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
Rick H
VerifiedJuly 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 039, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
Sorry but get rid of your host I don’t think you’ve met him
Erica M
VerifiedJuly 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
The Convenience of the river being the campground.
Yohana A
VerifiedJuly 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 005, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
There’s skunk, bears and bathroom not clean.
Karissa T
VerifiedJuly 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 045, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
Been coming to this campground for 5 years now. Wish the campground host would actually check people in and out of their reservations. Past couple years had people in my campsites that don’t have reservations. Don’t like waiting for a site I paid for. Hit or miss with controlling loud music past 10pm. Campsites clean when arriving. Definitely need more trees for shade on most.
Aimet A
VerifiedJuly 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 052, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
Stayed at campsites #51and #52mid July 2022.
Positive- the river is beautiful. The stars at night amazing. Water source right next to campsite is convenient. Gas station, grocery store, and supplies just a short drive away.
Cons- The campsite is small; not suitable for 4 tents. Limited flat floor area to setup the tents. Not recommended for bigger tents. The surface and surroundings have MANY boulders. Be prepared to constantly trip with these and walk around these. The campsite is also next to the huge common use trash bin. The smell of rotten trash is unbearable. There are rattlesnakes very close to the campsites. You can hear them day and night. Skunks visited our campsite looking for food at night. Bees- were more than 50 bees at our campsite every morning. Our first night we were advised that there was a bear in the vicinity, but did not visit the campgrounds.
The temperature was extremely hot, 103, 104. No other place to be, but in the water all day. Campsite setup at 2PM check in time with these temperatures was horrible. Absolutely NO trees or shade at #50 and #51. We had a dog with us who struggled with the heat. Had to keep wet, hydrated, and in a cold pad.
Restrooms- vault, somewhat distant from the campsite. No showers as stated.
Access to river- must go through other campsites to access as 50 and 51 are not towards the river.
Do not underestimate the amount and size of boulders. They dominate the landscape.
Host- Present, kept to himself. No interaction needed or expected. Took care of controlling any loud noises after 10PM.
Going back? -A group of seven and we all agree we would not reserve 51/52 again.
Taryn D
VerifiedJuly 22, 2022 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
Very nice experience my granddaughter enjoyed the river I would recommend campground 3 my peaceful and happy place🥰
Stephen H
VerifiedJuly 30, 2022 • Stayed at: 038, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
Though campfires are not allowed this summer, and the heat is nearly unbearable, the camper numbers are very low. The Kern river is just a few yards away, and comfortable enough to stay in until the sun goes down.
Had 3 great days of solitude in our inner tubes in the nice cool river
David K
VerifiedAugust 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 025, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
5 stars for the site. 2 stars for Camp 3 in General.
Site 25 is probably best on the ground. There was enough space in the shaded area for at least 2 tents. Shade is critical and though it was >95° it was very pleasant in the tent. Second, you have the closest access possible to the beach area at the top of the river. Just walk out and you'll see. Now along with that you WILL have people going through your site and the grounds. That's certainly a downside but it is a great sandy spot and perfect entry point if tubing down the river. Lastly you are fairly close to bathroom and water.
For just the first two points above I dont think the site can beat, especially if the water level is up. Makes it a very fun trip down to the rock island.
Camp 3 grounds in general.... Never saw the host once, had wrong name on site, other idiot guests had glass beer bottles at the river, fires during burn restriction, trash everywhere, loud music and lights playing til 2:30 am (we were far enough away to not be bother but still very noticeable). Quite unfortunate but thats what you get with some of these "guests".
BRENDA P
VerifiedAugust 20, 2022 • Stayed at: 047, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
Always a great getaway
David R
VerifiedAugust 31, 2022 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: AREA CAMP THREE CAMPGROUND
The river was beautiful and we had a nice time.
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.
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Last updated: September 4, 2026