166 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Bakersfield, California provides several camping options situated along the Kern River and throughout the surrounding valley. The area contains a mix of developed RV parks and established campgrounds, with facilities like Bakersfield River Run RV Park and Kern River Campground offering varying levels of amenities. Camping accommodations range from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups, with some locations like Kern River County Park also featuring cabin rentals. Most campgrounds are located within a 30-minute drive of downtown Bakersfield, making them convenient stopping points for travelers on Highway 99 or those exploring the southern San Joaquin Valley.
Many campgrounds in the Bakersfield area operate year-round due to the region's desert climate, though summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F. Sites with water and electric hookups are especially valuable during hot months. "This place is a hidden gem in Bakersfield amid industrial complex buildings. It does sit next to a branch of the Kern river…unfortunately it was dry," noted one visitor about River Run RV Park. Access to most camping areas involves paved roads suitable for all vehicles, with many campgrounds situated near highways for convenient access. Reservations are recommended, particularly during peak travel seasons, as many campgrounds fill quickly despite their substantial capacity. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the camping areas near Bakersfield.
Campers consistently mention the quality of facilities and cleanliness as standout features of Bakersfield area campgrounds. Several RV parks provide amenities like swimming pools, hot tubs, and recreation rooms that offer respite from the valley heat. According to one visitor, "The bathrooms are by far the cleanest I've seen. They have a great laundry room as well." Most campgrounds feature level sites with concrete pads, full hookups, and cable TV connections. Road noise from nearby highways is noted in some reviews, particularly for sites positioned along perimeter fences. While the natural Kern River setting is highlighted in campground names and marketing, visitors should be aware that the river is frequently dry, limiting water recreation opportunities directly from the campgrounds.
"Bakersfield RV park just off Hwy 99. My home town, Born and raised, so I've stayed here a few times returning. Nice park adjacent to a great bike trail of 50+ miles."
"Everything in this campground is 5 stars, the BEST one you will find in the Bakersfield area. They have a waiting list for monthly rates."
from $42 - $49 / night
Check Availability"Full hookups and really I can’t imagine you could have a nicer park in Bakersfield. They did a great job! Only minor thing is the wifi did not work reliably for my son’s online school."
"I didn't check out the restrooms or showers but everything around here is very clean. There seem to be quite a few longer-term campers, but all the rigs were nice and the campsites were clean."
from $43 - $54 / night
Check Availability"If you must go through Bakersfield and rest your head somewhere for the night, this is your best bet!"
"This campground was clean, well maintained, and convenient location if you want to explore the Kern River up into the mountains."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"It’s super convenient from Bakersfield and nice and quiet, by the Kern River. Clean and calm with some nice sites by the river. All have picnic tables and fire rings."
"Pulled in around 2pm and had many sites to choose from. Got a nice site right on the river. Mostly stayed inside due to the strong winds. Did not see any camp hosts. Nice hot showers."
"Great spot next to the lake. Very windy at times. Lost of gopher holes in the soil."
"Camped here for a night to break up my drive from LA to SF."
from $7 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Convenient park adjacent to freeway but the noise is minimal. Clean park and bathrooms. Nice place to spend a night."
"This is close to the freeway, it's gated and clean. We stopped in for a night on our way to Tennessee, it seems like a good place to spend a few days or even weeks."
"Stayed here a single night on my way through the Bakersfield area. This RV park has everything you’re going to need and nothing more."
from $40 - $46 / night
Check Availability"Dog park is always a great thing to see at loves locations!"
LegendWe stayed here while on our way to southern CA. It was a pleasant experience and the restored and reconstructed buildings told the story of this community beautifully.
ScoutGreat spot. Easy to get to in my car but definitely into the mountains so had to meander the mountain roads to get there. Gorgeous view along a wash. Easy enough to park. Very serene. One bummer is just the amount of sap if you park under the tree. I just moved the car over a bit. Enjoy!
GuideWe were tent camping on a touring Harley. It’s easy to get to though the roads in the area are gravel but that’s literally when you turn into the camping area. It was windy and there were bugs but they didn’t bite so I’m cool. It was gonna rain so we left the rain cover off. It was in the high 80s at day and mid 50s at night in early July. Slept great but if you’re on a Harley leave early. So you get the road to yourself!!
Scoutproperty is gorgeous, owner was very nice. hot running showers + fire pits (extra fee). all campsites looked well maintained, all included picnic table. very quiet, would rent again
TravelerLarge site, it was worth the $50 per night. The majority of the people there are working on construction projects that require them to be on the road. Gate closes at night which makes it safe. Would stay again if I was in the area.
GuideSuper windy but warm this time if the year! Got a spot all to ourselves for a night before another couple came
TravelerBeautiful lake nice rv spots hot shower. That's the good. The bad is overflowing trash, trash everywhere old unkempt showers fish station not clean. Verizon 3bars.
ScoutLet me start by saying that up until this year, I have never had a problem with the camp hosts. But the lovely couple that used to run the campground aren't there any longer and instead, there is a very rude and hostile man serving as camp host. We got to our campsite on a Monday and he wasn't at his site. There was a sign saying that he was visiting another campground. As we have done in the past, we put our money into the envelope to give to him when he returned. He did not return for 2 1/2 days! And when he did, he was aggressive and threatening to us. Now mind you we are two elderly ladies in our 60s. We told him that we were just waiting to give him our money and he told me that we were lying about giving our fee to the camp hosts in the past. If the sign had said that he was off duty, we would've just put the fee in the box. Instead he told us that we had 5 minutes to pack up or he'd call the sheriff. We did pack up, but we did pay him what was owed. For all I know he took the money for himself. For the 2/12 days he WASN'T there, the bathrooms weren't cleaned, toilet paper was running low and he wasn't around to sell firewood. Whoever hired him made a bad choice. He is scaring people away and as a woman camping alone, I do not feel safe with him around. I have camped at McGill MANY times to get out of the heat, but won't again this season. Also, although I did not see him drinking, he did spend an unusual time in his car before he came to harrass us.
GuideA bathroom would've given this spot at 5! I had to position my car to block the wind and the bugs are here (hello, summer) but it was peaceful and perfect for the night. Go slow on the dirt road as the divots are deceiving. Please pack out whatever you bring in!
Campsites near Bakersfield, California are situated in the southern San Joaquin Valley at elevations between 400-900 feet. The region experiences a desert climate with summer temperatures regularly reaching 105-110°F between June and September. Winter camping offers more moderate conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60s, making it a popular season for outdoor recreation at Bakersfield camping areas.
Fruit picking at campgrounds: Orange Grove RV Park features orange trees throughout the property where campers can harvest fresh fruit. "My son and I enjoyed free orange picking though!" noted one visitor, who also mentioned the park offers full hookups and spacious sites.
Cycling on dedicated paths: Kern River Campground provides direct access to bike trails along the river and connecting to nearby Lake Ming. "Great bike trails, and walking trails, this is great for a nice slow and easy day," according to a camper who visited in early April following a wet winter.
Water recreation at lakes: Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area offers lakefront camping with water activities like jet skiing and fishing. A camper noted, "Beautiful, warm summer night, very friendly staff. People do like their jet skis there so if that bothers you then maybe find another place."
Clean, modern facilities: At Bakersfield River Run RV Park, campers consistently highlight the exceptional bathroom facilities. "The showers were better than you'll find in most homes, lol & the pool was beautiful & spotless," one camper shared, adding they needed a reservation during Covid for 35-minute pool slots.
Spacious campsites with river access: Kern River Campground offers generously sized sites along the Kern River. A reviewer highlighted, "rv camped. but could've tent camped in our spot, closer to the water. sites are HUGE! rv hookups lots of trees. water has enough pools to chill in."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Camping at Kern River County Park provides chances to observe local birds and wildlife. One visitor reported a remarkable sighting: "Great birds along the river, lots of ducks and egrets, and a bald eagle perched in a tree right above my site with its breakfish!"
Water levels fluctuate seasonally: The Kern River's flow varies dramatically throughout the year and between wet and dry years. A visitor to Kern River Campground noted, "We spent a few days at the Kern River Campground and really enjoyed the spacious campsites, the river and Ming Lake. Great bike trails, and walking trails."
Ground conditions vary by location: Orange Grove RV Park features paved roads and level sites while Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area has more challenging terrain. "Super dusty, muddy and dirty if you're off the main camp site away from the RV circle," one camper reported about Buena Vista, though they appreciated the waterfront location.
Bathroom access policies: Some facilities have restricted hours for restrooms. A recent visitor to Bakersfield River Run RV Park pointed out, "Nice rv park but pretty ridiculous that all the toilets and showers in the rv park are locked from 10pm-7:30 am. When you're paying a minimum of $59 a night I'd expect I would At least be able to Use the restroom in the middle of the night."
Consider pools for summer heat relief: Bakersfield KOA Journey (formerly Bakersfield RV Resort) offers a swimming pool and restaurant on-site, making it convenient for families during hot weather. "Nice clean park, nice restaurant, pool, spa, upper class," mentioned one visitor.
Look for camp spots with natural shade: When camping with children during summer months, seek sites with tree cover. At Orange Grove RV Park, a visitor noted, "This is a simple and clean campground with paved roads that are good for kids to ride bikes. They separate the residents and the short term people on two different sides of the park, so that's nice."
Check amenities before booking: Not all campgrounds offer the same facilities. One family planning to camp at Orange Grove RV Park discovered limitations: "No tent camping app lied," indicating they had expected tent sites that weren't available.
Request specific sites to avoid noise: At Bakersfield River Run RV Park, site location significantly affects the camping experience. "I'll bet the other side of the park is better but we were backed up to the fence (#56)," one RVer commented, adding, "Ask for 1-32 or 89-113 to have your best chance of avoiding the highway noise."
Watch for uneven terrain: RVers should be cautious about ground conditions at some campgrounds. A visitor to Bear Mountain RV Park observed, "It's all sand, no grass. Small grassy dog park which was nice. Soon as we got parked and went outside the smell of sewer greeted us."
Consider accessibility to highways: Many Bakersfield camping areas serve as convenient overnight stops for travelers. A visitor to Bear Mountain RV Park shared, "Stayed here a single night on my way through the Bakersfield area. This RV park has everything you're going to need and nothing more."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Bakersfield, California?
Bakersfield offers several excellent camping options. Bakersfield River Run RV Park stands out as a top choice with full hookups, clean facilities, a pool, hot tub, and gym. It's described as the best option in the Bakersfield area despite being surrounded by industrial buildings. Another highly-rated option is Orange Grove RV Park, which features repurposed orange groves with fruit trees between sites, full hookups, and a clean swimming pool. For travelers just passing through, Bear Mountain RV Park provides basic amenities for overnight stays. The Bakersfield area has camping options for various preferences, from luxury RV parks to more basic accommodations.
Are there any lakeside or waterfront camping options near Bakersfield?
Los Alamos Campground at Pyramid Lake offers waterfront camping about 40 minutes from Bakersfield. This dry camping area has approximately 90 sites across three loops with water spigots available in some areas (though not for hookup). The campground is just 1.5 miles from Pyramid Lake, making it perfect for day trips to the water. For those seeking additional water recreation, Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area provides camping with lake access. Sites are available for both drive-in and boat-in camping, offering visitors direct access to water activities while still being close to Bakersfield.
What tent camping sites are available near Bakersfield, CA?
Tent campers near Bakersfield have several good options. Kern River County Park offers peaceful tent sites along the Kern River with picnic tables and fire rings. It's conveniently located close to Bakersfield while providing a quiet natural setting. Kern River Campground is another excellent choice for tent camping with large campsites, friendly hosts, and relatively clean shower facilities. The campground features a creek running through it, adding to the natural ambiance. Both locations provide tent campers with the basics needed for a comfortable outdoor experience while being accessible from Bakersfield.
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