaving more too. Keeping this place clean and any other of the neighboring wilderness areas too, requires all of us to be mindful of our impact, use the spaces responsibly and clean up after ourselves when done. Keep Bass Lake Clean Let’s all do our part and Keep Bass Lake Clean! BASS LAKE IN SPRING • JANET MARTINEZ 2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera CountyYosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com 14Bass Lake Realty, DRE# 01477156 • 54335 North Shore Rd 432, Bass Lake Whether you’re buying or selling your home, you want someone with experience, who knows our mountain area. I’ve lived and worked in Bass Lake for the last 20 years. For great customer service, consistent communication and attention to detail, you can count on me to become your real estate resource. Call me today and let’s get started. Nancy Gunning DRE# 01237504 Your local REALTOR® WHEN YOU WANT EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, CALL NANCY! Call/Text 559-760-5480 • nancysells@sti.net PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT Pack it in, pack it out. There are trash bins at the day-use areas, but they only hold so much and are frequently overloaded at the end of a big weekend. An overloaded trash bin is an invitation to all manner of wildlife: bears, raccoons, ravens, etc., to see what they can scavenge. Add to this the miles of shoreline that don’t have these accommodations. So always be prepared to take out everything you bring in (while you’re at it – please pick up any other trash you see). YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 15Committed • Consistent • Caring Serving Bass Lake, Oakhurst, North Fork, Coarsegold, Wishon, Ahwahnee, Raymond, Mariposa, Fish Camp, Wawona, Yosemite West Over 72 years of combined experience! www.StarsandStripesre.com • 559-683-STAR 54250 North Shore Rd, Ste 3 • Bass Lake, CA 93604 Ishtar Otten DRE#0121386 559-676-3333 Ishtar@starsandstripesre.com Garrett Tompkins DRE#02131105 559-676-0734 garrett@starsandstripesre.com Rick Allen DRE#01273940 559-658-0183 rick@starsandstripesre.com Melissa Zamorano DRE#02070687 559-365-6894 melissa@starsandstripesre.com Dennis Porter DRE#01935053 559-760-5691 dennis@starsandstripesre.com Theresa Wilson DRE#01217124 559-760-3715 theresa@starsandstripesre.comBass Lake is a popular destination for summer vacationers; the weather is warm, the water is cool and the good times are limitless. Fans of Bass Lake return year after year to hit the beaches and have fun, but water sports are not the only activity for the adventurous. Discover three incredible hiking trails starting at the water's edge and climbing into the Sierra National Forest. Come prepared with the proper footwear, enough water and a safety-first mindset, then enjoy the views from the top! Way of the Mono Trail RATING: EASY Stretch your legs on a path that people and animals have traveled for hundreds of years. This 1-mile loop trail has 150 feet of elevation gain and offers sweeping views of Bass Lake at the halfway point. Interpretive signage and grinding holes teach about the history of the land and the native people who lived here. On the map, find the trailhead parking area across the road from the Little Denver Church Day-Use Picnic Area. (Reminder: It is a good idea to bring $10 for parking in the day-use areas). Goat Mountain Lookout RATING: STRENUOUS Named for the creatures that grazed here in the pioneer days. Returning from the fire lookout at the top of Goat Mountain, you might feel like a billy goat, too. Although the trail is rated moderate on some channels, be prepared for 9.8 miles, out-and-back, with more than 1600 feet of elevation gain. If you are looking for a challenge on two feet, you've found it. The Goat Mountain Trail is great for mountain biking too! Willow Creek Trail to Angel Falls and Devils Slide RATING: MODERATE TO STRENUOUS On the north shore of Bass Lake, explore this moderate-to-strenuous 3.1 mile out-and-back hike carefully (starting from The Falls Beach trailhead adds another ~0.2 mile). When visiting a waterfall or fast-moving waters like Willow Creek, use EXTREME caution. The rocks are slippery (even when dry) and the water temperatures can be deadly cold, especially during spring and early summer months. Give these waters respect. If it looks slick, it probably is. So don't go there! Be aware that along the way, you may encounter poison oak, mosquitos and gnats (the latter especially in the fall). Bass Lake Hiking Trails WAY OF THE MONO TRAIL • BRAND USA BASS LAKE GOAT MOUNTAIN HIKING TRAIL • VYMC ANGEL FALLS, BASS LAKE • CIARA TURNER-EWERT Much more hiking area info can be found here YosemiteThisYear.com | info@yosemitethisyear.com2023 - 2024 Visitors Guide- Visit Yosemite | Madera County 17Next >