Headquarters view
HEADQUARTERS
HEADQUARTERS
HEADQUARTERS
HEADQUARTERS

Featured amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit

Available sites

40 total sites

About Headquarters

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

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

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Picnic Table Picnic Table
Restrooms Restrooms
Fire Pit Fire Pit
Site Setup and Access

Site Setup and Access

  • ADA Accessible
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
  • Restrooms
Cooking and Fire

Cooking and Fire

  • Picnic Table
  • BBQ
  • Fire Pit
Missing information?

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 Yurt
6 guests · Campfire
🚐 003, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 004, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 005, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 006, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 007, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 008, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 009, Loop: C RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 010, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 011, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 012, Loop: C RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 013, Loop: C RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 014, Loop: C Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 015, Loop: C RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 016, Loop: C RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 017, Loop: C RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 018, Loop: C RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 019, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 020, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 021, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 022, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 023, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 024, Loop: A Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 025, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 026, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 027, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 028, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 029, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 030, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
✨ 031, Loop: Yurt Yurt
6 guests · Campfire
🚐 032, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 033, Loop: A RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 035, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 036, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 037, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 038, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
⛺ 039, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
⛺ 042, Loop: B Tent
Paved · Pet Friendly · Campfire
🚐 043, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In
🚐 044, Loop: B RV
Pet Friendly · Paved · Driveway entry: Back-In

Reviews (576)

What Guests Are Saying

Headquarters Campground offers a charming and family-friendly atmosphere, with clean facilities and attentive hosts, particularly Candace, who enhances the camping experience. Many families cherish their time here, enjoying the beautiful river access and the peaceful surroundings. While there are some concerns about water quality and restroom conditions, overall, visitors appreciate the campground's beauty and are eager to return.

Review Summary

4.2
576 reviews
5
57.6%
332
4
21.7%
125
3
10.8%
62
2
5.6%
32
1
4.3%
25

Jeromy M

Verified

February 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: A

5

Our stay was amazing!! Facility was immaculate the restrooms were always clean and stocked and the camp host was was awesome and goes out of her way to make sure everything is great!! Thank you!!

Jeromy M

Verified

February 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: A

5

Our stay was amazing!! Facility was immaculate the restrooms were always clean and stocked and the camp host was was awesome and goes out of her way to make sure everything is great!! Thank you!!

Randy W

Verified

June 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: C

1

The site we reserved was super close to another site and there was a big crowd on that site. The table was in disrepair and the top was disgusting and unusable. The restrooms were not clean. The smoke from campfires as really thick all evening. This is the worst campground we have stayed at in years. I hope funds are allocated to redo this campground as the location is really nice.

Randy W

Verified

June 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 017, Loop: C

1

The site we reserved was super close to another site and there was a big crowd on that site. The table was in disrepair and the top was disgusting and unusable. The restrooms were not clean. The smoke from campfires as really thick all evening. This is the worst campground we have stayed at in years. I hope funds are allocated to redo this campground as the location is really nice.

Michelle P

Verified

June 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: C

4

We had a group of 10, so we were lucky enough to reserve sites #11 & #14. It worked out perfectly because the two sites were side by side, and near the restroom. The restroom was far enough where it didn’t bother us with other campers walking by, nor did it smell. The restroom was clean and was stocked daily by the friendly camp host. The only downside was it was a single standing vault restroom.

Our sites were also close enough to the river, maybe 100 ft(?) The water was still flowing pretty heavily and high, so we couldn’t really get in. We weren’t too far from Isabella Lake either, so we took the short drive and got in the water there.

We did venture into town on Sunday for Father’s Day. Kernville is a short 3-4 mi drive from the campground and you can always pick up last minute or forgotten supplies.

There is no cell service at the campground, but only a short distance (.5 mi) to the closest store there is.

Our group will definitely be coming back to Headquarters campground. Hopefully the water will be at a safer level and flow to jump in the next time.

Michelle P

Verified

June 26, 2023 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: C

4

We had a group of 10, so we were lucky enough to reserve sites #11 & #14. It worked out perfectly because the two sites were side by side, and near the restroom. The restroom was far enough where it didn’t bother us with other campers walking by, nor did it smell. The restroom was clean and was stocked daily by the friendly camp host. The only downside was it was a single standing vault restroom.

Our sites were also close enough to the river, maybe 100 ft(?) The water was still flowing pretty heavily and high, so we couldn’t really get in. We weren’t too far from Isabella Lake either, so we took the short drive and got in the water there.

We did venture into town on Sunday for Father’s Day. Kernville is a short 3-4 mi drive from the campground and you can always pick up last minute or forgotten supplies.

There is no cell service at the campground, but only a short distance (.5 mi) to the closest store there is.

Our group will definitely be coming back to Headquarters campground. Hopefully the water will be at a safer level and flow to jump in the next time.

Kelly R

Verified

June 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: B

5

Our spot at Headquarters was incredible! We were fortunate to secure a spot on the Kern River! It felt so private, and we loved seeing the mountains from one side and hearing the roaring River from the other side!

Andreas G

Verified

June 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: B

4

We had a great site next to the river which had good late-afternoon shade. The sound of the river rushing by was awesome (it was high water). We had a Monday-Wed reservation, so the place was nearly empty, and quiet. Everything was clean, including the vault toilets, (though they still didn't smell all that great). There was a huge trash container that we couldn't figure out how to open more than about 4 inches, but we still managed to get our trash into it. Overall, a good experience.

Kelly R

Verified

June 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 036, Loop: B

5

Our spot at Headquarters was incredible! We were fortunate to secure a spot on the Kern River! It felt so private, and we loved seeing the mountains from one side and hearing the roaring River from the other side!

Andreas G

Verified

June 28, 2023 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: B

4

We had a great site next to the river which had good late-afternoon shade. The sound of the river rushing by was awesome (it was high water). We had a Monday-Wed reservation, so the place was nearly empty, and quiet. Everything was clean, including the vault toilets, (though they still didn't smell all that great). There was a huge trash container that we couldn't figure out how to open more than about 4 inches, but we still managed to get our trash into it. Overall, a good experience.

Location & Directions for Headquarters

Po Box 1640, Kernville, CA 93238 United States

Elevation: 850 ft

Nearest town

Kernville, CA - 3.9 mi

About 8 min to downtown

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: October 20, 2026

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Explore Kernville, CA

Population: 857

Nearby larger city

Porterville, CA

Approx. 37 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 2,661 ft

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