Camping on the Upper Kern River

Information & Maps provided by US Forest Service / Department of Agriculture

| GENERAL INFORMATION | UPPER KERN CAMP DIRECTORY & MAPS |

Upper Kern Canyon Developed Campgrounds

Welcome to the Kern River Ranger District. if you are looking for a campground, a quiet camping area or a picnic facility, here is a guide to what you will find in the Upper Kern Canyon, north of Kernville. These recreation areas operate under a concessionaire program with California Land Management (CLM). Reservations can be made for the developed fee campsites by calling the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) at 1-877-444-6777 (TDD 877-833-6777), at least 5 days prior to your arrival. A certain percentage of campsites also operate on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information please contact:

Kernville Ranger Station

105 Whitney Road

P.O. Box 9

Kernville, CA 93238

(760) 376-3781 (TDD Ext. 602)

Golden Age and Golden Access Passports are accepted at these U.S. Forest Service campgrounds, and entitle the card holder to a 50% discount on federal use fees. Group areas are excluded from this discount.

Upper Kern Canyon Camp Directory

HEADQUARTERS -

4 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 44 family units; Trailers up to 27'; Toilets; Water; Elevation 2,800 feet. Open year round; Supplies at Kernville and Riverkern. $25 per night, $7 for each additional vehicle. Holiday Weekends - $27 per night.MAP

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CAMP 3 -

5 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 52 family units; 2 accessible group site for 30 people: $82.50. Trailers up to 30'; Toilets; Water; Elevation 2,800 feet. Open May to Sept.; Supplies at Kernville and Riverkern. $25 per night, $7 for each additional vehicle. Holiday Weekends - $27 per night. MAP

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HOSPITAL FLAT -

6.5 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 40 family units; including 1 accessible family site with ramp. Trailers up to 30'; Toilets; Water; Elevation 3,000 feet. Open May to Sept.; Supplies at Kernville and Riverkern. $25 per night, $7 for each additional vehicle. Holiday Weekends - $27 per night. 1 accessible group site for 30 people- $75.00. MAP

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GOLDLEDGE -

10 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 37 family units; Trailers up to 30'; Toilets; Water; Elevation 3,200 feet. Open May to Sept.; Supplies at Fairview. $25 per night, $7 for each additional vehicle. Holiday Weekends - $27 per night.MAP

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FAIRVIEW -

16 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 55 family units including 1 accessible family site; Trailers up to 45'; Toilets; Water; Elevation 3,500 feet. Open Apr. to Nov.; Supplies at Fairview. $25 per night, $7 for each additional vehicle. Holiday Weekends - $27 per night. MAP

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LIMESTONE -

19 miles north of Kernville along Kern River via Mtn. 99. Paved road; 21 single sites; Trailers up to 30'; Toilets; No drinking water; Elevation 3,800 feet. Open Apr. to Nov.; Supplies at Fairview. $20 per night, $7 for each additional vehicle. Holiday Weekends - $22 per night. MAP

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DISPERSED CAMPING AREAS -

Along the Upper Kern Canyon there are dispersed camping areas, free of charge, which are great for campers with self-contained units or large groups of people. Campfire permits are required when camping in these areas and reservations are not accepted. However, camping and the use of campfires are not permitted within 25 feet of the river's edge, streams or trails. Chemical toilets and trash receptacles are provided in most of these areas for your convenience. We ask that you please use them. In areas that do not provide these services, PACK OUT WHAT YOU PACK IN. Especially, diapers, toilet paper, and human waste.

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PICNIC SITES:

RIVERKERN BEACH -

3 miles north of Kernville along the Kern River via Mtn. 99. Beach area, DAY USE ONLY, Paved road and parking area; Tables; Toilets; No drinking water; Elevation 2,650 feet. Open year round; Supplies at Kernville and Riverkern. Campfires or barbecues are not allowed on the beach.

CORRAL CREEK BEACH -

8 miles north of Kernville via Mtn. 99. Beach area, DAY USE ONLY. Paved road and parking area; Tables; Toilets; No drinking water; Elevation 3,000 feet. Open year round; Supplies at Riverkern, Fairview. Campfires or barbecues are not allowed on the beach.

ROADS END -

Formerly a popular resort with general store, cabins and restaurant/bar, all lost in the McNally Fire caused by an illegal campfire nearby. Located 16 1/4 miles north of Kernville via Mtn. 99. Beach area, DAY USE ONLY. Paved road and parking area; Tables; Toilets; No drinking water; Elevation 3,500 feet. Open year round; Supplies at Riverkern, Fairview. Campfires or barbecues are not allowed on the beach.

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Additional Information

LENGTH OF STAY -

Camping in the National Forest is limited to a total of 14 days in a 30 day period, also, in non-fee areas limited to 28 days per calendar year. A limit of 6 persons or members of immediate family per camp site in developed campgrounds.

SANITATION -

Please, no cleaning of fish or washing of dishes, clothes, or hair at fountains or in the river or streams. Besides attracting insects, clogged drains may result. Detergents can also contaminate bodies of water that can kill fish and other wildlife.

FISHING -

Fishing is open year round in Kern County on Lake Isabella and streams north of the lake leading to the Kern River with a bag and possession limit of 5 trout. In Tulare County fishing season for streams leading to the Kern River is the last Saturday in April through November 15, bag limit 5 trout per day, 10 in possession. From Lake Isabella north to Johnsondale Bridge along the Kern River fishing is open year round with a bag limit of 5 trout per day, 10 in possession. The SPECIAL REGULATION FOUR MILE SECTION from the Johnsondale Bridge upstream to the point where the River trail 33E30 heads east to join the Rincon trail, fishing from the last Saturday in April through November 15 is a 2 trout limit, minimum size of 14 inches, using ONLY artificial lures with barbless hooks. In this same SPECIAL REGULATION FOUR MILE SECTION, fishing from November 16 to the Friday preceding the last Saturday in April is CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY using artificial lures with barbless hooks. Special fishing regulations apply in the Golden Trout Wilderness. It is the responsibility of the angler to be aware of all fishing regulations which apply to these waters.

FIREARMS -

Discharging firearms is prohibited within 150 yards of a campground, trail, road, recreation area or across a body of water. A target range is located off Sierra Way, south of Kernville about 2 miles. It is operated by the Kern River Valley Gun Association under a special use permit and is open to the public year round on Sunday's from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., except major holidays, weather permitting.

FIRE PREVENTION -

Fire danger is very high during the summer months. Please help by making sure all campfires are extinguished with water before leaving your site. Carry a shovel and never leave a campfire unattended. Smoke only in cleared areas and use the ashtray in your car. Campfire permits may be obtained from the Ranger Station in Kernville or the Lake Isabella Visitor Center. Campfire permits are also now available via the Internet at: Campfire Permits.

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