Auxiliary Dam Recreation Site is located near Lake Isabella in the Sequoia National Forest. The area features varied terrain with open spaces and proximity to the lake. Temperatures range from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer, and visitors can explore nearby attractions like the Kern River and Isabella Lake for outdoor activities.

From the USFS website: Campfire permits are REQUIRED Campfire permits are required for campfires, barbeques, and camp stoves. Permits are available at your local Ranger Station or online at preventwildfireca.org Located on the southern end of Lake Isabella off Highway 178 near the town of Lake Isabella, this facility offers flush toilets, drinking water, trash service, a dump station and some campsites with stoves and picnic tables above the high water mark. Below the high-water mark, visitors can drive their vehicles to the shoreline and camp at the water’s edge. Below the high-water mark portable toilets and trash receptacles are provided for visitor convenience during the summer. The Forest Service’s Southern Sierra Passes are accepted at this site, as well as the interagency Annual, Senior, Access, Volunteer, and Military Passes. The Southern Sierra Pass can be purchased at Golden State Surplus in Lake Isabella, James Sierra Gateway Market in South Lake, and local Forest Service offices or online. Campfire permits are required for campfires, barbeques, and camp stoves. Permits are available at your local Ranger Station or online at preventwildfireca.org For Kern River Ranger District recreation information, please call 760-376-3781.

Auxiliary Dam Recreation Site

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Lake Isabella, CA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Lake Isabella is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Discover great camping spots near Lake Isabella, reviewed by campers like you.

Lake Isabella

The Best Camping Near Lake Isabella, California

This place is right off of Hwy 178 and you can camp right next to the water's edge but there is 24/7 dam construction with bright lights and loud machinery at all hours so be aware that it is not very peaceful at this time. Not really sure how long construction will be going on or what exactly they are doing but it looked like a fairly large project.

  

This recreation site accepts multiple passes including Southern Sierra Daily or Annual passes available for purchase there at the kiosk or any of the Interagency Passes (annual, senior, access, volunteer or military). A daily pass is $10 otherwise no extra fee if you have any of the other passes.

  

There are multiple criss crossing roads to choose from (see Google Earth view). The roads are sand and dirt in varying degrees of depth with some of the roads having deep ruts from runoff. We discovered nails in the morning near where we parked which we did not see when we arrived near dark, otherwise no other trash laying around.

  

The area is wide open with zero privacy or shade, but you can be so close to the water and the surrounding views of the mountains are awesome. There are dumpsters scattered about but no recycling. The bathrooms were closed due to Covid but there were porta potties. Potable water spigots can be found near the bathrooms. There is also a new RV dump station on Old Isabella Road Recreation site just up the road to the east that has a self pay that gives you a code to unlock the dump cover. $10 to dump. The water spigot there had a sign "non potable water".

  

Fires and stove fires are allowed with a fire permit only which can be obtained online at preventwildfireca.org or at the local ranger station. The town of Lake Isabella nearby has gas stations and stores for supplies. We saw only one boat and a bunch of kayak fishermen, as well as people fishing from the shoreline. Not sure if this is a stocked lake or how busy it gets in the summer with boaters.

  

Good cell service with AT&amp;T, Verizon and T-Mobile

  

Overall a good place to stay, and we would have stayed longer than the one night we stayed if it were not for the construction noise.  Would stay again if going through this area.

Dam(n) Construction

Windy and creepy campers coming up to ur tents and some what stalking you!.

Lake Isabella 

Its a really nice place. Not so crowded and near a small town. Just 12$ per night.

Photos of Auxiliary Dam Recreation Site

Real photos from real campers