Hobo Campground

11380 Kernville Road
Kernville, CA 93238

Overview

Hobo Campground is tucked on the banks of the Lower Kern River, north of the popular Miracle Hot Springs. It sits at 2290 feet elevation on the Sequoia National Forest in the Lower Kern Canyon. The close proximity to the Lower Kern River and the shade provided by the riparian forest make it an ideal summer escape from the heat. It has 23 individual tent only sites and an additional 10 sites across the campground.

Recreation

White water boating is popular on the Lower Kern and requires a free Kern River Use permit from the Kernville Ranger Station. A trail also exists at the northern end of Hobo Campground that connects visitors to Sandy Flat Campground. The remains of an old resort can be found in the campground and Miracle Hot Springs area.

Facilities

Hobo Campground offers 21 single sites and 2 accessible single sites. All sites are by reservation only. The campground road is paved but not suitable for vehicles and attachments longer than 22 feet due to the narrow road. There is no potable water available for campers. The host site is located near the entrance at site 4.

Each site has a table and a fire ring and most are within close proximity of the Kern River. Vault toilets are located in the middle and end of the campground. Additional portable toilets are also available throughout the campground.

Natural Features

The campsites are mostly all shaded by majestic sycamores, willows, cottonwoods, alders with views of the Lower Kern River close by.The trees show off a dramatic display of yellow, gold, and orange in the fall. The Kern River flows higher in the late spring and early summer months as water is released from Lake Isabella. The river can appear calm but can be deceiving with it's fast currents under the surface. The Forest Service does not encourage swimming in the river.

Contact Info

This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (760) 376-3781.

Nearby Attractions

Remington Hot Springs is a free Hot Spring on Forest Service Land located approximately one mile West of Hobo Camppground off Old Kern Canyon Road.

White water rafting is a very popular activity on the Kern River, local Rafting Outfitters provide half-day to multi day trips along the Kern River.

Camp site features

Across 23 camp sites:

Fire pit: 22 of 23 sites
Pets allowed: all 23 sites
ADA accessible: 2 of 23 sites
Longest RV: 17 ft
Largest party: 6 people

Services within 25 miles · OpenStreetMap

Nearest dump station: 6.5 mi

Directions

From Bakersfield, California travel approximately 37 miles east on CA 178. Turn right onto Borel Road, and drive about 1/3 of a mile until you reach Kern Canyon Road. Take a right onto Kern Canyon Road and continue for 1.7 miles until you see the sign for Hobo Campground, keep right to stay on the driveway. The driveway that splits to the left is the parking lot for Miracle Hot Springs.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 11 AM.

Reviews

43 reviews

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1 stars

OLGA F

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Reviewed 2 years ago

Best spot! Hosts are nice and facilities are clean.

Dylan R

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Reviewed 2 years ago

Good camp ground, definitely a winter camping spot as the meat bees were very annoying when cooking. Site 3 was very large and plenty of shade with creek access. Plan on going again when bugs die.

Atalia E

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Reviewed 2 years ago

The stay was pleasant. The maintenance is poor, especially the toilets are very dirty

Joe Y

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Reviewed 3 years ago

I think it would probably be better if it was a flush toilet.

Katie D

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Reviewed 3 years ago

We stayed at site 25, very private and lovely. The host, Bob, was friendly and helpful. Toilets were in rough shape, but nothing you can’t handle! Walked to Miracle Hot springs each night! So magical! They have a bit of a sad story, and the pools have recently been destroyed, but we were so happy to have them nearby. We can’t wait to camp here again!

Miguel F

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Reviewed 3 years ago

Amazing location! Next to the river! There is plenty of shade. The bathroom needs a lot of maintenance though.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve