Headquarters Campground Introduce
For those in the Kernville, California area searching for "Camping Near Me," Headquarters Campground, located at the GPS coordinates Sm99, Kernville, CA 93238, USA, offers a camping experience primarily known for its excellent location along the Kern River. According to customer reviews, the campground's proximity to the river is a major highlight, providing opportunities for swimming and tubing, particularly during warmer months like the 4th of July weekend when the water level is suitable. The river current is noted to be gentler on the south end, making it ideal for leisurely floating, while the north end has a stronger current. This riverside access is a significant environmental feature that attracts many campers to Headquarters Campground.
The environment surrounding Headquarters Campground is characterized by the scenic beauty of the Kern River Valley. Campers can expect to be immersed in the natural landscape of the Sierra Nevada foothills, with the Kern River being the central attraction. While one reviewer in campsite 003 noted a lack of shade, indicating that some sites may be more exposed to the sun, the overall setting provides access to the river and the surrounding natural terrain. The specific layout and vegetation of the campground itself are not extensively detailed, but the focus on river activities suggests that the primary environmental draw is the water and its immediate surroundings.
In terms of services, reviews provide some insight, though not a comprehensive list. Restroom facilities are available, although one reviewer described them as "stinky," which is a common experience in many outdoor campgrounds. A camp host is mentioned and described as "really friendly" by one reviewer, suggesting the presence of on-site staff to assist campers. Individual campsites appear to be equipped to accommodate both tents and trailers, with one review mentioning a 23' trailer in campsite 003. However, specific details about hookups for RVs (water, electricity, sewer) are not provided in these reviews, so it is unclear if these are available. The mention of a camp host implies some level of management presence and assistance for campers' needs.
Features of Headquarters Campground largely revolve around its location and the activities it facilitates. The direct access to the Kern River for swimming and tubing is a primary feature, catering to those looking for water-based recreation. The varying river current allows for different types of water activities depending on the preference of the camper. While one site was noted to have limited shade, the general layout accommodates different sizes of camping setups, including trailers. However, a significant feature highlighted in a more critical review is a perceived decline in management quality. This review details experiences with new camp hosts who were described as overly strict, frequently monitoring campers, and enforcing rules in a manner that negatively impacted the reviewer's group, who had been long-time visitors. Specific issues included being asked to take down items hanging from trees (while others were not), being told to turn off music before the stated curfew, and experiencing a lack of basic amenities like toilet paper in the bathrooms. This feedback suggests that while the natural location remains a strong feature, the management style has become a point of concern for some visitors.
Promotional information for Headquarters Campground is not included in the provided reviews. Campgrounds often have varying rates depending on the time of year, the type of campsite (e.g., riverside, with hookups), and the length of stay. Holiday weekends, such as the 4th of July, are typically peak season and may have higher rates and require advance booking. To obtain current promotional details, pricing, and reservation information for Headquarters Campground, it would be best to search online for official campground listings or contact the relevant managing authority, which could be the Kern County Parks and Recreation Department or another agency responsible for campgrounds in the Kernville area. These sources would provide the most up-to-date information on availability and any special offers.
For local users in the Kernville area looking for "Camping Near Me," Headquarters Campground's riverside location on the Kern River offers a significant draw for swimming and tubing enthusiasts. The campground accommodates both tent and trailer camping, although shade may be limited in some sites. While the natural environment and river access are positive aspects, potential campers should be aware of recent negative feedback regarding campground management, including concerns about overly strict enforcement of rules and a lack of basic amenities. It would be prudent to seek more recent reviews or contact the managing authority to get a current perspective on the campground's conditions and services. Despite the management concerns raised in one review, the campground's established popularity over the years suggests that many visitors have had positive experiences, primarily due to its prime location on the Kern River.
In conclusion, Headquarters Campground in Kernville offers a camping experience centered around its excellent location on the Kern River, providing opportunities for swimming and tubing. While the natural environment is a key feature, recent feedback indicates potential concerns regarding campground management and amenities. Local users searching for "Camping Near Me" should weigh the positive aspects of the location against the reported management issues and seek current information on services, features, pricing, and reservation policies from official sources before planning their visit.
Headquarters Campground Photos










Headquarters Campground Location
Headquarters Campground
Sm99, Kernville, CA 93238, USA
Headquarters CampgroundSm99
Headquarters CampgroundCalifornia 93238
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Camp Kernville24 Sirretta St
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Headquarters Campground Reviews
Location is what makes this campground great. I forgot to take any pictures! We were here 4th of July weekend. The water level was great for swimming. The current wasn't strong on the south end, you could float in a tube mostly in place. It was stronger towards the north end.I was in campsite 003 with our 23' trailer Not much shade, but it was a good site. Camp host was really friendly. Bathrooms are stinky, but that's to be expected.
Jul 08, 2024 · Jen S.I honestly wish this review was a better outcome because my friends and family have been coming here for 10 years. We stayed from the 25 to 28 of july and this year has been the worst one yet. Apparently this campground got under new management and things changed. Let me just say it is the worst hosts ever and kept threatening that the ranger would be coming over to check on everyone if we didnt quiet down. We had not even been too loud and this happened on the last night we were staying. I know their job is to check around that no one is breaking rules but please, who needs to be circling and checking on everyone every 5 minutes. Not just that but the fact that she would bother about something or anything she could find. We felt as if this vacation was ruined because of these hosts. We had been asked to take stuff down because we couldnt be hanging anything off the trees but there were many people around who had more than one thing hanging which were hammocks. When it came to the rules’ curfew, it says that all music and things had to be turned off. While it was still 9:40, the host cane over to say we were making everyone miserable and that we were breaking rules by not turning it off. Let me remind you it was 9:40, not 10:00 so we still had a right to continue with our music and fun for 20 more minutes but she had assumed it was 10:00 already. She spoke to us very badly and didnt even let us explain ourselves and that we were not in the wrong. After all this, we all went to sleep and once laying to rest, we could hear people laughing very loud and blasting music at 2 in the morning. So many things were horrible and also the fact that were was no toilet paper in the bathrooms so we had to find something to use. After all this, Having to constantly abide by the rules which we were already doing, the host ruined our whole vacation. I hope management changes soon because it was not it. All other years were amazing and this one just happened to be the worst of them all. Worst management of this camp and hopefully they find somewhere else to bother every 5 minutes.
Jul 28, 2024 · rinlbeen coming here with family and friends for 10 years and have never had any complaints until this year with a horrible camp host. she complained about every little thing to us, made us take down ropes when others also had some in their camp. we had music playing before curfew and she still came to complain that we were too loud at 9:51pm. she was arguing with everyone at the campground: worst host we’ve had.
Jul 28, 2024 · Martina CordovaI stayed there in June 2023 (less than a week ago as I write this review).The pros: the campsites tend to have lots of spots for tents, which we used. We were a group of 17 in 3 campsites. The bathrooms, which are vault toilets were very clean and smelled good?? which I didn't expect. The water wasn't in the campsites but wasn't too far. It was quiet at night, and it is so close to the Kern River that it muffles a lot of noise. The bear boxes were in good shape, but we didn't have any problems with animals.The cons: Some of the best campsites were damaged by the high river and are not repaired, just roped off. Lots of the remaining sites are quite sunny. There were no "safe pools" of the Kern nearby, so we stayed out of the river. There were plenty of mosquitos at twilight, so bug spray is highly recommended.
Jun 21, 2023 · Forest FerkinWe've been coming here for years. It's a great spot for fishing or summer water play. Be watchful for snakes and critters in the summer. The best part is: 1- This spot is open year round allowing us to visit multiple times a year, 2- right around the corner is the River Kern store that's got a little bit of everything including delicious tri-tip sandwiches that we always splurge on, once per visit.
Jun 04, 2023 · Laura Lowe
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