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Established Camping

Thunderbird Group Campground

About

USDA Forest Service

Sequoia National Forest

Overview

Thunderbird Group Campground is situated along the Kern River, 6.5 miles north of the town of Kernville. Hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting are popular activities.

Recreation

Hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting are popular activities in the Upper Kern River area.Click here to learn more about the area, including safety and permitting requirements and a listing of local outfitters.

Facilities

Hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting are popular activities in the Upper Kern River area.Click here to learn more about the area, including safety and permitting requirements and a listing of local outfitters.

Natural Features

The campground sits within Sequoia National Forest at an elevation of 3,200 feet in an open area with limited shade, overlooking the Kern Wild and Scenic River. Gray pine, scrub oak, grasses and shrubs cling to steep, canyon walls along the river, and cottonwoods and willows dot the riverbanks. Sequoia National Forest, located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada in central California, is named for the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves on the forest's lower slopes. The forest comprises about 1.1 million acres. Elevations range from about 1,000 to 12,000 feet, creating precipitous canyons and mountain streams with spectacular waterfalls such as Salmon Creek Falls and Grizzly Falls.

Nearby Attractions

The Cannell Meadow National Recreation Trail begins just north of Kernville. The trail stretches 11.5 miles as it climbs through mixed pine and fir forest to Cannell Meadow and a historic Forest Service cabin built between 1904 and 1909. Hikers are awarded beautiful views of the Kern River Valley along the trip.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (760) 376-1269.

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Location

Thunderbird Group Campground is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Bakersfield, take Highway 178 east to Lake Isabella. From Lake Isabella, take Highway 155 around the west side of the lake to the town of Kernville. From Kernville, go 6.5 miles north on Sierra Way (Mountain 99) to the campground.

Coordinates

35.815216 N
118.456926 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Pets

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the max vehicle length at Thunderbird Group Campground?

Thunderbird Group Campground allows vehicles up to 20 feet.

Is there cell phone reception at Thunderbird Group Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is unknown.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Thunderbird Group Campground?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Thunderbird Group Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Thunderbird Group Campground, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Thunderbird Group Campground?

There are 3 campsites at Thunderbird Group Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts