How much does camping cost at Tillie Creek?

Camping fees at Tillie Creek range from $36-$292/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Tillie Creek first-come first-served or reservation?

Tillie Creek accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Tillie Creek before I book?

Yes! Tillie Creek has 7 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Tillie Creek?

Tillie Creek is open January 01 to October 23. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Tillie Creek?

Tillie Creek does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Is there cell service at Tillie Creek?

Cell phone service at Tillie Creek is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Tillie Creek have?

Tillie Creek has 60 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Tillie Creek?

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

What amenities are available at Tillie Creek?

Tillie Creek offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Dump Station. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Tillie Creek

Q: Can I have a campfire at Tillie Creek?

Fire policies at Tillie Creek: 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.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

3.64

63 reviews

Summer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,667 ft

Price

$36 - $292/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

60 campsites

Season

The campground is re...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Rocky Mountain Recreation Company Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,667 ft

Price

$36 - $292/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

60 campsites

Season

The campground is re...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Rocky Mountain Recreation Company Official Website

Get Directions

Tillie Creek

$36.00 - $292.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC-150 PPL MAX: $292.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC-60 PPL MAX: $199.00; GROUP STANDARD NONELECTRIC-80 PPL MAX: $219.00;...

Group Site Fee$280.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

760-376-1815pcaldwell@goexplorus.com

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Tillie Creek

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Tillie Creek

35.7015, -118.4594

Nearby places

Lake Isabella: 6 miles (approximately 10 minutes driving), Bakersfield: ~50 miles (about 1 hour driving).

Weather at Tillie Creek

Current alerts(9)

Click here for more info about the Sequoia National Forest
Off-road vehicles are not permitted in the campground
Overhanging branches might scrape some RVs
RV Dump Station is located at this campground. The use fee is $25.00.

Best Time to Camp at Tillie Creek

Best season: spring. Spring offers the best balance of mild weather and abundant natural activity — expect daytime highs generally in the mid-50s to high 70s°F (13–26°C) and cool nights in the 40s–50s°F. Snowmelt fuels Salmon Creek and Grizzly Falls to peak flow, wildflowers and oaks are coming into bloom, and fishing/boating are excellent before summer crowds and heat arrive; moderate weekend crowds make advanced reservations recommended. Peak months: May, April, June, September

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring snowmelt enhances waterfalls and fishing; review signal for spring is strongly positive.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: January 01 to October 23. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: The campground is reservable from April 4 to October 25 (peak season).

About Tillie Creek

Tillie Creek sits in the Sequoia National Forest foothills near Lake Isabella, operated by Rocky Mountain Recreation Company. The mid-sized campground offers tent and RV sites with flush and vault toilets, a dump station, and direct access to lake boating. Spring brings wildflower blooms, cooler temperatures, and excellent fishing before summer heat and crowds arrive.

Tillie Creek Campground accommodates individual, group, and ADA-accessible camping. Reviews highlight varied experiences, with some praising hosts and spacious group sites while others point out issues with overcrowding and mismanagement.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring offers the best balance of mild weather and abundant natural activity — expect daytime highs generally in the mid-50s to high 70s°F (13–26°C) and cool nights in the 40s–50s°F. Snowmelt fuels Salmon Creek and Grizzly Falls to peak flow, wildflowers and oaks are coming into bloom, and fishing/boating are excellent before summer crowds and heat arrive; moderate weekend crowds make advanced reservations recommended. Peak months: May, April, June, September

Elevation2667 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryAt 2,667 feet, the campground overlooks Lake Isabella, a reservoir formed where the Upper and Lower Kern Rivers converge. Oak trees provide scattered shade across the sites. The surrounding Sequoia National Forest holds granite canyons carved by mountain streams, with Salmon Creek Falls and Grizzly Falls close enough for day trips. The lake itself dominates the view, stretching wide enough for boating and water sports. The landscape here marks the transition between the high Sierra and lower foothills. Rock faces and steep canyon walls frame the water. Spring brings wildflowers and green oaks; summer turns the hills golden brown.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground does not feature hotel-style lodges but provides group camping facilities accommodating up to 150 guests.

Programs & ActivitiesFree interpretive programs occur every Saturday morning at 9am during summer months.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14 nights maximum.

Guests Allowed Per Site

6people per site limit.

Groups

Group sites can accommodate up to 150 guests and are wheelchair accessible.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations are available through Recreation.gov via website, mobile app, or contact center.

AccessibilityOne group area is wheelchair accessible.

Site SizeSite sizes vary, with group sites accommodating up to 150 guests.

PrivacyPrivacy levels vary, with some sites offering more space and seclusion while others are near roads and neighborhoods ('Jeff F: The campground is very nice and in a walking distance to a nice views of the lake.').

Total Campsites60 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose campsites closer to the front for more space, while group sites may offer better amenities for large gatherings. Avoid the back sites due to rocky terrain.

Best CampsitesGroup site FS1-20 gets mentioned for handling large parties and staying close to amenities. FS1ADA is wheelchair accessible with good views. Privacy varies widely. Some sites sit far enough apart for seclusion; others back up to the road or nearby neighborhoods.

Need help booking Tillie Creek?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Tillie Creek Campground offers various amenities aimed at enhancing the camping experience. Facilities include flush toilets, water spigots, picnic tables, BBQ pits, a playground, and an amphitheater for campfire programs. A marina and boat ramps are located just south of the campground. However, many users have expressed dissatisfaction with certain aspects. Multiple reviews highlight issues such as lack of showers ('Kristen D: No working showers, and half of the water spickets capped off...'), dirty porta-potties ('Maria O: Porta Potties were dirty when we got there and stayed that way all weekend.'), and unclean bathrooms ('Jazmine A: Tillie creek was quite a disappointment...'). On the positive side, some users praised the camp hosts and clean water spigots ('Joanne F: The campground host was great...').

Potable water

Flush toilets

Dump station

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at Tillie Creek Campground revolve around the adjacent Lake Isabella, offering swimming, boating, water skiing, and windsurfing. Fishing is popular during colder months with species such as trout, catfish, and largemouth bass available.

Boating

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Fire PolicyDon'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.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are available. One review specifically noted a camp host cleaning these areas ('Vu D: He picked up trash only to clean the public restroom.').

Cell CoverageCell phone service appears to be available but quality varies as some reviews mentioned noise from nearby neighborhoods ('Jeff F: The noise from the highway, barking dogs, and roosters...').

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

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.6

63 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Tillie Creek has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Tillie Creek Campground present a mixed picture. Positive experiences include helpful camp hosts ('Gerardo R: The person working or attending the location was excellent friendly, honest and very helpful...') and scenic views ('Jessica A: Very relaxing and beautiful area'). However, negative reviews frequently mention overcrowding ('Katina W: Limit of 6 people per site was definitely not enforced...'), noise ('Jeff F: The noise from the highway, barking dogs, and roosters...'), and lack of cleanliness ('Maria O: Porta Potties were dirty when we got there and stayed that way all weekend.').

Review Summaries

Based on 63 reviews

What Campers Love

Many users appreciated the friendliness of camp hosts ('Vu D: He is very helpful with other questions.') and the campground's proximity to scenic spots ('Camille H: The campground is very nice and in...

Based on 63 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints include overcrowding ('Katina W: Limit of 6 people per site was definitely not enforced...'), unclean bathrooms ('Maria O: Porta Potties were dirty when we got there and stayed...

Based on 63 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site FS1-30: Mixed reviews about proximity to the river and noise from neighboring campers. Site FS1-40: Generally highlighted in negative reviews for being close to the road and noisy.

Based on 63 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors suggest avoiding the campground during summer months due to heat and lack of shade ('Jessica G: Would return again, just not in the middle of the summer.') and opting for alternative nearby...

Based on 63 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are hot with little shade ('James V: Not very much shade and very hot in the summer months.'), while off-season stays offer more privacy ('Brewster P: The campsite was largely empty—we...

Based on 63 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'The campground host was great.' - Joanne F - 'Bathrooms seemed clean. However I didn't need to use them.' - Joanne F - 'Very dry, hot, and windy with little shade.' - Jessica G - 'Very relaxing...

Based on 63 reviews