Sandy Flat
Sandy Flat Campground is set back from the Lower Kern River at an altitude of 2,300 feet near the town of Lake Isabella. Campsites are a short walk from the river, offering countless recreational opportunities for visitors.
More like this: reservable in California · big rigs in California · pets allowed in California
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 19 |
| Tent-only | 8 |
| Host/management | 5 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
27 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Paved | No / No | 12 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Paved | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 011 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 012 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 013 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic |
| 014 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Paved | Partial | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic |
| 015 | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Paved | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |
| 016 | Tent only | Back-in | 20 | Paved | No / No | 6 / 1 | Yes | Basic |
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 | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Campsites are set along one loop in largely open sites. Large boulders, relics of the ice age, are scattered throughout the campground. River access is in the day camp area. Drinking water, picnic areas and vault toilets are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April to November |
| Forest | Sequoia National Forest |
| Booking | This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at Sandy Flat, Sequoia National Forest - Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Campsite fees range from $34/night for single unit, $8/night for extra vehicle. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Highway 99, take Highway 178 east for 4 miles. Turn right on Borel Road, then right onto the Old Canyon Road. Continue about 2 miles, then turn right into Sandy Flats Campground.
| Nearest town | Lake Isabella, California |
| Coordinates | 35.5747° N, 118.5299° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireCyrus
11 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 ↗ | 6.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World ↗ | 34.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Triple Crown Outfitters ↗ | 37.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Sandy Flat Campground | Sequoia National Forest | Kern River | Site by Site Exploration
Worth a stop
The Giant Sequoia Mercantile offers a wide variety of books, maps, gifts, local art, camping supplies and other merchandise.
- 0.1 mi
- 8.6 miKissack Cove Day Use ↗Day use
- 9.2 miTillie Creek Launch Ramp Boating Site ↗Boat launch
- 10 miStine Cove Fishing Site ↗Fishing site
- 10.8 miCyrus Canyon Shooting Range ↗OHV / range
- 11.1 miCyrus Canyon Ohv Park ↗OHV / range
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miHobo Fishing0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.3 miRemington Ridge ↗7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.5 miFreeway Ridge 4WD1.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, 4WD
- 1.5 miRec. Mine0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV
- 2.1 miKern Canyon ↗10.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 2.4 miBradshaw 4WD ↗6 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
Sequoia National Forest begins about 7.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 7.4 miSequoia National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,160,053 acres
- 14.8 miBright Star Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Bureau of Land Management · 8,191 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
Hiking, trout fishing, river wading and floating are popular pursuits. The Hobo Fishing Trail, a short walking trail, is nearby.
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 Sandy Flat?
Sites at Sandy Flat are reservable on Recreation.gov. This site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or on-line at Sandy Flat, 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 Sandy Flat?
Campsite fees range from $34/night for single unit, $8/night for extra vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Sandy Flat?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Sandy Flat open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April to November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Sandy Flat have?
32 sites, including 19 standard sites without power and 8 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Sandy Flat?
The longest site here provides 50 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 Sandy Flat?
Yes, pets are allowed at Sandy Flat. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Sandy Flat?
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
What is there to do at Sandy Flat?
Hiking, trout fishing, river wading and floating are popular pursuits. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Sandy Flat?
Lake Isabella, California. The Giant Sequoia Mercantile offers a wide variety of books, maps, gifts, local art, camping supplies and other merchandise.
Source: Getting there
What if Sandy Flat is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Hobo Campground (0.1 mi), Main Dam Campground (5.4 mi, first-come), and Evans Flat Campground (5.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby