169 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Tehachapi, California ranges from developed campgrounds with shaded family sites to primitive tent camping across mountain and desert terrain. Reyes Creek Campground works well for families with kids since it has both activities and campsites with good shade and space between them. If you head to Wheeler Gorge Campground, you'll get nice views and can easily reach hiking trails, but you need to bring your own water since there aren't any hookups or drinking water available. The nearby Tehachapi Mountain Park has a trail that goes all the way to the highest point around, and you can rent cabins there if you don't want to sleep in a tent. Fishing is good along the Kern River, though you should know bears live in the area, so keep your food sealed up properly. During busy times like summer weekends and holidays, you'll probably need reservations to get a spot. Always check if there are fire bans before you go since they're common in this part of California. Spring and fall camping tends to be best in Tehachapi - summers can get pretty hot during the day, and winter nights drop below freezing. The Tehachapi area campgrounds offer diverse terrain from mountain forests to desert landscapes, making it an excellent destination for camping in Southern California.
"Nice little park in the hills behind Tehachapi. Pine forest, hills. Dry Camp. Pit toilets."
"The camping stop is best known for its hiking g trail to the top of Tehachapi's highest peak. But also has cabins available for rent."
"Very beautiful location overlooking a lake. Far from the highway so no traffic noise that I’ve noticed."
"The lake isn't that great. But they are improving their facility. Running water and restrooms are available. Spots available near the water"
"Mountain Valley RV park in Tehachapi, Ca is a nice mid-way stop between Las Vegas and the Bay area."
"I will say there isn’t much to do or see within walking distance, but the town in just a few miles away."
from $43 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $48 / night
Check Availability"My wife and I were driving back from Utah and decided to drive as far back home as we could and didn't have anything booked for our return trip."
"Bathrooms, showers, laundry and numerous dog walks. A large "clubhouse" sporting a pooltable. Easy trailheads in town shown on All Trails app."
from $43 - $54 / night
Check Availability"The red rock canyons surrounding the campground are reminiscent of Arizona or Utah desert. Great for hiking, photography, star gazing, climbing and off roading. Dog friendly."
"We luckily got a site away from the road, so less blowing sand from people driving by. We were right next to the nature trail, which was great to have to get some exercise and nice views. "
"When we pulled up the dirt road into the site and all around the site was lit up with cute garden lights on the perimeter. Some of the trees also were lit up with colour changing solar lights."
"It was dark out but the whole site and drive into it was lit by solar garden lights. It was really cool to stay in the wind farm it had a really soothing and interesting noise at night."
from $25 - $30 / night
from $40 / night
Check Availability"This campground was clean, well maintained, and convenient location if you want to explore the Kern River up into the mountains."
"You can hear jet boat noise from the adjacent lake from time to time. No WiFi but good Verizon LTE (25-30 Mbps) and decent AT&T 4G (10-15Mbps)."
from $20 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $19 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe were tent camping on a touring Harley. It’s easy to get to though the roads in the area are gravel but that’s literally when you turn into the camping area. It was windy and there were bugs but they didn’t bite so I’m cool. It was gonna rain so we left the rain cover off. It was in the high 80s at day and mid 50s at night in early July. Slept great but if you’re on a Harley leave early. So you get the road to yourself!!
Scoutproperty is gorgeous, owner was very nice. hot running showers + fire pits (extra fee). all campsites looked well maintained, all included picnic table. very quiet, would rent again
GuideSuper windy but warm this time if the year! Got a spot all to ourselves for a night before another couple came
RangerReally good spot but very windy. I stopped here for a few to dry my RTT out from this morning in N. California from the rain.
GuideStopped here overnight from San Diego traveling up to Northern California. Nice little spot past the craziness of LA.
It’s just off the highway which makes it an easy stop. I was one of four people there
TravelerBeautiful lake nice rv spots hot shower. That's the good. The bad is overflowing trash, trash everywhere old unkempt showers fish station not clean. Verizon 3bars.
ScoutLet me start by saying that up until this year, I have never had a problem with the camp hosts. But the lovely couple that used to run the campground aren't there any longer and instead, there is a very rude and hostile man serving as camp host. We got to our campsite on a Monday and he wasn't at his site. There was a sign saying that he was visiting another campground. As we have done in the past, we put our money into the envelope to give to him when he returned. He did not return for 2 1/2 days! And when he did, he was aggressive and threatening to us. Now mind you we are two elderly ladies in our 60s. We told him that we were just waiting to give him our money and he told me that we were lying about giving our fee to the camp hosts in the past. If the sign had said that he was off duty, we would've just put the fee in the box. Instead he told us that we had 5 minutes to pack up or he'd call the sheriff. We did pack up, but we did pay him what was owed. For all I know he took the money for himself. For the 2/12 days he WASN'T there, the bathrooms weren't cleaned, toilet paper was running low and he wasn't around to sell firewood. Whoever hired him made a bad choice. He is scaring people away and as a woman camping alone, I do not feel safe with him around. I have camped at McGill MANY times to get out of the heat, but won't again this season. Also, although I did not see him drinking, he did spend an unusual time in his car before he came to harrass us.
GuideA bathroom would've given this spot at 5! I had to position my car to block the wind and the bugs are here (hello, summer) but it was peaceful and perfect for the night. Go slow on the dirt road as the divots are deceiving. Please pack out whatever you bring in!
TravelerCame in late so toad was hard to see. But was open only people here had great view n it’s free!!
Dispersed camping opportunities near Tehachapi, California include several options at different elevations ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 feet. The mountain terrain creates distinct microclimates, with campgrounds on the eastern side typically drier and warmer than those on the western slopes. Wind conditions can change rapidly, especially near the wind farms where gusts often intensify during late afternoon.
Hiking nearby mountains: Tehachapi Mountain Park offers trails leading to panoramic views. According to Erin M., "Beautiful hikes with tons of scenic outlooks. Kid and pet friendly, never crowded it seems so you can also have some privacy."
Orange picking: At Orange Grove RV Park, visitors can harvest fresh fruit right from the campground. As Justin C. notes, "My son and I enjoyed free orange picking though!" This activity makes for a unique camping experience not found at most campgrounds.
Watching gliders: The Mountain Valley RV Park sits adjacent to a glider airport. One camper shared, "We ended up extending stay from one night to four to watch air force cadet competition. Plan to return in the future and listen to the coyotes at night again."
Privacy between sites: Some campers appreciate the spacing at certain campgrounds. Leo L. says about Tehachapi Mountain Park, "I normally don't like campgrounds because of the way they are set up with neighbors to each side. But this place is incredible, with plenty of private spots due to the whole place being on the side of a mountain."
High-altitude escape: Shannon O. notes, "Beautiful spot. Old school mountainside camping in the tall trees. Campsites are around 6,000', pit toilets, grills, steel fire pits, picnic tables and potable water taps... It was 100 in Mojave and 70 in the TMP."
Rock formations: Ricardo Campground offers striking geological features. Matthew D. describes it as having "Stunning sites in pocket canyon with soaring rock formations abutting camping area."
Limited RV access: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. Shannon warns, "This is not a place for large RVs or trailers. The road in is tight and twisty with no shoulders and some trees and rock faces snug up against it."
Seasonal water restrictions: Some campgrounds have limited water availability. Michell C. notes at Ricardo Campground, "The sites and pit toilets are clean and plenty of spaces were available. It was all first come, first served and self-pay when we arrived."
Wind conditions: Wind Walker Ranch sites experience regular wind patterns. Brent K. observes, "It was really cool to stay in the wind farm it had a really soothing and interesting noise at night."
Child-friendly spaces: Some sites work better for families than others. Erin M. recommends Tehachapi Mountain Park: "This is our go to spot just to get out and camp for a night without going far! Beautiful hikes with tons of scenic outlooks. Kid and pet friendly."
Lake access limitations: Charlotte R. cautions about Brite Lake: "Our family stayed here for 2 nights. We enjoyed our time but the kids were disappointed they couldn't touch the water at the lake. I brought a small plastic pool for them to get wet in at our site because it was hot."
Bathroom facilities: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. Gina H. mentions about Kern River Campground: "We stayed at sites 21&23, river front so that made it fantastic... The bathrooms are terrible though."
Level sites needed: Many Tehachapi area campgrounds require leveling equipment. Leonard H. advises at Ricardo Campground: "Most sights have a little slope... used a few leveling blocks."
Camp host assistance: RVers note helpful staff at several locations. Ricki reports, "Owners are very pleasant and helpful. Plan to return in the future and listen to the coyotes at night again. All sights are pull thru, bathroom and laundry well maintained."
Hookup availability: Bill N. explains at Brite Lake, "Only 6 full hook ups with only 30 amp, not 50. Other spots have electricity and water only. Our spot has lots of ants. People I've dealt with here are very nice. Very beautiful location overlooking a lake."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds in Tehachapi, California?
Tehachapi offers several camping options in the surrounding area. Tehachapi Mountain Park is nestled in the hills behind the town, featuring pine forests and beautiful mountain scenery. Brite Lake Aquatic Recreation Area provides lakeside camping, though be prepared for wind and dirt roads. For RV travelers, Mountain Valley RV Park serves as a convenient mid-way stop between Las Vegas and the Bay area. There's also Spaceport RV Park near Mojave for RV campers looking for facilities in the area.
What camping options are available in Tehachapi Mountain Park?
Tehachapi Mountain Park offers several camping options in a pine forest setting. The park features dry camping sites (no hookups) with pit toilets available. There's one group site for larger parties, and cabins are available for rent if you prefer not to pitch a tent. The campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended, especially during peak seasons. The park has some size limitations for larger RVs and trailers, so be sure to check if your rig will fit before making the trip.
What hiking trails are accessible near Tehachapi camping areas?
The Tehachapi area offers several hiking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Tehachapi Mountain Park features a popular hiking trail that leads to Tehachapi's highest peak, providing stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. For those seeking desert scenery, Joshua Tree Ranch Los Angeles offers hiking among Joshua trees with spectacular sunset views. Nearby Red Rock Canyon State Park has trails through dramatic red rock formations reminiscent of Arizona and Utah deserts, perfect for hiking and photography enthusiasts.
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