Headquarters

Sequoia National Forest, CA · ≈36.8 mi to Porterville
Sites
42
Max rig
30 ft
Pull-through
No
Hookups
None
ADA
To town
36.8 mi
Signal

✓ Best for

  • Smaller RVs and trailers
  • Tent campers
  • Boating enthusiasts
  • Pet owners

✕ Not ideal for

  • Big rigs and large RVs
  • RVers needing hookups
  • Those seeking nearby town access

Connectivity

Best bet: T-MobileUsable 5G — good enough to stay connected · 3 of 3 carriers reach here
VerizonLTE
AT&T5G
T-Mobile5G

What's here

25 Rvs (no Hookups)Drive-In access
13 Tent Onlys (no Hookups)Drive-In access
2 Standards (no Hookups)Drive-In access
2 YurtsDrive-In access
Rig compatibility

Will your rig fit?

Checked against every site's real dimensions.
Your RV length
35ft
35 ft
Your fit summary
See availability →

2 of 42 sites don't report a length.

Amenities & features

Amenities
Campfires allowedFire pitsPets allowedPicnic tablesShade
Activities
BoatingCamping
CampIntel Score

How we score

We score what we can verify.
Tight for big rigsRig fit
Easy to reachAccess
Minimal servicesConvenience
Verdicts come from our Rig fit, Access & Convenience sub-scores — each built only from verifiable Recreation.gov data.

Where it is

Nearest town: Porterville, ~36.8 miGet directions ↗

Photos

Photos: Local staff

Overview

Overview Headquarters Campground is situated along the Kern River, 6 miles north of the town of Kernville. Hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting are popular activities. Recreation Hiking, fishing, kayaking and rafting are popular activities in the Upper Kern River area. Click here to learn more about the area, including safety and permitting requirements and a listing of local outfitters. Facilities Headquarters Campground offers a mix of standard, RV and tent-only sites. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water. Natural Features The campground sits within Sequoia National Forest at an elevation of 2,800 feet in an open area overlooking the Kern Wild and Scenic River. Some sites overlook the river and lie in the shade of oak, juniper and cottonwood trees. Sites sitting further from the river are more open and have little to no shade. Sequoia National Forest, located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada in central California, is named for 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. 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. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (760) 376-1269. Nearby Attractions The Cannell Meadow National Recreation Trail begins just north of Kernville. The trail stretches 11.5 miles as it climbs through mixed pine and fir forest to Cannell Meadow and a historic Forest Service cabin built between 1904 and 1909. Hikers are awarded beautiful views of the Kern River Valley along the trip. Visitors enjoy making day trips to Sequoia National Park and Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Managed by USDA Forest Service · Developed campground