These campgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps now open in Sierra National Forest above Fresno
Twenty-three campgrounds and a number of picnic sites and boat launches reopened in Sierra National Forest on Thursday, including popular recreation areas around Bass Lake and Huntington Lake above Fresno.
Forest Service officials listed the now-open developed recreation sites in a news release.
In the Bass Lake Ranger District, open sites include:
- Wishon Boating Site
- The Falls Picnic Site
- Lakeside Picnic Site
- Denver Church Picnic Site
- Little Denver Church Picnic Site
- Rocky Point Picnic Site
- Willow Cove Picnic Area
- Recreation Point Picnic Site
- Pine Point Picnic Site
- Cranberry Flat Picnic Site
- Indian Flat Picnic Site
- McClendon Beach Picnic Site
- Redbud Picnic Site
- Forks Campground
- Lupine Campground
- Cedar Campground
- Spring Cove Campground
- Wishon Campground
- Summerdale Campground
- Dirt Flat Campground
- Dry Gulch Campground
- Chilkoot Campground
- Fish Creek Campground
- Soda Springs Campground
- Sweetwater Campground
- Greys Mountain Campground
- Soquel Campground
- Fresno Dome Campground
- Kelty Meadow Campground
In the High Sierra Ranger District, open sites include:
- Huntington Boat Launch
- Billy Creek Picnic Site
- Dowville Day Use
- Dinkey Creek Campground
- Buck Meadow Campground
- Mono Hot Springs Campground
- Mono Creek Campground
- Vermillion Campground
- Portal Forebay Campground
- Ward Lake Campground
“Trash removal services remain limited; please pack out all trash and waste,” officials said. “Toilet facilities remain limited; please plan accordingly.”
Hiking trails in the national forest have been open. The Army Corps of Engineers reopened boat launches and recreation sites at local lakes under its jurisdiction last month. A number of privately-operated marinas reopened around the same time.
Only two campgrounds in nearby Yosemite National Park are currently open, which require reservations.
More campground information
Campgrounds remaining closed under a new forest order, effective June 18 through Oct. 1, “will open once they meet the criteria established by the California Resilience Roadmap for a phased approach to opening” in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Some campsites may not be available in order to allow for proper social distancing between sites, and some shared areas may be closed.”
Some group picnic areas, swimming beaches and amphitheaters may also be unavailable, officials said.
Recreation.gov is notifying campers with reservations of any cancellations.
“Some campgrounds are opening earlier than expected. Reservations will be honored if the reservation holder did not already cancel.”
Officials said regardless of COVID-19, many Sierra National Forest campgrounds don’t typically open until late May or June due to winter snow, and require two to three weeks of preparation to get them ready to reopen for the season.
Campfire restrictions
Fire restrictions are in effect in Sierra National Forest. Campfires are currently prohibited everywhere in the forest. Stoves (including grills) and fire rings in developed campgrounds and sites that are listed as exempt in the forest order are allowed. Not all developed campgrounds are exempt from fire restrictions.
People with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from these restrictions. “However, persons with a valid California Campfire Permit may use a portable campfire pit, stove or lantern, that uses gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, with a shutoff valve in an area that is at least three feet from any flammable materials.”
California Campfire Permits can be obtained online at preventwildfireca.org.
How to contact the Forest Service, stay safe
Services continue to expand, officials said. A full list of available forest recreation sites will be posted on fs.usda.gov/sierra.
Sierra National Forest office remain closed, but “virtual offices” are staffed 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer questions.
Phone numbers for these offices:
- Forest Supervisor’s Office: 559-297-0706
- Bass Lake Ranger District: 559-877-2218
- High Sierra Ranger District: 559-855-5355
“We continue to recommend that you not travel long distances to recreate,” officials said. “If you or anyone in your household is feeling sick, please remain at home and plan your trip for another time. All visitors should practice self-sufficiency during your visits to national forests. Recreating responsibly will help ensure that expanded access to recreational facilities, services, and opportunities continues.”
Officials said the following practices should be maintained at all times:
- Keep at least six feet of distance from others.
- Do not gather in groups and follow the latest guidance from officials.
- Communicate: Alert trail users of your presence and step aside to let others pass.
- Pack out trash and leave with everything you bring in and use.
Officials advise to plan ahead since all services may not be available, and to bring in all necessary cleaning and sanitation supplies, along with a tablecloth for picnic tables that can be taken home and washed.
This story was originally published June 18, 2020 at 11:46 AM with the headline "These campgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps now open in Sierra National Forest above Fresno."
