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Camping

Established Camping

Hospital Flat

Hospital Flat is located in Sequoia National Forest, featuring a landscape of dense forests and rugged terrain. Temperatures can range from 30°F in winter to 90°F in summer. Nearby attractions include the Trail of 100 Giants and Lake Isabella, offering opportunities for hiking and water activities.

Description

National Forest

Sequoia National Forest

Overview

Hospital Flat 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.

Natural Features

The campground sits within Sequoia National Forest at an elevation of 3,000 feet in an open area 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 line 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. Visitors enjoy making day trips to Sequoia National Park and Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Contact Info

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

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Location

Hospital Flat is located in California

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Kernville, go 6.5 miles north on Sierra Way (Mountain 99) to the campground.

Coordinates

35.828046 N
118.458108 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

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

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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3.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2023

Poor restrooms, few good swim spots available

We stayed in the heat of the summer so it was unfortunate that our campsites had little to no shade. We were on the outskirts closest to the road, but there were campsites along the river that had more trees. Once you get down to the water, the temperature drops at least 10 degrees.

Our site was VERY close to the main road which made me nervous with our young children. There are large boulders along the campground, but no fence or other kind of barrier. And the cars were hauling a** down that road.

There was a pit toilet a little bit across from our site that we could not smell but I believe the sites directly in front and behind probably got it bad. It was pretty gross. I can do pit toilets usually but these had me gagging at one point.

The water is just a short walk down some rocky trails, so would not be very good for elderly or very small children unless you plan on carrying them down. We found a little rocky beach area to camp for the day but it was just barely big enough for our group. There was not anywhere else that we could see that would have been good for swimming. There was a little rapid area with some waterfalls up river from us which was very pretty.

This river is notorious for sweeping people away so please be cautious and keep an eye on your children. We secured a paracord on each end of the river so we had something to help us float across. The current was strongest in the middle but manageable on either side.

The camp host was friendly enough but did not do rounds of any kind. There are also no fires allowed at this campground (at least not during the time we went).

We were warned of a resident bear that lives across the street but we did not encounter him or any other wildlife.

We probably will not be returning, especially not with the kids. But we still had a good time regardless.

Site33 & 34
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Hospital Flat by Haley M., June 5, 2023
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  • Review photo of Hospital Flat by Haley M., June 5, 2023
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Reviewed Aug. 10, 2021

Not recommended for RVs!

This is a nice clean campground right on the Kern River. However, the website says several spots are good for a 30-foot RV. I do not recommend anything bigger than 24 feet or so. The road through the campground is very narrow, and lined with large boulders. Some of the turns are very tight. For tent camping, though? Great spot. And the river front spots are nice. Just expect that others will want to get to the river and will be walking in or near your campsite.

Site7
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Hospital Flat by Tricia V., August 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Hospital Flat by Tricia V., August 10, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Hospital Flat?

    Camping at Hospital Flat can cost between $34.00 and $36.00 depending on the site.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Hospital Flat?

    Hospital Flat allows vehicles up to 40 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Hospital Flat?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Hospital Flat, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Hospital Flat have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Hospital Flat does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Hospital Flat?

    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 Hospital Flat. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Hospital Flat, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Hospital Flat?

    There are 36 campsites at Hospital Flat and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts