Hospital Flat Campground is situated along the Kern River, 6.5 miles north of the town of Kernville. Hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting are popular activities.
The campground offers several single-family sites on a single loop along the river. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water.
Sequoia National Forest Christmas Tree Cutting Permits (exchanged for pre-cut trees) available starting November 25th, 2024 at the Western Divide Ranger District Office - call (559) 539-2607 for more information.
HUME LAKE IS SOLD OUT - Sequoia National Forest Christmas Tree Cutting Permits (exchanged for pre-cut trees) available starting November 14th, 2024 at the Hume Lake Ranger District Office - call (559) 338-2251 for more information.
KERN RIVIER IS SOLD OUT - Sequoia National Forest Christmas Tree Cutting Permits available starting November 25th, 2024, 9am PST on recreation.gov for the Kern River Ranger District - call (760) 376-3781 for more information.
In accordance with standard industry practices, ExplorUS will be assessing an additional vehicle fee of $8.00 per night 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.
Site length includes tow vehicle
The campground sits within Sequoia National Forest at an elevation of 3,000 feet in an open area overlooking the Kern Wild and Scenic River. Gray pine, scrub oak, grasses and shrubs cling to steep, canyon walls along the river, and cottonwoods and willows line the riverbanks.
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.
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.
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.
CA
For campground inquiries, please call: 760-376-1815
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
From Kernville, go 6.5 miles north on Sierra Way (Mountain 99) to the campground.