Dispersed camping sites near Onyx, California range from established campgrounds with amenities to primitive riverside locations. The area sits at approximately 2,800 feet elevation where the Sierra Nevada meets the Mojave Desert, creating a transitional zone with oak woodlands and chaparral. Road conditions to many sites deteriorate significantly after winter storms, with several remote areas requiring high-clearance vehicles from November through March.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Rivernook Campground provides direct river access for anglers. "Great fishing spots all over the campground. And access to floating in your tubes and hanging out at beaches in the campground," notes Stacie G. The campground stretches along the Kern River with multiple entry points.
River floating: Camp James is popular for tubing activities during summer months when water levels moderate. "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," explains David H. Many visitors bring their own tubes or rent them from outfitters in Kernville.
Stargazing: Hanning Flat Dispersed Area offers minimal light pollution for night sky viewing. Jeffrey T. reports, "The night sky has no light pollution, and is beautiful enough to knock you off your feet because of all the stars." The area remains open year-round but becomes muddy and difficult to access after rain.
What campers like
Riverside camping: Campers appreciate direct water access at Chico Flat Dispersed Camping. "There are about 6 spots or so along Kern River but this is a place people like to drop in for tubing. Each site is private-ish and they won't be walking through your site to drop in," explains Jadon K.
Wildlife viewing: Stine Cove Recreation Site provides opportunities to observe local fauna. Amber G. reports you can "Watch eagles prey on ducks, pelicans gather, hear the frogs croak. Gnats get a little crazy before the bats show up." The area remains accessible throughout most of the year.
Solitude and space: Many dispersed campers seek isolation at Keyesville Recreation Area. One visitor noted, "We stayed here two nights and felt so peaceful and out of sight!" The area provides multiple turnouts with established fire rings when permitted, though weekend traffic increases significantly Thursday through Sunday.
What you should know
Campground accessibility: Road conditions vary significantly by season. At Stine Cove Recreation Site, Izzy Y. warns, "Winter winds here almost blew the tent over with my pup and myself inside. Although occasional gusts may seem obvious for location and time of year I would have lost that tent had I not been inside."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically by location and provider. At Chico Flat, one camper reports, "You might get 1 bar for a minute and it's gone the next." T-Mobile coverage is particularly poor throughout the region.
Water level fluctuations: Lake Isabella levels change substantially throughout the year, affecting shoreline camping. "We headed here to both see the area and camp for a few days and to be scouts for a future trip to celebrate a family member's birthday who wanted to do some fishing on his b-day. The first thing we noticed was how low the water level was...bummer!" reports Pinkie K.
Tips for camping with families
Beach play areas: Paradise Cove offers lakeside beach access with gradual water entry. "With the lake right by all the campsites and the mountains and all the stars at night, it's amazing," notes Ariya B. Families with young children should monitor changing lake levels.
Organized activities: Some commercial campgrounds offer scheduled programming. At KRS RV Resort@Camp James, "This campground even offers activities for the whole family, movie night, bingo, even rock painting," according to Amber D.
Creek swimming for kids: Several campgrounds feature smaller water features suitable for children. One family at Rivernook Campground chose "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."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA provides full hookups with amenities. "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!" reports Ricky S.
Site positioning: For Rivernook Campground, Mike N. advises, "The prime reason is they have campsites directly on the Kern River. Also while camping there you will maintain cell reception, there is WiFi, restrooms available 24/7, and FREE hot showers between 7am to 8pm."
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. At Keyesville Recreation Area, visitors should "Access the roads first to avoid deeply rutted or too steep areas for your vehicle." Several reviewers mention challenges with soft sand and steep sections that become impassable after rain.
