Tillie Creek
Tillie Creek campground is nestled in oak trees on the shores of Lake Isabella, a popular destination for water activities, especially windsurfing and fishing. The 11,000-acre lake is actually a reservoir, one of California's largest, and it marks the division between the Upper Kern and Lower Kern Rivers.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California · group sites in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
active
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 133 |
| Group sites | 4 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
8 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Group | 30 | Paved | No / No | 60 / 1 | Yes | Yes | |
| 002 | Group | 30 | Paved | No / No | 150 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 003 | Group | 30 | Paved | No / No | 80 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 004 | Group | 15 | Paved | No / No | 60 / 1 | Yes | ||
| FS1-20 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Paved | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| FS1-30 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| FS1-40 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| FS1ADA | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 001, FS1ADA are listed accessible |
This campground can accommodate family reunions and other large parties, from 60 up to 150 guests. The campground is located 6 miles from the town of Lake Isabella. One group area is wheelchair accessible. A marina and boat ramps are available just to the south. Other facilities include a fish cleaning station and a playground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | April to November |
| Forest | Sequoia National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service by calling 1-877-444-6777 or on their website at Tillie Creek, Sequoia National Forest - Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Campsite fees range from $34/night for single unit, $8/night for extra vehicle. Dump Station Fee - $20 |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Bakersfield, California, take Highway 178 east to the town of Lake Isabella. From Lake Isabella take Highway 155 north, traveling 6 miles to the entry station of Tillie Creek Campground.
| Coordinates | 35.7015° N, 118.4594° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireCyrus
2 mi from the campground · 543 acres · 95% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 3.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Triple Crown Outfitters ↗ | 28.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 42.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Tillie Creek Campground - Sequoia National Forest, CA
Worth a stop
The campground provides a good base for day trips to the Sequoia National Park, Trail of a Hundred Giants, and numerous Sequoia groves in the Giant Sequoia National Monument.
- 0.5 miTillie Creek Launch Ramp Boating Site ↗Boat launch
- 2.3 miCyrus Canyon Shooting Range ↗OHV / range
- 2.5 miCyrus Canyon Ohv Park ↗OHV / range
- 3.5 miStine Cove Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 5 miKissack Cove Day Use ↗Day use
- 5.8 mi
Trails nearby
- 2.5 miIsabella Peak Lookout0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.5 miCoso Mine Loop3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.8 miVista del Lago1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.4 miCook'S Peak 4WD1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 4.3 miSplit Mountain1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.9 miBorderline 4WD ↗4.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD and 1 more
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Sequoia National Forest.
- inSequoia National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,160,053 acres
- 11.1 miDomeland Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 133,720 acres
- 13.7 miKiavah Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 86,245 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The Sequoia National Forest, located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada in central California, 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
Lake activities are the focal point of this campground. Options include swimming, water skiing and windsurfing. The lake is known for trout fishing during the colder months. Lake Isabella offers anglers a variety of species, including black and White crappie, bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass.
Guidebooks for Sequoia National Forest and California
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Tillie Creek?
Sites at Tillie Creek are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service by calling 1-877-444-6777 or on their website at Tillie Creek, Sequoia National Forest - Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Tillie Creek?
Campsite fees range from $34/night for single unit, $8/night for extra vehicle. Dump Station Fee - $20
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Tillie Creek?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Tillie Creek open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April to November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Tillie Creek have?
137 sites, including 133 standard sites without power and 4 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Tillie Creek?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Tillie Creek?
Yes, pets are allowed at Tillie Creek. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Tillie Creek?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Tillie Creek?
Sites 001 and FS1ADA are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Tillie Creek?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Tillie Creek?
Lake activities are the focal point of this campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Tillie Creek is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Live Oak (0.1 mi, first-come), Live Oak South (0.1 mi, first-come), and Camp 9 (1.7 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby