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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!

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.

Description

US Forest Service

Sequoia National Forest

Overview

Headquarters Campground is situated along the Kern River, 6 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.

Facilities

Headquarters Campground offers a mix of standard, RV and tent-only sites. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water.

Natural Features

The campground sits within Sequoia National Forest at an elevation of 2,800 feet in an open area overlooking the Kern Wild and Scenic River. Some sites overlook the river and lie in the shade of oak, juniper and cottonwood trees. Sites sitting further from the river are more open and have little to no shade. 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

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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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.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Fair

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

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

Drive Time


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, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is fair.