Best Dispersed Camping near Kernville, CA

We stopped here after we found that all the sites along the Kern were full. It is just North of Johnsondale and just South of the National Forest. Easy driving access to Trail of a Thousand Giants, Moro Rock, and views of the Needles. 

We camped out under the stars just after sundown and got up right after Sunrise. No one else camp out near our spot. The road is littered with turn offs for easy and free dispersed camping.

Closest bathrooms are either on the Trail of a Hundred Giants (there is a campground there too but it is closed in Winter) or down in Johnsondale.

dispersed camping along keyesville rd. big open areas for group or big rig camping, lots of pullouts with fire rings. vault toilets and dumpsters at staging areas. this recreation area has lots of trash, easily could spend days picking litter. keyesville rd. has plenty of traffic though from 2200hrs til morning is fairly quiet. it’s a rec area, so with that in mind the weekends are getting busy. a lot of motocross, ohv and atv traffic from late thurs to sunday. other than that it is a wonderful free camping.

Hot and dry. Boondocking only. Lots of campsites.

My wife and I love this location and definitely will come back. There was only one other camper and they were 50 yards away. Relaxing creek runs through the campsite, allowing access to a fresh water source. On the other side of the creek there is a gorgeous clearing that opens up to a blue sky with wispy clouds. You will be at 7000ft elevation so dress warm. Only issue we ran into was in order to get to the camp spots you have to squeeze your vehicle through two trees because a large fallen tree has blocked the original entrance path. Hopefully the forestry is able to remove it. No worries tho, my full size truck was able to get through it so you shouldn't have any problems. A wonderful spot for small and large camping groups. Also there is a hot springs store on the way up there. Recommend stopping there for any last minute supplies. They have everything you need for disperse camping.

Directions didn’t lead me to any dispersed camping but I did find just an ok spot along the road. Don’t know if where I camped was allowed but I did anyway

I'm driving a large Nissan can converted into a camper. I made it to where Forest route 26S06 meets black gulch. I might have made it the rest of the way but it was getting dark and scary. A motor home or camper trailer would surely not make it. The whole Keyesville SRMA is open for dispersed camping.

We have always been avid tent campers. Fall of 2019 we decided to purchase a trailer. Don't get me wrong. We love every amenity it brings but we have been missing something. I decided even with this whole Covid 19 pandemic I would take the family on a quick outing. Away from everyone. To unplug. We decided no trailer. Let's go explore. That is what we did. We finally came upon Upper Peppermint Dispersed camping and said this was it. Very spacious campsite next to the stream. Only one family when we arrived Friday mid day. When we left Sunday morning there might have been 2 more sites being used. If you want to go off grid but be close to a few cool spots this is the place. Dome Rock is minutes away. Trail of a hundred Giants is about 30 minutes south. Only reason I put 4 stars is because the fire regulations at these times. Sheriff told us fires aren't really allowed. There were also signs posted. That's what we planned to cook on so we took our chances.

Been here several times to boondock with our SxS. It's good off summer due to heat, plenty places to camp, but absolutely filthy because no one in SoCal knows how to clean up after them selves. Trash, ammo, and broken glass absolutely everywhere.

Nice quiet boondocking area downhill off the road. It’s all dust roads so AWD would be best, but we did make it in our van. Slid backwards down the hill kicking up dust a couple of times trying to get out the next day, but we made it! Would have been another story if it had rained. Regardless they were gorgeous tucked in spots among the trees. Woke up to cattle walking through the meadow we parked next to. About a mile or two from the Trail of 100 Giants Sequoia trailhead so that was really nice beating the crowds there in the AM. Brisk at night even in the summer.

We stopped here on our way through Sequoia Nat’l Forest and loved it. The water is super clear and nice! We were the only ones staying here, so it was very quiet and calming. A handful of camping spots around this area, well worth the stay!

Not for big rigs! A very primitive but beautiful area. Tons of winding roads with lots of S curves Leading up to 9000 feet. Many great camping spots including close to Peppermint Creek. Completely dry area so no campfires until November. No services and no reception so pack it in and pack it out!

This camping site is a nice free area super close to the Giants Trail entrance (5 minute drive). As you head in you go thru a little dirt road and at the end you see an opening for this site. There is one site located right at the start of the access road but with no views. The main area is cleared to pitch your camping tent. There are no trash cans around or toilets (closest is entrance of Giants trail) but trash may be near at the other camp sites. I did have to put my trash in the tree with a rope about 20-50ft away just for safety. Make sure you don’t keep anything smelly in your tent or around your truck because there is a local bear that comes by in the middle of the night when everyone’s sleeping. The Bear didn’t tamper with my ground tent but I ended up sleeping in my camper due to it being too cold. Although, I did hear the next campers yell out bear for safety. But nothing to worry about if you pack in and pack out and are respectful. The stream and meadow is beautiful. I would recommend this to anyone looking to have a secluded quite area that some ppl may not come to due to the friendly bear wink.

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. My Class C was able to make it through a few of the dirt roads no problem. Best part is the nature, trails, river, fire rings almost everywhere you need, dumpster and vault toilet near the main road. Worst part was the dirt bikes passing by my campsite on the weekends but it wasn’t loud honestly. The busiest spot is the one down next to the river , easily 20+ vehicles on an April weekend.

Chico Flat Dispersed Campsite offers many areas with flat ground to tent upon, as well as a large parking lot to car camp if that’s your thing. However there aren’t loads of trees to hammock camp on. You cannot build a campfire here. There is a pit toilet. There is river access right next to the campsite. There is also spotty cell reception if you want that.

Let it be known, this campsite is not clean. The previous campers that came long before me left two things: trash, and a message. There was a menagerie of bottle caps and broken glass strewn practically everywhere for me to pick up. This can be said for dare I say everywhere in this whole campsite. Additionally, this trash acted as a proverbial “go ahead” for other people to litter and make the litter situation worse; not cool.

If you want to really get away from people, don’t come here. When I went people brought the whole kit-and-kaboodle: a suburb of tents, gas generators, bright lights, loud music, etcetera.

Perhaps this isn’t how this site always is, but man it got crowded, noisy, and annoying. I’ll spare you from the whole story.

If you’re looking for a quick spot to crash, look no further. If you’re intent on bringing generators, lights, dogs and speakers, this is unfortunately for you. If you’re looking to get away and spend time in nature like myself, this isn’t for you.

This was a great place to crash for the night. We got in when it was getting dark but were able to easily find a spot to park our campervan. Beautiful sunrise view and close to Kernville to get breakfast and coffee if you want to.

First off this place is a bit hard to find, but there is a sign on the right and if you miss that sign then you probably won’t find this spot. Overall I recommend going super early because there is always neighbors around and the best spot is next to the big rocks which is a bit secluded from the other campgrounds. There is plenty of shade there unlike the other spots. I like camping here because you can just walk down to the river which is always enjoyable. We always catch great fish here trout, catfish, bass.

-Open year round.

-Reservations: First come first served. Free of charge.

-Permit Info: Campfire Permits required for campfires, barbeques, and camp stoves.

Best Season: Summer Busiest Season: Summer

Restrictions: Camping is permitted 25 feet away from waters edge.

Water: No Restroom: Portable Toilets

No garbage service so pack all your trash out.

I provided a photo of a camper who left all there trash there. If you see that make sure to take pics of their license plates.

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! Some of the sites are a little rough for trailer access.