Golden Bear Lake Camping

Kings Canyon National Park

photo of Golden Bear Lake, Kings Canyon National Park, California
photo of Golden Bear Lake, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Golden Bear Lake Camping

Kings Canyon National Park


Camp Beside Golden Bear Lake

Golden Bear Lake camping is at its best along the eastern shore of the lake where clusters of small trees hide secluded tent sites overlooking the lake. Since the lake is well above the 10,000-foot limit for campfires in Kings Canyon, there is no need to be looking for previously established fire pits. While you may encounter one or two other parties at the lake, it is unlikely that you would find it crowded.


Deer in Center Basin, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Center Basin Resident


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Fishing

When we visited Golden Bear Lake in 2017 the Park Service had gill nets set around the lake to catch non-native fish. Likely that means all the fish were being removed to restore habitat for the endangered yellow-legged frog. For those interesting fishing, return to Bubbs Creek and work your way downstream.

Jagged ridge of peaks at Center Basin, Kings Canyon National Park, California

Center Basin Crags



Explore the Area

Center Basin

Hiking up Center Basin leads to a couple of big lakes around 12,000 feet in elevation and to views of surrounding peaks, including Mt. Keith and Junction Peak. Ambitious hikers can make the 3-mile trek to the summit of Junction Pass.

For a full-day adventure return to the John Muir Trail and follow it south, climbing toward the foot of Forester Pass, the highest trail pass in Kings Canyon or Sequoia. Climbing to summit of Forester Pass is probably too much for a day trip, but the journey up the valley to the bottom of the pass abounds with great scenery. Turn back and any point and it still has been a rewarding day.

Peak Bagging

Center Peak's 12,760-foot summit is a class 2 climb from Center Basin. And 13,632-foot University Peak is class 1 from the south. The Center Basin Crags to the east of Golden Bear Lake are all highly technical climbs, mostly class 5.   A good resource is R. J. Secor's The High Sierra: Peaks, Passes, and Trails.


Golden Bear Lake Name

As you probably guessed, Golden Bear Lake was named in honor of the University of California at Berkeley. The name was given by Chester Versteeg in 1953. (Place Names of the Sierra Nevada, Peter Browning.)