Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates52 total sites
RV Sites
49 sites
Tent Sites
3 sites
About Camp Three Campground
Number of accommodations: 52
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Year-round
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- BBQ
- Fire Pit
Parking and Transport
- Parking
On Site Services
- Fish Cleaning Station
Water Access
- River Access
- Boat Ramp / Launch
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
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Site Details
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52 Sites Available
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Reviews (155)
What Guests Are Saying
Camp Three Campground offers a beautiful location along the river with clean facilities and friendly, attentive camp hosts who maintain the area well. The spacious campsites provide ample room for tents, though many lack shade, making hot weather challenging. Overall, visitors appreciate the cleanliness, helpfulness of the host, and the enjoyable atmosphere, with many expressing a desire to return despite some minor drawbacks like limited river access from certain sites.
What Guests Are Saying
Camp Three Campground offers a beautiful location along the river with clean facilities and friendly, attentive camp hosts who maintain the area well. The spacious campsites provide ample room for tents, though many lack shade, making hot weather challenging. Overall, visitors appreciate the cleanliness, helpfulness of the host, and the enjoyable atmosphere, with many expressing a desire to return despite some minor drawbacks like limited river access from certain sites.
Review Summary
Chivon P
VerifiedJuly 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
We have been coming to Camp 3 for the last 20 years and this was the cleanest we have ever seen it! Gavin was the best Camp Host we have ever experienced! He was attentive, friendly and helpful. We are so excited for more trips and hosts like him!
Elan M
VerifiedJuly 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 030, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
We have been visiting Camp Three at the Kern River for more than 20 years, and unfortunately, the campground has declined significantly over time.
During our most recent visit, the campsite was covered in trash and had a strong sewage or human-waste odor. Several bench seats were loose or partially unscrewed, creating a potential safety hazard.
The overall atmosphere has also become increasingly unpleasant year after year. Loud music was played throughout the campground, foul language was being shouted, graffiti was visible, and large groups of people were using the drinking-water station as a shower area—sometimes around 10 people at once. This made it difficult for other campers to access the water and created an uncomfortable and unsanitary environment.
Camp Three is in a beautiful location and holds many good memories for our family after more than two decades of visiting. It is disappointing to see it reach this condition. The campground urgently needs better maintenance, stronger enforcement of the rules, and a consistent ranger or campground-host presence to make it clean, safe, and enjoyable again.
Patricia T
VerifiedJuly 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
We love the Kern and we love Camp 3! Excellent location and river access from many of the sites. Campground was clean and bathrooms were stocked. Bring your own shade as most campsites are rather exposed.
Wendy M
VerifiedJuly 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
Campsite was roomy with privacy at the same time. The bathrooms were clean. The host was helpful. No complaints. Will definitely be going back.
Sylina S
VerifiedJuly 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 049, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
We picked a HOT weekend, but it was still very enjoyable. The bathrooms were well kept. The host was extremely helpful with questions we had. He was courteous to campers who needed guidance with camping etiquette. Only complaint, is other campera. There was trash left from campers up stream, and we picked it up. There were people scrubbing their cracks at the spigot 🤦🏻♀️ and those same people brushed their teeth there after too. Smh 😂🤔🤢 anyhow. Still my favorite campsite. I can't wait to go back.
Manuel G
VerifiedJuly 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
I have been going there for 55+ years it is actually a family tradition. The host was pleasant and assisted me with trash bags and speaking to people who walked through our campground without permission as soon as I mentioned it. It was nice to have active camp host available to us.
Susana E
VerifiedJuly 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 028, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
The campsite was easy to get to and the bathrooms were kept up with toilet paper.
Christopher G
VerifiedJuly 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
Campsite was great. Location is perfect. The host was helpful and friendly. Would definitely stay there again. Only downside was that our site didn’t have a bear box (the host said that not all sites have them). We had to move our food and ice chest to the car every night.
Ana T
VerifiedAugust 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
The site was really great. Nice spot to put your tent in the shade and an area to put a canopy. Our camp host Gavin was the best. Very friendly guy and super helpful. He checked in on my mom and I to make sure everything was good. I appreciated that a lot. The restrooms were very well maintained and clean!
Matthijs N
VerifiedAugust 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 023, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
Beautiful place. Right next to the river. Little light pollution at night do there is a beautiful view of the night skies. Amenities are basic as advertised, but clean.
Location Camp Three Campground
Address:
Po Box 1640
Kernville, CA, 93238
United States
From Highway 99 in Bakersfield, California, take Highway 178 east to Lake Isabella.
From Lake Isabella take Highway 155 around the west side of the lake to
the town of Kernville. Turn north on Sierra Way/Mountain 99 and continue 5 miles to the campground.
Camp Three Campground is accessible via Highway 99 and Highway 178. From Highway 99 in Bakersfield, take Highway 178 east to reach the campground.
Elevation: 868 feet
4.9 mi drive to downtown Kernville (about 9 min)
Policies & Rules
General
- There are no electric hookups
- Swimming in the river is dangerous due to strong currents and other hazards.
- Click here for more info about the Sequoia National Forest
- Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed. For current fire conditions or weather closures contact the Kern River Ranger District (760) 376-3781.
- 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.
- Glass containers are prohibited in Kern Canyon and Isabella Lake Glass Container Prohibition Area
- There is an extra vehicle fee of $8.00/night on the 2nd vehicle in each single campsite and on the 3rd & 4th vehicle in any double campsite, provided these vehicles are not joined to the 1st vehicle by a hitch and towed onto the site. In the case of motorcycles, the 1st and 2nd are considered to be one vehicle and the 3rd and 4th are also considered to be one vehicle. So the fee would be a single $8.00/night of stay for the 3rd/4th motorcycle.
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Owners must keep their dogs under control at all times or they may be asked to vacate the premise.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: September 4, 2026