05 reviews
Price
$12 - $20/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
1 campsites
Season
Open all year around...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$12 - $20/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
1 campsites
Season
Open all year around...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Learn more about alerts →Old Isabella
11380 Kernville Road Kernville, CA 93238
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Tent campers who want direct lake access without a crowded campground: one site means you've got the shoreline to yourself. Summer scoring 5/5 makes sense here, the boat launch is right next door, and bass, trout, and catfish fishing peaks in warm months. Bring your own water; th
The automated payment system has burned campers before, expired passes and no refund is a real risk, so call the Lake Isabella office (760-376-1269) before you arrive. Strong overnight winds cut into fishing and campfires may be banned, so cold, sleepless nights are possible if c
Reference information about Old Isabella sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Located off Highway 178 on the southern side of Lake Isabella, this facility offers visitors a vault toilet, trash service, a visitor information station, and campsites above the high-water mark. Below the high-water mark, visitors can drive their vehicles to the shoreline and camp at the water’s edge. Below the high-water mark, portable toilets and trash receptacles are provided for visitor convenience during the summer.</p><p>Adjacent to the camping site there is a public boat launch and courtesy dock with a large, paved parking area for vehicles and boat trailers, flush toilets, and drinking water. </p><p> </p><p><b>ExplorUS</b><br />All developed campground areas on the Forest operate under a concessionaire permit with ExplorUs. For additional information, please visit <a href="https://www.goexplorus.com/about-explorus/">About Explorus - Hospitality Management (goexplorus.com)</a> or call their home office at (661) 702-1420, or their Lake Isabella office at 760-376-1269.</p><p>The interagency America the Beauitful pass <strong><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/passespermits/annual.shtml">Annual</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/passespermits/senior.shtml">Senior</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/passespermits/access.shtml">Access</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/passespermits/volunteer.shtml">Volunteer</a></strong>, and <strong><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/passespermits/military.shtml">Military</a></strong> is accepted. </p><p>Campfire permits are required for campfires, barbeques, and camp stoves. Permits are available at your local Ranger Station or online at <a href="file:///C:/Users/sheaymayhew/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/Z0AUFXYO/preventwildfireca.org"><font color="#0b3d1c">preventwildfireca.org</font></a></p><p>For Kern River Ranger District recreation information, please call 760-376-3781.</p>
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Summer delivers the best lake access, with daytime highs in the 90s°F and evenings cooling to the 60s-70s°F. Boating, wake sports, and fishing for bass, trout, and catfish peak during these months, though expect crowds on weekends and holidays. Fire danger runs high. Reviews mention strong winds that can complicate fishing. Winter and shoulder seasons see fewer visitors and milder temperatures, but lake levels drop and some services may be reduced.
Best lake access; peak boating, watersports and shoreline camping occur in summer.
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The Old Isabella Campground is located off Highway 178 on the southern side of Lake Isabella, providing a mix of developed and shoreline camping options. Key amenities include vault toilets, trash services, and a visitor information station. Additional amenities such as portable toilets and trash receptacles are made available for shoreline campers during the summer. Adjacent to the camping site, a public boat launch and courtesy dock are available, supported by a large paved parking area for vehicles and boat trailers. Notably, flush toilets and drinking water are available near the boat launch, but potable water is not provided within the campground itself. Campers are advised to bring their own drinking water or use a water filter.
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