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Dispersed Camping

Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed, near Bakersfield, California, is a great spot for those seeking a bit of solitude in nature. This area offers a mix of open spaces for camping, with fire rings scattered throughout, making it easy to enjoy a campfire under the stars.

Visitors have noted the peaceful atmosphere, with many appreciating the proximity to the river and the surrounding trails. One camper mentioned, “We stayed here two nights and felt so peaceful and out of sight!” While the area can get busy on weekends, especially with off-road vehicles, there are plenty of secluded spots to find your own slice of tranquility.

The location is perfect for those who enjoy outdoor activities like biking and hiking, with trails nearby to explore. Facilities include vault toilets and dumpsters, which help keep the area tidy, though some campers have pointed out that litter can be an issue.

If you're looking for a free camping experience that allows pets and offers a chance to connect with nature, Keyesville is worth considering. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, and you’ll be set for a great time in the great outdoors.

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Location

Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed is located in California

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

35.62549624295254 N
118.4930230315528 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Connectivity

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    Excellent Coverage

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed needs a permit.


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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

10 Reviews

Reviewed Mar. 29, 2025

Beautiful, alpine vibes

Boulder studded alpine environment with decomposed granite sands. Walk the roads first to avoid deeply rutted or too steep areas for your vehicle. I stopped my motorcycle to camp before the bad ruts and I’m glad I did. Avoid putting your tent on anthills.

Sitesites unnumbered
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Mark W., March 29, 2025
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Mark W., March 29, 2025
Reviewed Nov. 28, 2024

Great dispersed camping spot

There was no food locker or bathroom close to where I parked but there are lots of spots, and a great view, it's also very close to grocery stores. Heavy wind and some critters interested in the tent. Very immersive area. I ended up just putting all my food in a cooler in my trunk and it worked.

Wouldn't go down the last steep section, it was wet sand, I decided not to risk it, as it was night too, and parked sideways at the spot overlooking the valley, it was a great view but I couldn't really see where the river was.

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2024

Good an Quiet

Clean Spots, recommend! lot of space and different places.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Tim W., October 26, 2024
Reviewed Aug. 7, 2024

Guy just sitting in trees near the end

All the spots at the front were taken here so we had to drive almost all the way to end. Don’t go down the final steep hill, you might not make it up. It’s very tight there and you have to do a 20 point turn to turn back.

We walked down the hill and our friend saw some random guy come out the trees and follow us as we were walking back up. He might be living there because there was so much trash

2 stars because the area itself is nice, there’s the river nearby and internet was good

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Ciara W., August 7, 2024
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Ciara W., August 7, 2024
Reviewed Mar. 25, 2024

Stayed a night

We pulled in at night time around 10:30PM. I was scared it would be sketchy, but turned out to be a smooth dirt road. We encountered multiple other campers as well before we found a suitable turnout. Loved the accessibility. We woke up to a beautiful little spot near the water; would definitely camp again here

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Daniel H., March 25, 2024
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Daniel H., March 25, 2024
Reviewed Mar. 3, 2023

Awesome spot!

Lots of space and lots of ppl with their toys. Pack it in, pack it out!

Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Shainna M., March 3, 2023
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Shainna M., March 3, 2023
Reviewed Feb. 9, 2023

Free Camping

Access to the river is closed as of 26 January, still plenty of dispersed places down the road to camp. Bathrooms and trash dump and lots of trails to ride bikes! Some of the sites are a little rough for trailer access.

Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Raven P., February 9, 2023
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Raven P., February 9, 2023
Reviewed May. 4, 2022

Plenty of sites and beautiful nature

You can park RVs right next to the water but it gets very busy, there are more secluded spots accessible to even Class A rigs further down. My Class C was able to make it through a few of the dirt roads no problem. Best part is the nature, trails, river, fire rings almost everywhere you need, dumpster and vault toilet near the main road. Worst part was the dirt bikes passing by my campsite on the weekends but it wasn’t loud honestly. The busiest spot is the one down next to the river , easily 20+ vehicles on an April weekend.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by therealquaid D., May 4, 2022
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by therealquaid D., May 4, 2022
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by therealquaid D., May 4, 2022
  • (9) View All
Reviewed May. 1, 2022

Keyesville Recreation Area

dispersed camping along keyesville rd. big open areas for group or big rig camping, lots of pullouts with fire rings. vault toilets and dumpsters at staging areas. this recreation area has lots of trash, easily could spend days picking litter. keyesville rd. has plenty of traffic though from 2200hrs til morning is fairly quiet. it’s a rec area, so with that in mind the weekends are getting busy. a lot of motocross, ohv and atv traffic from late thurs to sunday. other than that it is a wonderful free camping.

Sitefrom what i could see there’s few site signs
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Louis G., May 1, 2022
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Louis G., May 1, 2022
  • Review photo of Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed by Louis G., May 1, 2022
  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Keyesville Recreational Mining Area and where is it located?

Keyesville Recreational Mining Area is a BLM-managed public land area located near Lake Isabella in Kern County, California. The area features dispersed camping opportunities along Keyesville Road with scenic spots overlooking the Kern River. It's a multi-use recreation area popular for outdoor activities including mining, off-roading, hiking, and water recreation. The area has both open spaces for group camping and smaller pullouts with established fire rings, making it suitable for various camping setups.

What's the difference between Keyesville North and South Recreation Sites?

Keyesville North Recreation Site generally offers more open spaces suitable for larger RVs and group camping, with better accessibility for bigger rigs. Keyesville South tends to have more secluded spots that require navigating rougher terrain. Both areas provide access to the Kern River, though road conditions vary throughout. North has more established facilities like vault toilets and dumpsters at staging areas, while South offers more privacy but can have tight turns and steeper sections that may challenge some vehicles.

Is dispersed camping allowed at Lake Isabella and Keyesville Recreation Area?

Yes, dispersed camping is allowed at Keyesville Recreation Area near Lake Isabella. The area offers numerous dispersed camping opportunities with spots suitable for various camping setups from tents to large RVs. Some sites are located right next to the water, while others are more secluded along dirt roads. The area operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required. Be aware that water access points may occasionally close temporarily. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply, and campers should be prepared for primitive camping with minimal facilities.

What amenities and activities are available at Keyesville Beach?

Keyesville Beach offers water access for swimming and fishing in the Kern River. The area has basic amenities including vault toilets and trash dumpsters at designated staging areas. Activities include swimming, fishing, hiking on multiple trails, mountain biking, and off-road vehicle use on designated routes. Fire rings are available at most camping spots. No food lockers or advanced facilities are provided, so visitors should be prepared for self-sufficient camping. The beach area gets busy during peak times, but provides beautiful waterfront views.

Where can I find BLM dispersed camping near Bakersfield, California?

Keyesville Recreation Area is the primary BLM dispersed camping option near Bakersfield, located approximately 40 miles northeast of the city near Lake Isabella. This area offers extensive dispersed camping opportunities along Keyesville Road with sites suitable for both tents and RVs. The area features riverside camping, mountain views, and proximity to outdoor recreation. While primitive, some sections have basic amenities like vault toilets and trash receptacles at staging areas. For additional BLM camping options, check the Bakersfield BLM Field Office for other potential areas in the region.