Camp 9
Sequoia National Forest
Camp 9, a year-round facility, rests on the shores of Lake Isabella, a high desert reservoir. Its proximity to the lake and the Upper Kern River makes the facility popular among boaters, rafters and anglers. The camp is also a favorite among RV campers, with ample parking available to accommodate both trailers and motorized watercraft.
Camp 9 offers over 100 single campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally 11 group sites are available by reservation. Some sites are on the lakeshore, while others are set further back but have views of the lake. A few cottonwood trees are found in the campground, but shade is limited; plan on bringing protection.
The group sites offer two picnic tables each, campfire rings, portable toilets, and paved parking. Group sites 1, 2 and 6-11 have drinking water. Group sites 1 and 2 have shade shelters. Sites 1-5 each have a locked gate for security.
An RV dump station ($10 fee), fish cleaning station and boat ramp with floating dock are also available within Camp 9 Recreation Area.
Need to Know
.Single family campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit 6 people and 2 vehicles per site.
- $5 fee will be charged for extra vehicles beginning with the third vehicle
- No hookups available
- Shade is limited
- Dump station fee is $10 per use; no free dumping allowed
Glass food and beverage containers are prohibited along the Kern River and around Lake Isabella, including Camp 9. Please prepare for your visit by packing food and beverages in non-glass containers.
- Click here to learn more about Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect California's forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. For more information visit firewood.ca.gov.
Group Sies 1-5 Maximum 35 people. Group Sites 6-11 Maximum 20 people.
Natural Features
The campground sits on the north shore of Lake Isabella, an 11,000-acre reservoir, at an elevation of 2,600 feet and is a short drive to the Upper Kern River.
In the spring and early summer, a breeze can come up in the afternoons, but the mornings are quiet and calm. Fall and winter are perhaps the most beautiful time of year at Camp 9, with temperatures ranging from the 60s in the day to low 40s at night.
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 encompasses 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.
Nearby Attractions
The Upper Kern River is a short drive away, with additional fishing opportunities. Rafters and kayakers also enjoy the river.
Recreation
Anglers enjoy fishing on both Lake Isabella and the Upper Kern River. Boating, kayaking and swimming are also popular activities. A seasonal boat ramp and dock are available within the day use area in the campground.
Contact Information
Default
11380 KERNVILLE ROAD Kernville CA 93238
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 760-376-3781
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From the south, take Highway 99 to Bakersfield. Take the Highway 178 exit and travel east toward the Kern River Canyon. Follow Highway 178 for approximately 40 miles to the town of Lake Isabella. From Lake Isabella, take Highway 155. Continue past the town of Wofford Heights to Kernville. At the stop sign in Kernville, turn right onto Sierra Way. Proceed 4 miles. Camp 9 is on the right side of the road.
Available Campsites
- Site X28, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X1, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X16, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XX20, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site G05, Loop LAKC, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXXX4, Loop LAKD, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XX19, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site X20, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site G08, Loop LAKC, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site A5, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site X14, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXX7, Loop LAKC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A8, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site XXX6, Loop LAKC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X15, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site G10, Loop LAKD, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site XXXX2, Loop LAKD, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXX9, Loop LAKC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X27, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X22, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXX2, Loop LAKC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XX14, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site XXXX3, Loop LAKD, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X2, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XX15, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site XXX4, Loop LAKC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A11, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site XX12, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site G03, Loop LAKC, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXXX6, Loop LAKD, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site G04, Loop LAKC, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
- Site A3, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site X13, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A10, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site X9, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X18, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X24, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXXX5, Loop LAKD, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X8, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X21, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X23, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXX8, Loop LAKC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXXX, Loop LAKD, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X11, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X12, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XX17, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site X4, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XX13, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site A4, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site X5, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A1, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site G07, Loop LAKC, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site G09, Loop LAKD, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site X3, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A7, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site XX16, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site XX, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site G06, Loop LAKC, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site X17, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A2, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site G02, Loop LAG2, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site X10, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XX18, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site X29, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A9, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site X6, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X7, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site A6, Loop LAKB, Type Rv Nonelectric
- Site XXX3, Loop LAKC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXX1, Loop LAKC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X26, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X30, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site X19, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXXX1, Loop LAKD, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXX, Loop LAKC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site XXX5, Loop LAKC, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site G11, Loop LAKD, Type Group Tent Only Area Nonelectric
- Site G01, Loop LAG1, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site X25, Loop LAKA, Type Standard Nonelectric
Photo Gallery