Kernville RV campgrounds rest along the banks of the Kern River at elevations between 2,600-2,700 feet, offering camping options in a transition zone between the Sierra Nevada mountains and Mojave Desert. Water levels in the Kern River fluctuate seasonally, creating different camping experiences depending on when you visit. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with minimal rainfall.
What to do
Tubing and floating down the river: At Rivernook Campground, guests can set up riverside sites and enjoy water activities directly from their campsites. A visitor noted, "We stayed on the southern end of the campground site #102 and we walked to the northern end and floated down the river back to our site with a nice cold beer in hand."
Fishing for trout: Several Kernville campgrounds offer direct fishing access without needing to travel elsewhere. "Great place for RVs and tents. Great fishing spots all over the campground. And access to floating in your tubes and hanging out at beaches in the campground," reports one Rivernook camper.
Visit Trail of 100 Giants: About an hour's drive from KRS RV Resort@Camp James, this sequoia grove offers an accessible boardwalk trail. "It is about a hour drive to Trail of 100 Giants Sequoia Trees," mentions a visitor who used the campground as a base for exploring.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campers report regular wildlife sightings from their sites. At Nelson Falls RV Park, a visitor observed, "Saw deer in and around the campground almost daily," making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness stands out in reviews across multiple campgrounds. One camper at Nelson Falls noted, "The bathrooms had flush toilets and hot showers that were very CLEAN. That is usually very hard to find when you are camping!"
Proximity to town: Several campgrounds offer both nature immersion and convenient access to amenities. A camper at Lake Isabella RV Resort appreciated being "Right across the street from the lake. Clean bathrooms and laundry room."
What you should know
Campsite reservations: During peak summer months, riverside sites book months in advance. "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," advises a KRS Resort visitor.
Seasonal crowd differences: Summer brings higher visitor numbers while shoulder seasons offer more solitude. A January visitor to Rivernook noted, "Visited in January so it was pretty empty which made for a quiet and spacious experience."
Elevation and temperature considerations: Mountain valley campgrounds experience significant day-to-night temperature swings. At Mountain Valley RV Park, campers enjoyed "views of the surrounding hills, minimal road noise, mature trees, space between sites and lovely song birds the 3rd week of April."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water activities: Choose campgrounds with gentle water access for younger children. A camper noted, "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."
Look for playgrounds and recreation: Some RV parks feature additional amenities for children. At Orange Grove RV Park, a visitor mentioned it "could absolutely use a playground for kids to play on, but other than that it is a nice, simple park."
Try family activity programming: Several campgrounds offer organized activities for children. At KRS RV Resort@Camp James, a reviewer appreciated that "This campground even offers activities for the whole family, movie night, bingo, even rock painting."
Tips from RVers
Road challenges: Many campgrounds require navigating mountain 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," reports one camper about mountain access.
Site selection for larger rigs: Some campgrounds offer better accommodation for big rigs than others. At Haven RV Park, one camper noted the "spots are wide and long enough for our 42' 5th wheel."
Check bathroom access hours: Some facilities have limited overnight availability. A visitor to Bakersfield River Run RV Park warned: "Pretty ridiculous that all the toilets and showers in the RV park are locked from 10pm-7:30am. When you're paying a minimum of $59 a night I'd expect I would at least be able to use the restroom in the middle of the night."
