Headquarters Campground

Λndy Hoang

2023-11

…More

Forest Ferkin

2023-06

I 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.

Andrea Gonzalez

2023-11

We camped here on October 7th and 8th. The site host was very friendly. They don't have many sites that fit an RV. However, ours did fit perfectly. The total length with the car is about 30 feet, and we had no room to spare. I think something longer would not even be able to navigate the campsite road (tight narrowish turns). We were told there was other parking for the car if it didn't all fit. The website doesn't note generator hours, so I'll note here that the host told us we could use it outside of quiet hours (10pm-6am). This is mostly a tent campsite, and we were the only RV outside of the host. The campsite we used was 43, and the website was accurate about the back row of sites not having much shade. However, the sites were pretty large, which might make up for it. The back row of sites is also right off the road,however, headlights from cars going by while we were around the campfire was a little annoying. My only big complaint is that there weren't really any good places to even go down and look at the Kern River that we were able to find. Most entrance areas were out of someone else's campsite. I was pleasantly surprised that the mosquitoes were not bad at all. Overall, those were minor inconveniences, and we enjoyed our stay. This campsite was pricier than what I usually see, IMO, but that might be due to its closeness to Kernville. It's like an 8 minute drive.Nearby activities: Very close to Kernville, about 8 minutes driving.Walkability: It would be a bit of a walk to Kernville. We did not see any walking trails, but we also didn't look very hard.Food & drinks: Kernville has a couple restaurants, corner stores, and such. Kern Brewing is very popular for their beer, and their food was great. Not your typical bar food.

janie segura

2023-12

…More

Laura Lowe

2023-06

We'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.

Gary Harris

2023-05

As the campground host I apologize for the table and bear box, we try hard to stay on top of all there is to do.That being said, anyone who has an issue at a campground should talk to the hosts so that it can be taken care of .Headquarters is just out of town enough to feel remote but close for convenience.dessert and river in one place.Very hot and crowded in the summer months, but the cool water of the kern make it worth it .

Ted Brick

2019-05

Love everything about this river-side camping.A Perfect Oasis next to the Kern River. Lot's of shade and cool river access. The camp Host "Susan" really made the campground special and enjoyable.It close to everything but just out there anough to feel the perfect vibes of beautiful nature.My family will always have a great love for our adventures at Headquarters Campground.If you want a beach front campsite use the easy reservation system online.

Chris Sheean

2019-05

I haven't been camping in over 32 years. I went back to the place that I can spend the child, and had an absolutely. I was able to fish, swim, and after being on the road for three hours. I was able to find a campsite during Memorial weekend it was packed for the lady at headquarters, the caretaker was an amazing person. Thank you so very much for the beautiful memory I just made I will be back again. And the camping site was beautiful.

Mike March

2023-06

Great camp ground. Site 13 is the best site.Although the raging River has done a number on the banks.

Fiona Cole

2022-05

Headquarters Campground is located on the Kern River between Kernville and the Johnsondale Bridge. We reserved campsite #29 which has a upper driveway and a lower pad area. There is a slope so we could not set up chairs under the awning. But this site has trees for shade and plenty of room in the lower area. The flowing water in the tributary right next to the campsite was peaceful to listen to and home to a pair of ducks. We hiked and fly fished along the campground and above the Johnsondale Bridge. We recommend the campsites next to the river in Headquarters Campground. The downside is that other campers walked through our site and our neighbor's sites to get access to the Kern River.

Nancy Reyes

2019-05

I love this place, except they always have grumpy old grounds keepers. I spent two nights here and i used a table by the river. It was all sticky, so I washed it down. I eat with friends and cleaned up the area after we were done, the next morning the old lady came and told us that we left a mess. Obviously someone else came and made a mess and she blamed us. She got really made when we told her that we left it cleaner than it was. Other than the women who works there now. I love the place.

ClassicSensei

2018-05

Beautiful campground. While this camp site does not offer hookups, it is not too expensive to stay at and the spots have ample room for a motorhome and a car as well.Most spots are accommodated with a grill, an Anti-Bear theft food vault, and some even have a picnic table.If you choose the right spot you can easily wake up in the morning and walk to the river in less than two minutes and it's quite the time!This campground sports great fishing areas that are never too crowded and their are plenty of fish to catch.Overall I highly recommend this campground for a refreshing experience with nature.

pamela collucci

2021-05

Beautiful, our camp site had its own beach,. Very clean. We will definitely be back. And our friend the blue haren across the river came to visit us each morning.

Robert Guillaume

2023-05

Disgusting. They apparently don't bother to clean up the only two things that need to be cleaned... the picnic table and the bear proof box. Both covered with sticky spilled food stuff. Absolutely filthy. The stench of the pit toilets wafting through the campground is enough to take your mind off of the filthy tables

Alton Klein

2019-05

Love this place! Even though it was a hot weekend, the trees provided enough shade to keep us comfortable. I would recommend renting a yurt. The yurt gets hot during the day, but they come with beds and cool down nicely at night.

Kelly Kemp

2017-05

Decent campsite. Went on President's Day/Valentine's weekend and it was the only open campsite on Reserve America. A month prior, most of the sites were booked. I picked Site 004. Site 004 sucks. It's hard to tell based on the Reserve America maps and photos, but the sites next to the highway are literally next to the highway. Imagine if a drunk driver drove into your camp! Plus all the constant noise. The highway side sites don't have food cupboards either.Anyway, lucky for us, some people didn't show up and we moved to Site 33 the next day. It's across from the host, but he was cool. This site had a cupboard, fire ring, picnic table, tree cover, enough space for a large 8-person tent and a smaller 2-person tent. It wasn't buggy in February, but there is a pool of stagnant water behind it that, if it doesn't clear out by summer, might be bad for mosquitoes.Vault toilets were kept pretty clean. The water in the pumps, while "potable," was very yellow and tasted awful. I used it for cleaning, but bought drinking water in town.We drove north until the Johnsondale road closure. Trail of 100 Giants was closed, so that was a bummer. We scouted out a lot of the undeveloped campgrounds and they didn't have a lot of privacy, the rest of the developed campgrounds were gated off, so we couldn't check those out.Headquarters isn't a bad choice, but you should really try to get a riverside site or at least one in the middle, but those have very little privacy. Still better than a highway side site.

LizzHarris09

2022-05

Huge sites! Several by the water... beautiful! amenities are basic but clean, water spigots and vault bathrooms. Very quiet peaceful pretty area. Love this campground!

Damian Lavalle

2019-05

Beachfront property here. Several sites are right up against the river. But trying to reserve these spots is a mission. They are often snatched up the very first day of the beginning of the year and people book them weeks at a time. So you have to keep on top of it waiting for cancellations.

Sherap T

2023-05

Along the Kern River. Has 2 Yurts.There is No electricity at both Yurts.Has a bunk bed and a futon. Sleeps 6 people.Has fire pit, bear box and running water on tap.Vault Toilets.

Hyper Fast

2017-05

Awesome site and overseen by the nicest person in Kernville. Thank you Sandy for assisting us and being available during our stay. You made a dad and 2 daughters small vacation a memorable one. All the sites are good sites at Head Quarters.

Emily Claire

2020-05

Wonderful site by the river with plenty of privacy from other campsitess. Water spigots were a plus. The pit toilets were a little smelly. Friendly and welcoming camp host.

F James

2019-05

I like headquarters campground, it's nice and shaded, although not a lot of exposure to the river like Fairview, but in late spring and summer you'll be glad because of the trees. When we were there it was quite at night.

Randy Classen

2021-05

A decent campground next to Kern River. Groceries & camping/fishing supplies close by. Best of all, though, Kern River Brewing Company is a stone's throw away.👍🏻

Donnie E. (Lone_Feather)

2023-05

The campground suffered serious damage in March from the flood. The river has completely changed.

Albert Buenrostro

2021-05

River access not easy to get unless you invade riverfront sites. Also, extremely loud group was never asked to be quiet and were up until 3am screaming

matthew mangus

2017-05

Cramped and overcrowded. River access is limited so if you snag a riverside spot, be aware that other campers will be traipsing through your campsite at all hours.

TERESA PARMELY-PEREZ

2021-05

Nice place. Great camp host! All sites are close to the river and it's absolutely beautiful!

Daniel p

2023-05

Lots of shaded campsites, easy access to river, clean, basic amenities (vault toilets, water spigot, dumpster) would come back.

Emily Talley

2019-05

Great campground near Kernville which is a neat town. Campground is right on the Kern River. Camp host Mark was very helpful. Very clean and campsites nicely placed.

C1x James

2019-05

I love this campsite. Lot of nice people here not like Camp 3. I got a space next to the water and it was just awesome!