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.
What to do
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."
What campers like
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!"
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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."
