Camping in Kern County
Located just on the edge of California’s Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountain region, Kern County has some great places to camp along the Kern River for those seeking to escape the urban bustle. The county is vast and camping opportunities seem endless among some of the world’s most beautiful national forests and park lands. Near Kernville (just over an hour’s drive northeast of Bakersfield,) there are camping spots at Upper Kern Canyon. Operated under the auspices of California Land Management (CLM), reservations can be made for the developed fee campsites by calling the National Recreation Reservation Service at (877) 444-6777 at least 5 days prior to your arrival. A certain percentage of campsites also operate on a first-come, first-served basis, however.
Dispersed Camping Areas along the Upper Kern Canyon are great for campers with self-contained units or large groups of people. Campfire permits are required when camping in these areas and reservations are not accepted. However, camping and the use of campfires are not permitted within 25 feet of the river’s edge, streams or trails. Policies require that you pack out what you pack in.
Other camping includes:
- HEADQUARTERS – 4 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 44 family units; Trailers up to 27′; Toilets; Water; Elevation 2,800 feet. Open year round; Supplies at Kernville and Riverkern. Prices, subject to change: $18 per night, $5 for each additional vehicle. Holiday Weekends – $20 per night.
- CAMP 3 – 5 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 52 family units; 2 accessible group site for 30 people: $82.50. Trailers up to 30′; Toilets; Water; Elevation 2,800 feet. Open May to Sept.; Supplies at Kernville and Riverkern. $18 per night, $5 for each additional vehicle. Holiday Weekends – $20 per night.
- HOSPITAL FLAT – 6.5 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 40 family units; including 1 accessible family site with ramp. Trailers up to 30′; Toilets; Water; Elevation 3,000 feet. Open May to Sept.; Supplies at Kernville and Riverkern. $18 per night, $5 for each additional vehicle. Holiday Weekends – $20 per night. 1 accessible group site for 30 people- $75.
- GOLDLEDGE – 10 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 37 family units; Trailers up to 30′; Toilets; Water; Elevation 3,200 feet. Open May to Sept.; Supplies at Fairview. $18 per night, $5 for each additional vehicle. Holiday Weekends – $20 per night.
- FAIRVIEW – 16 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 55 family units including 1 accessible family site; Trailers up to 45′; Toilets; Water; Elevation 3,500 feet. Open Apr. to Nov.; Supplies at Fairview. $18 per night, $5 for each additional vehicle. Holiday Weekends – $20 per night.
- LIMESTONE – 19 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 22 family units; Trailers up to 30′; Toilets; No drinking water; Elevation 3,800 feet. Open Apr. to Nov.; Supplies at Fairview. $16 per night, $5 for each additional vehicle. Not on the reservation system.
Around Lake Isabella campgrounds include Paradise Cove, Main Dam, Pioneer Point, French Gulch, Boulder Gulch, Tillie Creek and Live Oak (clm-services.com). Reservations for these camping location can be made by calling (877) 444-6777 or online at recreation.gov
National and State parks in Kern County: For National Park Service camping see nps.gov and for California State Park camping see parks.ca.gov
- Carrizo Plain National Monument
- Fort Tejon State Historic Park
- Giant Sequoia National Monument
- Los Padres National Forest
- Red Rock Canyon State Park
- Sequoia National Forest
- Trail of 100 Giants
- Tule Elk State Reserve
