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Activities

Established Camping

Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground

Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground, near Bass Lake, California, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature without the frills. This campground is perfect for tent camping or RVs, and while it lacks electric hookups and showers, it makes up for it with its beautiful surroundings and friendly camp hosts.

Visitors rave about the clean restrooms and the well-kept facilities. Many campers have enjoyed the close proximity to the lake, making it easy to access for fishing or just soaking up the sun. One camper noted, “This is a great tent or boon docking spot that is close to a number of good beaches at Bass Lake.”

The campground offers a peaceful atmosphere, with some sites providing stunning views of the lake. Just remember to bring your bug spray, as the mosquitoes can be a bit pesky. If you’re looking for a place to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors, this campground is a solid choice. Plus, it’s just a short drive from Yosemite, making it a great alternative for those wanting to explore the park without camping directly inside it.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Sierra National Forest

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__

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Location

Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

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.

Address

ROAD 222
Bass lake, CA 93604

Coordinates

37.312674 N
119.57003 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites

Features

For Campers

  • Reservable
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 10, 2023

Great Spot!

This is a great tent or boon docking spot that is close to a number of good beaches at bass lake. The campsite hosts are very friendly and the restrooms were always clean.

We were in spot 29 which had great shade but backed up to a road that resulted in some noise occasionally. 

There was a number of rest rooms spread throughout with drinking/potable water. Will note that Verizon cell service was almost none existent despite showing 1 or 2 bars occasionally. Starlink is recommend if need internet or other services.

Would recommend staying here.

Site29
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2021

Friendly camp hosts!

Friendly and helpful camp hosts. Lovely view of the lake. Close by for easy access. Clean bathrooms!

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground by Alisa B., August 31, 2021
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  • Review photo of Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground by Alisa B., August 31, 2021
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Reviewed Aug. 13, 2020

Great views

The Forks Campground is nice because it’s walkable to the lake and the store/restaurant. Sites that are up on the hill have gorgeous lake views as well! The downside is how close to the Road those sites are and there is a metal plate cars drive over and it’s loud!

Reviewed May. 31, 2019

Beautiful

This campground is awesome, no showers, but there are bathrooms. It is right on the lake. It is less than a 5 minutes drive to the small store/tackle shop. Great for fishing, boat rentals available nearby, AND it’s about a 35-45 minute drive to Yosemite! A great alternative to actually camping in the park! My only complaint is it is RIGHT on the road and all the sites are extremely close together, I don’t suggest this for campsite for children.

  • Review photo of Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground by Miranda G., May 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground by Miranda G., May 31, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2018

Love

I come back at least once a year to the Forks. I love that it's walking distance to the resort and the burgers there are soooo good! Lake is beautiful and campground is very nice, bathrooms have sinks and flush toilets too. Only thing that could make it nicer would be putting in some bear boxes

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground?

    Camping at Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground can cost between $39.00 and $51.00 depending on the site.

  • What is the elevation of Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground?

    Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground is located at 4715 feet.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground?

    Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground allows vehicles up to 40 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground?

    There are 27 campsites at Sierra National Forest Chilkoot Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts