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

Maria H

Verified

July 31, 2020 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: B

5

The only concern was how despite the restrictions on firewood, some camp sites were not following the rules .

Maria H

Verified

July 31, 2020 • Stayed at: 035, Loop: B

5

The only concern was how despite the restrictions on firewood, some camp sites were not following the rules .

Aura Z

Verified

August 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: C

5

I love Headquarters ! It’s always clean and the camp keeper Ken is the most courteous host

Aura Z

Verified

August 11, 2020 • Stayed at: 014, Loop: C

5

I love Headquarters ! It’s always clean and the camp keeper Ken is the most courteous host

Michael H

Verified

August 13, 2020 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: C

4

This is a yearly family outing. This year, 2020, was too hot and water too low but still had a lot of fun

Michael H

Verified

August 13, 2020 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: C

4

This is a yearly family outing. This year, 2020, was too hot and water too low but still had a lot of fun

Jason A

Verified

August 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Yurt

3

Great spot with a lot tree shed! Close to river but little awkward need to walk through people camp to get to it.
The yurt was amazing so clean nice well maintained. Brought battery to charge fan and mist machine so not too hot Haha.
Clean Campground mostly. Bathrooms are below average 4 sure. Smell and quality. No electricity.
One big group people got crazy and drunk loud all night and I'm a party guy myself but they were just rude and people asked them to keep it down but they got aggressive and drunken fight. I felt it took long for the sheriff's to finally come, thought camp host could have stepped in quicker nip it in the butt. Anyways outside that the campsite is lagit. Totally would do again. If upgraded bathrooms 4sure would.
Ps I'm a backpacker to so that's saying a lot...

Jason A

Verified

August 23, 2020 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: Yurt

3

Great spot with a lot tree shed! Close to river but little awkward need to walk through people camp to get to it.
The yurt was amazing so clean nice well maintained. Brought battery to charge fan and mist machine so not too hot Haha.
Clean Campground mostly. Bathrooms are below average 4 sure. Smell and quality. No electricity.
One big group people got crazy and drunk loud all night and I'm a party guy myself but they were just rude and people asked them to keep it down but they got aggressive and drunken fight. I felt it took long for the sheriff's to finally come, thought camp host could have stepped in quicker nip it in the butt. Anyways outside that the campsite is lagit. Totally would do again. If upgraded bathrooms 4sure would.
Ps I'm a backpacker to so that's saying a lot...

Brandie S

Verified

August 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: B

1

We have visited Headquarters over the last few years. We were very disappointed with the condition of our site. Previous campers were very careless with trash and there was stuff everywhere. I know most camp hosts are diligent on maintenance in the area but this was not so this time. It was a shame.

Brandie S

Verified

August 26, 2020 • Stayed at: 037, Loop: B

1

We have visited Headquarters over the last few years. We were very disappointed with the condition of our site. Previous campers were very careless with trash and there was stuff everywhere. I know most camp hosts are diligent on maintenance in the area but this was not so this time. It was a shame.

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