Kennedy Meadows Campground

4.59

100 reviews

Great Hiking

Featured in:Camping Near Sequoia National Park Hiking Camping California

Quick Facts

6,100 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

37 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Inyo National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,100 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

37 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Inyo National Forest site

Official Website

Get Directions

Kennedy Meadows Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No fees are required for this campground. The site operates under a donation request system.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.59

Top-Rated

Based on 100 reviews

87 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietlocationhiking

"User reviews of Kennedy Meadows Campground highlight its rustic charm and scenic beauty but also note neglect in maintenance and the lack of water and trash services. While some visitors appreciate the primitive camping experience, others express dissatisfaction with the campground’s current conditions."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Kennedy Meadows Campground

36.0518, -118.1305

Driving directionsFrom Pearsonville, CA, take US Rt. 395 north 2.6 miles to Kennedy Meadows sign. Turn left at sign onto Nine Mile Cyn Rd and go 24.6 miles to 'Y' intersection. Bear right onto Kennedy Meadows Rd and go 2.7 miles to campground. Note: Much of Nine Mile Cyn Rd is a long, steep grade.

Access to the campground requires navigating a long, steep grade on Nine Mile Canyon Road, which is paved. Maximum vehicle length is 30 ft.

Nearby places

Pearsonville (2.6 miles and approximately 5 minutes to highway turn-off), Ridgecrest (approximately 27 miles and 40 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Kennedy Meadows General Store near the 'Y' intersection provides limited groceries, firewood, and additional amenities such as showers for a fee. For a full range of supplies, Ridgecrest is the nearest major town.

Best Time to Camp at Kennedy Meadows Campground

Kennedy Meadows transforms with the seasons, each bringing its own mountain magic. Summer days unfold under brilliant blue skies, with temperatures climbing to comfortable highs while nights remain refreshingly cool. Winter wraps the landscape in snow and solitude, with temperatures that demand warm sleeping bags and proper preparation. For the perfect camping weather, plan your visit around mid-April (week 15), when crystal-clear skies accompany ideal temperatures—53°F highs and crisp 34°F lows—with virtually no chance of rain. By early November (week 44), autumn's chill settles in with highs around 48°F, lows dipping to 36°F, and occasional rainfall averaging 0.39 inches.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.5 / 5

Comfortable summer days but busier, warmer nights and reports of black flies and crowds.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall is quieter and cooler per reviews, offering better solitude and comfort.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring brings hikers and snowmelt; reports of more activity and seasonal pests like black flies.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

3.0 / 5

Open year-round but some winters have little snow; quieter but variable winter conditions.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: null. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The campground is open year-round but not seasonally managed.
Current Alerts: No water system is available as it has been out of operation due to lack of funding. Visitors should bring their own potable water.

About Kennedy Meadows Campground

Where the legendary Pacific Crest Trail winds through the Southern Sierra, Kennedy Meadows Campground awaits as a gateway to pure wilderness adventure. Perched at 6,100 feet elevation along the South Fork of the Kern River, this rustic haven offers 37 sites nestled among fragrant juniper and pinyon pine trees. Here, camping returns to its roots—no running water, no trash services, just you and the raw beauty of the mountains. Simple vault toilets and sturdy picnic tables provide the essentials, while the surrounding wilderness provides everything else you need for an authentic backcountry experience.

Kennedy Meadows Campground offers primitive camping in a scenic, remote wilderness area. Both tent and dispersed camping options are available, though RV camping is not formally supported.

Historical Significancenull

Weather and SeasonsKennedy Meadows transforms with the seasons, each bringing its own mountain magic. Summer days unfold under brilliant blue skies, with temperatures climbing to comfortable highs while nights remain refreshingly cool. Winter wraps the landscape in snow and solitude, with temperatures that demand warm sleeping bags and proper preparation. For the perfect camping weather, plan your visit around mid-April (week 15), when crystal-clear skies accompany ideal temperatures—53°F highs and crisp 34°F lows—with virtually no chance of rain. By early November (week 44), autumn's chill settles in with highs around 48°F, lows dipping to 36°F, and occasional rainfall averaging 0.39 inches.

ElevationAt 6,100 feet above sea level, Kennedy Meadows occupies that sweet spot where the air stays crisp and clean year-round. This elevation gifts campers with naturally cooler temperatures—a welcome relief from valley heat—and opens up sweeping vistas of the surrounding wilderness. The thin mountain air carries the scent of pine and sage, while the altitude creates those perfect conditions for spectacular star-gazing on clear nights.

Natural Features and SceneryKennedy Meadows sits at the crossroads of three magnificent wilderness areas—the South Sierra, Golden Trout, and Domeland—creating a landscape of breathtaking diversity. The South Fork of the Kern River ribbons through the terrain, its waters telling ancient stories of snowmelt and stone. Juniper and pinyon pines dot the campground, their twisted forms providing patches of welcome shade and framing views of the surrounding peaks. For Pacific Crest Trail hikers, this is sacred ground—a crucial resupply point where the trail emerges from the high country, offering weary travelers their first taste of relative civilization in miles.

Geological RegionCradled within the embrace of the South Sierra region, Kennedy Meadows occupies a unique geological crossroads where three distinct wilderness areas converge. The South Fork of the Kern River has carved its way through this ancient landscape over millennia, creating a dramatic canyon system that serves as a natural corridor between the South Sierra, Golden Trout, and Domeland wilderness areas. This convergence of protected lands creates an extraordinary tapestry of ecosystems, from river valleys to alpine peaks, making Kennedy Meadows a perfect base camp for exploring one of California's most diverse mountain regions.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Maximum stay is 14 days.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground is arranged in a single loop at the top of Kennedy Meadows. Most campsites are well separated by pinyon pine and juniper trees, providing fair to good privacy.

Reservation PlatformsNo reservation systems are in place. The campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability only as reservations are not accepted. Sites fill on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Cancellation Policynull

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features are listed. Restrooms are not wheelchair-friendly as per facility information.

Site SizeThe sites are dirt-based, fairly level, and can accommodate vehicles up to 30 feet in length. There are 37 sites in total.

PrivacyMost campsites are well-separated, providing fair to good privacy. Some sites overlook the South Fork of Kern River.

Total Campsites37 campsites

Recommended SitesSites near the South Fork of the Kern River are recommended for their views. Trailers over 27 feet will find it difficult to maneuver.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Camp Store

Activities you can enjoy

Kennedy Meadows Campground is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Popular activities include hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail, fishing for rainbow trout in the South Fork of the Kern River, and enjoying the scenic wilderness of the South Sierra, Golden Trout, and Domeland areas.

HikingThe Pacific Crest Trail runs directly through the campground, offering access to an extensive network of trails in the South Sierra Wilderness. This legendary trail spans 2,650 miles, accommodating both foot and horse traffic.

FishingFishing for rainbow trout is possible in the South Fork of the Kern River, although user reviews suggest that drought conditions may have impacted fish availability.

Wildlife viewingCampers can enjoy opportunities for wildlife viewing in the surrounding wilderness areas. Common species were not specified.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThis is bear country; safe food storage techniques are required. Black flies can also be an annoyance during certain times of the year.

Active AlertsNo water system is available as it has been out of operation due to lack of funding. Visitors should bring their own potable water.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Fire PolicyFires are allowed, but visitors should check for current fire restrictions.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM

Emergency ServicesEastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center located at Highway 395 and SR 136 in Lone Pine, CA, approximately 40 miles away. Phone: (760) 876-6200.

Trash & RecyclingThere is no trash or recycling service available. Campers must pack out all garbage they generate.

Water FeaturesLocated near the South Fork of the Kern River, which is described as 'creek size' near the campground.

Camp Hostnull

Weather at Kennedy Meadows Campground

Reviews

4.6

100 reviews

Top-Rated

Kennedy Meadows Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews of Kennedy Meadows Campground highlight its rustic charm and scenic beauty but also note neglect in maintenance and the lack of water and trash services. While some visitors appreciate the primitive camping experience, others express dissatisfaction with the campground’s current conditions.

Review Summaries

Based on 100 reviews

What Campers Love

- Scenic location near the Pacific Crest Trail. - Free camping. - Opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. - 'Hidden gem' with quiet and starry nights.

Based on 100 reviews

Common Concerns

- Lack of maintenance and garbage collection. - No potable water or functioning restrooms at times. - Drought conditions affecting fishing. - Noise from dirt bikes and ATVs reported by some visitors.

Based on 100 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

- Bring all necessary supplies, including water and trash bags. - Stop by the Kennedy Meadows General Store for supplies, showers, or a meal. - Be prepared for remote conditions with no cell service.

Based on 100 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews highlight that the campground is quieter and cooler during fall and winter. Spring and summer bring more campers and hiking activity, but also black flies and warmer weather.

Based on 100 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'Hard to believe this is a free place to camp.' - Chase Parker - 'This campground is very primitive so make sure you are self-contained.' - Janet Flores - 'The drought has really affected the...

Based on 100 reviews