Sequoia National Forest has issued a number of different Kern river camping closures due to COVID (public safety) and seasonal availability. This list will be updated as Kern River camping come back online or as new closures go into effect. Keep in mind, that many, if not all, privately-owned campgrounds remain open and those are listed here.
Looking for rafting information? Click here to go to our Kern river rafting homepage.
THIS PAGE WAS LAST UPDATED ON 9/16/2021
| Upper Kern | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain and River | OPEN | Privately owned |
| Rivernook | OPEN | Privately owned |
| Kern River Sequoia RV Resort | OPEN | Privately owned |
| Frandy Park | OPEN | Privately owned |
| Camp Kernville | OPEN | Privately owned |
| Brush Creek Campground | OPEN | |
| Limestone Campground | OPEN | Closes for the season on October 30, 2021 |
| Fairview | OPEN | |
| Calkin’s Flat | OPEN | |
| Chamise Flat | OPEN | |
| Ant Canyon | OPEN | |
| Gold Ledge | OPEN | |
| Upper Springhill | OPEN | |
| Lower Springhill | OPEN | |
| Corral Creek | OPEN | |
| Hospital Flat | OPEN | |
| Chico Flat | CLOSED | |
| Thunderbird | OPEN | |
| Camp Three | OPEN | Closed for the season on November 27 |
| Halfway Campground | OPEN | |
| Headquarters | OPEN |
| Camps around Lake Isabella | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| KOA Lake Isabella | OPEN | Privately Owned |
| Tillie Creek | OPEN | |
| Live Oak | CLOSED | |
| Camp Nine | CLOSED | |
| Paradise Cove | CLOSED | |
| Hungry Gulch | CLOSED | |
| French Gulch | ||
| Pioneer Point |
| Lower Kern | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Keysville | CLOSED | |
| Black Gulch | CLOSED | |
| Sandy Flat | OPEN |
I’m trying to camp out there for the weekend of July 14 to the 18 do I need reservations
Hi Fransua, Good question. If you’re camping over the weekend then I highly recommend getting a reservation. There are a number of campgrounds that have first come first served sites, but considering how many 100s/1000s(?) of people that camp at the Kern each weekend, it is not advisable to rely on that option.
What will the water level be like this mid Aug? What about tubing down the river would think safe w water being lower?
Hi Elyse, Good question. This year I expect water flows to be very low by mid-August. Too low for rafting and probably tubing too.