Best Cabin Camping near Inyokern, CA

Several cabin camping options surround the Inyokern, California region, with varying levels of amenities and comfort. Kennedy Meadows Campground offers rustic cabins near the PCT trail with basic furnishings but limited utilities. According to one visitor, "Cabins are rustic but have everything you need," making them suitable for fishing enthusiasts and hikers. Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA provides more developed cabin rentals with electricity, heating, and access to shared facilities including showers, restrooms, and a swimming pool. Camp James in Kernville features riverside cabins with proximity to water recreation, while Poso Guard Station Cabin and Three Falls Ranch Guest Cabin offer more private accommodations with varying amenities.

Pet-friendly cabins can be found at several locations including Camp Kernville and KRS RV Resort, though policies vary by property. The Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground cabins provide basic shelter with limited bathroom facilities, as one reviewer noted, "There is only one small restroom with one small shower with barely room to change." Reservations are essential for most cabin rentals, particularly during summer months when the Kern River area attracts visitors for water activities. Kennedy Meadows operates seasonally from June to November, while the KOA location remains open year-round. Many cabins require advance booking, with some properties implementing minimum stay requirements during peak periods.

Most cabin accommodations provide beds and basic furniture but require guests to bring their own linens, pillows, and towels. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between locations, from simple fire pits to cabins with microwaves or small refrigerators. The Three Falls Ranch Guest Cabin includes drinking water and shower access but no electric hookups. On-site camp stores at KRS RV Resort and Lake Isabella KOA offer basic provisions, though selection is limited. Kernville, approximately one mile from several cabin locations, provides more extensive shopping options for groceries and supplies. Visitors staying at more remote cabins should plan to bring all necessary provisions, as some locations like Kennedy Meadows have no potable water available on site.

Best Cabin Sites Near Inyokern, California (8)

    1. KRS RV Resort@Camp James

    14 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-6119

    $39 - $340 / night

    "Book way in advance though. You can get a site right on the river with no sewage hook ups or get all hook ups off the river. You can even rent a cabin. Really close to town."

    "The creek was great to sit in to escape the heat and float down. Lots of kids and dog friendly. The WIFI was good to stream TV and ATT cell service was good too."

    2. Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA

    7 Reviews
    Weldon, CA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 378-2001

    "Kern River is a great place in the hot California Desert. This place has everything to make you feel at home."

    "Overall nice site with full hookups & wi-fi/cell. Had a nice shade tree but it can be real sunny without one. Laundry right on site! Close to lake Isabella and all of the Kern."

    3. Kennedy Meadows Campground

    9 Reviews
    Little Lake, CA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 379-5646

    "Great family vacation to get away from everything. Cabins are rustic but have everything you need. Plenty of tent camping in the campgrounds before the lodge."

    "The General store is currently handling site reservations at 10.00$ a night. The fishing was awful, I'm sure the area is incredibly over-fished due to popularity."

    4. Camp Kernville

    4 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-2345

    $40 - $75 / night

    "I like the free air they provide for you to be able to fill the tubes."

    "We stayed at this wonderfull RV Park last week. The park is right on the river, clean and in wonderful condition. There is a sandy beach with water access."

    5. Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground / Westside of Death Valley

    5 Reviews
    Olancha, CA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (442) 364-5290

    $49 / night

    "The small lake was ideal for a bit of casual kayaking and nature watching - mostly birds and dragonflies. Charming and spacious, the informality of the site was a refreshing change."

    6. Frog Meadow

    Be the first to review!
    California Hot Springs, CA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (559) 539-2607

    7. Poso Guard Station Cabin

    Be the first to review!
    Posey, CA
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-1815

    $187 / night

    8. Three Falls Ranch Guest Cabin

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    Posey, CA
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (310) 920-0936

    $158 / night

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Recent Cabin Photos near Inyokern, CA

4 Photos of 8 Inyokern Campgrounds


Cabin Reviews near Inyokern, CA

39 Reviews of 8 Inyokern Campgrounds


  • Chester R.
    Oct. 16, 2022

    Kennedy Meadows Campground

    Campground time forgot

    Most reviews here are dated. Campground has been abandoned for years so: no fees, busted up roads, no water, no trash, no bathrooms, no cell/wifi. Basically dispersed camping in an awesome location on concrete spurs/pads.  Each site still had picnic table and fire pit.  The mosquitos here are biblical at night so bring your nets and deet.  Kern creek and trails right from campground. General store and Grumpy Bear tavern close down the road.  Only 2 other campers here when I stayed in October. Great place as long as you are expecting disbursed camping experience.

  • Andrea R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2019

    Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA

    Very family friendly and unique!

    Kern River is a great place in the hot California Desert. This place has everything to make you feel at home. Several large sites for tents or RV's , bathrooms with full showers, a pool, splashpad and water play area. They have these weird Banana bikes which were fun. I was in complete heaven when I saw the coffee bar! There is a big pavilion with cooking areas for everyone!

    This is close to several nearby attractions. They offer great wifi services. Great places if you have little ones. so much to do and all of the staff was wonderful.

    They have Cabins too! I didnt stay in them but they are pretty cute.

  • Ricky S.
    Jul. 31, 2022

    Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA

    Good camp to park & explore

    Overall nice site with full hookups & wi-fi/cell. Had a nice shade tree but it can be real sunny without one. Laundry right on site! Close to lake Isabella and all of the Kern. Great for last minute reservations too, online booking works

  • Christy S.
    Jul. 21, 2020

    Kennedy Meadows Campground

    Going back in time

    Started coming here over 40 years ago as a kid. This was (still kind of is) a working horse packing station where they ran cattle out for the summer. Most trips out now are aimed at tourists/fishermen but the vibe is still the same. Fun horse riding trips. Great family vacation to get away from everything. Cabins are rustic but have everything you need. Plenty of tent camping in the campgrounds before the lodge. This is a great starting point for many backcountry backpack trips as it is near the PCT. Lots of hiking. Great fishing spot, river is generally stocked with fish on a weekly basis.

  • Johnny P.
    Apr. 20, 2019

    KRS RV Resort@Camp James

    On the River!

    We love these campground. We go every year during the summer! Nice clean small campground. Book way in advance though. You can get a site right on the river with no sewage hook ups or get all hook ups off the river. You can even rent a cabin. Really close to town. Take a ride down the river in your tube and walk back. So much fun!

  • Barrie M.
    Jun. 28, 2024

    Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground / Westside of Death Valley

    Tranquility

    A lovely site, both scenic and peaceful. Was very quiet when we stayed. The small lake was ideal for a bit of casual kayaking and nature watching - mostly birds and dragonflies. Charming and spacious, the informality of the site was a refreshing change. Owing to it being quiet, we spent most of our time there in one of the riverside overlooks that provided seating, a table & a grill (as well as being a vantage point for watching nature and launching the kayaks.

    The only slight negative was that it was the only one of 10 we used on this trip that offered full hook-ups but no WiFi (5G service was adequate though). Would also benefit with the addition of more than just the single shower/toilet unit (which contrary to another review was of more than adequate size)

  • D
    Aug. 15, 2020

    KRS RV Resort@Camp James

    Amazing Time

    First time to the Kern River. Loved it. 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. We also fished in the river. Our camp site 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. Lots of kids and dog friendly. The WIFI was good to stream TV and ATT cell service was good too. The sites had power, water and cable TV hook up. There is a dump station in the campground. They clean and rake all camp sites after each use and they enforce the 10:00pm quiet time. It is a short walk/ride to Kern River Brewery. Or it is about a hour drive to Trail of 100 Giants Sequoia Trees. Can’t wait to stay here again.

  • t
    Sep. 11, 2022

    KRS RV Resort@Camp James

    Clean upscale camp

    Camp James is a clean, spacious park. All sites are well kept, with access to clean bathrooms and coin operated showers. Staff is friendly and available when needed. Prices are a tad high but expected with a clean upscale Campground. Didn't expect a 3 night minimum charge the weekend after Labor Day but couldn't find a Campground with availability in a short time so we rolled with the 3 day requirement . A friendly family of bears made their presence at night as the trash cans were ransacked in the morning and my boyfriend came face to face with a skunk while walking our dog at night. Overall it's a beautiful park right on the Kern River and we would stay again if we could get one of the few riverfront spaces.

  • Momma H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2021

    KRS RV Resort@Camp James

    Our favorite campground in California

    Our family has been going to Camp James for over 10 years, and it's easily our favorite campground in California. The campsites are clean, shaded by trees, and it's right on the riverfront. During the high season, it's fun to watch kayakers and whitewater rafters screaming down the rapids. But our favorite time to go is in late July and August, when you can float down the river in an inner tube. There is great trout fishing right off the property, and the bathrooms have always been well kept and clean. I love all the little streams running through the property too, which gives it such a peaceful vibe. They do rent cabins as well. Staff has always been attentive and friendly. There is a small store on the property that sells fishing gear, snacks and other goodies.

    I made a video about the campground here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fz3l6VbZz14


Guide to Inyokern

Cabin accommodations near Inyokern, California range from riverside structures with views of the Kern River to more secluded options in the Kennedy Meadows area. Situated in eastern California near the southern Sierra Nevada mountains, the region features elevations from 2,400 to over 6,000 feet, creating variable temperature conditions that can drop significantly at night even during summer months. Most cabin rentals in this high desert region operate seasonally due to winter snowfall at higher elevations.

What to do

River recreation: Kern River provides natural entertainment for cabin campers at KRS RV Resort@Camp James, where visitors can enjoy multiple water activities. "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. We also fished in the river," reports David H.

Tubing: Creek access offers additional water options beyond the main river. "We had site 80 which is back up right on the small Creek that runs right thru the middle of the grounds. The kids loved tubing down it all day," notes Amber D. This creates two water options for families staying at riverside cabins.

Hiking: PCT trail access makes the Kennedy Meadows area popular with hikers seeking cabin accommodations. "This is a great starting point for many backcountry backpack trips as it is near the PCT. Lots of hiking," explains Christy S., highlighting the trailhead convenience for cabin guests.

What campers like

Community activities: Scheduled events enhance the cabin camping experience at Camp Kernville, which offers organized recreation. "The park is right on the river, clean and in wonderful condition. There is a sandy beach with water access. The park is right near downtown and you can walk to cafe's, bakery, shops and market," writes dale92320.

Town accessibility: Walking distance to amenities creates convenience for cabin campers. "Kernville is right along the Kern River which is absolutely beautiful. There are plenty of breweries in the town, hiking nearby and great food," explains Kelsee V., highlighting the walkable distance to local establishments.

Seasonal fishing: Stocked waters attract anglers to cabin rentals at Kennedy Meadows Campground during warmer months. "Great fishing spot, river is generally stocked with fish on a weekly basis," notes Christy S., providing useful information for fishing enthusiasts considering cabin accommodations.

What you should know

Facility limitations: Bathroom access varies significantly at different cabin locations. At Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground, "there is only one small restroom with one small shower with barely room to change," according to Aaron S., which presents challenges for larger groups.

Seasonal operations: Winter closures affect many cabin rentals in the region. "Went up during the winter and stayed the weekend. The fishing was great. The campground was empty and we were basically alone... But it was cold and our diesel fuel froze overnight," reports Stacie M. about Kennedy Meadows Campground.

Water availability: Supply variations occur at different cabin locations. "There's been no faucet water there in over 5 years. Pack it in pack it out," warns Mike The Bike about Kennedy Meadows, contradicting older information about water access.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Water features at Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA provide entertainment beyond cabins. "They have a wonderful pool and splash pad for the kids. The staff was amazing! They have pizza and a small bar to relax in. They do movie nights and pancakes on certain days," describes Nick B.

Recreation options: Organized activities keep children engaged at some cabin facilities. "This place has everything to make you feel at home. Several large sites for tents or RV's, bathrooms with full showers, a pool, splashpad and water play area. They have these weird Banana bikes which were fun," Andrea R. shares about the KOA.

Age-appropriate water areas: Shallow creeks provide safer options for younger children at some cabin locations. "The creek was great to sit in to escape the heat and float down. Lots of kids and dog friendly," notes David H. about the smaller water feature at Camp James.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: River proximity matters when booking cabin or RV sites at Camp James. "You can get a site right on the river with no sewage hook ups or get all hook ups off the river. You can even rent a cabin. Really close to town. Take a ride down the river in your tube and walk back," advises Johnny P.

Setup layout: Spacing considerations impact privacy between accommodations. "Camp sights are very close to one another not much privacy. The RV sights with full hooks up are further away from the river about 200 yards," notes Jeff G., providing important site selection information.

Supply planning: Limited stores means preparation is necessary. "Kernville is less then a mile away were you can get gas diesel groceries firewood or anything else you might have forgotten," adds Jeff G., highlighting the need to bring essentials but noting resupply options exist nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Inyokern, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Inyokern, CA is KRS RV Resort@Camp James with a 4.4-star rating from 14 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Inyokern, CA?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 cabin camping locations near Inyokern, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.