Tehachapi Mountain Park sits at 6,000 feet elevation in the pine forests above Tehachapi, offering primitive camping sites with vault toilets and potable water. The campground features a steep, winding road with sharp turns unsuited for larger RVs. Sites are first-come, first-served at $18 per night, with senior discounts available. While some sites offer water hookups and shaded areas, many are situated on steep terrain.
What to do
Hiking trails with scenic views: Tehachapi Mountain Park connects to hiking trails leading to the area's highest peak. "Beautiful spot. Old school mountainside camping in the tall trees. Campsites are around 6,000', pit toilets, grills, steel fire pits, picnic tables and potable water taps," notes Shannon O. from Tehachapi Mountain Park.
Fishing at Lake Isabella: Located near Kernville, the lake offers fishing opportunities without swimming access. "Our campsite was great. We stayed in site 81 in our class C RV. Corner site on a creek that ran through the campground. The creek was great to sit in to escape the heat and float down," shares David H. from KRS RV Resort@Camp James.
Orange picking for campers: Some local campgrounds feature fruit trees that guests can harvest. "The oranges are absolutely fantastic and makes you wonder why you can't get the same quality in a store," writes Semi H. about Orange Grove RV Park in Bakersfield, approximately 40 minutes from Bear Valley Springs.
What campers like
Secluded mountain sites: Campers appreciate the privacy found at certain mountain locations. "I normally don't like campgrounds because of the way they are set up with neighbors to each side. But this place is incredible, with plenty of private spots due to the whole place being on the side of a mountain," explains Leo L. from Tehachapi Mountain Park.
Lakeside camping options: Brite Lake Aquatic Recreation Area offers sites near water. "We reserved in advance and had a large site for our RV under a huge shade tree; other full hook-up sites, while ample, looked much more exposed. We enjoyed watching the bunnies and squirrels from our camper window and ducks and birds on the lake," notes Craig J.
Climate relief from valley heat: The mountain elevation provides cooler temperatures during hot seasons. "It was 100 in Mojave and 70 in the TMP. Gorgeous tall evergreens and some larger oaks," reports Shannon O., highlighting the temperature difference between Tehachapi Mountain Park and surrounding areas.
What you should know
Limited space for large vehicles: Many mountain campgrounds have narrow access roads. "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 and the hairpin turns were very sharp," warns Mark from Kern River County Park.
First-come, first-served systems: Several campgrounds don't take reservations. "We stopped here on the way from SF to AZ in October. There are lots of open spots, FCFS. Vault toilets and trash cans scattered throughout. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring," explains Katt J. about Tehachapi Mountain Park.
Swimming restrictions: Many local lakes prohibit swimming. "The lake isn't that great. But they are improving their facility. Running water and restrooms are available. Spots available near the water," notes Mike Z. about Brite Lake Aquatic Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Seek creekside spots for summer cooling: Some campgrounds offer creek access for children during hot weather. "The kids loved tubing down it all day. In front of us was the river. Gorgeous views. The grounds are very well maintained, they collect trash every morning," reports Amber D. from KRS RV Resort@Camp James.
Check for family activities: Certain campgrounds organize events for children. "This campground even offers activities for the whole family, movie night, bingo, even rock painting," mentions Amber D. about Camp James, located about an hour from Bear Valley Springs.
Look for less crowded weekday options: For glamping close to Bear Valley Springs, California, consider mid-week visits. "We spent a night in late May and there were only a few other sites occupied on a Wednesday night," notes Shannon O. about Tehachapi Mountain Park.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations on mountain roads: RV campers should research road conditions. "This is not a place for large RVs or trailers. The road in is tight and twisty with no shoulders and some trees and rock faces snug up against it. The campground is very steep, the roads are one lane and very very curvy," cautions Shannon O. about Tehachapi Mountain Park.
Look for full hookup options: For luxury glamping near Bear Valley Springs, California, seek campgrounds with complete amenities. "We had 20/30/50 amp power, water and sewer. There is a very nice, clean, but sort of small pool. I didn't check out the restrooms or showers but everything around here is very clean," reports Barry G. from Orange Grove RV Park.
Consider seasonal water levels: When planning RV glamping close to Bear Valley Springs, note that water conditions change throughout the year. "We were there August 1-6. The River was a little low but it was perfect for us with our 5 year old son. We were able to float down the river in our inner tubes safely. We were told May to June the river is very high in this area," advises David H. about riverside camping at Camp James.
