Headquarters sits along the Kern River six miles north of Kernville, where the campground's mix of 44 sites ranges from shaded riverside spots under oak and cottonwood to more exposed sites back from the water. At 2,800 feet in Sequoia National Forest, it's a solid base camp for river activities and day trips into the surrounding Sierra Nevada.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 44
- 💵Fee per Night
- $36
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 📍GPS
- 35.79630, -118.45001
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- spring, summer, fall, winter
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📞Phone
- 760-376-1815
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The campground spreads across an open area overlooking the Kern Wild and Scenic River, with sites divided between standard, RV, and tent-only options. The prime real estate sits riverside under oak, juniper, and cottonwood trees — these shaded spots offer both privacy and the sound of moving water. Sites further from the river trade shade for openness, sitting more exposed with little tree cover.
Each site comes with a picnic table and campfire ring, plus access to vault toilets and drinking water. The riverside setting at 2,800 feet keeps things cooler than the Central Valley heat, though the open sites can still bake during summer afternoons.
What to Know
Reservations are required for the $36-per-night sites, and the campground stays open year-round. The riverside location makes this popular with rafters and kayakers running the Upper Kern, so expect company during peak river season. For safety and permitting requirements around river activities, check the Forest Service's Upper Kern River information.
Nearby
The Cannell Meadow National Recreation Trail starts just north of Kernville, climbing 11.5 miles through mixed pine and fir forest to reach Cannell Meadow and a historic Forest Service cabin built between 1904 and 1909. The trail offers views of the Kern River Valley as it gains elevation.
Day trips to Sequoia National Park and Giant Sequoia National Monument put you among the groves of giant sequoias that gave the forest its name. The forest itself covers 1.1 million acres with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 12,000 feet, creating steep canyons and mountain streams that feed waterfalls like Salmon Creek Falls and Grizzly Falls.