Spring Cove Campground
Oakhurst, California · on Bass Lake · Sierra National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $52 per night
- SEASON
- May
About Spring Cove Campground
Spring Cove Campground is a U.S. Forest Service campground on the shore of Bass Lake, a reservoir in Sierra National Forest near Oakhurst, California. As swimming holes go, Bass Lake is fully sanctioned: it has a designated swim beach and boat ramp, and swimming is officially listed among the lake's recreational uses alongside boating, water-skiing, and fishing, making it a dependable lake to swim in.
The campground sits at about 3,400 feet elevation in a grove of oak, pine, and cedar on the shore of Bass Lake, a roughly 4.5-mile-long, 0.5-mile-wide reservoir in the Sierra National Forest's Bass Lake Ranger District. Nearby facilities include the Rocky Point Picnic Site and Wishon Boating Site, and Yosemite National Park's south entrance is about 21 miles away.
Swimming at Spring Cove Campground
Bass Lake's warm water and hot sunny days make it a popular swim destination; the Forest Service lists a designated beach and boat ramp on the lake with swimming as a primary activity. Because the lake is heavily used for motorized boating, water-skiing, and personal watercraft, swimming areas share the water with boat traffic rather than being isolated coves.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Oakhurst, take Highway 41 north and turn right onto Forest Road 222 toward Bass Lake; continue southeast about 3.5 miles to the Bass Lake campground registration office to check in at Spring Cove Campground.
Parking: Campsites have short paved and dirt parking spurs; day-use picnic/swim areas around the lake (e.g., Rocky Point) have their own parking with a small day-use fee payable on-site.
The hike in
Spring Cove Trail
Trailhead: Trailhead is inside Spring Cove Campground itself (accessible to campers without driving); exact trailhead signage/parking spot not detailed in sources found.
No hike is needed to swim: Spring Cove Campground sits directly across the road from a Bass Lake beach/boat-ramp access point. The Spring Cove Trail (2.6 miles total, starting in the campground) is a separate recreational hiking trail through the surrounding forest, not the route to the swim beach.
Swim access is a short walk/road-crossing from campsites to the lakeshore, not a hike. The 2.6-mile Spring Cove Trail is an optional add-on hike for campers, unrelated to reaching the water.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Bass Lake has a designated swim beach with gentle, shallow-sloping entry typical of Sierra reservoir beaches, but the lake is heavily used for motorized boating, water-skiing, and jet skiing, so children should be supervised for boat traffic near swim areas; no lifeguards are documented at Forest Service beaches on Bass Lake.
Parking
Paid
Campground sites have short paved/dirt parking spurs. The swim beach/day-use areas around Bass Lake (e.g., Rocky Point) are across the road from camp with their own parking lots; day-use areas charge a small fee payable on-site (exact dollar amount not published in sources found).
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets (accessible) at Spring Cove Campground itself, per USFS/Recreation.gov listing; nearby day-use picnic areas such as Rocky Point are also generally described as having restrooms.
Hours
Spring Cove Campground and most Bass Lake USFS day-use facilities operate seasonally, roughly May through September; Miller's Landing Resort's 2026 season is published as March 27 - September 27, 2026.
On the water
Restrictions: Lake traffic runs counter-clockwise by local custom/rule; jet skis can travel the full lake but must confine tricks/spinning to designated areas; rental operators require renters to watch a safety briefing/video covering lake rules before departure.
Bass Lake is a full multi-use reservoir (not electric-only/no-wake), so swimmers share water with water-skiing, wakeboarding, and jet ski traffic; the Wishon Boating Site and a boat ramp are within about 0.4 mile of Spring Cove Campground.
Rentals nearby
Pontoon boats, jet skis, wake surf/ski boats, fishing boats, and kayaks/canoes/SUPs
Prices: Kayaks/canoes/SUPs from $42; fishing boats and jet skis from $99; pontoon boats from $199; wake surf boats from $399 (published starting rates, per business website)
54406 Rd 432, Bass Lake, CA 93604 (Bass Lake shoreline; exact distance from Spring Cove not confirmed)
Ski boats, pontoon boats, and jet skis (plus lakeside cabins, restaurant, general store)
37976 Road 222, Wishon - Bass Lake, CA 93669 (south shore near Wishon, close to Spring Cove Campground) · 2026 season runs March 27 - September 27
Pontoon boats, ski boats, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and boat mooring rentals
39150 Rd 222, Bass Lake, CA 93604 (near the north end/forks area of Bass Lake)
Backstory
Bass Lake is a reservoir, not a natural lake, created within the Sierra National Forest.
Spring Cove Campground: FAQ
Does Spring Cove Campground charge a fee?
Camping is $52 per night with an additional $2 holiday fee (per Recreation.gov/USFS listing); day-use areas around Bass Lake charge a small fee, payable by cash on-site per the Bass Lake Chamber guide.
Is Spring Cove Campground kid friendly?
Bass Lake has a designated swim beach with gentle, shallow-sloping entry typical of Sierra reservoir beaches, but the lake is heavily used for motorized boating, water-skiing, and jet skiing, so children should be supervised for boat traffic near swim areas; no lifeguards are documented at Forest Service beaches on Bass Lake.
Do I need to hike to reach Spring Cove Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Spring Cove Campground?
Campground sites have short paved/dirt parking spurs. The swim beach/day-use areas around Bass Lake (e.g., Rocky Point) are across the road from camp with their own parking lots; day-use areas charge a small fee payable on-site (exact dollar amount not published in sources found).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Spring Cove Campground?
Bass Lake is a full multi-use reservoir (not electric-only/no-wake), so swimmers share water with water-skiing, wakeboarding, and jet ski traffic; the Wishon Boating Site and a boat ramp are within about 0.4 mile of Spring Cove Campground.
When is the best time to visit Spring Cove Campground?
Campground and facilities operate seasonally, May through September.
What are the rules at Spring Cove Campground?
Maximum 2 leashed pets per campsite; maximum vehicle length 30 feet (not suitable for large trailers/RVs due to tight turns); bear-proof food storage required; reservations require a 2-night minimum on weekends and 3-night minimum on holidays; seasonal fire restrictions may apply.
What water body is Spring Cove Campground on?
Spring Cove Campground is on Bass Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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