Is Walker Pass Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Walker Pass Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Are there showers at Walker Pass Campground?

Walker Pass Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Walker Pass Campground have?

Walker Pass Campground has 13 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Walker Pass Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Walker Pass Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Walker Pass Campground?

Walker Pass Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Walker Pass Campground?

Popular activities at Walker Pass Campground include Hiking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Walker Pass Campground

4.29

75 reviews

Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA, 93308, USA

Featured in:Southern California

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

5,000 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Bureau of Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

5,000 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

13 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Bureau of Land Management Official Website

Get Directions

Walker Pass Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

661-391-6000BLM_CA_Web_BK@blm.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA, 93308, USA

Walker Pass Campground

Bureau of Land Management, Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Drive, Bakersfield, CA, 93308, USA

Nearby places

Lake Isabella (35 miles east, approximately 40 minutes), Mojave (approximately 45 miles southwest, roughly 55 minutes), Ridgecrest (approximately 50 miles north, roughly 1 hour).

Weather at Walker Pass Campground

Best Time to Camp at Walker Pass Campground

Best season: summer. Summer combines reliably warm daytime hiking weather (typically mid-70s to low-90s°F at 5,000 ft) with cool, comfortable nights (often 45–60°F), making for great PCT day-hikes, backpacking starts, and outstanding stargazing. Trails and the walk-in campsites are most accessible and lively in summer, while evenings are perfect for campfires—though afternoon monsoon storms (July–August) and fire restrictions can occasionally interrupt plans. Crowd levels are moderate: more PCT and weekend traffic,但 Peak months: June, September, October, May

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Mild spring conditions likely great for hiking and views, though specific spring data is limited.

Planning Tips

About Walker Pass Campground

Walker Pass Campground sits at 5,000 feet in the Kern River Valley, managed by the Bureau of Land Management and serving as a popular staging point for Pacific Crest Trail hikers. This small, no-fee campground offers primitive tent and RV sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables in a mid-elevation forest setting. Visitors come for quiet nights under dark skies, wildlife viewing, and direct access to PCT trailheads, though highway noise and limited amenities keep the experience rustic.

Walker Pass Campground caters to tent campers, Pacific Crest Trail hikers, and car campers, with limited accommodations for horse travelers.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer combines reliably warm daytime hiking weather (typically mid-70s to low-90s°F at 5,000 ft) with cool, comfortable nights (often 45–60°F), making for great PCT day-hikes, backpacking starts, and outstanding stargazing. Trails and the walk-in campsites are most accessible and lively in summer, while evenings are perfect for campfires—though afternoon monsoon storms (July–August) and fire restrictions can occasionally interrupt plans. Crowd levels are moderate: more PCT and weekend traffic,但 Peak months: June, September, October, May

Elevation5000 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits in a semi-arid landscape where Joshua trees and pinyon pines share the same terrain, a product of the 5,000-foot elevation bridging two ecosystems. Views extend across the rugged Southern Sierra foothills. The Pacific Crest Trail passes directly through camp on its route between Owens Peak and Cache Peak. Reviewers consistently mention the night sky. With no nearby light pollution, the Milky Way is vivid. The setting is quiet and peaceful during the day, though Highway 178 runs close enough that some campers hear traffic noise.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging or accommodations mentioned.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Groups

No group sites are mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations are not applicable; no platforms are used for this campground.

Site SizeThe campground includes eleven walk-in sites for PCT hikers and tent campers and two sites for car camping.

PrivacySites are generally quiet and peaceful ('quiet, peaceful, great views') but some reviews note issues such as trash and lack of privacy ('Only two good campsites the rest are trash').

Total Campsites13 campsites

Recommended SitesCar camping sites are limited to two; users recommend early arrival for these spots. Walk-in sites are ideal for hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Amenities available

Walker Pass Campground offers basic amenities, particularly suitable for tent campers and Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hikers. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. Hitching racks and corrals are provided for horse travelers, which is a unique feature appreciated by equestrian visitors. However, there is no potable water available, which requires visitors to plan accordingly. User reviews highlight the presence of restrooms ('There are restrooms, but no water source'), and some mention trash left by earlier campers ('Only two good campsites the rest are trash. People leave trash everywhere').

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at Walker Pass Campground primarily center around hiking and enjoying nature. The campground serves as a junction for the Owens Peak and Cache Peak segments of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, making it ideal for hikers. Additionally, the site provides excellent opportunities for stargazing ('Night sky is incredible!') and wildlife observation ('great views'). The location also accommodates horse camping, making it appealing for equestrians ('It also has tiny corrals to hold your horses overnight').

Hiking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

75 reviews

Satisfactory

Walker Pass Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are generally positive, emphasizing peace and quiet, scenic views, and access to the Pacific Crest Trail. Negative aspects include trash issues and limited facilities ('Only two good campsites the rest are trash').

Review Summaries

Based on 75 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive highlights include 'quiet, peaceful, great views,' proximity to the Pacific Crest Trail, and a night sky that's perfect for stargazing. Several users appreciate the free camping and...

Based on 75 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints revolve around loud traffic noise ('Traffic from the 178 is pretty loud'), trash left behind ('People leave trash everywhere'), and lack of cell service ('No cell service'). Some...

Based on 75 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Specific reviews mention that there are only a few good campsites ('Only two good campsites the rest are trash').

Based on 75 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring sufficient water as no potable water is available. Prepare for cold nights, especially in October ('Dropped down to 34 degrees at night'). Be cautious of potholes en route and take it slow ('a...

Based on 75 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews highlight the warm evenings and dry climate suitable for stargazing ('Not too hot in the evenings'). Fall reviews emphasize cold nights ('Dropped down to 34 degrees at night').

Based on 75 reviews

Camper Quotes

User quotes include: 'Great place for day camping or overnight camping, quiet, peaceful, great views,' 'Nice little campground right on the Pacific Crest Trail,' and 'Night sky is incredible!.'

Based on 75 reviews