Top Camping Options in Kernville, CA: RV Parks & Tent Sites Near the Kern River
Nestled along the scenic banks of the Kern River and surrounded by the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains, Kernville, CA, offers a diverse array of camping options that cater to every outdoor enthusiast. For RV campers, the Kern River Campground provides spacious, well-equipped sites with easy access to hiking trails and the river's thrilling whitewater rapids. Tent campers can explore the picturesque Camp 9 Campground, which boasts shady spots and stunning views, making it a perfect base for fishing and rafting adventures. For those seeking solitude, the dispersed camping areas along the nearby Forest Road 21S50 offer a remote experience amid the tranquility of towering pines and rugged terrain, ideal for stargazing and wildlife watching. Whether you're in the mood for a cozy campsite or an off-the-grid getaway, the diverse landscapes surrounding Kernville promise a memorable outdoor experience. Embrace the natural beauty of this hidden gem in California, where adventure awaits just beyond your tent flap or RV door.
Headquarters Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 52 min southeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 2,780 feet. There are a total of 42 campsites including 13 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 27 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $32.00 to $100.00. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Halfway Group Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 53 min southeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 2,816 feet. There are a total of 5 campsites. The campground is open all year. Max equipment length is 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $48.00 to $200.00.
Camp Three Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 53 min southeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 2,830 feet. There are a total of 50 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 49 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $32.00 to $122.00. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Thunderbird Group Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 54 min southeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 2,869 feet. There are a total of 3 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. Max equipment length is 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $48.00 to $120.00.
Hospital Flat Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 56 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 2,972 feet. There are a total of 36 campsites including 4 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 32 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $32.00 to $126.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Boulder Gulch Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 31 min northeast of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 2,601 feet. There are a total of 60 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. 2 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Hungry Gulch Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 31 min northeast of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 2,667 feet. There are a total of 76 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the beginning of September. 2 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include flush toilets.
French Gulch Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 30 min northeast of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 2,678 feet. The site is normally open from the end of March to the end of October. Prices start at $405.00 per night.
Paradise Cove Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 30 min northeast of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 2,639 feet. There are a total of 51 campsites. The campground is open all year. 1 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Some amenities include dump station, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Goldledge Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 53 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 3,221 feet. There are a total of 36 campsites including 9 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 27 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Poso Guard Station Cabin is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr southeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 4,572 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $176.00 per night.
Fairview Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 48 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 3,542 feet. There are a total of 48 campsites including 14 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of April to mid November. 34 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night.
Sandy Flat Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 28 min northeast of Bakersfield, CA) with an elevation of 2,383 feet. There are a total of 27 campsites including 3 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 24 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $32.00 to $120.00. Activities include fishing.
Limestone Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 41 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 3,749 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of March to the end of October. Max equipment length is 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night.
Holey Meadow Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 19 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 6,375 feet. There are a total of 9 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the end of May to mid October. Max equipment length is 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Long Meadow Group is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 24 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 6,101 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. Prices start at $158.00 per night. Activities include hiking trails.
Redwood Meadow Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 21 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 6,146 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is normally open from the end of May to mid October. 5 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Fees range from $32.00 to $100.00. Activities include hiking trails.
Quaking Aspen Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 22 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 6,979 feet. There are a total of 39 campsites including 4 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. 24 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $32.00 to $220.00. Some amenities include amphitheater. Activities include biking.
Quaking Aspen Cabin is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 19 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 6,935 feet. The site is normally open from the end of May to the end of October. Prices start at $176.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Coy Flat Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 2 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 4,612 feet. There are a total of 19 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. 18 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 22 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $32.00 to $64.00. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Belknap Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 3 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 4,944 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites including 13 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid April to the end of October. Max equipment length is 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $32.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Wishon Cabin is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (50 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 4,095 feet. The site is normally open from the end of April to the end of October. Prices start at $176.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Wishon Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (50 min east of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 4,095 feet. There are a total of 33 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 30 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $34.00 to $68.00. Some amenities include drinking water, restroom. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Tule Campground in Tulare County is located just 14 min east of Porterville, CA with an elevation of 671 feet. There are a total of 101 campsites. The campground is open all year. 98 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 24 sites have electric and water hookups. 74 sites have water hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include shower, boat ramp, swimming, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Grouse Valley Campground is located in the Western Divide Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest (1 hr 4 min northeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 4,769 feet. There are a total of 2 campsites including 2 cabins. The campground is normally open from the end of May to the end of October. Max equipment length is 20 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. All sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $200.00 to $250.00. Activities include boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Horse Creek Campground in Tulare County is located 30 min east of Visalia, CA with an elevation of 673 feet. There are a total of 80 campsites including 5 boat sites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 15 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $20.00 to $40.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, swimming, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
John Whitehead Campground is part of Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park in California (just 17 min northwest of Delano, CA) with an elevation of 198 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, accessible, restroom, flush toilets.
Buckeye Flat Campground is part of Sequoia National Park in California (1 hr 4 min east of Visalia, CA) with an elevation of 2,940 feet. There are a total of 27 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid March to the end of September. Max equipment length is 22 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom, trash dumpster. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Potwisha Campground is part of Sequoia National Park in California (56 min east of Visalia, CA) with an elevation of 2,117 feet. There are a total of 35 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 33 sites can accommodate RVs between 13 and 49 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $28.00 per night. Some amenities include amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Whitney Portal Campground is located in the Mt. Whitney Ranger District, Inyo National Forest (3 hrs 47 min northeast of Porterville, CA) with an elevation of 7,935 feet. There are a total of 29 campsites including 16 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. 13 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Fees range from $32.00 to $93.00. Some amenities include restroom. Activities include hiking trails.
map icon in the lower right corner.
*Earn our 
Show your commitment in keeping our forests healthy and protecting our public lands by earning the Leave No Trace badge.