Bakersfield's Central Valley location serves as a convenient base for RVers traveling between Southern California destinations and points north. The area sits at approximately 400 feet elevation with summer temperatures frequently reaching triple digits from June through September. Most RV campgrounds in Bakersfield maintain year-round operations, though limited shade makes air conditioning essential during peak summer months.
What to do
Orange picking opportunities: At Orange Grove RV Park, guests can harvest fresh citrus right from their sites. "My son and I enjoyed free orange picking though!" notes one visitor, who adds that "They did a great job! Only minor thing is the wifi did not work reliably for my son's online school."
Cycling trails: Bakersfield River Run RV Park connects to an extensive bike network. "Nice park adjacent to a great bike trail of 50+ miles," reports a camper. While the riverbed itself is often dry, the paved path offers safe cycling routes throughout the city.
Glider watching: The unique location of Mountain Valley RV Park in Tehachapi places campers next to a glider airport. "Sites are right off runway for glider flying. We ended up extending stay from one night to four to watch air force cadet competition," shares one reviewer. The planes typically begin operations around 9am, providing a fascinating spectacle.
What campers like
Clean bathrooms: Multiple parks receive high marks for exceptional facilities. "One of the nicest, most upkept campgrounds we've ever stayed at. The bathrooms and grounds are modern, the showers are fantastic," reports a guest at Bakersfield River Run RV Park. Another camper notes the practical amenities: "I took a dip in the swimming pool, it was very refreshing. The hot tub jets massaged my neck and shoulders after driving for several days."
Fruit stand access: A Country RV Park and other local facilities feature nearby agricultural stands. "Paved sites, well landscaped, they even have orange and lemon trees you can pick some fruit off of. Just a delightful stop," writes one reviewer. Similarly, another camper at Orange Grove RV Park mentions "Fantastic fruit stand next door."
Restaurant options: On-site dining adds convenience at several parks. According to one Bakersfield KOA Journey visitor, the park offers "Nice clean park, nice restaurant, pool, spa, upper class." This feature allows campers to enjoy meals without needing to drive elsewhere after setting up camp.
What you should know
Train and highway noise: The proximity of transportation corridors affects several RV parks. At Bakersfield Palms 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." Similarly, at Mountain Valley RV Park, a visitor points out "highway noise is minimal" as a positive feature.
Bathroom access hours: Some facilities impose strict hours on amenity buildings. "Bathrooms are locked between 10 pm and 7:30 am (not good for those of us with early mornings)," reports a Mountain Valley RV Park visitor. A similar issue appears at River Run where a camper complained, "Nice rv park but pretty ridiculous that all the toilets and showers in the rv park are locked from 10pm-7:30 am."
Site placement strategies: Highway-adjacent sites generally experience more noise. As one camper advises for River Run: "Ask for 1-32 or 89-113 to have your best chance of avoiding the highway noise." This type of specific knowledge can significantly improve your stay quality.
Tips for camping with families
Pool reservation systems: During high-demand periods, some parks implement scheduling for pool access. "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?!!" notes a River Run visitor.
Dog areas: Facilities for pets vary significantly between parks. At Bear Mountain RV Park, "The shower/bathroom was kept very clean. Laundry was clean as well as the dog run." However, another park receives criticism: "The dog area is a very small lawn with no fencing so no off leash running - especially bcuz there's a small plane airport next to the RV park with no fencing."
Missing playgrounds: Parents should note that children's play structures aren't common at Bakersfield RV parks. One Orange Grove visitor points out: "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. Not a lot of shade and could absolutely use a playground for kids of to play on."
Tips from RVers
Extended stay considerations: Many parks accommodate longer-term guests in separate areas. "The sites are wide and long enough for our 42' 5th wheel," mentions a visitor to A Country RV Park. For extended stays, parks often offer weekly and monthly rates that provide significant savings over nightly fees.
Laundry facilities: Most RV campgrounds in Bakersfield maintain coin or card-operated machines, though availability varies. One Mountain Valley visitor noted a technology challenge: "The laundry machines are paid for by using a credit card for pay cards and the machine was out of cards. The only way to use it was to create an account with some vendor online!"
Overnight hitching: Some pull-through sites are designed for convenience during brief stays. "Pad was long enough to stay hooked up and wide enough to have slides out," mentions a visitor, referring to the ability to remain connected to a tow vehicle overnight—particularly convenient for single-night stopovers.
