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

Susan V

Verified

July 24, 2026 • Stayed at: 007, Loop: A

5

We’ve been camping at Kern for over 55 years it’s perfect for families that what to get away but not too far from home. We are 3 hours away. Growing up 3 times a year best place ever

thalia M

Verified

July 27, 2026 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: C

3

Candace, the camp host was great. The trash bin location is a little inconvenient. Water from campsite spouts was not clean. We tried to fill our shower bag but the water was clearly not clean. Access to river is not far, however, not easy to continuously go through someones campsite. This almost resulted in a major fight (physical altercation) between two families when I was there. The boundaries or rules for sites with river access should be more clear to ALL campers. Overall, the actual site was beautiful. River was beautiful! Actual campsite was great. Bear bin thing is annoying but necessary and I get it! Over all I will come back :)

Cecelia C

Verified

August 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 022, Loop: A

5

Headquarters is a family favorite and has been for over 20+ years. The campsite was clean and close to the river. The river was nice and our family enjoyed ourselves. Also while camping, we always meet other families who enjoy what we do.
This year I had the pleasure of interacting with the camp host Candance, she was very nice and attentive to the campsites and restrooms, making sure they were clean and well stocked with the necessities.
We will definitely be coming back, my kids and my grandkids came so our legacy of coming to Headquarters will continue.
Thank you,
Cecelia

Arturo L

Verified

August 14, 2026 • Stayed at: 029, Loop: A

5

Good place to stay

Byron A

Verified

August 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: C

5

Everything went great, the water was warm and the kids was swimming all day! Such a beautiful time me and my family had and will forever remember and cherish!

Rebecca L

Verified

August 18, 2026 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: B

3

Small cute little campground. I was anticipating the water to have a little more movement but unfortunately we ended up next to standing water in 115 degree heat.

Adrian S

Verified

August 26, 2026 • Stayed at: 042, Loop: B

5

It was the best camping trip our little growing family has ever had

mark g

Verified

September 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 044, Loop: B

5

camp hosts were super helpful and friendly, campground was clean are nice. Even the bathrooms were clean and welcoming. Absolutely recommend it!

Adam G

Verified

September 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: C

5

Friendly staff. Located right on the river. You could see the Milky Way at night and lots of shooting stars. Try to get a spot that borders the river though. You don't want to be bordering in the road. Also be careful about being too close to the bathroom. It can smell. Also, check ahead of time if you can have fires.

Rita B

Verified

September 20, 2026 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: C

1

This was our first camping trip with our 1yr old grandson, we were looking forward to it for a very long time. There was one night where a rowdy group of people two sites down who played very loud music and sang loudly and shouted and conversed until 10pm.
This went unnoticed on the Hosts duty to maintain order.
Our little grandson could not go to sleep and had a very restless night!!!
We know noises can go from 8am-10pm but gave some consideration especially if you see that your neighbors have a baby!!
The hosts did nothing about!!

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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Managed by the USDA Forest Service