Top Camping Destinations Near Kern County, CA: Explore Nature's Best Retreats
Discover the serene beauty of Kern County, CA, with its diverse camping options that cater to every outdoor enthusiast. From the stunning landscapes of the Sequoia National Forest to the breathtaking views at Kern River, you can find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV. Enjoy the thrill of water sports and fishing at Lake Isabella, or embark on hiking trails that lead you through ancient groves and rugged mountains. For a unique experience, check out the high desert sites in the Antelope Valley, where wildflowers bloom in spring. With campgrounds offering amenities like fire pits, picnic areas, and stunning stargazing opportunities, Kern County is a perfect getaway for families, couples, and solo adventurers alike. Start planning your unforgettable camping trip today and immerse yourself in California's natural wonders!

















Hungry Gulch Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 31 min northeast of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 2,667 feet. There are a total of 76 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of September. 2 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets.
Boulder Gulch Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 31 min northeast of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 2,601 feet. There are a total of 60 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of September. 2 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Hospital Flat Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 56 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 2,972 feet. There are a total of 36 campsites including 4 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 32 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $32.00 to $126.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Headquarters Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 52 min southeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 2,780 feet. There are a total of 42 campsites including 13 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 27 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $32.00 to $100.00. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Camp Three Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 53 min southeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 2,830 feet. There are a total of 50 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 49 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $32.00 to $122.00. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Mcgill Group Campground is located in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr 3 min south of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 7,256 feet. There are a total of 73 campsites including 37 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. 30 sites can accommodate RVs between 14 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $30.00 to $150.00. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Paradise Cove Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 30 min northeast of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 2,639 feet. There are a total of 51 campsites. The campground is open all year. 1 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include dump station, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Fairview Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 48 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 3,542 feet. There are a total of 48 campsites including 14 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to mid November. 34 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night.
Mt. Pinos Campground is located in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr 8 min south of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 7,453 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs between 18 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Goldledge Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 53 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 3,221 feet. There are a total of 36 campsites including 9 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 27 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Thunderbird Group Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 54 min southeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 2,869 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. Max equipment length is 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $48.00 to $120.00.
Ballinger Campground is located in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (2 hrs 1 min northeast of Santa Barbara, CA) with an elevation of 3,118 feet. There are a total of 13 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 70 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include biking, ohv allowed from campsite.
Chuchupate Campground is located in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr 34 min northeast of San Buenaventura, CA) with an elevation of 6,216 feet. There are a total of 29 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs between 20 and 26 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include biking.
Reyes Creek Campground is located in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (2 hrs 3 min north of San Buenaventura, CA) with an elevation of 3,906 feet. There are a total of 27 campsites including 15 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 11 sites can accommodate RVs between 20 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $30.00 to $150.00. Activities include biking, fishing.
Sandy Flat Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 28 min northeast of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 2,383 feet. There are a total of 27 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 24 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $32.00 to $120.00. Activities include fishing.
Limestone Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 41 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 3,749 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of March to the end of October. Max equipment length is 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night.
Halfway Group Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 53 min southeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 2,816 feet. There are a total of 5 campsites. The campground is open all year. Max equipment length is 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $48.00 to $200.00.
Campo Alto Campground is located in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr 27 min south of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 8,269 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $30.00 to $150.00. Activities include biking.
Pine Mountain Campground is located in the Ojai Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr 31 min north of San Buenaventura, CA) with an elevation of 6,641 feet. There are a total of 7 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. Max equipment length is 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include biking.
Reyes Peak Campground is located in the Mt. Pinos Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr 36 min north of San Buenaventura, CA) with an elevation of 7,061 feet. There are a total of 6 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. Max equipment length is 25 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include biking.
Jackson Flats Campground is located in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Ranger District, Angeles National Forest (1 hr 7 min northeast of Glendora, CA) with an elevation of 7,753 feet. There are a total of 5 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of September. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $180.00 to $230.00. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Bandido Group Campground is located in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Ranger District, Angeles National Forest (1 hr 4 min northeast of Altadena, CA) with an elevation of 5,844 feet. There are a total of 5 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of March to mid November. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $24.00 to $120.00. Activities include biking, horseback riding, hiking trails.
John Whitehead Campground is part of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in California (just 17 min northwest of Delano, CA) with an elevation of 198 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, accessible, restroom, flush toilets.
Mesa Campground is part of Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area in California (just 20 min south of Hesperia, CA) with an elevation of 3,455 feet. There are a total of 129 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 31 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 37 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $45.00 to $50.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, boat ramp, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, water skiing, floating sports.
Saddleback Butte Campground is part of Saddleback Butte State Park in California (31 min east of Palmdale, CA) with an elevation of 2,598 feet. There are a total of 37 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently first-come first-served. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include dump station, accessible, restroom, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Owl Canyon Campground in San Bernardino County is located 56 min north of Apple Valley, CA with an elevation of 3,054 feet. There are a total of 31 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet. All sites are currently first-come first-served. Prices start at $6.00 per night. Some amenities include accessible, playground, restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
Afton Canyon Campground in San Bernardino County is located 1 hr 9 min northeast of Apple Valley, CA with an elevation of 1,406 feet. There are a total of 22 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently first-come first-served. Prices start at $6.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include ohv trails nearby.
Middle Lion Campground is located in the Ojai Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr 7 min north of San Buenaventura, CA) with an elevation of 3,150 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include biking.
Wishon Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (50 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 4,095 feet. There are a total of 33 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $34.00 to $68.00. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Pyramid Lake - Los Alamos Campground is located in the Los Angeles Gateway Ranger District, Angeles National Forest (44 min northwest of Santa Clarita, CA) with an elevation of 2,574 feet. There are a total of 93 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 3 sites have water hookups. Fees range from $26.00 to $110.00. Some amenities include drinking water, dump station, playground, swimming, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Fishermans Group Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (52 min north of Highland, CA) with an elevation of 5,160 feet. There are a total of 4 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid November. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Lake Campground is located in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Ranger District, Angeles National Forest (1 hr 4 min northeast of Glendora, CA) with an elevation of 6,245 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 31 and 48 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include hiking trails.
Grouse Valley Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 4 min northeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 4,769 feet. There are a total of 2 campsites including 2 cabins. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the end of October. Max equipment length is 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $200.00 to $250.00. Activities include boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Meadow Group Campground is located in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Ranger District, Angeles National Forest (55 min northeast of Altadena, CA) with an elevation of 5,303 feet. There are a total of 2 campsites. The campground is normally open from the end of March to mid November. Max equipment length is 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $36.00 to $120.00. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Mountain Oak Campground is located in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Ranger District, Angeles National Forest (1 hr 6 min northeast of Glendora, CA) with an elevation of 6,170 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 24 and 38 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $23.00 to $60.00. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Rose Valley Campground is located in the Ojai Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest (1 hr north of San Buenaventura, CA) with an elevation of 3,408 feet. There are a total of 9 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include biking.
Quaking Aspen Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 22 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 6,979 feet. There are a total of 39 campsites including 4 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. 24 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $32.00 to $220.00. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include biking.
Coy Flat Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 2 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 4,612 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 18 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 22 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $32.00 to $64.00. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Whitney Portal Campground is located in the Mt. Whitney Ranger District, Inyo National Forest (3 hrs 47 min northeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 7,935 feet. There are a total of 29 campsites including 16 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. 13 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $32.00 to $93.00. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
Dogwood Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (31 min northeast of San Bernardino, CA) with an elevation of 5,784 feet. There are a total of 88 campsites including 36 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 50 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 18 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $40.00 to $79.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
North Shore Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (46 min north of Highland, CA) with an elevation of 5,354 feet. There are a total of 27 campsites including 20 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid September. 2 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 25 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $29.00 to $56.00. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Table Mountain (Wrightwood) Campground is located in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Ranger District, Angeles National Forest (50 min north of Upland, CA) with an elevation of 7,319 feet. There are a total of 43 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. 42 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $30.00 to $500.00. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Holey Meadow Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 19 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 6,375 feet. There are a total of 9 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to mid October. Max equipment length is 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Lone Pine Campground is located in the Mt. Whitney Ranger District, Inyo National Forest (3 hrs 42 min northeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 5,874 feet. There are a total of 28 campsites including 5 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to mid October. 23 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 16 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $29.00 to $72.00. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Green Valley Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (42 min northeast of Highland, CA) with an elevation of 7,098 feet. There are a total of 37 campsites including 19 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 6 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 32 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $25.00 to $56.00. Some amenities include swimming, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Belknap Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 3 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 4,944 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites including 13 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Max equipment length is 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Tule Campground in Tulare County is located just 14 min east of Porterville, CA with an elevation of 671 feet. There are a total of 101 campsites. The campground is open all year. 98 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 24 sites have electric and water hookups. 74 sites have water hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include shower, boat ramp, swimming, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Hanna Flat Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (1 hr 4 min northeast of Highland, CA) with an elevation of 7,091 feet. There are a total of 67 campsites including 30 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 37 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $33.00 to $65.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Redwood Meadow Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 21 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 6,146 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. 5 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $32.00 to $100.00. Activities include hiking trails.
Crab Flats Campground is located in the Mountaintop Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest (56 min northeast of Highland, CA) with an elevation of 5,951 feet. There are a total of 29 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the beginning of October. 27 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 21 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $27.00 to $33.97. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.