Camping spots near Alpaugh, California position visitors in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley at an elevation of around 200 feet, with agricultural lands dominating the surrounding landscape. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 105°F from July through September, making spring and fall the preferred seasons for tent camping. Most campgrounds in this region offer limited natural shade, requiring campers to bring their own shade structures during peak heat periods.
What to do
Lake recreation at Success Lake: The lake offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming with boat rentals available onsite. "We were unable to get into Sequoia National Forest due to damage on the road, which is no fault to the campground. But besides the national forest not much to do around the area unless you have watercraft. I do believe there are boat rentals," reports a visitor to Tule - Success Lake.
Biking and hiking: Several campgrounds connect to recreational trails suitable for various skill levels. A camper at Kern River Campground notes: "You can mtb the adjacent foothills, road bike the bike path, enjoy the river or near by Lake Ming." The campground offers direct access to multiple trails.
Historical exploration: Learn about California's African American heritage at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. According to one visitor, "Walk around the town and listen to the history of this very significant town that was once the site of the largest hotel between Los Angeles and San Francisco. We are the only people here."
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Many campgrounds offer newly renovated facilities. At Bakersfield River Run RV Park, one camper shared: "The bathrooms are by far the cleanest I've seen. They have a great laundry room as well. There is a pool, a pretty impressive sized rec room, there also is a camp store."
Waterfront camping: Sites positioned along rivers or lakes provide direct water access. "A friend and I camped here overnight while on a 4-day motorcycle tour of the Sothern Sierra, the location was convenient. We found sitting and watching the sunset over the lake perfect site#30 after a long day ride," explains a visitor at Tule - Success Lake.
Affordability: Many camping areas offer reasonable rates compared to other California regions. One Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park visitor stated: "Clean, newer type of space. Free showers for campers, and the price is cheap for a developed site. $20 for regular, $30 for an RV. Bathrooms are clean, water hookups, covered tables, and a dump station."
What you should know
Weather conditions: The central valley experiences extreme temperature fluctuations. Summers are intensely hot while winters can be foggy and cold. "It's central valley so hot in the summer with a bit of breeze and flat," notes a camper at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.
Limited natural features: Many campgrounds lack natural amenities like trees or interesting terrain. A reviewer at Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area mentioned: "This is a county park on a lake. The campsites are unique in that they are all pull through, but really pull along. There's lots of space and you are not on top of each other. That said, the campground is full of pocket gophers and ground squirrels so lots of uneven ground."
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons or weekends. "We spent two nights at the campground and would gladly stop by again if I find myself in that corner of the valley. I visited in the last days of November, and imagine there is more activity in other seasons," shares a visitor to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.
Tips for camping with families
Find sites with play areas: Some campgrounds offer dedicated recreation spaces for children. At Visalia-Sequoia National Park KOA, a visitor noted: "The playground is a couple swings and a kiddie slide, the pool was dirty, ants and flies all over everything."
Water activities: Lakes and rivers provide swimming opportunities during hot months. "We camped here for a week over the 4th of July. We planned on spending most of that week in the Sequoias and King's Canyon, a little disappointing to find that it is quite a drive to get to the parks. The name is deceiving but our bad for not researching more before booking. The pool was nice and we had no issues with the camp site or the hookups," shared a Visalia-Sequoia National Park KOA visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Ground squirrels and birds are abundant in most campgrounds. "The infestation of ground squirrels was horrifying for someone who works in agriculture, but they do provide some entertainment to watch, along with the blazing orange sunset," notes a camper at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park.
Tips from RVers
Overnight stops: Many campgrounds serve primarily as convenient stopover points. At Almond Tree Oasis RV Park, an RVer shared: "This is a great location halfway between northern and southern California along I5. Clean and not too busy so we were nicely spaced out. It being in the middle of nowhere, there is nothing to walk or bike to, but the town is about 10 miles inland."
Full hookups: Most RV parks offer complete utility connections. "This campground is basically a parking lot, with very few shaded areas. There are some trees that offer shade, but only a few. It has full hook up. It has level, gravel sites. The office staff is kind. The bathrooms are impeccably clean. Really nice showers," reports an Almond Tree Oasis RV Park visitor.
Site leveling issues: Terrain at some campgrounds requires additional preparation. "Beautiful sunsets. Really 'rough around the edges'. Surprised to see the Army Corp of Engineers responsible for this campground. The camp sites themselves, aside from being fairly barren, are potholed, uneven gravel- littered with a ton of garbage like cigarette butts, bottle caps and broken glass," warns a Tule - Success Lake camper.
