Go if
You want simple lakeside camping with swimming, boating, and fishing access during warm summer months.
Main Dam Campground
3.87129 reviewsSummer Destination
Quick Facts
2,500 ftPrice
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Quick Facts
2,500 ftPrice
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Main Dam Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
No campsite fee categories listed.
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Main Dam Campground
35.6433, -118.4835
Weather at Main Dam Campground
About Main Dam Campground
Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist
Main Dam Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
No campsite fee categories listed.
Get Notified When Available
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
263,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →Share this campground
Recreation Dot Gov
ProviderSkip if
You need modern restrooms, quiet weekends, or wind-protected sites.
C-
Camper Report Card
How campers graded it
Rated higher than 4% of graded campgrounds
Graded on what 51 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.
Strengths
- Grade A+.Value
- Grade A+.Rules & policies
- Grade A-.Safety
Watch-outs
- Grade D.Campsites
- Grade C-.Bugs & weather
- Grade C-.Cleanliness
Every grade - tap to see what campers said
Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.
From the U.S. Forest Service
Reference information about Main Dam Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
Overview
<p>Located on the southern end of Lake Isabella off Highway 178 near the town of Lake Isabella, this facility offers flush toilets, drinking water, trash service, a dump station and some campsites with stoves and picnic tables 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><b>ExplorUS</b><br />All developed campground areas in 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 Beautiful 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><span new="" roman="" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 107%; font-family: " times="">Campfire permits are required for campfires, barbeques, and camp stoves. Permits are available at your local Ranger Station or online at </span><a href="https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/campfire-permit/">Campfire Permit - Ready for Wildfire.</a></p><p>For Kern River Ranger District recreation information, please call 760-376-3781.</p>
- Open Season
- Year Round
