OutReserve

Headquarters

Headquarters view
HEADQUARTERS
HEADQUARTERS
HEADQUARTERS
HEADQUARTERS

About Headquarters

Headquarters Campground is situated along the Kern River, 6 miles north of the town of Kernville. Hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting are popular activities.

Number of accommodations: 40

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Open year round

This campground is open year round, providing flexibility for your stay.

365 Days

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

40 Sites Available

Site
Price
002, Loop: Yurt
6 guests · Campfire
Price not available
🚐 003, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
004, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 005, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
006, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
007, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
008, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 009, Loop: C
No Hookups
Price not available
010, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
011, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 012, Loop: C
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 013, Loop: C
No Hookups
Price not available
014, Loop: C
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 015, Loop: C
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 016, Loop: C
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 017, Loop: C
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 018, Loop: C
No Hookups
Price not available
019, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 020, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 021, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 022, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 023, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
024, Loop: A
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 025, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 026, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 027, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 028, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 029, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 030, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
031, Loop: Yurt
6 guests · Campfire
Price not available
🚐 032, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 033, Loop: A
No Hookups
Price not available
035, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 036, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 037, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 038, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
039, Loop: B
10 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
042, Loop: B
6 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 043, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 044, Loop: B
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (531)

What Guests Are Saying

Headquarters Campground boasts a fantastic location next to the river, providing a beautiful and peaceful setting for campers. Visitors praised the cleanliness of the facilities and the friendliness of the camp hosts, who were helpful and accommodating. While some mentioned minor issues, such as closed restrooms and the need for trash cans, the overall experience was positive, with many expressing intentions to return.

Review Summary

4.2
531 reviews
5
56.3%
299
4
23.0%
122
3
10.9%
58
2
5.3%
28
1
4.5%
24

Adam B

Verified

June 15, 2025 Stayed at: 010, Loop: C

3

Someone set up into our reserved camp spot and didn’t even pay to camp there. The campsite manager couldn’t do anything to make them leave, but they were able to get us another spot at a different campground overall OK experience.

Jack M

Verified

June 14, 2025 Stayed at: 036, Loop: B

5

We spent (3) nights at the Headquarters Campground. Shortly after we arrived, the Host, (Randy) greeted us and was very attentive to answering our questions. His knowledge of the local area, hikes, activities, etc. was excellent. Randy maintains this campground in excellent condition. The trash area is clean, and the campsites are free of debris. Fire rings and bear boxes were empty. The pit toilets are well maintained and stocked with paper. We observed Randy checking the grounds frequently, throughout our stay. Randy also made it very clear that he takes maintaining the guest's safety a priority. We have stayed at other campgrounds. Headquarters stands out above the rest, because of Randy!

Jack M

Verified

June 14, 2025 Stayed at: 036, Loop: B

5

We spent (3) nights at the Headquarters Campground. Shortly after we arrived, the Host, (Randy) greeted us and was very attentive to answering our questions. His knowledge of the local area, hikes, activities, etc. was excellent. Randy maintains this campground in excellent condition. The trash area is clean, and the campsites are free of debris. Fire rings and bear boxes were empty. The pit toilets are well maintained and stocked with paper. We observed Randy checking the grounds frequently, throughout our stay. Randy also made it very clear that he takes maintaining the guest's safety a priority. We have stayed at other campgrounds. Headquarters stands out above the rest, because of Randy!

Susann G

Verified

June 9, 2025 Stayed at: 025, Loop: A

3

Toilets could be better cleaned.

Susann G

Verified

June 9, 2025 Stayed at: 025, Loop: A

3

Toilets could be better cleaned.

Vanna R

Verified

June 4, 2025 Stayed at: 031, Loop: Yurt

5

I come to Headquarters to camp almost every Summer and I never get tired of coming and staying here. It definitely gets really hot but having the river so close by to jump into makes it so worth it. This time of year, the river was jamming and it was high tide. River water was still very cold! I booked a yurt (for the first time) from Saturday 5/31 to Monday 6/2. It was very clean and comfortable to stay/sleep in. It was a particularly hot weekend but it was nice not to have to set up a tent and have roof coverage. Campsite #31 was great and was very spacious. The campground host, Randy, was awesome and made me and my partner feel welcomed and safe. For anyone new to this spot, there are only hole in the ground restrooms and they definitely get stinky so it’s good to be prepared for that and there is no cell service (but town is so close). I will continue to come back here time after time.

Vanna R

Verified

June 4, 2025 Stayed at: 031, Loop: Yurt

5

I come to Headquarters to camp almost every Summer and I never get tired of coming and staying here. It definitely gets really hot but having the river so close by to jump into makes it so worth it. This time of year, the river was jamming and it was high tide. River water was still very cold! I booked a yurt (for the first time) from Saturday 5/31 to Monday 6/2. It was very clean and comfortable to stay/sleep in. It was a particularly hot weekend but it was nice not to have to set up a tent and have roof coverage. Campsite #31 was great and was very spacious. The campground host, Randy, was awesome and made me and my partner feel welcomed and safe. For anyone new to this spot, there are only hole in the ground restrooms and they definitely get stinky so it’s good to be prepared for that and there is no cell service (but town is so close). I will continue to come back here time after time.

elissia b

Verified

May 19, 2025 Stayed at: 031, Loop: Yurt

5

Lovely campsite, yurt could use a new metal frame for the bed it was quite bent up but we just put the mattress on the floor and it was fine. Randy, the host was friendly and very attentive, very on top of issues, great host. Loved hearing the river flow at night.

elissia b

Verified

May 19, 2025 Stayed at: 031, Loop: Yurt

5

Lovely campsite, yurt could use a new metal frame for the bed it was quite bent up but we just put the mattress on the floor and it was fine. Randy, the host was friendly and very attentive, very on top of issues, great host. Loved hearing the river flow at night.

Deborah T

Verified

May 18, 2025 Stayed at: 035, Loop: B

5

Nice sites. Excellent host. Lots of creatures and birds. Great location. Close to the center of town. But the bathrooms could be a bit cleaner.

Location Headquarters

Address:
Po Box 1640
Kernville, CA, 93238
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 35.7963 / -118.45

Elevation: 850 feet

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 3, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service