$34
Headquarters
Total sites: 42
Available Today: 24 FF*
Available this Weekend: 0
Booking Window: 6 months
Available Today: 24 FF*
Available this Weekend: 0
Booking Window: 6 months
2,780 ft
91°F
62°F
62°F
no signal
Sequoia National Forest › Kern River Ranger District › California
› Kern County
› Kernville
› Headquarters Campground
Headquarters Campground, CA - Latest Reviews, Photos & Campground Map
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.
Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)
Campsite Reviews (154)
4.3 out of 5
| 5 star | 58% | |
| 4 star | 21% | |
| 3 star | 10% | |
| 2 star | 6% | |
| 1 star | 4% |
@ShaunaL1D73F92 · Camped on Jul 11, 2025 at Campsite #17
Campground was clean as always. My only complaint was that for the past 7 years that I have been camping at Headquarters it has never been an issue to pull into the campsite an hour or two early as long as nobody was camped there and I had the reservation for that night. This time, however I pulled in and parked two hours early and was then charged for an entire extra day. I was told that if I want to show up early, I have to reserve the site for the night prior to my arrival. The problem is that I am not able to reserve the night before and then not actually be in the site that night or else they will give away my reservation for the entire weekend.the website says the site has to be occupied within the first 24 hours of the reservation or the reservation will be cancelled and the site will be opened to walk-ins. Its just a little frustrating to have to spend an additional $40 to arrive at 12 rather than 2 oclock. I get that I cant show up early if someone is there but I feel like there needs to be something that can be done like a slightly discounted rate if I show up just a little early and the site is empty. Otherwise the campground was fine. The river was great as always and we had a very nice time.
@SandraL2332707 · Camped on Jul 6, 2025 at Campsite #33
Space #33 was great, easy access, clean, had lots of Sunny and shady areas, kid friendly, Randy the host is attentive and active!
@EmilyM5280790 · Camped on Jun 27, 2025 at Campsite #11
The camp was very nice
@AndyL5725873 · Camped on Jun 27, 2025 at Campsite #20
Really enjoyed our time at Headquarters campground. The host was friendly and knowledgeable of the area. The river was clean and not to strong at the time so we were able to swing and relax in the water. Most of the bathrooms were clean but there were a few that were not so clean. One important thing to note is the main dumpster for the trash is by the front entrance, it took a while for me to find it at night since i did not notice it on the drive in. There are a ton of gnats at night that are attracted to light so a screened canopy is highly recommended if you want to eat in peace lol. Would def stay here again.
@JoseH026C1578D · Camped on Jun 20, 2025 at Campsite #15
Camp Host Was a nice guy!
@BramV89A0B929D · Camped on Jun 16, 2025 at Campsite #31
The host/ranger Randy was awesome during our stay!It's a nice location situated right next to a big river (in spring/summer time). Very nice to drive upwards the river and expolore, or find a slow spot to clean yourself up. The Yurt was a very nice experience, as long as you aren't afraid of small animals entering the Yurt.
@KeithSCA603B87 · Camped on Jun 14, 2025 at Campsite #32
Over. I'd go back
@AdamH5439817 · Camped on Jun 13, 2025 at Campsite #35
Campground is great - especially if you have a spot along the river. Please also note that there are no flush toilets.
@JaimeM8021700 · Camped on Jun 13, 2025 at Campsite #44
campsite is poorly maintained. bathrooms are atrocious. very big range in quality of individual camp sites, do your research before you pick your site. some sites have no shade and are swarmed by fire ants, others are nice.
@MarcosHD144AA7 · Camped on Jun 13, 2025 at Campsite #16
Clean campsite! Nice host! Beautiful views!
@JackM3712712 · Camped on Jun 10, 2025 at Campsite #36
We spent (3) nights at the Headquarters Campground. Shortly after we arrived, the Host, (Randy) greeted us and was very attentive to answering our questions. His knowledge of the local area, hikes, activities, etc. was excellent. Randy maintains this campground in excellent condition. The trash area is clean, and the campsites are free of debris. Fire rings and bear boxes were empty. The pit toilets are well maintained and stocked with paper. We observed Randy checking the grounds frequently, throughout our stay. Randy also made it very clear that he takes maintaining the guest's safety a priority. We have stayed at other campgrounds. Headquarters stands out above the rest, because of Randy!
@AdamB5828811 · Camped on Jun 7, 2025 at Campsite #10
Someone set up into our reserved camp spot and didnt even pay to camp there. The campsite manager couldnt do anything to make them leave, but they were able to get us another spot at a different campground overall OK experience.
@TaraM672831E18 · Camped on Jun 6, 2025 at Campsite #15
Randy was such a great camp host! Very kind and helpful.
@VannaR68AD7869 · Camped on May 31, 2025 at Campsite #31
I come to Headquarters to camp almost every Summer and I never get tired of coming and staying here. It definitely gets really hot but having the river so close by to jump into makes it so worth it. This time of year, the river was jamming and it was high tide. River water was still very cold! I booked a yurt (for the first time) from Saturday 5/31 to Monday 6/2. It was very clean and comfortable to stay/sleep in. It was a particularly hot weekend but it was nice not to have to set up a tent and have roof coverage. Campsite #31 was great and was very spacious. The campground host, Randy, was awesome and made me and my partner feel welcomed and safe. For anyone new to this spot, there are only hole in the ground restrooms and they definitely get stinky so its good to be prepared for that and there is no cell service (but town is so close). I will continue to come back here time after time.
@ConnieS8161405 · Camped on May 24, 2025 at Campsite #2
Campsite larger than expected. Yurt was clean and well maintained. Many paths to the water. While I loathe vault toilets, they were kept very clean.
@SusannGB65044F · Camped on May 21, 2025 at Campsite #25
Toilets could be better cleaned.
@elissiab0644A2 · Camped on May 10, 2025 at Campsite #31
Lovely campsite, yurt could use a new metal frame for the bed it was quite bent up but we just put the mattress on the floor and it was fine. Randy, the host was friendly and very attentive, very on top of issues, great host. Loved hearing the river flow at night.
@DeborahT570541 · Camped on May 9, 2025 at Campsite #35
Nice sites. Excellent host. Lots of creatures and birds. Great location. Close to the center of town. But the bathrooms could be a bit cleaner.
@MariaP8100980 · Camped on Apr 18, 2025 at Campsite #13
Lets first start this review with our camp host Randy. Randy was very welcoming, informative and attentive. He helped us locate our campsite and where to find restrooms. Randy was kind and overall an awesome person. Thank you Randy!The campsite was clean, roomy, private and the river was close by. Bathrooms were close by as well and clean. We will definitely be coming back to this campsite in the near future for another beautiful and relaxing time in Kern.
@AlexR3373838 · Camped on Apr 18, 2025 at Campsite #15
Randy was great and very helpful
@DanaD1D5507C76 · Camped on Apr 14, 2025 at Campsite #13
Our directions to the campgrounds were so poor that we ended up over two hours off course. Instead of driving on for another two hours we booked another place and stayed locally. It is the first time we have ever missed a recreation.gov stay. We will try again another year.
@BoA8101BEE70D8 · Camped on Apr 10, 2025 at Campsite #33
The campground was very well maintained. However, the bathroom facilities are very dated and smelly.
@GregS1457823 · Camped on Mar 21, 2025 at Campsite #17
Close to town. Spacious. We really liked the host, too!
@BradleyM625857 · Camped on Feb 2, 2025 at Campsite #14
Great campground. The host, Randy, was extremely helpful with a mix-up in my campsite number. A peaceful and relaxing environment!
@michaelk687828 · Camped on Dec 27, 2024 at Campsite #31
Good amenities and a nice campground, a lot colder at night than the weather forecast said thought so come prepared. Yurt was dusty and sandy but that's to be expected.
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