Paradise Cove Campground puts you right on Lake Isabella, one of California's largest reservoirs, with 138 sites split between upper and lower sections that all face the water. It's a year-round base camp for anglers chasing trout in winter and bass in summer, plus a launching point for day trips to giant sequoia groves.
Campground Details
- ⛺Type
- Developed
- 🏕️Total Sites
- 138
- 💵Fee per Night
- $36
- 📋Reservations
- Reservation Required
- 📍GPS
- 35.64957, -118.42702
- 🌤️Best Seasons
- spring, summer, fall, winter
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📞Phone
- 760-376-1815
- 🗺️Address
- CA
Amenities
The Camp
The campground divides into two distinct sections with different parking setups. The upper section offers back-in sites, while the lower section has side-by-side parking — both configurations deliver lake views from every site. With 138 sites total, this is a substantial operation that can handle crowds during peak season.
Lake Isabella stretches out in front of camp, marking where the Upper and Lower Kern Rivers meet. The 11,000-acre reservoir dominates the landscape and drives most of the activity here.
What to Know
Reservations are required year-round, which makes sense given the lake access and the campground's reputation. Water activities rule the warmer months — swimming, water skiing, and windsurfing are popular on the big water. The lake shifts character with the seasons: trout fishing takes over during colder months, while bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish keep anglers busy the rest of the year.
At $36 per night, you're paying for the lake frontage and developed amenities including flush toilets and potable water.
Nearby
The campground works well as a base for exploring giant sequoia country. Day trips reach the Trail of a Hundred Giants and multiple sequoia groves within the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Note that Sequoia National Park sits too far away for day-tripping from here.
The Giant Sequoia Mercantile handles camping supplies, maps, and local books if you need to resupply. The broader Sequoia National Forest context puts you in 1.1 million acres that span from 1,000 feet elevation up to 12,000 feet, creating the dramatic terrain that feeds waterfalls like Salmon Creek Falls and Grizzly Falls.