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.
$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."
$43 - $54 / night
"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."
$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."
"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."
"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."
$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."
"Dog park is always a great thing to see at loves locations!"
LegendFinally! A beautiful campsite on the Kern River. No amenities other than shaded campsites with nice fire rings close to the river, with river access. There are only four sites here, and they are small. You need to have a vehicle less than 20 to 25 ft. Once you get here you won't want to leave. You can drive a short distance to one of the nearby campsites to dump your trash. No T-Mobile coverage.
LegendMountains in the background, camping along a clear blue lake with water, pump outs, vault toilets, dumpsters, fish cleaning station, and boat launch available. What is not to love? What's not to love is RV sites lined up head to toe along the side of the road with no shade or privacy. We were here in March, and although there was a camp host there, he did not answer our calls. We did fill up with free potable water, and dumped our trash. There is a self-service self-pay $20 pump out. Easily over 100 RV sites, and many tent sites, as well as day use parking.
LegendWe pulled off the road just before the commercial RV campground into Corral Creek campsite. There was one RV there. It appeared to be a large open gravel parking lot with little shade and little to commend it, although it is on the Kern River. There was no AT&t coverage. No trash bins, No vault toilets, no water.
LegendLooking for a place to stay. This campsite was closed mid-march.
LegendFree dispersed camping right off the highway, on the shore of Lake Isabella. Decent dirt and gravel road. Grassy meadow for tents and flat gravel areas for RVs. Dumpsters provided. Only criticism is the vault toilets were closed for the season in March when we were there. As of the time of our visit, the location marked on Dyrt is accurate, and there is an abundance of signage on the highway. Good T-Mobile coverage. No wood available. Some shade provided by a couple of trees if you are a tent camper.
LegendGot caught in a wind storm and needed to get off the road. This county park was a refuge. 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. Walking trails along the river and bike paths too.
TravelerI've really enjoyed my week-long stay at this gorgeous lake. The sunrise over the water was spectacular, and the facilities clean and well maintained. The staff at the park are friendly and for the most part, helpful. Getting and changing reservations was made easy by calling the park office.
Ranger4 small sites, rigs need to be small tight quarters. You can spread out with plenty of room for tents, easy access to the river for swimming and fishing, no toilet, water or trash. Limited bars with at&t but starlink works flawlessly
GuideSo beautiful, so flat and open, we did genuinely see other people maybe 4 times, great area for fun rock scrambling and tooling around in the lake, perfect for tent camping or car camping!
The ground can get very rocky the deeper you go in and is a bit sandy/packed dirt for most of the roads, but there are “spots” for all cars and comfort levels.
Seems like this site will be rain-dependent, the water line was low when we went but space could be more limited after rain for sure.
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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