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Established Camping

Headquarters Campground

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

ALERT: All USFS Campgrounds in the KERN RIVER RANGER DISTRICT OF SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST are now under a FIRE BAN as of June 18, 2025.** See Forest Order #0513-25-05 for more information.**

  • No camp fires or open flame cooking with wood, charcoal, or wood pellet! The exception is that propane gas can be used as long as it has an on/off switch, you will still need a fire permit from the local authorities.
  • No smoking out in the open, must be done either in your vehicle or within a building! Still no smoking in the restrooms!
  • Fireworks are prohibited! Please use caution due to the dryness of our forests. Thank you for your cooperation!
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Headquarters Campground is located near Kernville in the Sequoia National Forest. The terrain consists of forested areas with nearby rivers and mountains. Temperatures range from lows in the 30s Fahrenheit during winter to highs in the 90s during summer. Visitors can explore the Kern River and Lake Isabella, both offering recreational activities.

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Location

Headquarters 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 4 miles north on Sierra Way (Mountain 99) to the campground.

Address

PO BOX 1640
Kernville, CA 93238

Coordinates

35.796301 N
118.450008 W

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
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Drive Time

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Access

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

Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

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Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Jan. 5, 2022

Campground on the river

A nice secluded campground up the river from kern’s more populated sites, in the heart of the Sequoia National Forest. First come first serve style camp site, showed up at 5 pm on a last minute late night camping trip and arrived to an empty campground.

Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Headquarters Campground by Diego R., January 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Headquarters Campground by Diego R., January 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Headquarters Campground by Diego R., January 5, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 27, 2018

Best campground at the Kern

By far the best campground there. The river front campsites are awesome and have a great size. There's plenty of shade (which is rare for the area), and the section of river is so fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Headquarters Campground?

Camping at Headquarters Campground can cost between $34.00 and $106.00 depending on the site.

What is the elevation of Headquarters Campground?

Headquarters Campground is located at 2793 feet.

What is the max vehicle length at Headquarters Campground?

Headquarters Campground allows vehicles up to 30 feet.

Are fires allowed at Headquarters Campground?

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

Is there cell phone reception at Headquarters Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is no coverage for AT&T, good coverage for T-Mobile, and no coverage for Verizon.