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

MARISSA I

Verified

July 8, 2021 Stayed at: 008, Loop: A

2

This spot is closer to the road than their map indicates; which is pretty loud during the day. And even though there's less traffic at night, the large trucks will wake you as they go by. The spot was decent all by itself. We did have a slanted table. We had to prop our stove up with a cutting board so pans wouldn't slide off.

However, the worst parts were that there were no showers. That's on us, we should have checked - we just assumed they'd have them.

But worst of all, there wasn't enough blue stuff in the toilets and it made a decent camp trip into one where we DREADED having to answer the call of nature.

The toilets were disgusting. It smelled so bad. And what we had to look at was stomach-turning. Assuming that the toilets should be serviced every day as the chart in there indicated, it was not being done. Toilet paper wasn't being replaced, there was poop on the floor and the wall. By the end of our stay, there was toilet paper and beer bottles strewn about; not just down inside the toilet but in the bathroom where the camp host could easily have picked them up.

Gwen A

Verified

June 27, 2021 Stayed at: 026, Loop: A

3

The camp host was very confrontational. I had reserved two sites for Wednesday through Saturday and leaving Sunday am. I couldn’t make it on Wednesday so I showed up on Thursday. He told me I was a day late before even saying hello! Other things happened between the camp host and my friends. He was accusatory without any evidence and threatened my friend that he’ll see to it that he’ll never get a spot there again. I don’t know what’s wrong with him.

Gwen A

Verified

June 27, 2021 Stayed at: 026, Loop: A

3

The camp host was very confrontational. I had reserved two sites for Wednesday through Saturday and leaving Sunday am. I couldn’t make it on Wednesday so I showed up on Thursday. He told me I was a day late before even saying hello! Other things happened between the camp host and my friends. He was accusatory without any evidence and threatened my friend that he’ll see to it that he’ll never get a spot there again. I don’t know what’s wrong with him.

Jeff S

Verified

June 25, 2021 Stayed at: 010, Loop: C

3

Campsites are very small. Limited shade on most sites. Sadly, there was a lot of trash and litter laying around. Our site was visited constantly by skunks who were unafraid of people. Great location on the Upper Kern.

Jeff S

Verified

June 25, 2021 Stayed at: 010, Loop: C

3

Campsites are very small. Limited shade on most sites. Sadly, there was a lot of trash and litter laying around. Our site was visited constantly by skunks who were unafraid of people. Great location on the Upper Kern.

Christopher H

Verified

June 18, 2021 Stayed at: 020, Loop: A

5

Had site 20, the beach entrance was right in front of us. Family had a great time, if you go tubing walk up the road to the next campsite and you’ll see a sign that says ‘River Entrance.’ It’s a fun ride back to your campsite.

Christopher H

Verified

June 18, 2021 Stayed at: 020, Loop: A

5

Had site 20, the beach entrance was right in front of us. Family had a great time, if you go tubing walk up the road to the next campsite and you’ll see a sign that says ‘River Entrance.’ It’s a fun ride back to your campsite.

Cynthia M

Verified

June 14, 2021 Stayed at: 013, Loop: C

5

Love Headquarters Campground! we've gone now 4 times in last 3 years. We love Loop C all the back sites. We use site 13 the most. Great access to the river. It's our own little oasis. The grounds are clean and hosts are great. We have never had any problems. We brought our grandkids and nephews this visit. This site is great for the kids. they can play in the water without worrying about the rapids on the other side of "island". We are making this our annual vacation spot.

Cynthia M

Verified

June 14, 2021 Stayed at: 013, Loop: C

5

Love Headquarters Campground! we've gone now 4 times in last 3 years. We love Loop C all the back sites. We use site 13 the most. Great access to the river. It's our own little oasis. The grounds are clean and hosts are great. We have never had any problems. We brought our grandkids and nephews this visit. This site is great for the kids. they can play in the water without worrying about the rapids on the other side of "island". We are making this our annual vacation spot.

Lawrence H

Verified

June 13, 2021 Stayed at: 037, Loop: B

5

Great campground! River access is super convenient and the river was calm along that stretch.

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 4, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service