Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Bakersfield, CA

Bakersfield River Run RV Park's fenced dog area provides a dedicated space for pets to exercise while staying at one of several pet-friendly campgrounds in the Bakersfield area. Orange Grove RV Park, Kern River Campground, and Bear Mountain RV Park all welcome campers with dogs, offering full hookup sites for RVs and tent camping options. Bear Mountain RV Park features two separate dog parks where pets can play off-leash, while Bakersfield KOA Journey accommodates pets with designated pet relief areas. Most campgrounds require pets to be leashed when outside designated exercise areas, and owners must clean up after their animals. The sites typically include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to clean restrooms and showers. Many campers note the clean facilities at River Run RV Park make it particularly comfortable for extended stays with pets.

Hiking trails near Kern River Campground provide excellent opportunities for dog walking, with the adjacent bike path stretching over 50 miles along the river corridor. Bear Mountain RV Park's pet amenities receive positive reviews from travelers with dogs, particularly the grassy dog parks that offer relief from the predominantly sandy terrain. During summer months, temperatures in Bakersfield regularly exceed 100°F, requiring extra precautions for pets including morning or evening walks and constant access to shade and water. Most campgrounds enforce quiet hours that apply to barking dogs, and excessive noise may result in being asked to leave. Veterinary services are available in Bakersfield proper, approximately 15-20 minutes from most camping locations. The Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area offers additional pet-friendly camping with water access, though dogs must remain leashed near the shoreline.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Bakersfield, California (102)

    1. Bakersfield River Run RV Park

    25 Reviews
    Bakersfield, CA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 377-3600

    $42 - $49 / night

    "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."

    2. Orange Grove RV Park

    24 Reviews
    Edison, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 366-4662

    $43 - $54 / night

    "Clean, friendly, and easy full hookup...clean facilities Dog Park Swimming pool Wendy&Mario"

    "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."

    3. Kern River Campground

    21 Reviews
    Lebec, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 868-7000

    $20 / night

    "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."

    4. Kern River County Park

    12 Reviews
    Edison, CA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 868-7000

    "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."

    "For $32, you can get a site off the river and have a little camping pit and picnic table and you’re around other RVs and it’s good."

    5. A Country RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Edison, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 363-6412

    "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."

    6. Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area

    14 Reviews
    Tupman, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 868-7000

    "Makes it nice to know that I can take my pets with me to the lake so that way they can have fun to. We brought our RV and we pulled in very late at night."

    "Great spot next to the lake. Very windy at times. Lost of gopher holes in the soil."

    7. Bakersfield KOA Journey

    5 Reviews
    Bakersfield, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 833-9998

    8. Bear Mountain RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Greenfield, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 834-3811

    $40 - $46 / night

    "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."

    "But our fur kids said the TWO dog parks made up for it. Judith the resident staff person was a ROCKSTAR in getting our reservations changed and rebooked."

    9. Bakersfield Palms RV Park

    1 Review
    Edison, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 366-6700

    10. Shaded Haven RV Park

    1 Review
    Edison, CA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 366-6700
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Bakersfield, CA

535 Reviews of 102 Bakersfield Campgrounds


  • Aliza  N.
    Jan. 24, 2022

    Kern River County Park

    Quiet and lovely

    We stayed here just for a night on our way to Death Valley. 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. The host was so lovely and let us stay for free in a site that had already been paid for (the folks had left early). We couldn’t believe it! So generous and kind.

  • Mario M.
    May. 30, 2022

    Los Alamos Campground at Pyramid Lake

    Great for a quick getaway but come prepared

    Tried this campground out for a single day/night of camping for my family of 4.

    Location - 5 out of 5 Great location in terms of close to home (40 minutes from Bakersfield). 1.5 miles from Pyramid Lake for a day trip.

    Campground - 3 out of 5. $20 per night, by all means, this is only regards to the tent camping not the people or bathrooms etc. We camped in Loop 4 camp 72. While I was towards the end of the campground, very little shade was available. Prepare to bring multiple ezups for shade. Tent was easily put up as ground is soft. This camp was overrun by fire ants, so had to carefully move around their nest. There was a small section in between some trees that allowed us to get some shade, maybe even a small tent fits there. Bathrooms are flush toilets and very clean. No showers available to my knowledge. Camping came with a cement picnic table and a fire pit.

    The 2 points off was just because of the shade situation. I did go through the campground all together to see which sites were more shaded and out of all of the sites perhaps 4 had some trees with good shade.

    If you are looking for a weekend getaway from the city, good place to come. Just come prepared with multiple shade apparatus.

    **My pictures were taken after 6pm when the sun is behind the mountains.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 15, 2022

    Bear Mountain RV Park

    Office closed.

    Negative - One unisex bathroom/shower for the entire park. No code provided. Positive - Nice landscape. Fenced dog park.

  • Sarah M.
    Jan. 24, 2021

    Bear Mountain RV Park

    Good single night stop

    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. An overwhelming majority of the spaces are for monthly residents, and you can tell most of the campers there are seasoned veterans. Right now the office is closed, I believe due to Covid, so you just fill out a form and drop it in a mail slot then pick out one of the sites. The area is quiet enough, but you can definitely hear the soft whir of cars on the highway close by. Camp seems dog friendly with a couple of very small fenced in grassy patches for pets to relieve themselves. There really isn’t much in the area in the way of markets or grocery stores.

  • W
    Sep. 8, 2019

    Orange Grove RV Park

    Clean and Friendly

    Clean, friendly, and easy full hookup...clean facilities Dog Park Swimming pool Wendy&Mario

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 30, 2025

    Bear Mountain RV Park

    Bakersfield, CA

    My first complaint is there is absolutely no signage into this campground. If not for GPS’s insistence we would have definitely missed. The sites are average for our 43’ motorhome. 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. While it was a beautiful day to have the door open it was just way too unpleasant. There are no picnic tables and it’s pretty basic. The girl in the office was very pleasant. I guess it was ok for a 1 night stay even tho it is a ways off of the 5 fwy.

  • Michael C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 3, 2023

    Bear Mountain RV Park

    What this place lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for with the staff

    It took two tries to finally make it here. Our motorhome slide refused to slide. But a month later we made it. Feb 3 and it’s 70 degrees. Nice soft breeze. No pool. But our fur kids said the TWO dog parks made up for it. Judith the resident staff person was a ROCKSTAR in getting our reservations changed and rebooked. The spaces and long and plenty of side room for slides.. that you know…. Slide Definitely making this a come back to park.

  • C
    Apr. 23, 2023

    Mountain Valley RV Park

    Quiet & relaxing spot

    We needed somewhere to stay for one night as we were finishing up a cross-country drive. We loved how quiet the area was. The grounds are clean and well-kept. Starlink and Verizon service both work great here. Pet-friendly and lots of dogs around while we were here. No complaints!

  • Paul  N.
    May. 22, 2019

    Bakersfield River Run RV Park

    Home Town RV Parlk

    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. The river is not always running as in some of the pictures. Gravel pads concrete patios surrounded by grass. Daily weekly monthly rates, and have used all of them.


Guide to Bakersfield

Bakersfield camping options provide year-round accessibility with distinct seasonal considerations. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F from June through September, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. The area features several campgrounds with direct access to the Kern River, though water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year based on rainfall and upstream dam releases.

What to do

Bike along riverside trails: Kern River Campground offers convenient access to an extensive bike path. "Great bike trails, and walking trails, this is great for a nice slow and easy day," notes Teresa S. The adjacent path stretches for miles along the river corridor.

Fruit picking experiences: At Orange Grove RV Park, campers can harvest fresh citrus during their stay. "My son and I enjoyed free orange picking," shares Justin C., while another camper notes, "The oranges are absolutely fantastic and makes you wonder why you can't get the same quality in a store."

Water recreation access: Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area provides direct lake access for water activities. "We chose a water front non electric site, of which there are only a few, and enjoyed the birds and squirrels," says Cathy C. For evening ambiance, another camper mentions "the symphony of frogs singing you to sleep at night is great!"

What campers like

Clean, well-maintained facilities: Bakersfield River Run RV Park receives consistent praise for its upkeep. "One of the nicest, most upkept campgrounds we've ever stayed at. The bathrooms and grounds are modern, the showers are fantastic," writes Sarah R. The park's maintenance extends to its recreational areas as well.

Spacious campsites: Kern River Campground offers generously sized sites that accommodate various camping setups. "Sites are HUGE! rv hookups lots of trees. water has enough pools to chill in. short walk upstream, gives you option for rafting back down to your camp," explains Jennifer D.

Convenient overnight options: For travelers passing through, A Country RV Park serves as a reliable stopover. "Convenient park adjacent to freeway but the noise is minimal. Clean park and bathrooms. Nice place to spend a night," says James B.

What you should know

Site differences by location: Bear Mountain RV Park has predominantly sandy terrain. "It's all sand, no grass. Small grassy dog park which was nice," reports Douglas T. The park layout includes "spaces are long and plenty of side room for slides."

Weather impacts: Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area can experience significant wind. "Great spot next to the lake. Very windy at times. Lost of gopher holes in the soil," observes Claudia H.

Train noise considerations: Several campgrounds near Bakersfield experience railroad noise. At Desert Palms Mobile Home and RV Park, one camper notes: "Very clean. Great one night stop over before heading to Las Vegas. Trains are very near so there is that noise."

Tips for camping with families

Pool access scheduling: During peak periods, some facilities require planning. At Bakersfield River Run RV Park, Emily L. shares: "The pool was beautiful & spotless, tho u will need a reservation during Covid, you get a 35 minute slot, 10 people at a time. Which was nice, who likes a crowded pool?!!"

Wildlife observation opportunities: Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area offers wildlife viewing possibilities. "We chose a water front non electric site, of which there are only a few, and enjoyed the birds and squirrels," mentions Cathy C.

Dog-friendly campground selection: When looking for dog-friendly campgrounds near Bakersfield, consider Orange Grove RV Park which has "plenty of areas for dogs" according to multiple reviews, though specific dog parks aren't mentioned. Bear Mountain RV Park offers two designated dog areas with "Small grassy dog park which was nice" amid predominantly sandy terrain.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Kern River County Park offers varied site options. "50 huge campsites with lots of trees for shade. Many river side sites. No hook ups, but there is a dump station and several water spigots," reports David V.

Laundry facilities: For longer stays, Orange Grove RV Park provides clean laundry amenities. "The restrooms/showers/laundry/gym combo is very clean and well lit," notes Semi H.

Arrival timing: When arriving at Kern River Campground, be aware of office hours. "You must register and reserve a campsite before 4 PM local," advises Kathy S. Some pet-friendly campgrounds near Bakersfield have specific registration requirements that should be confirmed before arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bakersfield, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bakersfield, CA is Bakersfield River Run RV Park with a 4.6-star rating from 25 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bakersfield, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 102 dog-friendly camping locations near Bakersfield, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.