Camp Three Campground
Camp Three Campground is set amidst oak and locust trees at an elevation of 2,800 feet on the Upper Kern River, offering countless recreational opportunities for visitors.
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 | 48 |
| Group sites | 3 |
| Walk-in | 1 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
52 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 012 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 6 / 1 | 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 |
| Fees | For standard campsites: $34 per night; $8 for additional vehicles. For group campsite: $147 per night. Maximum trailer length 30’ |
| Accessibility | Sites GROUP 2, GROUP 3 are listed accessible |
The campground consists of 52 paved sites and a group camp that accommodates up to 30 people for friends or family gatherings. Drinking water, vault toilets, and campfire rings are all provided. This facility is operated by Rocky Mountain Recreation Company, a division of ExplorUS and comments are welcome; comment forms are available from campground hosts or online.
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 | May to September |
| Forest | Sequoia National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made by visiting Camp Three Campground, Sequoia National Forest - Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 3 days ahead of arrival. |
| Fees | For standard campsites: $34 per night; $8 for additional vehicles. For group campsite: $147 per night. Maximum trailer length 30’ |
| Rules | No camping or campfires outside designated campsites. Campfire permits are required for campfires, barbeques, and camp stoves. Permits are available at your local Ranger Station or online at preventwildfireca.org |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Highway 99 in Bakersfield, California, take Highway 178 east to Lake Isabella. From Lake Isabella take Highway 155 around the west side of the lake to the town of Kernville. Turn north on Sierra Way/Mountain 99 and continue 5 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Kernville, California |
| Coordinates | 35.8093° N, 118.4536° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireCyrus
8 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 ↗ | 11 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Triple Crown Outfitters ↗ | 23.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Lindustries RV Service ↗ | 44.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Kern River Camping at Camp Three Campground in Sequoia National Forest
Worth a stop
The Cannell Meadow National Recreation Trailhead is just north of Kernville. Day trips include the Sequoia National Park, Trail of a Hundred Giants, and numerous sequoia groves in the Sequoia National Monument. The Giant Sequoia Mercantile offers a wide variety of books, maps, gifts, local art, camping supplies and other merchandise.
- 1.8 mi
- 3.2 miCorral Creek Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 7.4 miCyrus Canyon Ohv Park ↗OHV / range
- 7.7 miCyrus Canyon Shooting Range ↗OHV / range
- 8 miTillie Creek Launch Ramp Boating Site ↗Boat launch
- 9.5 miStine Cove Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 2.4 miWhiskey Flat ↗12.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.8 miCannell Meadow ↗23.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more · national_recreation_or_other
- 3.7 miPotato Patch ↗11.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 4.1 miBaker Point1.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.7 miSplit Mountain1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
- 7.2 miDomeland Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 133,720 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 near Fairview and Grizzly Falls on the Kings River. Gray pines, scrub oaks, grass and dry climate shrubs cling to steep, canyon walls while cottonwoods and willows line the river's edge.
Recreation
Hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting are popular activities in the Upper Kern River area.
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 Camp Three Campground?
Sites at Camp Three Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made by visiting Camp Three Campground, 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 Camp Three Campground?
For standard campsites: $34 per night; $8 for additional vehicles. For group campsite: $147 per night. Maximum trailer length 30’
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Camp Three Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Camp Three Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May to September.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Camp Three Campground have?
55 sites, including 48 standard sites without power, 3 group sites, and 1 walk-in site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Camp Three Campground?
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 Camp Three Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Camp Three Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Camp Three Campground?
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. No camping or campfires outside designated campsites.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Camp Three Campground?
Sites GROUP 2 and GROUP 3 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 Camp Three Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is the nearest town to Camp Three Campground?
Kernville, California. The Cannell Meadow National Recreation Trailhead is just north of Kernville.
Source: Getting there
What if Camp Three Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Thunderbird Group Campground (0.4 mi), Halfway Group Campground (0.5 mi), and Headquarters (0.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby