Camp 9

Star3.55
96 reviews
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Summer Destination

Quick Facts

2,600 ft

Price

$17 - $212/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

111 campsites

Season

Open March 28 throug...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Opens Sequoia National Forest site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Camp 9
$17.00 - $212.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees vary by site type and season. Standard nonelectric and RV nonelectric sites cost $34 per night during peak season. Group standard nonelectric...
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Standard Site Fee$34.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$212.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
760-376-3781sschmidt@goexplorus.com
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What Campers Say

3.55

Mixed Reviews

Based on 96 reviews

82 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsspaciouswaterlake

Some mention

noisecrowded

"User reviews of Camp 9 are mixed, with sentiments ranging from praise for its spacious sites and lake access to complaints about wind, noise, and lack of shade. One user summarized, "Nice quiet place to getaway with the family to have peace away from everything.""

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Campground Map

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Camp 9

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Driving directionsFrom the south, take Highway 99 to Bakersfield. Take the Highway 178 exit and travel east toward the Kern River Canyon. Follow Highway 178 for approximately 40 miles to the town of Lake Isabella. From Lake Isabella, take Highway 155. Continue past the town of Wofford Heights to Kernville. At the stop sign in Kernville, turn right onto Sierra Way. Proceed 4 miles. Camp 9 is on the right side of the road.
Camp 9 is accessible via paved roads throughout the journey described above. However, there is no detailed mention of challenging terrain or seasonal closures in the source materials.
Nearby places
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Nearby supplies
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Best Time to Camp at Camp 9

Spring and early summer mornings at Camp 9 greet visitors with glassy lake waters and still air—perfect for early fishing expeditions—before afternoon breezes sweep across the high desert landscape. The true magic unfolds during fall and winter, when daytime temperatures hover around a comfortable 60°F before dipping to crisp 40°F nights that demand cozy campfires and warm sleeping bags. These cooler months transform the campground into a serene escape, offering some of the year's most spectacular camping conditions.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.0 / 5

Open in summer with boating/fishing but afternoon breezes, heat and variable water levels.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Fall called most beautiful; daytime 60s and pleasant nights in reviews.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring mornings ideal for early fishing; afternoons get breezy per reviews.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Camp is closed outside Mar 28–Oct 25 (not available in winter).

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: March 28 to October 25.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open March 28 through October 25 during peak season; closed outside these dates.
  • Current Alerts: Seasonal closures and flood impacts from heavy rains in 2022-2023 have affected some campsites. The RV dump station is currently closed.

About Camp 9

Perched along the sun-drenched shores of Lake Isabella, Camp 9 beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its perfect blend of water recreation and desert camping. This sprawling lakeside retreat features over 100 first-come, first-served campsites that invite spontaneous adventures, alongside 11 reservable group sites perfect for family reunions and gatherings. Each site comes thoughtfully equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings, while modern conveniences like paved parking, portable toilets, a dump station, and fish cleaning facilities ensure comfort meets wilderness. Whether you're launching your boat at dawn or settling in for sunset stories around the campfire, Camp 9 delivers the authentic California camping experience.
Camp 9 accommodates various camping preferences, including individual campsites, group sites, tent camping, and RV camping.
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Reserving a campsite

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Stay Limit
14 consecutive nights allowed per visit.

Amenities available

Potable water
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Camp 9 offers a variety of recreational activities centered around Lake Isabella and the Upper Kern River. Popular activities include fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, and biking. Some seasonal amenities, such as a boat ramp and dock, enhance the experience. Review sentiment is mixed, with one user commenting, "Great campground with Lake access!" and another describing challenges: "The lake was pretty drained... I had to drive 30 minutes to launch my boat."
FishingFishing is highly popular at both Lake Isabella and Upper Kern River. One user shared, "Kern river is super close for fishing and swimming."
SwimmingSwimming is possible in Lake Isabella. However, reviews note water quality issues such as algae: "The lake had some algae but nothing too crazy."
BikingBiking is highlighted as an activity enjoyed by visitors, with one review stating, "Great campsites... great for riding bicycles."
BoatingBoating opportunities are facilitated by a seasonal boat ramp and dock. However, water levels can be inconsistent: "The boat launch was out of the water."
Beach activitiesBeach activities are noted but limited by water levels: "The lake beach is nice, try to find a camp site near the beach."
Winter Activities
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsStrong winds are common, especially at night. Wildlife hazards include snakes and coyotes. Some sites have spiders in nearby trees.
Active AlertsSeasonal closures and flood impacts from heavy rains in 2022-2023 have affected some campsites. The RV dump station is currently closed.

Weather at Camp 9

Reviews

3.6
96 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Camp 9 has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews of Camp 9 are mixed, with sentiments ranging from praise for its spacious sites and lake access to complaints about wind, noise, and lack of shade. One user summarized, "Nice quiet place to getaway with the family to have peace away from everything."
Review Summaries
Based on 96 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive reviews emphasize the scenic views, spacious group sites, and opportunities for fishing and water activities: "Great campground with Lake access!" and "Nice chill place to enjoy the view and...
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Based on 96 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include extreme wind conditions, lack of shade, crowded sites, dirty restrooms, and limited water access. For example, "It was so incredibly windy! Couldn’t sleep at night," and "No...
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Based on 96 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend bringing sufficient tent stakes and canopies due to wind and limited shade: "Prepare to have some dirt in your tents. You'll need plenty of stakes for your tents." Others advise...
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Based on 96 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Fall and winter are highlighted as the most beautiful times, with daytime temperatures around the 60s and nighttime temperatures in the low 40s. Spring and early summer feature afternoon breezes but...
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Based on 96 reviews

Camper Quotes

"There’s potable water and pit toilets nearby every site. The toilets were clean and didn’t smell." "Kern river is super close for fishing and swimming." "Nice quiet place to getaway with the family...
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Based on 96 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Group site G5 is noted for its spaciousness: "The site is huge, plenty of parking and room for multiple tents." However, campsite 72 in Loop C has challenges with spiders and snakes: "One of these...
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Based on 96 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility reviews are limited but mention clean and accessible restrooms.
Based on 96 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific pet-related reviews are available.
Based on 96 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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