Best Tent Camping near Kernville, CA

Beautiful well kept campground. We tent camped and our site was close to the rv hook up sites. The rv sites have two different sizes and hookups. Tent sites had access to running water. We were located close to the creek and the bathrooms with showers. The walk to the water was a bit far but fun once you’re out there. The current wasn’t too strong so the kids were able to enjoy themselves in the water. Overall we had a blast.

Remote. Saw 3 rattlesnakes. Bring plenty of water. Tent camping only. Very limited space.

We went tent camping and the spots were huge and close to the river which made for beautiful peaceful mornings.

Very convenient and super clean. The lady who answers the phone is super friendly and helpful. I think it's better for RVs and don't think there are any tent sites.

I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, not much has changed except the water level.. and nicer restrooms!

we tent camped by the river ( other options include by a brook ) and had plenty of space and trees. Full rv hookups and rv camping available on the top tier of the campground. Be careful of thievin raccoons!

Close to Riverkern , cell service and supplies

rv camped. but could’ve tent camped in our spot, closer to the water. sites are HUGE! rv hookups lots of trees. water has enough pools to chill in. short walk upstream, gives you option for rafting back down to your camp. very enjoyable couple of days. oh! and super close , for a run into Sequoia for the day ( we did that!) we also reserved our spots, so our whole caravan of rvs would be together!

Excellent family spot. Beautiful well kept grounds. Clean showers and bathrooms. Polite guests. Respectable to after hour policies. Ground keepers make sure everyone is happy. Full hook up sites make it easy. Shaded tent sites make it comfortable. Camp store make it convenient. Walking distance to town and store. Kern river Brewing company is the family favorite. Pizza Barn delivers to you while riverside.

This is a nice clean campground right on the Kern River. However, the website says several spots are good for a 30-foot RV. I do not recommend anything bigger than 24 feet or so. The road through the campground is very narrow, and lined with large boulders. Some of the turns are very tight. For tent camping, though? Great spot. And the river front spots are nice. Just expect that others will want to get to the river and will be walking in or near your campsite.

Late review but we enjoyed this campground on our family road trip in Summer of 2019. Spacious tent sites. We had a nice area where the kids could explore the rocks. I was terrified of bears but we saw none. Woke up to a field of prairie dogs near our spot. They had self service pay station, easily accessible restroom / outhouse, wood sold on site, concrete tables, fire rings, & gorgeous views. It was a great spot. Would love to return one day.

I go camp at Frandy campgrounds once a year in October. It’s a wonderful camp ground, very large and well maintained. Some sites are appropriate for RV with electrical hook ups. I always camp near the river, there are plenty of walk ways to get down there to relax. It’s enjoyable to be able to walk into town to have a drink or enjoy a bite to eat if you don’t want to cook at your campsite. I love this camp ground, it’s a great spot for the family. You can even rent a covered wagon to stay the night if you don’t want to tent camp.

This was a pretty nice campground. We were at group site 3, it has a covered picnic area and flat area for tents closer to the river bank.

We called park services to make sure our camper was allowed (Twice) and it indeed it was. However when using a pop up you are essentially camping in the parking lot. It didn’t end up being a bad spot but I would definitely say this site is more appropriate for tent camping.

Porta-potties were kept clean and trash was emptied from large trash containers regularly.

Bears are common in the area and there are no bear lockers for food. So keep this in mind.

Overall it’s a wonderful area to camp and play in the river.

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.

We arrived very late at night so no one was working but was able to grab a spot by booking at the front drop off pillar - u just fill out the paperwork and add cash in it and drop it in the pillar.

Sadly there werent any only tent sites left so we just took a site with a yurt but only used the tent we had. The host was okay with it the next morning and was very kind explaining and giving us some info on the area.

They had a little gift shop which had medicine which was a life saver. I was coming up with something the day after arrival but the med from gift shop cleared it up in a few hrs. Definitely made the rest of the stay much more enjoyable.

When we were about to leave we found out our car died from using the portable alternator but host was kind enough to help out with a jumpstart and even helped cleaned the battery leak with a bottle of coke he took from the gift shop. He cleans the sites in the morning and does what he can with the restrooms.

Definitely recommend.

Mountain Valley RV park in Tehachapi, Ca is a nice mid-way stop between Las Vegas and the Bay area. We stayed here when we discovered our trailer was a bit too large to get into Tehachapi Mt State Park Campground. (Although this RV park isn’t that far from the state park where you could drive and do some day hikes.) Although Mt Valley RV Park is probably on few peoples list as a destination spot, my husband and I would consider coming back for the sheer peacefulness of the place. There is something embracing about the valley location at about 4000 ft elevation- with views of the surrounding hills, minimal road noise, mature trees, space between sites and lovely song birds the 3rd week of April when we were there. Not to mention, the gliders in the sky will mesmerize you since it’s located adjacent to a glider strip. Due to Covid the laundry and external restrooms were closed, and tent camping, which is normally accepted, was canceled for the time being. It’s definitely a place to consider if you’re passing through or plan to stay in Tehachapi ,CA.

I love pitching a tent and waking up to a beautiful lake especially when your right on the water! First come first serve and Launching access anywhere pretty much! Kernville lake Isabella is the place!

Nice place downtown Kernville. Looks like summer is all about rafting. Spent one night on way back from Death Valley. Will be back. Didn’t use bathrooms.

Located in Kernville - has a small store, showers, dispersed chemical toilets. Premium sites by the River are nice with plenty of shade from cottonwood trees. Commercial campground conveniently affiliated with rafting company on site. Friendly staff. Close to brewery, gas station, groceries in town. Good place for first timers to get to know the area.

Dry camping on the Kern River!  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!  

It can get very packed and some spaces are way to close together.  If you can snag a river front spot, it’s great!

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. The campground is very clean and well maintained. Kernville is less then a mile away were you can get gas diesel groceries firewood or anything else you might have forgotten.