Free Campgrounds and Camping
CALIFORNIA CAMPGROUND DIRECTORY
LAKE ISABELLA
SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST
SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS
Dispersed and Primitive Camping

View of Lake Isabella in the distance.
Photo taken from the junction of Lightner Flat
and O'Brien Springs towards Breckenridge.

Lake Isabella can be freezing cold in the
winter and scorching hot in the summer.
On the days between summer and winter
it is just windy and can still be miserable.
Yet with all it's harshness, it is a place to
admire...

Lake Isabella

Lake Isabella

Isabella Lake was created in 1953
by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Lake Isabella

Lake Isabella

Sierra Way near Hanning Flat

Sierra Way

Hanning Flat at Sunrise

There are established campgrounds that
charge a fees, but there are several free
camping and recreation areas.
Limited Fire Restrictions???
Shovel and bucket of water required at undeveloped sites.
Kern County Lake Permit Required for all Watercraft.

HIGHWAY 155 (Between Lake Isabella and Kernville)
From Lake Isabella is 10 miles to Kernville
One of our favorite places is KEYESVILLE ROAD
Keyesville Recreation Site is along the Kern River.

SIERRA WAY (Road between Weldon and Kernville)
Sierra Way runs along the northeast shore of Lake Isabella
The road from Weldon to Kernville follows along the
banks of Isabella Lake with some free recreation areas.
From Weldon go east on Highway 178 about a mile.
Turn left on Sierra Way.
Isabella 11 miles
Kernville 13 miles
Bakersfield 56 miles
Take Sierra Way toward Kernville you will pass a
wildlife viewing area. Another couple miles are the
camp areas. There are road signs marking the
Recreation Sites.

Hanning Flat Recreation Site

Hanning Flat

HANNING FLAT RECREATION SITE
Garbage dumpster and portable toilet.
This dirt road is about 1/4 mile with dispersed
camping areas along the shores of Lake Isabella.
14 Day Camping Limit in a 30 day Period
Located between Kernville and Waldon
LATITUDE: N 35°40.663
LONGITUDE: W 118°22.216
A couple hundred yards down the road from
Hanning Flat is the Model Aircraft Flying Field
Open to the Public.

Stine Cove Recreation Site

STINE COVE RECREATION SITE
Primitive campsites along the banks of Lake Isabella.
There is a vaulted toilet and not much else...
14 Day Camping Limit in a 30 day Period
Located between Kernville and Waldon
LATITUDE: N 35°40.750
LONGITUDE: W 118°24.532

Cows at Hanning Flat

Garbage at Hanning Flat

Some garbage...

DIRECTIONS:
Highway 178 and Highway 155
See map for Lake Isabella, CA.

Kearn River

KEYESVILLE RECREATION SITE
Another great camping area
Located on Hwy. 155 about a mile from
Lake Isabella, CA.

NORTH FORK KERN RIVER
between Kernville and Johnsondale
offers many camping opportunities
and scenic views. The road follows
along the banks of the North Fork
Kern River.

Hwy.178 near Walker Pass