01
Classic mountain lake
Bass Lake
Near Oakhurst • Bustling Resort-Style Lakefront • Best All-Around Day On The Water
A lively tree-lined reservoir with multiple swim-friendly coves, marinas, and easy access from Yosemite Lakes.
Bass Lake is the go-to choice when you want a full day by the water without sacrificing amenities. Public access spots around the north and south shores offer small sandy pockets and gentle entry for swimming, plus nearby cafés and markets make it simple to grab food or rent gear. Go early on summer weekends for easier parking and a quieter feel near the water.
02
Closest sandy swim spot
Hensley Lake – Codorniz Recreation Area
Southwest Of Yosemite Lakes • Low-Key Foothill Reservoir Beach • Best For Quick Local Swims
A mellow lakeside recreation area with a defined swimming beach, gentle grades, and open views of rolling foothills.
Codorniz Recreation Area at Hensley Lake is one of the most convenient true “beach” options from Yosemite Lakes, with a roped-off swim zone and picnic tables just a short walk from parking. The shoreline is a mix of sand and fine gravel, so water shoes are nice but not required. It’s an easy spot for families or anyone who wants a straightforward dip and a shaded picnic without a long mountain drive.
03
Wide-open reservoir shoreline
Millerton Lake State Recreation Area
North Of Fresno • Expansive Lake With Big-Sky Beaches • Best For Mixing Lake Time With City Errands
A sprawling reservoir with several day-use areas where gentle coves and sloping banks become informal swim beaches in summer.
Millerton Lake gives you long views, warm water, and room to spread out, making it a good choice when you’re pairing a Fresno run with time outside. Look for coves in the state recreation area where the shoreline shelves gradually into the lake, giving you easy entry and a casual, picnic-friendly feel. Afternoon winds can pick up, so morning swims are usually the smoothest and most relaxed.
04
High-country cool-off
Shaver Lake
High Sierra East Of Prather • Pine-Framed Mountain Cove • Top Mountain Escape From Summer Heat
A crisp blue reservoir ringed by forest, with pockets of sandy and rocky shoreline that feel like a classic Sierra lake day.
Shaver Lake sits high enough that the air is cooler and the water noticeably brisker than the foothill reservoirs, perfect when Yosemite Lakes is baking. Day-use areas and informal pullouts around the shore reveal little coves where you can slip into the water and enjoy shade from tall pines. Bring layers—temperatures can drop quickly in the late afternoon even after a warm, sunny swim.
05
Iconic Yosemite alpine beach
Tenaya Lake
Tioga Road, Yosemite High Country • Scenic Alpine Lake Beach • Most Photogenic Shoreline
A glassy high-country lake with a true sandy beach and granite peaks rising straight from the water’s edge.
Tenaya Lake is farther from Yosemite Lakes than the foothill reservoirs, but the mix of white sand, clear water, and towering granite makes it worth the drive when Tioga Road is open. The main beach area on the lake’s eastern side feels surprisingly relaxed, with space for picnics, wading, and short swims in very cold, alpine water. It’s ideal for combining with a high-country hike, then lingering until the light softens on the domes above the shoreline.