Facility Details - HEADQUARTERS, CA

Overview

Hospital Flat Campground is situated along the Kern River, 6 miles north of the town of Kernville. Hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting are popular activities.

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.

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.

Facilities:

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.

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.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Campfire Rings Drinking Water Host	Pets Allowed Vault Toilets Water
Within 10 Miles
Rafting

Know Before You Go

Additional $2/day fee charged for stays on Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day weekends
In accordance with standard industry practices, Sequoia Recreation will be assessing a $5 additional vehicle fee 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. In the case of motorcycles, the first two are considered to be one vehicle and the third and fourth are also considered to be one vehicle. No additional vehicle fees are collected for bicycles.
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

Due to the spread of invasive insects, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Help protect our forests by purchasing or collecting firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Click here for more information.

This facility is operated by Sequoia Recreation, a division of California Land Management and comments are welcome; comment forms are available from campground hosts or online.

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
35.79583, -118.45111
35°47'45"N, 118°27'4"W

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.

Contact Information:

Mailing Address:

HEADQUARTERS
PO BOX 1640
KERNVILLE CA 93238

Phone Number:

Information: (760)376-1815

HEADQUARTERS, CA