Sitting directly on the Kern River within Sequoia National Forest, Black Gulch on Kern River is a dispersed site managed by the US Forest Service near sites around Bodfish. The area has room for a handful of groups. The road in is manageable for rear-wheel-drive vehicles, but the sand at the site itself is notably softer than the approach, and at least one driver has needed a tow. A 4x4 is strongly recommended. Bring recovery gear or a tow strap regardless of your vehicle type.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBlack Gulch on Kern River is located in California near Bodfish
Coordinates
35.59164036 N
118.5218625 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/14/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/28/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/28/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 5/14/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 7/28/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/28/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Features
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Black Gulch on Kern River needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 45 min from Bakersfield, CA
- 1 hr 43 min from Visalia, CA
- 1 hr 51 min from Hanford, CA
- 2 hrs 32 min from Oxnard, CA
