Best Campgrounds near Weldon, CA

The Kern River Valley surrounding Weldon, California features a mix of established and dispersed camping options within Sequoia National Forest and BLM lands. Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA in Weldon provides full-service camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, while nearby dispersed areas like Hanning Flat Dispersed Area offer more primitive experiences. The region includes several developed campgrounds along the Kern River, including Rivernook Campground and KRS RV Resort, alongside multiple free dispersed camping zones managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Seasonal variations significantly impact camping experiences in this high desert region. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing. The Kern River fluctuates in flow and safety throughout the year, with spring runoff creating dangerous conditions for water recreation. Many campgrounds maintain year-round access, though water systems may be winterized during colder months. Fire restrictions are common during the dry season, typically May through October. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better coverage near Lake Isabella and spotty reception in canyon areas. According to one visitor, "It's really a beautiful place but man you are packed in like sardines. Your feet away from everyone. Water is beautiful and such a bonus so made the crowds less of a hassle."

Waterfront access represents the primary draw for campers in the Weldon area, with sites along Lake Isabella and the Kern River being most sought after. Several campgrounds provide direct river access for swimming, fishing, and kayaking. The surrounding desert landscape transitions to mountain terrain as elevation increases, offering varied recreational opportunities. Campers note that sites near water fill quickly, especially during summer weekends and holidays. A camper commented, "The River next to the campground is also easily accessed and great for all levels of play." Visitors seeking more privacy often prefer dispersed camping areas where sites are more spread out, though these typically lack amenities like running water or shower facilities. Areas with shade trees are particularly valued during hot summer months, with some visitors reporting temperatures dropping significantly near water sources.

Best Camping Sites Near Weldon, California (169)

    1. Rivernook Campground

    27 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-2705

    $45 - $75 / night

    "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 loved this river spot even though we were next to one of the smaller parts rather than the main river. If you can try and get one near the main river as it is more picturesque. "

    2. Stine Cove Recreation Site

    15 Reviews
    Weldon, CA
    5 miles
    Website

    "Toilets and trash at entrance. The dam is being rebuilt so the water is real low. Easy to drive along the beach until nobody else is around."

    "I appreciated the rough feel of the lake and how close the road was. There is a restroom and a dump bin at the entrance which locked this spot in for convenience."

    3. KRS RV Resort@Camp James

    14 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-6119

    $39 - $340 / night

    "Our family has been going to Camp James for over 10 years, and it's easily our favorite campground in California. The campsites are clean, shaded by trees, and it's right on the riverfront."

    "All sites are well kept, with access to clean bathrooms and coin operated showers. Staff is friendly and available when needed. Prices are a tad high but expected with a clean upscale Campground."

    4. Lake Isabella-Kern River KOA

    7 Reviews
    Weldon, CA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 378-2001

    "Kern River is a great place in the hot California Desert. This place has everything to make you feel at home."

    "Close to lake Isabella and all of the Kern. Great for last minute reservations too, online booking works"

    5. Keyesville Recreation Area Dispersed

    11 Reviews
    Lake Isabella, CA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (661) 391-6000

    "You can park RVs right next to the water but it gets very busy, there are more secluded spots accessible to even Class A rigs further down."

    "Access to the river is closed as of 26 January, still plenty of dispersed places down the road to camp. Bathrooms and trash dump and lots of trails to ride bikes!"

    6. Hanning Flat Dispersed Area

    7 Reviews
    Weldon, CA
    5 miles
    Website

    "I spent two days here and only seen a handful of vehicles drive through, mostly US Forest Service trucks. Pack in, pack out."

    "To swim in the lake this area connects to Stine Cove campground - via a very soft sandy road - which is also free, has a vault toilet, but is shaded by mountains and less private."

    7. Frandy Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-6483

    $50 - $125 / night

    "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!  "

    "I always camp near the river, there are plenty of walk ways to get down there to relax."

    8. Paradise Cove

    6 Reviews
    Lake Isabella, CA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-1815

    $34 - $36 / night

    "What I loved was being able to drive up literally set up camp right at the lakeside. Fellow campers were really nice, and I had no issues."

    "The campground is super clean and nice and right on the lake. Clean bathrooms and clean shower house here."

    9. Chico Flat Dispersed Camping - Partially Closed, See Description

    11 Reviews
    Kernville, CA
    15 miles
    Website

    "Each site is private-ish and they won’t be walking through your site to drop in, you’ll just see groups of people float by your area, once they drop in close to the first site on the north end."

    "You have access to the river nearby. The generator can be used until 10 p.m. Would recommend."

    10. Sandy Flat

    10 Reviews
    Bodfish, CA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (760) 376-1815

    $34 - $136 / night

    "Again the campground was great and we were pretty close to the river which was awesome. But stay away from site 9. We’ll definitely be back but will be at one of the others."

    "We appreciated the proximity to the hot springs. Our site was pretty big, but that was not the case for some of the other sites which looked small or close to other sites. "

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Recent Reviews near Weldon, CA

640 Reviews of 169 Weldon Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Fairview Campground

    If you need a place to crash

    Not particularly nice, clean, or scenic. Perfect place to crash for the night but not great otherwise

  • John L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Fossil Falls Campground

    Very rocky terrain

    Nice for a night or two lots of spots but close together some are more level than others, saw all types of campers from vans to trailers and my lifted Motorhome

  • Marie D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Bertrand's High Desert Mobile Home & RV Park

    Great location

    Pull through sites easy in and out. Full hook ups. No laundry, restrooms, or showers here. Great location to lots of fun for outdoor or off-road enthusiasts. Easy drive to Death Valley. The girl in the office is super sweet and helpful. Great rate. We found so much to explore in the area we stayed 2 weeks. Ghost towns, abandoned mines, Schmidt Tunnel, movie road, robbers Roost, Red Rock Canyon State Park, trona Pinnacles. Great weather in early October too.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Wagon Wheel Staging Area

    Super spot - great lookout

    A fantastic spot. Great views, sheltered behind rocks, and even with clean restrooms. Many spots—some only accessible by 4WD due to deep sand and dry waterways. There are plenty of 2WD spots, though. Apparently popular with motocross riders on weekends. Everything was completely quiet for us. We were completely alone in the entire area. A wonderful place. We only had internet with T-Mobile across the road on the mountain.

  • D
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Chico Flat Dispersed Camping - Partially Closed, See Description

    Quiet place for undisturbed camping

    Good campground on the way to Sequoia. Plenty of space, we had no problems finding a spot for our 30ft RV. There are restrooms available which seem to be cleaned every second day. You have access to the river nearby. The generator can be used until 10 p.m. Would recommend.

  • Lou F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Tule - Success Lake

    Cool at night and hot in the day

    I got here at 3pm and it was hot with no shade. By 5 pm it cool of and was very pleasant. Very good showers and restroom to freshen up in.

  • b
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Kern River Campground

    Very chill

    Great serene spot (aside from a few noisy campers) by the river, liked it so much we camped out for 3 days. Great price too! Close enough to civilization but far enough you forget it's nearby. Would recommend!

  • french M.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Stine Cove Recreation Site

    Stine Cove

    I'm looking for a campsite near water and a nice mountain view, will definitely add Stine Cove to my next trip list.

  • Kenneth P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Balch Park Campground

    Fantastic Family Campground

    This is a historic campground. With 1000 year old trees and history of logging. Good fishing and hiking all around the area. Nice hosts and most people are respectful of the area.


Guide to Weldon

Dispersed camping sites near Weldon, California range from 1,600 to 2,700 feet in elevation, positioned between the Sierra Nevada mountains and Mojave Desert. This transition zone creates distinct microclimates where temperatures can vary by 15-20°F between lakeside and higher elevation sites. Ground conditions at many dispersed sites feature decomposed granite sands requiring sturdy tent stakes and careful site selection.

What to do

River activities: At Rivernook Campground, campers can enjoy direct river access for water recreation. "We stayed on the southern end of the campground site #102 and we walked to the northern end and floated down the river back to our site with a nice cold beer in hand," reports Mike N. The campground provides convenient river entry points throughout the property.

Rock climbing and hiking: Dispersed camping areas like Keyesville Recreation Area offer natural rock formations suitable for casual climbing. "I appreciated the rough feel of the lake and how close the road was," notes Izzy Y. The area includes multiple hiking paths along former cattle trails that lead to vista points overlooking Lake Isabella.

Stargazing: Clear night skies away from urban light pollution make Weldon area camping ideal for astronomy enthusiasts. "The night sky has no light pollution, and is beautiful enough to knock you off your feet because of all the stars," writes Jeffrey T. about Stine Cove Recreation Site. Campers recommend positioning tents with eastern exposure to catch dramatic sunrises over the mountains.

What campers like

Waterfront access: Sites directly on the Kern River remain the most sought-after camping spots near Weldon. At Sandy Flat, "Our campground space (#32) had an extremely private feel hidden away between some large boulders... and easy access to the kern river," according to Javier L. Riverside sites typically command premium pricing but offer the sound of rushing water as natural white noise.

Privacy options: Despite the popularity of the area, campers can find secluded sites with proper planning. "We stopped here on our way into Sequoia NF... My pup and I stayed for three nights and didn't see another person or vehicle the whole time," shares Kiley S. about Hanning Flat Dispersed Area. Many dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles to access.

Family-friendly amenities: Several established campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for families. "The grounds are very well maintained, they collect trash every morning... This campground even offers activities for the whole family, movie night, bingo, even rock painting," writes Amber D. about Camp James. Some campgrounds provide dedicated shallow water play areas suitable for children during summer months.

What you should know

Seasonal closures: Not all campgrounds maintain year-round operations. "Sandy Flat campground does close at the end of November. There was a winter storm rolling in as we were packing up, but it was so beautiful in that area with a little bit of snow," notes Julie D. Always check current operational status before traveling.

Wind conditions: The Weldon area experiences significant wind patterns that can affect camping comfort. "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," warns Izzy Y. about Stine Cove.

Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping areas offer minimal or no services. At Chico Flat Dispersed Camping, "There is a pit toilet. There is river access right next to the campsite. There is also spotty cell reception if you want that," explains Liam. Campers should plan to be self-sufficient with water and waste management.

Tips for camping with families

Water safety planning: The Kern River presents both recreational opportunities and safety concerns for families. "We were there August 1-6. The River was a little low but it was perfect for us with our 5 year old son. 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," shares David H. at KRS RV Resort@Camp James.

Evening entertainment: Pack activities for after sunset when temperatures cool. "This campground even offers activities for the whole family, movie night, bingo, even rock painting," notes Amber D. Even at dispersed sites, families should bring games that don't require electricity.

Terrain considerations: Family camping requires careful site selection based on terrain. "The site we chose was a bit of a rocky walk from the car, but worth it to have a more private spot," explains Jules about Chico Flat. Parents should inspect sites for hazards like cactus, sharp rocks, or unstable ground before setting up tents.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: RV services vary significantly between campgrounds near Weldon. "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," notes Jeff G. about KRS RV Resort@Camp James. Many RVers recommend booking river-adjacent sites without hookups and using onboard systems.

Road conditions: Several access roads to dispersed camping areas require careful navigation. "Plenty of sites, and lots of ppl with their toys. Pack it in, pack it out!" advises Shainna M. about Keyesville Recreation Area. RVers report that late spring often presents the best combination of manageable temperatures and road conditions.

Dump station locations: Lack of onsite dump facilities at many campgrounds requires planning. "There's a $12 dump station with potable water at Camp 9 and one at Old Isabella Recreation Site," shares therealquaid D. about camping at Hanning Flat. Most RV dump stations in the area operate year-round but may winterize water systems during freezing periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Weldon, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Weldon, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 169 campgrounds and RV parks near Weldon, CA and 40 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Weldon, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Weldon, CA is Rivernook Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 27 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Weldon, CA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 40 free dispersed camping spots near Weldon, CA.