Bicycling
Riding your bicycle is one of the best ways to feel nature all around you while at the same the enjoying a rush of healthy exercise. There are more than 12 miles of paved bike paths in Yosemite Valley. You can also ride along the regular roads (while obeying traffic laws). In Yosemite Valley, you can rent bikes at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, and Curry Village. You can also enjoy riding your bike all around Bass Lake and throughout the many camp grounds and housing areas. Check out Explore Bass Lake – Bicycling for our favorite trails at the lake.
Bike Rentals
Yosemite Bicycle & Sport
Offering specialized bicycles for sale and service for all of your favorite brands including: Diamondback, Trek, Gary Fisher, Giant, KHS, Fuji, Iron horse, Santa Cruz, Lemond, Kona, Turner, Haro, Ellsworth, Cannonade, GT, Rocky Mountain, and Schwinn. Having a full selection of adult and children’s bicycles, clothing, accessories, helmets, parts, Camelback products, tires, tubes, wheels, bike racks for cars, luggage racks, baskets and touring accessories. Rentals include: basic mountain bikes, full suspension aluminum and carbon mountain bikes, road bikes, bike racks, and kayaks.
Address: 41169 Pamela Way, Oakhurst, Ca. 93644
Phone: (559) 641-2453
Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 11AM-6PM Saturday: By Appointment
Boating & Rafting
Of course the best way to enjoy Bass Lake is to be on it — in a boat, kayak, raft, or waverunner.If you didn’t bring a boat of your own, there are rental options available:
Bass Lake Water Sports
Located on the North Shore of Bass Lake. Offering Pontoon boats with slides, ski boats, patio boats, jet skis, fishing boats, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, canoes, and more — including the Bass Lake Queen pontoon party rental boats. It has a full service marina on Bass Lake, with a store, fuel , boat rentals, mechanic, and launch ramp right in the middle of Bass Lake.
Sierra Vacation Home Rentals guest’s receive a discount on rentals – ohh the perks of having great friends. Guests will receive a discount card at check-in to use toward’s their rentals. Get out there and have some fun!
Address: 39255 Marina Dr., Bass Lake, CA 93604
Phone: (559) 642-3200
Website: www.basslakeboatrentals.com
Email: info@basslakeboatrentals.com
The Forks Marina
Located on the South Shore of Bass Lake they offer patio boats, fishing boats, kayaks, row boats and canoes for rental.
Address: 31950 Road 222, Bass Lake, CA 93604
Phone: (559) 642-3737
Miller’s Landing
Located on the South Shore of Bass Lake they offer boat rentals available by the hour, day or week – with multi-day discounts. Patio boats, competition ski & wakeboarding boats, waverunners, stand-up paddle, fishing boats, kayaks, canoes, and fishing poles too!
Address: 37976 Road 222, Bass Lake, CA 93669
Phone: (559) 642-3633
Zephyr Whitewater River Expeditions
Take a half-day up to a 3-day rafting trip, on the Merced, Tuolumne, and Kings Rivers. Zephyr has been in operation since 1973, and is the largest outfitter on the Merced River near Yosemite, and one of the original outfitters on the Kings River near Sequoia/Kings Canyon. On the Merced River, Zephyr offers both morning and afternoon 1/2 day trips covering 11 miles, and full day trips covering 16 miles — including a great deli lunch served on the river!
Website: www.zrafting.com
Phone: (209) 532-6249, 800-431-3636 Email: raft@zrafting.com
Rafting in Yosemite
One of the best excursions around is a beautiful and relaxing cruise down the Merced River through Yosemite Valley. The length of the Yosemite rafting season changes from year to year and depends on river depth, water temperature and climate. Rafts can be rented at the Curry Village Recreation Center.
Fishing
Bass Lake is known for Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Large mouth Bass, and more. You can cast off from the beach, or drag a line from a boat… just make sure you have your license first!
Fish & Game Department: 559-658-7142 Children Fishing info: 559-642-3201
There are even more fishing opportunities throughout Yosemite National Park. Want some guidance? Here are two tour companies:
Yosemite Bass Lake Fishing Tours: (559) 642-3200
Sierra Fly Fisher: (559) 683-7664
Golf
River Creek Golf Course & Restaurant
Designed by John Hilborn in 1991, our 9-hole championship golf course measures 3,152 yards from the back tees and provides a challenging par 36 experience. Having close proximity to Yosemite National Park allows for breathtaking views and truly makes River Creek a hidden gem of the Sierras.
Address: 41709 Road 600, Ahwahnee, CA 93601
Phone: (559) 683-5600
Website: www.rivercreekgolfcourse.com
Golf Cart Rides & Rentals
Pines Village Golf Cart Rentals
Cruise around the lake in comfort and style — without having to worry about parking! It’s the economical way to get around the lake — and the most fun!
Address: 54362 Rd 432, Bass Lake, CA 93604
Phone: (559) 641-5550
Hikes & Tours
Our top five hikes at Bass Lake that the whole family is sure to enjoy:
Way of the Mono Trail
Native American history and a great hike all in one! This “Interpretive Trail” features signs along the way that highlight the history and lifestyle of the Mono tribe that once lived there. The loop trail is about a half mile long, and starts across from the Little Denver Church day use picnic area.
The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round. Our favorite family friendly hike at the lake, even the toddler can enjoy getting some steps in and did we mention it’s dog friendly?
Whiskey Falls Trail
Whiskey Falls Trail is a 2.9 mile out and back trail located near North Fork, California that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May until July. Dogs are also able to use this trail. A great spot to hike to with the family. Pack a small picnic and blanket to enjoy at the waterfall.
Angel Falls
This is the primary water source for the lake, and it makes for a wonderful walk upstream, with plentiful swimming holes and waterfalls. There are nearby parking areas from North Shore Road and off of Road 274. Be prepared: the full hike is almost three miles, and can be a steep climb at times. But it`s worth it.
The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
There are two trailheads, one on the west side of the creek and one on the east side of the creek. You must cross bridge to access east side trailhead which is the proper trail. If starting on west side of Willow Creek, there is potentially dangerous creek crossing to reach the upper portion of the trail head at Devil’s Slide. The two main attractions to Willow Creek trail are Angel Falls and Devil’s Slide. The rocks in this area are extremely slippery, so be careful.
Goat Mountain Lookout
Goat Mountain Lookout via Goat Mountain Trail is a 9.8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
On the south side of Bass Lake, Goat Mountain fire lookout is accessible via the Spring Cove Trail (22E18) and the Goat Mountain Trail (22E94). The Goat Mountain Trail begins in the Forks Campground and the Spring Cove Trail begins on the east side of the Spring Cove Campground entrance. It is about two and a half miles between the campgrounds. Both trails intersect in about an eighth of a mile, with another two and a half miles to the lookout. Both offer spectacular views of Bass Lake and mountains beyond. The walk is up hill, so plan for plenty of time and take plenty of water.
Lewis Creek National Scenic Trail
North past Oakhurst on Hwy 41 is a great hike to two falls: Red Rock, and Corlieu, which is 80 feet high. It`s all along the historical Sugar Pine Lumber flume route and is a 5.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail.
The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Offering a creek, multiple waterfalls, great forest and a couple viewpoints this hike is sure to impress!
Hiking Yosemite National Park
One of our favorite ways to enjoy Yosemite is taking a hike. Some of the best hikes in the Park include:
- Yosemite Valley
- Glacier Point Road
- Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
- Tuolumne Meadows
Here’s the park service’s guide to Valley hikes by difficulty and distance. Remember to stay on the trails. Straying off the path, even in search of a shortcut, is dangerous and illegal.
Want a guide on your hike? Check out these businesses:
Discover Yosemite
Phone: (559) 642-4400
Email: info@DiscoverYosemite.com
Website: www.discoveryosemite.com
Photo Safari Yosemite
Phone: (559) 760-6124
Website: www.photosafariyosemite.com
Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides
Address: Yosemite National Park, CA
Phone: (559) 642-2817, (800) 231-4575
Website: www.symg.com
Yosemite Hiking Guides
Phone: (559) 683-7664
Website: www.yosemitehikingguides.com
Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures
Address: 7910 Jackson/Big Sandy Rd. Fish Camp, CA 93623
Phone: (559) 683-7611
Website: www.yosemitetrails.com
Railroad Rides
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
Travel back in time on an exciting 4-mile railroad excursion, on a powerful steam train. Gold panning, Thornberry Museum, gift store and deli lunch. Moonlight Special with entertainment, dinner & barbecue. Open seasonally. In season, the Logger Steam Train runs seven days a week. Your best bet? The Moonlight Train Ride & BBQ. “Along the way you will recall the days of the Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company’s logging operations, and discover the trees of the Sierra National Forest. At the stopover at Lewis Creek Canyon, you’ll have fun and entertainment featuring live music or theatre. Hear the whistle blow and see the Shay’s firebox glow under the night sky on your trip back to the station.”
Address: 56001 Hwy 41, Fish Camp, California 93623
Phone: (559) 683-7273
Website: www.ymsprr.com
Zip Line Rides
Yosemite Ziplines & Adventure Ranch
Address: 4808 Highway 140, Mariposa, CA 95338
Phone: (209) 742 4844
Website: www.yosemiteziptours.com
