Best Campgrounds near Kernville, CA

Kernville, CA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Kernville is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Kernville, CA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Kernville, California (163)

    1. Rivernook Campground

    27 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-2705

    $45 - $75 / night

    "Stayed off the river but access to it is simple and quick from anywhere on the grounds. Fire wood delivery makes things easy as does ability to launch or take out boats from the whitewater."

    "We called ahead and got walk-in the day of. Very nice spot. If not for Covid we would have loved to explore the town of Kernville. It looks super fun, reminded us of Truckee."

    2. KRS RV Resort@Camp James

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

    $39 - $340 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Stine Cove Recreation Site

    14 Reviews
    Weldon, CA
    7 miles
    Website

    "I appreciated the rough feel of the lake and how close the road was. There is a restroom and a dump bin at the entrance which locked this spot in for convenience."

    "Toilets and trash at entrance. The dam is being rebuilt so the water is real low. Easy to drive along the beach until nobody else is around."

    4. Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    Lake Isabella, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000

    "You can park RVs right next to the water but it gets very busy, there are more secluded spots accessible to even Class A rigs further down."

    "Access to the river is closed as of 26 January, still plenty of dispersed places down the road to camp. Bathrooms and trash dump and lots of trails to ride bikes!"

    5. Chico Flat Dispersed Camping - Partially Closed, See Description

    10 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    6 miles
    Website

    "There's great access to the national forest and the little town of Kernville is so cute and friendly."

    "Beautiful sunrise view and close to Kernville to get breakfast and coffee if you want to."

    6. Frandy Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-6483

    $50 - $125 / night

    "Has showers and is walking distance to Kernville park and town stores and restaurants.  

    This campground is known for the epic live music weekend parties and events!  "

    "I always camp near the river, there are plenty of walk ways to get down there to relax."

    7. Hanning Flat Dispersed Area

    7 Reviews
    Weldon, CA
    5 miles
    Website

    "I spent two days here and only seen a handful of vehicles drive through, mostly US Forest Service trucks. Pack in, pack out."

    "To swim in the lake this area connects to Stine Cove campground - via a very soft sandy road - which is also free, has a vault toilet, but is shaded by mountains and less private."

    8. Camp Three Campground

    6 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-1815

    $34 - $147 / night

    "Camp 3 is a good location if you can book it quickly outside of the Summer months."

    "desired (lots of trash, half the sites are extremely rocky / sandy with little shade, some sites have rotting or broken picnic benches and very little privacy, and there is only one place for trash upon exit"

    9. Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA

    7 Reviews
    Weldon, CA
    7 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."

    "Close to lake Isabella and all of the Kern. Great for last minute reservations too, online booking works"

    10. Sandy Flat

    10 Reviews
    Bodfish, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-1815

    $34 - $136 / night

    "Again the campground was great and we were pretty close to the river which was awesome. But stay away from site 9. We’ll definitely be back but will be at one of the others."

    "We appreciated the proximity to the hot springs.

    Our site was pretty big, but that was not the case for some of the other sites which looked small or close to other sites. "

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Showing results 1-10 of 163 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Kernville, CA

608 Reviews of 163 Kernville Campgrounds



Guide to Kernville

Camping near Kernville, California, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're into hiking, fishing, or just soaking up the beauty of nature, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are great trails nearby, especially around Whitney Portal. One camper mentioned, "Nice hiking trails accessible from the campground," making it a perfect spot for those who love to explore.
  • 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."
  • Stargazing: The clear skies in the area make for excellent stargazing. A camper at Tuttle Creek Campground noted, "Great dark skies for stargazing and photography."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One review for Ricardo Campground said, "Beautiful area with nice shady rock overhangs to stay cool during the day."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds, like Rivernook Campground, are praised for their cleanliness. A visitor mentioned, "Restrooms and showers were very well kept."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers appreciate helpful staff. At Camp James, one reviewer said, "Helpful friendly staff, super clean, and amazing camp sites!"

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Tuttle Creek Campground, lack certain amenities. A camper pointed out, "No showers or drinking water," so be prepared.
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Popular spots can get busy. A visitor at Potwisha Campground noted, "This campsite is really crowded," especially in summer.
  • Wildlife Encounters: Bears and other wildlife are common. One camper at Camp James shared, "A friendly family of bears made their presence at night."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Rivernook Campground, which has good facilities. A family shared, "The best FIRST TIME CAMPING experience, I could have asked for."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A camper at Kern River Campground said, "We had a blast here," highlighting the fun they had tubing and fishing.
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on kids, especially near water. One reviewer at Whitney Portal mentioned, "Saw fresh bear scat near our site, but never saw any bears," reminding everyone to stay alert.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Orange Grove RV Park noted, "The spaces are a little tight but ok."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Bakersfield River Run RV Park mentioned, "The freeway noise was pretty constant."
  • Use Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. One reviewer at Rivernook Campground appreciated the "full hookups worked fine."

Camping near Kernville, California, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With its beautiful scenery and variety of activities, it’s a great spot for families, RVers, and anyone looking to escape into nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Kernville, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Kernville, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 163 campgrounds and RV parks near Kernville, CA and 35 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Kernville, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Kernville, CA is Rivernook Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 27 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Kernville, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 35 free dispersed camping spots near Kernville, CA.

What parks are near Kernville, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 parks near Kernville, CA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.