Hospital Flat Campground, Kernville, CA

Hospital Flat Campground is located in the Kern River Ranger District of the 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. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 28 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Fees range from $32.00 to $126.00.

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35.82861, -118.45778
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(760) 376-1815 (Information)
(760) 376-1815 (Reservations)
$32 - $126

Campsite Reviews (46)

3.7 out of 5

5 star		39%
4 star		22%
3 star		9%
2 star		17%
1 star		9%

@ToddA1034809 · Camped on Aug 25, 2024 at Campsite #19

We have been camping at Hospital Flat site 19 for the better part of 25 years now. We love this place. Raised our 3 children camping here annually. In all the years, nothing changed until recently, the flood in 2023 changed the landscape and it looks like site 19 was ground 0 for a fire since then. Disappointing but understandable. Nature will nature, and we will be back next year! Only 1 thing I was most bothered by, every year for 25 years give or take, we always met the camp host. This time no such thing, we were there from Sunday to Wed and never saw the host. Don't know his/her name, never changed the placards at the site. Found that interesting...don't even know if anyone was even in the trailer. But that's just a small thing. We're coming back next year with 4 sites needed. We just love this area...

@BenjaminC59270 · Camped on Jul 27, 2024 at Campsite #19

Well we'be been going to this camping for years, this time it was disappointing, looks like there was a fire last year and seems it was not really cleaned up, burned dead wood on the ground, cut wood piece still there over the campground, definitely lack of care. My reservation here was cancelled last year, happy to see it reopen but for the price it would be nice to find a clean space. Same for the restroom, dirty floor and walls, just a mop once in a while be nice. So overall looks like it's been a bit neglected, too bad.

@ArturoV2145566 · Camped on Jul 20, 2024 at Campsite #22

Loved Hospital Flats, river was lower July 2024, camp site was very clean and had clear access to the river from our site. Will be returning next year.

@LloydK353EFFB0 · Camped on Jul 7, 2024 at Campsite #17

We have been going to Hospital flats for close to 15 years. Always at site 19 because of the beach and all of the shade. Unfortunately, they did a so called controlled burn. Big mistake. No more shade, the beach had many burnt tree limbs stacked all over the place, ashes in the site. Totally ruined the best site in Hospital flats. It will take years to grow back.

@EricH5653683 · Camped on Jun 28, 2024 at Campsite #19

I can tell the camp spot would normally be really nice. However. At some point, in the recent past, they decided to do a controlled burn of a few of the campsites next to the river. Why? is a whole other review. Nobody bothered to inform the people that are booking those sites that the campground you reserved is now an ash and charcoal pit. In some places its 8 deep. Looks like solid ground until you step on it, and you sink into ash up to the middle of your calf, filling your shoes. Awesome, thanks for that. Our campsite was so bad, we didnt use it. We ended up having to share our friends campsite which was a little better. What a mess. Its really disappointing that they would do this and not tell anyone, and STILL charge full price for it. It doesnt appear there was any effort at all to clean up afterward. It was recent enough that whole campsite still smells like fire.We were very frustrated and disappointed. So I guess, from here on out, when you book a campsite, you have to ask if the campsite is actually useable. Youll need to ask if your specific campsite has been altered, damaged, destroyed, or otherwise totally different from what is advertised. Obviously, they wont offer that information to you, but will still charge you full price as well. Very uncool. Having said that, the general area is an absolute gem.

@MelissaC162559 · Camped on Jun 14, 2024 at Campsite #34

Had site 34 and parking for my 20 foot trailer was almost too small and nowhere to park my Tacoma truck. Camp host let me park it across the highway in the day use area. No electric, water, or septic. Lot's of chapparal and weeds. Heavy tick area. My Aussie had several on him after going for a walk. Good things: pretty close to Kernville for shopping and eating. Good trails to hike in the immediate area. Camp host, Mike, was very nice.

@DennisM8587674 · Camped on Jun 9, 2024 at Campsite #17

The campsite was destroyed by a fire set by the california forest service as told to me by the camp host to clear a few trees. It got out of control. We were unable to camp there. I have ample fotos to show if needed. A refund would be greatly appreciated.

@LauraL2163653 · Camped on May 31, 2024 at Campsite #19

This used to be the best campsite but there was a fire that ruined all of the trees/ shade. Make sure to bring a few canopies. Also, site 19 does not have river access anymore. They have not cleared the trees away so you have to share, hopefully, with the next site over.

@LukeB5750B5D52 · Camped on May 25, 2024 at Campsite #20

Fantastic campsites close to Kern River. Sites are well maintained and host is friendly.

@DeanaB02850F06 · Camped on May 20, 2024 at Campsite #24

Michael, the camp host, went above and beyond to ensure we were having the best experience possible. We camped in #24, very rocky but a beautiful spot. Probably the best spot IMO.

@BARBARAF617364 · Camped on May 10, 2024 at Campsite #21

Our camp host was great. He checked on us throughout our stay, asking if we needed anything.

@GerriSFBFA458C · Camped on Jun 26, 2023 at Campsite #13

We weren't sure what to expect given the exceptional flooding happening this year. Everything worked out really well thanks to Camp Host Debbie. The entire campground was so clean that it was a pleasure to be there in all the magnificent beauty that Hospital Flats is. I have been going to Hospital Flats for 40 years & my husband for 60 years. The change from the flooding is staggering but we still love it & adjust. Thank you for bringing in such a knowledgeable, helpful, & hard-working camp host.

@AnthonyD543568 · Camped on Jun 23, 2023 at Campsite #16

I have camped at many different locations throughout California as well as Utah. This camp host was the most involved I have ever met. She was friendly and helpful beyond comparison. She made this stay better than it would have been. Out of her control was the amount of poison oak that is growing everywhere. Also the drinking water is not something you want to drink. The vault toilets smell terrible.

@JOSHUAR047094E · Camped on Jun 23, 2023 at Campsite #23

Our camp host Debrah was amazing and turned what we thought was going to be a disaster of a trip to quite possibly the best outing I've had in my 20+ plus yrs to going the hospital Flat camp ground.

@DebW8372146 · Camped on Jun 5, 2023 at Campsite #33

River was beautiful, very few river sites are available due to flooding. Weekends are pretty booked but lots of open sites during week.

@CrystalL170415 · Camped on Sep 2, 2022 at Campsite #11

BEWARE!!! Someone drove up to our space on Monday morning, 3am, and started loading our things into their pickup truck. They sped off and drove onto the rocks within the campground, when we got up. They could've driven onto someone's space. Very ghetto!!

@Nickolash84988 · Camped on Aug 17, 2022 at Campsite #13

We stayed at campground 13 for 4 nights. It's a smaller campsite but makes up for it with great beach access, The camp host was very friendly and and informative.

@CindyR5412447 · Camped on Aug 14, 2022 at Campsite #17

Been coming to hospital flats for 50 years. Best place for total relaxation, meeting great people, enjoy Gods country and j Keep cool in the great kern river……..love it

@MarinaR2001920 · Camped on Aug 11, 2022 at Campsite #22

We had a fantastic time camping. Our host Peggy is the best. Our campsites were nice and clean when we arrived. The restrooms were also nice and clean. We defintlty will come back next year. Thank you!

@StevenG8234425 · Camped on Jul 17, 2022 at Campsite #18

Our campsite was right next to the bathroom and every time the wind blew it was super stinky and difficult to sleep. I would stay again in a site closer to the river which was such a fun time to relax in

@TarynD7124845 · Camped on Jul 17, 2022 at Campsite #21

It was a very bad experience because we got there at 2pm the people was still there 1/2 way packed in the river on the next site so they were using 2 sites,we didn't bother them we look for the host Peggy and she told me "just take 19 or 20 they are both on the side of the river,so I decided to take 19 because the people stayed there until 4 pm,the next day the people that reserved 19 came like at 4:30 pm fighting and yelling at my boyfriend I was with my granddaughter and my mom in the river,they called the main office because they couldn't find the host Peggy,so someone came and try to fix this but that people wanted 19 an the host came later and said she didn't tell us to take another site ,even though most of the sites were empty they wanted that one so at the end was sad because we decided to leave I was not going to pack and unpack ,that host doesn't do her job I suppose they have to check that people leaves before noon and sweep the place so it'll be ready at 2 pm,well I Love that place but with that host I am not going back there,👎👎👎👎

@MatthewT486519 · Camped on Jul 15, 2022 at Campsite #22

Had a great time over all but think the campsite needed a better clean up.

@Christine15197 · Camped on Jul 14, 2022 at Campsite #8

I felt the camp host was not very welcoming as I’m years before we have camped here for the past for years

@Nickolash84988 · Camped on Jun 30, 2022 at Campsite #8

This is our favorite campsite #8 to say at, unloading and loading is a little difficult but if you can get past that, it has shade and a nice swimming, and hanging out in river relaxing is well worth a little inconvenience. If you place you tent under the tree you will get shade till about 2pm.

@CarlyB778 · Camped on Aug 22, 2021 at Campsite #23

First family camping and we really enjoyed it!

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