Yosemite Half Marathon
Bass Lake, California, CA
A scenic, PR-friendly Sierra foothills half-marathon with a satisfying downhill and a beautiful lakeside finish. Just plan around the mandatory early-morning shuttle.
- When
- May 8, 2027
- Distances
- Half Marathon
- Surface
- Mixed
- Course
- Point-to-point
- Elevation gain
- 449 ft
- Altitude
- 3,400 ft–5,300 ft
- Weather
- Mild
- Nearest airport
- FAT
- Suggested trip
- 3 nights
Score breakdown
7.7/10Strong. A strong destination race with real appeal.
Also worth knowing (not weighted)
Editorial score (v0.1) — full method on How we score. Never affected by sponsorships.
Weather
| Month | Avg high / low | Band |
|---|---|---|
| May | 45–68°F | Mild |
Historical averages for planning — not a forecast. Always check conditions before race week.
Route & course
Half Marathon
Point-to-point · Mixed · starts 5:45 AM- Elev gain
- 449 ft
- Elev loss
- 2,100 ft
- High point
- 5,300 ft
- Low point
- 3,400 ft
- Start and finish are in different locations
- Plan shuttle, drop-off, or two-car logistics
- Conditions can differ from start to finish
Miles 1–5 on rolling dirt fire road at ~3,400 ft; miles 6–10 fast paved descent; miles 10–12.25 paved N Shore Road around Bass Lake; final stretch on dirt trail to Recreation Point finish. Net downhill overall. Cup-free; bring your own vessel. 4-hour time limit. Start: 5:45 AM (staggered waves to 7:30 AM)
Travel
- Base town
- Oakhurst, CA
- Nearest airport
- FAT · 60 min
- Rental car
- Recommended
- Rideshare
- Limited
- Lodging
- Good
- Facilities
- Good
- Trip length
- 3 nights
- Travel complexity
- 5.5/10
Mandatory pre-dawn shuttle adds coordination complexity; no runner parking at start or finish. Oakhurst is the best base for shuttle access, but lodging is limited and books early. Nearest major airport is ~60 min away.
Shuttle loads behind Yosemite High School in Oakhurst (50200 High School Rd). Bass Lake hotel guests have a single 4:20 a.m. shuttle pickup. A rental car is strongly recommended for getting around the area and exploring Yosemite.
Best for / avoid if
Best for
- Runners chasing a half marathon PR on a net-downhill course
- National Park race series collectors
- Runners who enjoy a festival atmosphere post-race
- Those who want a low-altitude mountain experience without extreme elevation
- runners seeking net downhill courses
- scenery-lovers
- first-time half marathoners
Avoid if
- You dislike mandatory pre-dawn shuttles
- You need spectator support along the course
- You forget to bring your own cup (cup-free race)
- you dislike mixed trail/road surfaces
- prefer flat or hilly profiles
- avoid cupless events
First-timer mistakes
Missing the shuttle — it leaves Recreation Point and Bass Lake hotels at 4:20 a.m. sharp and will not wait. Also, forgetting a reusable cup; no cups are provided at any aid station.
Photos
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Where to stay, eat & explore
Local picks for the weekend.
- The Pines Resort Lodging
Lakefront resort on Bass Lake, ~1 mile from the finish at Recreation Point. Popular race-weekend base; has its own shuttle pickup at 4:20 a.m.
- Yosemite National Park Activity
World-famous national park just 14 miles north of Bass Lake — the reason most runners travel here. Plan a day before or after the race.
- Bass Lake Recreation Area Activity
Swim, kayak, paddleboard, and fish on the lake you finish next to — a natural post-race recovery spot.
- Bass Lake Watersports Activity
Rent boats, kayaks, or paddleboards at the lake.
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Race history
Race-trip notes
Base yourself in Oakhurst for the most shuttle flexibility; shuttles load behind Yosemite High School. The race weekend runs Thursday check-in through Sunday morning, making a 3–4 night trip ideal for combining with a Yosemite park visit.
About this race
Runners start on Forest Road 6S40 off Sky Ranch Road via mandatory shuttle, traverse rolling fire road for the first five miles at ~3,400 ft elevation, then descend fast on paved mountain road before circling the north shore of Bass Lake to a campground finish at Recreation Point. The event is cup-free, includes five aid stations, and closes with live music, food trucks, and a beer garden.
Last verified June 21, 2026. Race details can change — always confirm with the official race website.