Headquarters Campground, Kernville, CA

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. 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.

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35.79618, -118.45103
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(760) 376-1815 (Information)
(760) 376-1815 (Reservations)
$32 - $100

Campground Capacity (Next 30 Days)

Campsite Reviews (127)

4.2 out of 5

5 star		56%
4 star		23%
3 star		9%
2 star		8%
1 star		3%

@ThomasT2893818 · Camped on Nov 12, 2024 at Campsite #25

Trip was good except that the water out of the campground faucets ha a strange taste to it and was a light color of brown or yellow.

@Christoph94057 · Camped on Oct 11, 2024 at Campsite #14

The campground is not bad at all. However, there was so much trash around our camp. It's a shared responsibility between the campers when they use the spots and the host to clean up after campers who have missed the mark. I would go again but would try to reserve the sites that are shadded by trees in the middle of the Camp ground.

@KiyoshiKF76A9F · Camped on Jul 24, 2024 at Campsite #28

Had a good time.

@IsahakE4C56F24 · Camped on Jul 21, 2024 at Campsite #31

Beautiful place very close to the market and downtown. A very nice swimming area. We highly recommend it.

@JohnL4419148 · Camped on Jul 17, 2024 at Campsite #19

This was the first year in years that Ive gone to headquarters and it was clean, quiet and all or in order the camp was great in years

@KanoknatSC00D1 · Camped on Jul 3, 2024 at Campsite #15

Sadly , our cooler got stolen by someone at first day of camping , no shade, on summer time (heat wave attack) make sure your spot need shade,,, 3 stars for toilets cleanness , 2 stars for clean fire pit cleanness (still have some old stuff left)and the grill got broken without fixing,, 5 stars for location (next to the Kern river ) ..

@Christina7631C · Camped on Jun 29, 2024 at Campsite #38

The location is nice next to the river, the only part didn't like the camping location is next to the street, so if you are looking for a peace and quite 100% you may get awake in the middle of the night people driving next to your campsite. Not enough trees. I was looking for more shade... take your canopies to get shade.

@TomH4673678 · Camped on Jun 19, 2024 at Campsite #25

Camp host was great. Could be easier to call to cancel sites without 45 minute wait then they hung up for bad connection. I had 2 sites I had to leave 3 days early and couldn't cancel. They where left not used for 3 days.

@OmarR6771183 · Camped on Jun 16, 2024 at Campsite #22

Great camping trip campsite well maintained by host Debbie very informative and attentative camp host. The site was perfect for our family.

@JessicaC404794 · Camped on May 24, 2024 at Campsite #29

Great site close to the river. Shops and restaurants are close by but the campsite still feels remote and serene, giving you the best of both worlds. Drop toilets are smellier than most but this is a great option for the price.

@TomH4673678 · Camped on May 13, 2024 at Campsite #23

Why not put all the extra sand in site 22 into site 23 the big gully.

@SherrylH802466 · Camped on May 2, 2024 at Campsite #23

The camp host was so nice and accommodating! The site was beautiful! Were coming back in Septemberonly draw back was parking for our truck, the 5th wheel took up almost the entire spot and its only 24

@IvanO9F72D8471 · Camped on Apr 20, 2024 at Campsite #28

Entire site #28 is completely covered in tall grasses. One corner has a large sinkhole. It should not be available to reserve

@jackya2E9EEC10 · Camped on Apr 19, 2024 at Campsite #11

Beautiful, well-kept campsite by the river. Host was very helpful, she accommodated us to another campsite # by the river since we got there early enough. She checked in on us and my dogs, very nice lady.

@KenS7241932 · Camped on Apr 9, 2024 at Campsite #38

This is a well-maintained, looked after camp. Located just a few miles above Kernville not too close, but close enough that a trip to Kernville to pick up supplies is not a day trip. On a scale of 1 to 10 the camp hostess Deborah rates an unequivocal 10, without question the best host/hostess, I have ever dealt with it one of these camps.

@AllieN55F7D2DD · Camped on Apr 5, 2024 at Campsite #35

Site was clean, bathrooms were clean with no negative odors, and the camp host was very kind and friendly! Will be back for another easy breezy camping trip.

@JamesT8733204 · Camped on Apr 5, 2024 at Campsite #10

Great site, good time.

@Christine26218 · Camped on Apr 2, 2024 at Campsite #2

We had a great time. The yurt was very nice and clean, the hosts were very helpful and friendly, and just an overall great experience!

@LeviG2A6F3CB56 · Camped on Apr 1, 2024 at Campsite #42

Host was very helpful and friendly. Thank you!

@DianaM3571263 · Camped on Mar 22, 2024 at Campsite #20

We had the best hist! She was very informative about everything around us!

@AnetaKC44F6EC4 · Camped on Mar 22, 2024 at Campsite #42

Everything was great, we enjoyed our stay here.

@DianaM3571263 · Camped on Mar 9, 2024 at Campsite #23

The site and campground was perfect! The host did an amazing job keeping up the campground. She was friendly and very helpful. She really cares. We really enjoyed the stay and will definitely come back. Even as we were packing and cleaning up, she offered to take our trash bags out to help. I thought it was very kind of her. Thanks Headquarters campground! See you soon!

@RachelD2123141 · Camped on Mar 8, 2024 at Campsite #44

We had an excellent stay at Headquarters in early March. The host was kind and helpful and the campsite and bathrooms were very clean. Highly recommend!

@AngelaP4535093 · Camped on Feb 23, 2024 at Campsite #35

Clean campground. Great host. Site 22 is prime location, right by the river with a small beach area.

@AlejandraBB2A8 · Camped on Feb 17, 2024 at Campsite #35

We stayed at site #35 and it was perfect for our vehicle and roof top tent. The host was extremely nice and hand bundles of wood for $8.00 and maintained the pit toilets clean. Our site was right by the river, however I will say if you are planning to stay at this particular site there is room for one tent since the ground is not leveled the closer you get to the river. There was no service, however there was cellphone service in town. Overall, we had a great time and were happy that the town was no more than 10 minutes away which allowed us to get food and drinks easily.

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