Campground
Sequoia National Forest, California
The campground sits on the north shore of Lake Isabella, an 11,000-acre reservoir, at an elevation of 2,600 feet and is a short drive to the Upper Kern River.
Camp 9, a year-round facility, rests on the shores of Lake Isabella, a high desert reservoir.
Sequoia National Forest, located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada in central California, is named for the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves on the forest's lower slopes.
Know before you arrive
Official facility and campsite inventory, supplemented by clearly marked community reports when the official listing does not publish the detail.
Community-reported service can change with terrain, weather, congestion, and carrier coverage.
Official campground guide
Facility information, site rules, booking windows, and published rates. Source snapshot checked Oct 18, 2026.
Camp 9, a year-round facility, rests on the shores of Lake Isabella, a high desert reservoir. Its proximity to the lake and the Upper Kern River makes the facility popular among boaters, rafters and anglers. The camp is also a favorite among RV campers, with ample parking available to accommodate both trailers and motorized watercraft.
Camp 9 offers over 100 single campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Additionally 11 group sites are available by reservation. Some sites are on the lakeshore, while others are set further back but have views of the lake. A few cottonwood trees are found in the campground, but shade is limited; plan on bringing protection.
The group sites offer two picnic tables each, campfire rings, portable toilets, and paved parking. Group sites 1, 2 and 6-11 have drinking water. Group sites 1 and 2 have shade shelters. S ites 1-5 each have a locked gate for security.
An RV dump station, fish cleaning station and boat ramp with floating dock are also available within Camp 9 Recreation Area.
Anglers enjoy fishing on both Lake Isabella and the Upper Kern River. Boating, kayaking and swimming are also popular activities. A seasonal boat ramp and dock are available within the day use area in the campground.
The campground sits on the north shore of Lake Isabella, an 11,000-acre reservoir, at an elevation of 2,600 feet and is a short drive to the Upper Kern River.
In the spring and early summer, a breeze can come up in the afternoons, but the mornings are quiet and calm. Fall and winter are perhaps the most beautiful time of year at Camp 9, with temperatures ranging from the 60s in the day to low 40s at night.
Sequoia National Forest, located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada in central California, is named for the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves on the forest's lower slopes. The forest encompasses about 1.1 million acres. Elevations range from about 1,000 to 12,000 feet, creating precipitous canyons and mountain streams with spectacular waterfalls, such as Salmon Creek Falls and Grizzly Falls.
The Upper Kern River is a short drive away, with additional fishing opportunities. Rafters and kayakers also enjoy the river.
What Recreation.gov or the campground’s official source specifically lists.
Published inventory grouped by site type. Individual sites can have stricter limits.
Facility rules, inventory procedures, and price seasons published by the official source.
Recreation.gov publishes a rolling booking window. The dates below are the official snapshot captured for this catalog build.
| Season | Site type | Nightly rate | Additional person | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak SeasonMar 27, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $88 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMar 27, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $220 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMar 27, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $155 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMar 27, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 | RV Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMar 27, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 | RV Non-Electric | $88 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonMar 27, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2027 – Oct 23, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $88 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2027 – Oct 23, 2027 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $220 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2027 – Oct 23, 2027 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $155 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2027 – Oct 23, 2027 | RV Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2027 – Oct 23, 2027 | RV Non-Electric | $88 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2027 – Oct 23, 2027 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2028 – Oct 23, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $88 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2028 – Oct 23, 2028 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $220 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2028 – Oct 23, 2028 | Group Tent Only Area Non-Electric | $155 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2028 – Oct 23, 2028 | RV Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2028 – Oct 23, 2028 | RV Non-Electric | $88 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2028 – Oct 23, 2028 | Standard Non-Electric | $36 | — | — |
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
From the south, take Highway 99 to Bakersfield. Take the Highway 178 exit and travel east toward the Kern River Canyon. Follow Highway 178 for approximately 40 miles to the town of Lake Isabella. From Lake Isabella, take Highway 155. Continue past the town of Wofford Heights to Kernville. At the stop sign in Kernville, turn right onto Sierra Way. Proceed 4 miles. Camp 9 is on the right side of the road.
760-376-3781