No detected openings were recorded in the last 90 days. Campsite Sniper monitors Buck Ridge continuously and will alert you if that changes.
Of the 183 tracked reservation dates (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 182 open for online reservation · 1 reserved.
Where the open windows are
Load status
Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027Of the open reservation dates on mapped day-use units, 104 fall on weekdays and 78 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Mar 2027October holds the most room. 31 of 31 reservation dates are still open there.
Holiday windows — day use
Units open per date · of 1 day-use unit| Window | Date | Units open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 1 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 1 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 1 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 1 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked date. Thanksgiving: 1 day-use unit is available for all three dates. Christmas: 1 day-use unit is available for both dates. New Year: 1 day-use unit is available for both dates.
Availability by day-use unit
Most open reservation dates · tracked window| Unit | Open reservation dates |
|---|---|
| A | 182 |
This day-use unit currently has 182 reservation dates available.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotThe next bookable date is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Reservation dates
All 1 day-use unit with current availability
| Unit | Open reservation dates | Consecutive dates | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 182 | 181 dates | Sep 18, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30 +170 more |
About Buck Ridge
Overview
Buck Ridge group day-use pavillion is located within the Buck Ridge Recreation Area at Hidden Dam, Hensley Lake. The pavilion has drinking water access, multiple picnic tables, a large barbeque pit and grill for cooking, two horseshoe pits and a water-borne restroom for your use.
The lake area offers many recreational opportunities, such as swimming, water skiing, fishing and hiking, and attracts a growing number of visitors per year. It is within a short drive to Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, as well as Sierra National Forest.
The 1,500-acre lake was created by the construction of Hidden Dam on the Fresno River. With over 20 miles of shoreline, it is a popular vacation spot for families because of its playground, swimming areas and water activities.
Recreation
The area is packed with opportunities for outdoor fun. The lake area has a swim beach, a disc golf course and a hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trail. On the water, visitors can ski, swim and fish.
Facilities
This facility has boat ramps, picnic areas, a group picnic shelter and a playground. Drinking water is provided, and there is a grocery store within a short driving distance.
Natural Features
Buck Ridge is located directly on the shore of Hensley Lake and surrounded by the oak woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills, offering a mixture of sun and shade.
Nearby Attractions
Yosemite National Park is about one hour north, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are about 1.5 hours southeast of the facility.
Yosemite National Park
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
Getting there
From south of Fresno: Take State Route 99 to SR 41 north to SR 145. Turn left on 145 and go 8.4 miles to Road 33. Turn right on Road 33, and go 1 mile to Road 400. Turn right on 400, and go 9.7 miles to the Buck Ridge Recreation Area. Follow the signs to the campground and various areas within the park. From south of Madera: Take SR 99 north to exit 153B. Bear right onto Madera Ave. and go .3 miles to Gateway. Turn left and drive .2 miles to the traffic light at Yosemite Ave. (SR 145). Turn right and go 7.2 miles to Road 33. Turn left on Road 33, and go 1 mile to Road 400. Turn right on 400, and go 9.7 miles to the Buck Ridge Recreation Area. Follow the signs to the campground and various areas within the park. From north of Madera: Take SR 99 south to exit 153B. Exit onto Olive Ave. Turn left onto Madera Ave. and go .3 miles to Gateway. Turn left and drive .2 miles to the traffic light at Yosemite Ave. (SR 145). Turn right and go 7.2 miles to Road 33. Turn left on Road 33, and go 1 mile to Road 400. Turn right on 400, and go 9.7 miles to the Buck Ridge Recreation Area. Follow the signs to the campground and various areas within the park.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
Photo gallery
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Buck Ridge?
Reservations for Buck Ridge are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 182 of 183 tracked reservation dates are open (99.5%), though availability can change. Pick the unit on the map to see its reservation calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this facility for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 16:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
Which month has the most availability at Buck Ridge?
October 2026, with 31 open reservation dates in the current snapshot of 31.
When is the next open date at Buck Ridge?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
Let the app watch this shelter
Choose the reservation dates you want at Buck Ridge.
Campsite Sniper can monitor this facility and notify you if a selected date becomes available.
When a selected date becomes available, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.