1 campground with availability this weekend
Kennedy Meadows Campground and Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground offer cabin accommodations near Trona, California. Kennedy Meadows provides rustic cabins with basic amenities situated along the Kern River, ideal for visitors seeking a wilderness experience. The cabins lack modern conveniences like running water, with recent reviews noting "Campground has been abandoned for years so: no fees, busted up roads, no water, no trash, no bathrooms, no cell/wifi." Lake Olancha offers more developed cabin options with full hookup capability, though limited bathroom facilities.
Rustic cabins at Kennedy Meadows operate seasonally from June to November, while Lake Olancha maintains year-round availability. Both locations accept pets in their cabin accommodations, making them suitable for travelers with animals. Reservations are handled differently at each location - Kennedy Meadows reservations are currently managed through the General Store at $10 per night according to visitor reports. According to one visitor, "Cabins are rustic but have everything you need," making them appropriate for those seeking a simple mountain retreat.
Most cabins require guests to bring their own bedding, towels, and cooking supplies. Kennedy Meadows cabins lack potable water, with multiple reviews confirming visitors must "bring your own" water supplies. The nearby General Store provides limited provisions and occasional community meals, with one camper noting they "Found a general store down the hill and had a community pot luck for 5 bucks." Lake Olancha cabins offer more amenities but limited shared facilities, with only "one small restroom with one small shower with barely room to change" according to recent feedback.
"There was a water spigot in between our site and the one next to us. There is a gas station across the road from the campground."
"We stayed one night in Cabin #17. Because we visited off-season, we were one of only three cars parked in the cabin/camping area."
from $15 - $75 / night
"Great family vacation to get away from everything. Cabins are rustic but have everything you need. Plenty of tent camping in the campgrounds before the lodge."
"The General store is currently handling site reservations at 10.00$ a night. The fishing was awful, I'm sure the area is incredibly over-fished due to popularity."
"The small lake was ideal for a bit of casual kayaking and nature watching - mostly birds and dragonflies. Charming and spacious, the informality of the site was a refreshing change."
"Nice RV spot on the way to LA with a fire pit and all the hookups."
from $49 - $69 / night
TravelerStaying for 2 nights at the end of August. Its hot but the lake and amenities offered make you totally forget the temperature! Kids had a blast with the peddleboat, peddle boards and kayaks. The docks are a fun spot to hang out and have dinner. Amazing views!!!
GuideHad a nice site under a tree that was dripping sap everywhere! We could only use one end of the site table & things were still sticky! Enjoyed walking about the area and could see the nice stream below. There were so many 🦟 & biting flys that our one dog didn’t want to come out of our van, he also had sap on the bottom of his paws. This area is free, but there is a volunteer camp host that occasionally comes around to check you are not parked on the dirt areas. It is beautiful country and there is a very narrow road pass going towards Troy Meadows/Bakersfield/Lake Isabella that we enjoyed. Need to stop in at General Store for a beer!
GuideCame from Mono Lake. The road was very curvy lots of ups and downs and lots and lots of wind. It was so windy. I lost the awning from the side of my RV. Panamint Springs is a nice oasis. There is a gas station a nice restaurant with good food and there looks like they’re plenty of places to camp. At this time of year with the weather so hot we chose to get electrical hook up. We ran the air conditioner all night. Dry camping was free electrical hookups water and sewer were 60 per night. We enjoy enjoyed our short day.
LegendGotta hit late fall early winter or early spring or else its elbows and Asholes, but there plenty of dispersed camping all around there, but a majo hang out for PCTers to catch a rest so it does get wild and crazy.... but not in the other dates I mentioned Fish in the creek and Major hiking all around... and its free, bathroom are just pit potties, and MOST sites are for tents and not level but ther are enough level ones....I love this place..... when there are no people here!
ScoutNice RV spot on the way to LA with a fire pit and all the hookups.
GuideStayed three nights and really enjoyed the peaceful setting and open desert views. The sites are level, spacious, and have full hookups. Starlink and AT&T both worked flawlessly for work and streaming. The owners were friendly and checked in to make sure everything was good.
No laundry or café on-site, but the restrooms were clean and the location felt safe. The wind can pick up in the evenings, so secure your awning. It’s a great stop for a few relaxing days or an overnight on the way through.
ScoutAwesome place, can’t beat the zip line. Gonna be coming back for sure
GuideVery well developed campground privately owned by super cool people. We stayed in a glamping tent with two twin beds and a locking chest. Very reasonable price. Bathrooms and rustic showers. Potable water. Regular tent sites, flaming tent sites and RV spaces. Across the street was a gas station and mini mart and a restaurant/bar and cabins. Food and drinks was good but pricey. Gas was reasonable. If I were to return to Death Valley I would stay there again.
LegendWe stayed one night in Cabin #17. Because we visited off-season, we were one of only three cars parked in the cabin/camping area. The beds were comfortable and the air-conditioner kept the cabin cool while we slept. There were a LOT of bugs that got inside the cabin, which was somewhat unavoidable every time we openned the door.
The night we stayed was a new moon, so the dark sky views were INCREDIBLE. We saw the milky way with our bare eyes sitting on the porch of our cabin.
We arrived around 10pm at night, so the check-in desk was already closed. Fortunately, I had received the email with the late check-in instructions, and finding our cabin assignment was easy. I do wish getting some information in advance had been easier. I tried to call the front desk on our drive to the park, but no one answered. It wasn't entirely clear what amenities/facilties were open. For example, the website said breakfast available in one place, but in another place it said the only open was getting a breakfast burritio in their gas station. So we didn't know if we should pack extra food.
It did turn out that the restaraunt was still open, despite being off-season. It was pricey (totally fair, you're in the middle of a desert) but delicious, and friendly service. The staffer in the general store/gas station was also really friendly and gave great advice for which parts of the park to visit, and how to drive responsibily in the summer heat.
Finally, I think it goes without saying, but coming in July will be HOT. Plan to do activities like hiking early in the morning, and find some place by noon to stay in the air conditioning until evening.
Cabin camping near Trona, California provides access to the Sierra Nevada mountain range with elevations ranging from 4,500 to 6,000 feet in the surrounding camping areas. The region experiences extreme seasonal temperature variations, with summer highs reaching 100°F while winter temperatures can drop below freezing, particularly at Kennedy Meadows where diesel fuel has been known to freeze overnight during winter camping excursions.
Fishing opportunities: The Kern River offers productive fishing spots for campers staying at Kennedy Meadows Campground. One visitor noted, "The fishing was great. The campground was empty and we were basically alone," highlighting the solitude available during off-season visits.
Horseback riding: Trail rides are available near Kennedy Meadows, providing an authentic mountain experience. A camper shared, "Horseback riding for 30$ an hr! Trail head to the PCT," making this an accessible activity for visitors without their own horses.
Kayaking: The small lake at Lake Olancha RV Park & Campground provides calm waters for paddling. A visitor described it as "ideal for a bit of casual kayaking and nature watching - mostly birds and dragonflies," perfect for those seeking a peaceful water activity.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting offers opportunities to observe local fauna. According to one Kennedy Meadows visitor, "Sharon Lake. Very isolated lake with lots of trout - they were jumping out of the water," providing a memorable nature experience beyond the campground itself.
Community gatherings: Some locations host community meals that welcome travelers. A Kennedy Meadows camper shared this experience: "It was cold and our diesel fuel froze overnight. Found a general store down the hill and had a community pot luck for 5 bucks. It was some of the best family fun."
Peaceful atmosphere: The relative isolation creates a quiet environment at Lake Olancha, described by one camper as "both scenic and peaceful. Was very quiet when we stayed... Charming and spacious, the informality of the site was a refreshing change."
Limited facilities: Many campgrounds in this region operate with minimal amenities. A recent Kennedy Meadows visitor reported, "Basically dispersed camping in an awesome location on concrete spurs/pads. Each site still had picnic table and fire pit. The mosquitos here are biblical at night so bring your nets and deet."
Water availability: Potable water is scarce at most cabins and campgrounds. According to a Kennedy Meadows visitor, "It does sit beside the lower fork of the Kern River. The forest service hasn't managed it in years the guy who owns the Kennedy Meadows store is in charge. There's been no faucet water there in over 5 years. Pack it in pack it out."
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. One visitor noted about Kennedy Meadows, "The outhouses are filthy no toilet paper the flys own them. It is a beautiful spot but is dispersed camping with a fee."
Wildlife awareness: Families should be prepared for potential wildlife encounters. A Kennedy Meadows camper cautioned, "It is in the lower elevations and the rattle snakes are out in full force this year so CAUTION!"
Recreation options: Consider cabins near water features for added entertainment. One visitor to Lake Olancha mentioned, "Awesome place, can't beat the zip line. Gonna be coming back for sure," identifying an activity that appeals to families with children.
Pack accordingly: Mountain temperatures fluctuate significantly. A Kennedy Meadows camper advised, "It was chilly at night, hot during the day. The river was refreshing," suggesting families pack clothing layers for comfort throughout the day.
Site layout challenges: RV campers should research site configurations before arrival. One Lake Olancha visitor warned, "It's confusing to find the campsite. No signs directing you where to go. You have to drive behind the sites and pull through. Sites are small and you're basically packed together. Power and water are on the right instead of left."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the area. A Lake Olancha RV Park guest observed, "This resort is really just a place to park with hookups. The lake is a large pond and it's beautiful but there is only one small restroom with one small shower with barely room to change. There are no other services like laundry, clubhouse, pool, gym."
Connectivity considerations: Internet access varies by location. A Lake Olancha visitor noted, "It was the only one of 10 we used on this trip that offered full hook-ups but no WiFi (5G service was adequate though)," important information for RVers who need to stay connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Trona, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Trona, CA is Panamint Springs Resort with a 3.7-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Trona, CA?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 cabin camping locations near Trona, CA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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