Headquarters
Headquarters Campground is situated along the Kern River, 6 miles north of the town of Kernville. Hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting are popular activities.
Headquarters Campground offers a mix of standard, RV and tent-only sites. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water.
Notifications and Alerts
Sequoia National Forest Christmas Tree Cutting Permits (exchanged for pre-cut trees) available starting November 25th, 2024 at the Western Divide Ranger District Office - call (559) 539-2607 for more information.
HUME LAKE IS SOLD OUT - Sequoia National Forest Christmas Tree Cutting Permits (exchanged for pre-cut trees) available starting November 14th, 2024 at the Hume Lake Ranger District Office - call (559) 338-2251 for more information.
KERN RIVIER IS SOLD OUT - Sequoia National Forest Christmas Tree Cutting Permits available starting November 25th, 2024, 9am PST on recreation.gov for the Kern River Ranger District - call (760) 376-3781 for more information.
Need to Know
- Six people per site including children
- No hookups or showers available
Swimming in the river is not recommended due to strong currents
- No off-road vehicle use allowed in the campground
- Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Kern River Ranger District (760) 376-3781.
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
Site length includes tow vehicle
Extra vehicle fee of $8.00 per night of stay on the second vehicle in each single family campsite and on the third and fourth vehicle in any double family campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the first vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site.
Natural Features
The campground sits within Sequoia National Forest at an elevation of 2,800 feet in an open area overlooking the Kern Wild and Scenic River. Some sites overlook the river and lie in the shade of oak, juniper and cottonwood trees. Sites sitting further from the river are more open and have little to no shade.
Sequoia National Forest, located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada in central California, is named for the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves on the forest's lower slopes.
The forest comprises about 1.1 million acres. Elevations range from about 1,000 to 12,000 feet, creating precipitous canyons and mountain streams with spectacular waterfalls such as Salmon Creek Falls and Grizzly Falls.
Nearby Attractions
The Cannell Meadow National Recreation Trail begins just north of Kernville. The trail stretches 11.5 miles as it climbs through mixed pine and fir forest to Cannell Meadow and a historic Forest Service cabin built between 1904 and 1909. Hikers are awarded beautiful views of the Kern River Valley along the trip.
Visitors enjoy making day trips to Sequoia National Park and Giant Sequoia National Monument.
Recreation
Hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting are popular activities in the Upper Kern River area. Click here to learn more about the area, including safety and permitting requirements and a listing of local outfitters.
Contact Information
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PO BOX 1640 KERNVILLE CA 93238
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 760-376-1815
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Bakersfield, take Highway 178 East to Lake Isabella. From Lake Isabella, take Highway 155 around the west side of the lake to the town of Kernville. From Kernville, go 4 miles north on Sierra Way (Mountain 99) to the campground.
Available Campsites
- Site 006, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop C, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop C, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop C, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop Yurt, Type Yurt
- Site 008, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop Yurt, Type Yurt
- Site 013, Loop C, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop C, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 037, Loop B, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop C, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop B, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop A, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop C, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop C, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop B, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 034 - Host Site, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop A, Type Rv Nonelectric
