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Best Campgrounds near Bear Valley Springs, CA

598 Reviews

Bear Valley Springs, California sits near several established campgrounds in the Tehachapi Mountain region. Tehachapi Mountain Park offers tent, RV, and glamping sites in a forested mountain setting approximately 20 minutes from town, with sites featuring picnic tables and fire rings. Other nearby options include Brite Lake Aquatic Recreation Area, which provides lakeside camping with various hookup options, and Mountain Valley RV Park in Tehachapi for those seeking more developed facilities. The area contains a mix of county-operated parks and private RV campgrounds, with most offering year-round access.

Campground access varies based on location and facility type. Tehachapi Mountain Park features narrow, twisting mountain roads that can be challenging for larger vehicles. "The road to the campground is a narrow, twisty, two lane road. Then we got to the campground and it got narrower and steeper. The grades in some parts of the campground were double digit percent grades," noted one visitor about Tehachapi Mountain Park. Most developed campgrounds in the region maintain potable water and restroom facilities, though amenities vary widely between locations. Weather patterns include potential high winds around Brite Lake and cooler temperatures at Tehachapi Mountain Park's 6,000-foot elevation, making it a popular escape during summer heat.

Campers report mixed experiences with the region's facilities and natural settings. Tehachapi Mountain Park receives praise for its secluded sites and pine forest environment, with several visitors noting the privacy afforded by the mountainside layout. Brite Lake campers frequently mention the lakeside setting and fishing opportunities, though several reviews note persistent winds and restrictions on swimming in the lake itself. The campgrounds around Tehachapi tend to be less crowded than those closer to Bakersfield, especially during weekdays. A visitor to Tehachapi Mountain Park shared, "This is our go to spot just to get out and camp for a night without going far! Beautiful hikes with tons of scenic outlooks. Kid and pet friendly, never crowded it seems so you can also have some privacy."

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Best Camping Sites Near Bear Valley Springs, California (167)

    1. Tehachapi Mountain Park

    14 Reviews
    Tehachapi, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 868-7000

    "My dog and I had a good weekend away (even though we live close by.)"

    "There is a nature trail nearby although we didn’t have time to go check it out. Cost was $18 paid in envelopes at the entrance."

    2. Orange Grove RV Park

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

    $43 - $54 / night

    "My wife and I were driving back from Utah and decided to drive as far back home as we could and didn't have anything booked for our return trip."

    "Bathrooms, showers, laundry and numerous dog walks. A large "clubhouse" sporting a pooltable. Easy trailheads in town shown on All Trails app."

    3. Brite Lake Aquatic Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Tehachapi, CA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 221-2832

    "Very beautiful location overlooking a lake. Far from the highway so no traffic noise that I’ve noticed."

    "The lake isn't that great. But they are improving their facility. Running water and restrooms are available. Spots available near the water"

    4. Mountain Valley RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Tehachapi, CA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 822-1213

    $43 / night

    "Although this RV park isn’t that far from the state park where you could drive and do some day hikes.)"

    "I will say there isn’t much to do or see within walking distance, but the town in just a few miles away."

    5. Kern River Campground

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

    $20 / night

    "This campground was clean, well maintained, and convenient location if you want to explore the Kern River up into the mountains."

    "You can hear jet boat noise from the adjacent lake from time to time. No WiFi but good Verizon LTE (25-30 Mbps) and decent AT&T 4G (10-15Mbps)."

    6. Bakersfield River Run RV Park

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

    $42 - $49 / night

    "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."

    "The hot tub jets massaged my neck and shoulders after driving for several days. The site has a recreation room and outdoor grill with picnic tables. The location is close to 99 but not too loud."

    7. Kern River County Park

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

    "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."

    "Close to 2 lakes ming and hart Park."

    8. A Country RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Edison, CA
    19 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."

    9. Bear Mountain RV Park

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

    $40 - $46 / night

    "The area is quiet enough, but you can definitely hear the soft whir of cars on the highway close by."

    10. Breckenridge Campground

    5 Reviews
    Bodfish, CA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-3781

    "Cool place to go and chill, just make sure you are prepared for a narrow and bumpy road, also a short dirt trail."

    "The trails are good for riding but not the best views. it's a good place overall."

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Recent Camping Photos near Bear Valley Springs, CA

166 Photos of 167 Bear Valley Springs Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Bear Valley Springs, CA

598 Reviews of 167 Bear Valley Springs Campgrounds

  • kThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2025

    Hanning Flat Dispersed Area

    Wasn’t plan A but it was even better

    Tried Stine Cove first. Did not find access so we ended up here. We stayed two nights and very glad we did. Quiet. Easy access, some hiking near by. We could tell the lake level were really low so our experience would have been different with a full lake As is, we were able to easily access the dirt road from Patterson Lane and drive over to tuck beside Rabbit Island. We didn’t see another person for the two days we were there. Level ground, protected from the wind, rocky ‘island’ right behind for shade and to climb. Very good stay. YouTube @TKCompass

  • kThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2025

    Stine Cove Recreation Site

    Coordinates provided not accurate

    Water level way down. Tried coordinates provided to Stine Cove first and it took us to the backside of a subdivision. Signs posted saying No Trespassing and No Lake Access.
    We might have taken a look around anyways:) No land or lake access.
    Drove back towards Mountain Mesa and did see a Day Use area and 2 or 3 paid campgrounds. I would describe this as currently an invalid camping spot. We headed over to Hanning Flat next and I will put a review over there. Spoiler - it was great! YouTube @TKCompass.com

  • Bull D.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Evans Flat Campground

    Evans Flat Campground

    Good place, lot of ATV and dirt bike riders, also lot of horse riders,

  • Bull D.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Breckenridge Campground

    Breckinridge Campground

    good place, been there several times, peaceful,

  • Julianne M.
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Leavis Flat Campground

    Beautiful River Campsite

    This is a beautiful campsite right off of the road next to a beautiful river. You can hear road noise, but the river mostly drowns it out. There is a $15 fee per day and $7 per additional car. There are plenty of trash cans and the 2 pit toilets were clean and stocked. There is a "hot spring" about 150 yards above the campsite that is about knee deep.

  • Imerie T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Oak Flat Campground

    Good place to stop between stops

    So the good first, Quiet, not many ppl in the fall/winter months. Sites are large, dumpsters, vault toilets, close to town amenities. We felt safe staying here. Met nice campers.

    The crappy. Yes you can hear the humm of the freeway from further away. Didn’t bug us, but some it does. There is micro trash everywhere. No one cleans the sites, leaves are outta control on the ground. You cannot have any cooking or fires right now. Only cooking inside. The single bathroom is cleanest. The Ranger was super rude He asked way too many personal questions and kept wanting to make sure we weren’t “homeless”. He doesn’t understand the difference between vagrants and choosing to not live in bricks and sticks. He wanted to know exactly how many days we were staying and what day and time we were leaving. You can stay up to 14days and no reservations required.

    It is only free if you have your America The Beautiful Pass, otherwise it’s 5.00 a night And you have to buy that at the Shell Gas Station down the pass.

  • D
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Chico Flat Dispersed Camping - Partially Closed, See Description

    Quiet place for undisturbed camping

    Good campground on the way to Sequoia. Plenty of space, we had no problems finding a spot for our 30ft RV. There are restrooms available which seem to be cleaned every second day. You have access to the river nearby. The generator can be used until 10 p.m. Would recommend.

  • Amber R.
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Bear Mountain RV Park

    Clean and friendly staff

    The shower/bathroom was kept very clean. Laundry was clean as well as the dog run. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Will definitely come back. Highly recommend

  • b
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Kern River Campground

    Very chill

    Great serene spot (aside from a few noisy campers) by the river, liked it so much we camped out for 3 days. Great price too! Close enough to civilization but far enough you forget it's nearby. Would recommend!

Guide to Bear Valley Springs

Camping near Bear Valley Springs, California, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails around the area. One camper mentioned, "The nature trail is accessible directly from the campground and the views are jaw-dropping and well worth exploring" at Ricardo Campground — Red Rock Canyon State Park.
  • Fishing: The Kern River is a popular spot for fishing. A visitor at Kern River Campground said, "Fishing is always good, sightseeing is good just all around good place."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One reviewer at Reyes Creek Campground noted, "There are raccoons, squirrels, and deer around."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning vistas. A visitor at Dennison Park shared, "We had lovely Ojai Valley views a few feet from our campsite."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peaceful environment. One camper at Wheeler Gorge Campground said, "It is a cozy campground in the woods, and we always have a good time."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campground hosts often receive praise for their helpfulness. A camper at Reyes Creek Campground mentioned, "Jade the camp host has to be one of the nicest people we’ve ever met!"

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Many campgrounds, like KCL Campground, have basic facilities. A reviewer noted, "Vault toilets are kept clean, but bring your own TP if you arrive after the weekend."
  • Cell Service Issues: Expect limited cell reception in some areas. A visitor at Ricardo Campground mentioned, "No AT&T signal. There was poor WiFi at the visitor center."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, like KCL Campground. A camper advised, "If full, would seek off-road area on right just as you approach."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites. A family at Orange Grove RV Park appreciated, "Large sites, semi-private with orange trees."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. One camper at Wheeler Gorge Campground said, "Great campground for kids, we always have a good time."
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids near water. A visitor at Kern River Campground mentioned, "We had a blast here... right on the water, super beautiful and relaxing."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Rivernook Campground noted, "Under 30 degrees with no heater not ideal."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A visitor at Bakersfield River Run RV Park said, "The freeway noise was pretty constant."
  • Utilize Amenities: Take advantage of available facilities. A reviewer at Bakersfield River Run RV Park mentioned, "Clean, grassy, bath houses and laundry, many different flowers, pool and hot tub."

Camping near Bear Valley Springs, California, is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's a spot waiting for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Bear Valley Springs, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bear Valley Springs, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 167 campgrounds and RV parks near Bear Valley Springs, CA and 19 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Bear Valley Springs, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bear Valley Springs, CA is Tehachapi Mountain Park with a 4.6-star rating from 14 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bear Valley Springs, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Bear Valley Springs, CA.

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