Campground
Sequoia National Forest, California
French Gulch Campground sits 3 miles from the western shores of Lake Isabella, a 27-acre reservoir off the Kern River, in the expansive Sequoia National Forest.
Located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada in central California, the Sequoia National Forest takes its name from the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves on the Forest's lower slopes.
The Forest comprises about 1.1 million acres, and 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.
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.
French Gulch Campground sits 3 miles from the western shores of Lake Isabella, a 27-acre reservoir off the Kern River, in the expansive Sequoia National Forest.
French Gulch can accommodate groups of up to 100 guests. A marina and boat ramps are available at Lake Isabella, just to the southeast.
This facility is operated by ExplorUS and comments are welcome; comment forms are available from campground hosts or online.
Visitors can enjoy swimming, water skiiing and wind surfing at Lake Isabella. There is also excellent trout and bass fishing at the lake and in other nearby streams.
Located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada in central California, the Sequoia National Forest takes its name from the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves on the Forest's lower slopes.
The Forest comprises about 1.1 million acres, and 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.
Recreation.gov does not publish a separate nearby attractions section for this campground.
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 SeasonJan 1, 2026 – Oct 24, 2026 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $420 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2027 – Oct 23, 2027 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $420 | — | — |
| Peak SeasonApr 2, 2028 – Oct 23, 2028 | Group Standard Non-Electric | $420 | — | — |
Read these with current closure and fire notices before departure.
From Bakersfield, California, take Highway 178 east to the town of Lake Isabella. Turn onto Highway 155 north, following the western edge of the lake, for approximately 3 miles to the campground.
760-376-1815