Remote tent camping defines the experience at Long Valley Campground, where BLM management keeps costs at zero but amenities minimal. The campground provides basic toilets and accommodates both drive-in and walk-in access, though space remains limited according to visitor accounts.
One camper's encounter with three rattlesnakes during a July visit highlights the wild nature of this location near river terrain. Water access draws some visitors for fishing opportunities, but campers must bring their own drinking water supplies. The no-pets policy and March through November season reflect the site's basic infrastructure, making it suitable for self-sufficient tent campers comfortable with primitive conditions and potential wildlife encounters.
Description
Overview
Long Valley Campground is a remote, primitive campground located within Chimney Peak Recreation Area and is cherry stemmed out of Domelands Wilderness. The campground contains 13 sites, picnic tables, fire rings, and primitive pit toilets. There is no potable water at the campground. The Volpe Trail, a 3-mile unmaintained route that provides access to the South Fork of the Kern River within Domelands Wilderness, starts at the end of the campground road near site 13.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundLong Valley Campground is located in California
Directions
Follow highway CA-178 approximately 30 miles east of the town of Lake Isabella and turn north onto Canebreak Road. Follow this graded dirt road approximately 9 miles to the prominent junction of Canebrake and Long Valley/ Chimney Basin Roads. Turn left on Long Valley/ Chimney Basin Road and follow it to Long Valley Campgound. The campground will be on the left after approximately 8 miles. The campground access road is two miles long and typically requires a high clearance 4x4 vehicle.
Address
Bureau of Land Management
Bakersfield Field Office
3801 Pegasus Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93308
Coordinates
35.8439 N
118.16162 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Toilets
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Long Valley Campground needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 2 min from Bakersfield, CA
- 3 hrs 59 min from Visalia, CA
- 4 hrs 7 min from Hanford, CA
- 4 hrs 29 min from Fresno, CA
