Bass Lake, California Short-Term Rental Market
Bass Lake area STR hosts averaged a $311 ADR, 50.1% occupancy and $4,362 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Bass Lake, California is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Southern Sierra Mtns market area is 50%. average monthly revenue in the Southern Sierra Mtns market area is $4,362. average daily rate in the Southern Sierra Mtns market area is $311. the top operator in the Southern Sierra Mtns market area is Vacasa with 143 listings. market score is 79/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Southern Sierra Mtns regional market, which includes Bass Lake. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Bass Lake.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile uses data through September 2026. Short-term rental metrics for Bass Lake are tracked at a shared level with neighboring Oakhurst. Both sit in Madera County near the south entrance to Yosemite National Park, so every performance number below describes the Bass Lake and Oakhurst STR market rather than Bass Lake alone. Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Bass Lake, so this profile omits them.
In September 2026 the market posted an average daily rate (ADR) of $311 and occupancy of 50.1%. Average monthly revenue per listing reached $4,362. Compared with a year earlier, occupancy rose 14.8%, ADR rose 6.0% and revenue rose 18.1%. That is a rare combination of more nights booked at higher prices, and it points to demand strengthening rather than hosts simply discounting to fill the calendar.
The longer record supports that reading. Annual average occupancy peaked at 59.7% in 2021, settled between 47.2% and 49.8% from 2022 through 2025, and stands at 50.0% across the first nine months of 2026. ADR has climbed in each of the last two full years, from $264 in 2023 to $281 in 2024 and $297 in 2025, and is $314 so far in 2026. Average monthly revenue was $3,954 in 2025 and is $4,408 for 2026 to date.
Bass Lake is a lake resort community of about 499 residents, with a seasonal visitor base built around water sports, fishing, Sierra National Forest trails and Yosemite access. The town is roughly 16 to 17 miles from the park’s south entrance. Visitors skew toward California residents from the Central Valley and Bay Area, with Fresno about 45 miles away. Peak demand follows the summer lake season.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 35% |
| Feb | 40% |
| Mar | 41% |
| Apr | 49% |
| May | 56% |
| Jun | 66% |
| Jul | 69% |
| Aug | 58% |
| Sep | 46% |
| Oct | 46% |
| Nov | 44% |
| Dec | 45% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Bass Lake are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Southern Sierra Mtns market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Southern Sierra Mtns market as a whole, which includes Bass Lake, so these counts are not Bass Lake-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 143 | 7,885 | ★ 4.45 |
| 2 | Evolve | 68 | 2,967 | ★ 4.63 |
| 3 | Acorn Vacation Properties | 57 | 9,776 | ★ 4.79 |
| 4 | The Cabin Host | 55 | 2,942 | ★ 4.96 |
| 5 | www loveyosemitepm com | 52 | 5,387 | ★ 4.89 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Bass Lake?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Bass Lake are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 44.6% |
| vrbo | 4.8% |
| both | 50.6% |
Home Value Trends (Bass Lake)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Bass Lake are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Bass Lake — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Bass Lake is an unincorporated community in Madera County within the Sierra National Forest. Short-term rentals are permitted, and the county has historically not restricted or regulated STR use of detached homes. The profile rates enforcement as minimal. The county identified unlicensed operators in 2017 and sent compliance letters.
Current requirements: hosts need a county business license and a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) registration certificate. Guests are charged a combined 11.5%, made up of a 9% TOT plus a 2.5% Tourism Business Improvement District assessment, collected and remitted quarterly to the county. The renewal period is annual. There is no owner-occupancy requirement, no primary-residence requirement and no cap on nights rented per year. The 2026 fire inspection fee is $196 per year.
Pending change: Madera County drafted a new Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) ordinance in late 2025. It would add a dedicated, non-transferable STVR permit on top of the business license and TOT certificate, and could set occupancy limits tied to unit size, parking minimums, quiet hours, waste management and fire safety compliance, including defensible space. Mountain-area owners and workers voiced widespread opposition at a May 2025 public hearing. A revised draft was scheduled for Planning Commission review on February 4, 2026, but whether it has been adopted is not confirmed in the available record.
Homeowners association communities, such as Cascadel Heights, may restrict rentals through their covenants regardless of county rules. Buyers should read the CC&Rs and confirm current county requirements before purchasing.
Market Comparison
In the Bass Lake and Oakhurst STR market, September 2026 occupancy was 50.1% and the all-listings ADR was $311. Entire homes averaged $322 and luxury listings $487.
The pattern is typical of a destination where guests pay a premium for a lake, forest setting and proximity to Yosemite, but where demand is concentrated in the summer. The July peak reached 69.4% occupancy, while the January low was 35.3%. Investors who can accept that seasonality are paid through rate rather than constant occupancy.
Momentum is also strong. Occupancy rose 14.8% year over year, ADR rose 6.0% and revenue rose 18.1%. Average monthly revenue of $4,362 is a useful benchmark when comparing other mountain and lake destinations.
Operator data is tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Bass Lake, so this profile omits it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bass Lake, California
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