105 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Tupman, California area contains several campground options spread throughout Kern County, with most facilities concentrated near Bakersfield and surrounding waterways. Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area offers waterfront camping with both RV hookups and tent sites, while Kern River County Park provides similar access with additional cabin options. For those seeking more basic accommodations, KCL Campground offers free primitive camping on Bureau of Land Management property. The region supports both established campgrounds with full amenities and dispersed sites with minimal facilities, particularly in the Carrizo Plain National Monument area where free camping is permitted.
Access to most campgrounds remains available year-round, though summer heat in this region can be extreme, making spring and fall more comfortable for tent camping. Many RV parks like Bakersfield River Run RV Park and Orange Grove RV Park maintain full hookups and amenities throughout the year, catering primarily to travelers along major highway corridors. The more primitive sites may have limited drinking water availability, particularly at dispersed locations. Visitors should be prepared for potentially dusty conditions at waterfront locations when water levels are low. According to one visitor at Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area, "The campground is full hookups. Lake was nice and not many boats. Ground was rough due to holes made by squirrel population."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive feedback from visitors, with many highlighting the peaceful environment during off-season periods. The Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area earns particular praise for its lakefront sites and spacious layout, though some mention the primitive nature of the bathroom facilities. A camper noted, "We chose a water front non-electric site, of which there are only a few, and enjoyed the birds and squirrels. Almost no one here." RV parks in Bakersfield tend to offer more amenities but less natural setting. Several visitors mention the importance of checking seasonal conditions, as summer crowds can significantly change the experience at water-focused recreation areas, while winter offers more solitude but cooler temperatures.
"Great spot next to the lake. Very windy at times. Lost of gopher holes in the soil."
"Camped here for a night to break up my drive from LA to SF."
from $7 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Nice park adjacent to a great bike trail of 50+ miles. The river is not always running as in some of the pictures. Gravel pads concrete patios surrounded by grass."
"The hot tub jets massaged my neck and shoulders after driving for several days. The site has a recreation room and outdoor grill with picnic tables. The location is close to 99 but not too loud."
from $42 - $49 / night
Check Availability"This rustic campground offers an arid natural beauty with endless walking."
"Carrizo Plains National Monument is the largest single native grassland remaining in California in SE San Luis Obispo, and my husband and I have been wanting to visit."
"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"Town is close by. Fishing is on sight. Check out pictures on hipcamp."
"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 Availability"The area is quiet enough, but you can definitely hear the soft whir of cars on the highway close by."
from $40 - $46 / night
Check Availability"Pulled in around 2pm and had many sites to choose from. Got a nice site right on the river. Mostly stayed inside due to the strong winds. Did not see any camp hosts. Nice hot showers."
"For $32, you can get a site off the river and have a little camping pit and picnic table and you’re around other RVs and it’s good."
"At the mentioned location we soon encountered a sign saying the motorized vehicles are prohibited from that point on."
"I’d suggest going a bit further in the plains on the main road and taking a further turnout to have some shorter grasses. really nice area though and no one around!"
ScoutManagement is amazing tashia made sure we were comfortable and had all the info and was available 24 7 to accommodate any questions or concerns the bathrooms looked amazing and the pool was crystal clear will be using again 😀
ScoutWhen I pulled in, everyone else was pulling out (Sunday mid morning). So I had the place to myself and my beagles! I've wanted to introduce them to camping and wasn't sure how they would do. It's quiet, peaceful and even beagles were relaxed enough to sleep!
GuideThis was just what I needed to break up the drive from the Bay Area to San Diego
Really nice and thoughtful staff
The park’s WiFi worked great
If you have starlink nearly every site would be good except for the back ones by the hill (like mine, 182)
182 had some shade though so that was nice!
It is next to a major roadway so keep that in mind for noise.
ScoutFacilities are easy to get to. The staff are friendly and helpful
TravelerGreat remote open plain site. Solid paved roads and parkways. Each sote has ample spacing with individual covered picnic tables and fire pit. Would definitely stop here again crossing thru ca 😎
RangerThis campground has many wonderful features, but also some issues. Here on a Friday night in July and all sites were taken - many family groups, here to enjoy their boats and jet skis on the lake. There are new bathrooms, that have separate toilet and shower rooms. They were clean when we arrived at 5pm, but by 9 pm the toilets were clogged and the shower rooms dirty. Grateful for our cassette toilet! Avoid the older buildings with toilets only. The women’s sink was clogged, the seats are metal and no latch or difficult to latch doors. The men’s were a clogged mess.
As one other reviewer noted, the ground is pocketed with ground critter holes. There are grassy areas to pitch a tent in most sites.
Our campsite was not clean when we arrived - bits of garbage, broken glass, dog poops throughout. We spent some time cleaning up so we and our dog could safely walk around.
I am sure it is a much more pleasant experience in the off season or mid-week. The lake is beautiful, many sites have new picnic tables and the new bathrooms and showers are nice when clean. The sites are well spaced, and when reserving, you can opt of shade, partial shade or no shade. All sites have electrical and water.!
LegendWe stayed here while on our way to southern CA. It was a pleasant experience and the restored and reconstructed buildings told the story of this community beautifully.
ScoutGreat spot. Easy to get to in my car but definitely into the mountains so had to meander the mountain roads to get there. Gorgeous view along a wash. Easy enough to park. Very serene. One bummer is just the amount of sap if you park under the tree. I just moved the car over a bit. Enjoy!
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.
Camping options near Tupman, California extend from the open grasslands of the Carrizo Plain National Monument to the waterfront sites along the Kern River. The area sits at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley where temperatures regularly exceed 100°F in summer months, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons. Road conditions to more remote sites can vary significantly, with some dirt roads becoming impassable after rain.
Wildlife observation: The Carrizo Plain National Monument provides excellent bird watching opportunities. "I loved how this campground is secluded, there are about 7 campgrounds available, 2 restrooms and stalls for horses. You can go out for a hike with great scenic views," notes a visitor to KCL Campground.
Water recreation: Kern River County Park offers riverside camping with access to multiple recreational bodies of water. "Close to 2 lakes ming and hart Park," mentions one camper, while another highlights the wildlife viewing: "Great birds along the river, lots of ducks and egrets, and a bald eagle perched in a tree right above my site with its breakfish!"
Biking opportunities: Campers can access extensive trail networks from several campgrounds. A visitor to Kern River Campground notes, "You can mtb the adjacent foothills, road bike the bike path, enjoy the river or near by Lake Ming."
Secluded waterfront sites: At Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area, campers appreciate the lakeside options. One visitor shares, "Took a chance and found a spot last minute, right on the water. It was on gravel without shade but it didn't really matter because we were just crashing for the night."
Unique campsite layouts: The arrangement of sites at Buena Vista receives positive feedback. "The campsites are unique in that they are all pull through, but really pull along. There's lots of space and you are not on top of each other," explains one reviewer.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate KCL Campground's no-cost sites. A reviewer describes the experience: "It's BLM, so amenities are basic – be prepared to bring your own water, the single spigot isn't potable due to agricultural nitrate impact on the water table. Vault toilets are kept clean, but bring your own tp if you arrive after the weekend."
Desert temperatures: The climate in the Carrizo Plain can be extreme. "It's very affordable and did the job. If the bathrooms were not so old it would have been a 4 star. I'm sure it's hot in the summer and not a ton of shade," notes a camper at Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area.
Wildlife encounters: Many campgrounds have significant wildlife presence. "That said, the campground is full of pocket gophers and ground squirrels so lots of uneven ground," warns a visitor to Buena Vista, while another mentions, "Great spot next to the lake. Very windy at times. Lost of gopher holes in the soil."
Road accessibility: Access to Carrizzo Plain National Monument Dispersed can be challenging in wet conditions. "Arrived on a drizzly day & tried going further down the road to other more secluded camping spots. However the dirt road was slick & minivan, loaded down, was slipping & sliding," cautions one camper.
Safety considerations: The Kern River requires particular caution with children. A camper at Kern River County Park advises, "We camp here every year. Usually late shooting to early summer. Camp grounds are well maintained. Would not recommend camping on holidays."
Swimming options: Facilities with pools offer safer alternatives to river swimming. A visitor to Bakersfield River Run RV Park shares, "The showers were better than you'll find in most homes, lol & the pool was beautiful & spotless, tho u will need a reservation during Covid, you get a 35 minute slot, 10 people at a time."
Spacious sites: Some campgrounds offer extra room for families to spread out. "We went tent camping and the spots were huge and close to the river which made for beautiful peaceful mornings," notes a visitor to Kern River County Park.
Orange picking amenities: Several RV parks near Tupman offer fruit-picking opportunities. An RVer at A Country RV Park reports, "Paved sites, well landscaped, they even have orange and lemon trees you can pick some fruit off of. Just a delightful stop."
Bathroom access considerations: Check facility hours before booking. One RVer at Bakersfield River Run RV Park warns, "Nice rv park but pretty ridiculous that all the toilets and showers in the rv park are locked from 10pm-7:30 am. 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."
Noise factors: Highway proximity affects some sites more than others. A visitor to Bakersfield River Run RV Park advises, "I'll bet the other side of the park is better but we were backed up to the fence (#56). Ask for 1-32 or 89-113 to have your best chance of avoiding the highway noise."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Tupman, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Tupman, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 105 campgrounds and RV parks near Tupman, CA and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Tupman, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tupman, CA is Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area with a 3.9-star rating from 17 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tupman, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Tupman, CA.
What parks are near Tupman, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 parks near Tupman, CA that allow camping, notably Carrizo Plain National Monument and Los Padres National Forest.
Keep Exploring
