Camp Observer1 of 2 photos
Limestone Campground
Notice
To protect natural resources and provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited below 5,000 feet in elevation within the Sequoia National Forest.
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except in the designated Campfire Areas listed in Exhibits A, B or C. C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building or within the areas listed in Exhibits A, B or C. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
3. Operating an internal combustion engine, except on a designated National Forest System road, trail, or within the areas listed in Exhibits A, B or C. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(g).
4. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame, except within the areas listed in Exhibits A, B or C.
Alert Start Date: June 10, 2026
Alert End Date: November 30, 2026
Jun 12, 2026 – Dec 1, 2026
Overview
Limestone Campground sits in an area dotted with oak and gray pine along the Upper Kern River, a designated Wild and Scenic River, at an elevation of 3,500 feet.Recreation
Whitewater rafting and kayaking on the Upper Kern River are popular activities.To learn more about the Upper Kern River, including safety and permitting requirements and a listing of local outfitters, visit the Sequoia National Forest’s overview of the area.
Facilities
The campground, located 16 miles north of Kernville, has 19 paved sites. Picnic areas, vault toilets are provided.
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.
At various points along the river, gray pines, scrub oaks, grass and dry climate shrubs cling to steep canyon walls, while cottonwoods and willows line the water's edge.
Nearby Attractions
The campground provides a good base for day trips to the Sequoia National Park Trail of 100 Giants.The Giant Sequoia Mercantile offers a wide variety of books, maps, gifts, local art, camping supplies and other merchandise.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (760) 376-1269.Camp site features
Across 19 camp sites:
- Picnic table: all 19 sites
- Pets allowed: all 19 sites
- Longest rig: 40 ft
- Largest party: 6 people
Directions
Off of 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. From Kernville go north on Sierra Way/Mountain 99
for 16 miles to the campground.
Stay Limit
Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.
Reviews
Ratings (93)
5 stars
37
4 stars
26
3 stars
14
2 stars
5
1 stars
11
Crystal B
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:010
Reviewed 3 days ago
We got to camp late at night and the sky was beautiful. There was on a bit of a grade downhill just past the fire pit making it unable to put a tent there. We had 2 smaller tents and barely were able to fit them around the picnic table. The toilet house was almost full. The site #10 has zero shade. It was sweltering hot by 9am July 22. We packed up and left in less than an hour after waking up due to the lack of shade.
Daniel W
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:018
Reviewed 18 days ago
Overall my experience was good. Campsite #19 was clean and shaded. Neighbors were quiet and respectful. Enjoyed fishing on the river for a few days.
Only downside was a bear raided the dumpsters both nights. Not sure why there isn’t bear resistant dumpsters and bear boxes at the campsites?
Seth E
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:007
Reviewed a month ago
It's wonderful campground with great camp hosts (met two so far, both have been very pleasant and helpful). The campground is well maintained with very clean toilets (as far as pit toilets go). Will definitely be back.
Michael O
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:014
Reviewed 2 months ago
The campsites are stacked upon themselves when there’s endless space to be used directly off the road directly next to somebody makes zero sense if it’s busy it would be a joke
David D
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:012
Reviewed 2 months ago
Camp management team was great. Professional and polite.
Atziry M
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:011
Reviewed 2 months ago
Beautiful campsite! We loved site 011, the view to the river is great, plus close to the bathrooms which were pretty clean! No signal at all (awesome). My only two tips would be to really prepare for the sun on your campsite as there is not much shade in some, and also, bring mosquito repellant, those suckers hang out with you all day!
Other than that, wonderful experience, will be coming back to this campsite for sure!!! River is beautiful, be mindful of the current as it is strong but water is perfectly cold and clean! Enjoy your stay here if you do go! :-) Happy camping.
James L
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:012
Reviewed 3 months ago
Great campground! Well maintained, clean/stocked bathrooms. Close proximity to trail of 100 giants and other beautiful hikes. Easy drive to Kernville for supplies & firewood.
Kerry D
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:010
Reviewed 3 months ago
We LOVED this place! The one & only negative is there is no campground map on the website like all the other campgrounds have. We would have chosen a different number site but couldn’t remember the order they go in.
Jacqueline V
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:019
Reviewed 3 months ago
The camp host was great! He was only there for maintenance since he had many more sites to care for but luckily we arrived while he was there.
The site is beautiful, next to the river and with the views of mountains around.
The bathrooms are not the greatest and you have to bring in your own water. I didn’t have service here but that’s alright.
Be careful of river, really cold and can drag you away. The site is decent size and people do pass by to go to trail entrance near it. Great campsite
Janet G
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:018
Reviewed 3 months ago
Nice camping spot. Close access to the river an a small beach at the side of the river. We had trees for shade.
Hugh K
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:018
Reviewed 9 months ago
Great campground! Despite it being a small campground, the size of the sites were ample and access to the river was excellent. Only negative points were that you could easily smell the vault toilets from sites 17, 18, 19 (even though these were great sites), and we did notice some people setting up tents in non-designated areas. We didn't see a camp host or ranger monitoring this, so would recommend more patrolling of the campground.
Ezra B
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:004
Reviewed 9 months ago
Very appreciative that the campground remained open and maintained during the shutdown.
Joe S
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:015
Reviewed 9 months ago
Beautiful location! Great shade!
Outhouses need attention
Piped water would help
cesar c
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:007
Reviewed 9 months ago
Been coming here for a few years. excellent campgrounds. nice weather, perfect during the summer because of the river. the jet fly over is the best part!
Daniel W
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:016
Reviewed 9 months ago
All went well. Were worried the campground would be closed due to the shutdown but place was open. Fairly full for this time of year. Neighbors were all quiet and respectful. Place was clean and kept up. All good.
Ray S
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:007
Reviewed 10 months ago
Some at rv.gov change my arrival date from the 18 of aug to the 24 of August and rented it to another party that made my stay trable thay changed it from the 18 to the 1st of September to the 24 to the 7 th I was not staying to the seventh of September how come it was changed
Keith B
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:007
Reviewed a year ago
site 7...worst in entire camp. Full sun, morning till night, absolutely no shade, cannot see river from camp. Should only be used for extra parking. I've camped at Limestone in the 70's & 80's, when it was a first come/ free site. As it's hardly kept up, and I'm sure those are the same toilet seats I sat on 50 years ago, it should still be free. That said, there are 5 campsites that I love, and in 10 years when i go back, I'll only attempt if i can get on of those.
Mikey H
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:004
Reviewed a year ago
Lot's of shade and very large site by itself. Me and my kids played hide and seek in our site. It was that large. You can fit a few large tents here, no problem. However, there is only space for one parking. This site was not as close to other sites as others were so that is good in terms of privacy. Only thing is that it is by the restroom but not that close. But good thing is that it didn't smell at all. Also, there wasn't much people using the restroom. Most people bring their own portable ones. There is no water at the campsite so need to bring your own. It is close by the river. We left our tent and chairs at this site and went to explore Trail of 100 giants by the Sequoia National Forest. It was hot when we went and I was so glad that our site had a very good amount of shades. Otherwise, we would have been baked in the sun. There wasn't much bugs and there were no bees at all.
Tom H
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:016
Reviewed a year ago
The parking pads are in terrible condition. The level of neglect at this campground is sad. I fell off the parking pad due to its deterioration. There used to be barriers at the end of the parking pad. Those are also gone. Not sure how a major accident and lawsuit haven't occurred.
Jennifer S
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:018
Reviewed a year ago
Restrooms need to be upgraded like all the other campsites.
John B
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:013
Reviewed a year ago
Third year in a row I've been coming to Limestone for Father's Day. Great campground and so close to the river. My only voice would be the $8 a night per extra vehicle fee and where that goes to? I understand the bathrooms that are at the campground are what they are, i can tough it out, however, how can there still not be simple locks on the doors with the fees we have to pay?
Overall, this is a great getaway. This year I made a trip up to the Sequoias and was surprised as to how close they were!
Karl S
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:008
Reviewed 2 years ago
Very clean bathrooms. Nice view of the river with the sound of it all night. Highly recommended.
Bryanna C
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:004
Reviewed 2 years ago
I come to limestone all the time it’s one of my favorite campgrounds in kern. This past week I stayed in spot 004 and it was not as pleasant unfortunately. There seems to be a bee hive in the tree at this site and we could not sit or eat comfortably without being swarmed by multiple bees. Luckily I had an epi pen in case I was stung because I’m allergic but I have never experienced this outrageous amount of bees before. I plan to visit again in October but hope this issue is resolved before I return. I truly love coming to this camp site. Aside from that, this spot is great!
Brenda L
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:005
Reviewed 2 years ago
Lots of trash everywhere and we weren’t able to used the grillers or fire pits, I am conscious that California is bad on fires but what is camping with out a fire pit, I think for $35 dollars a night the least we can have is ranger patrolling the camp and clean the area
Maria A
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:008
Reviewed 2 years ago
June 2024 was the best summer ever at Limestone! We've camped there at least 4-5 times in past years and we've never had such pleasant weather. We camped from June 17-20 and the weather was an unbelievable 77 - 83 degrees. (I believe we got lucky - soon after that the temps went up drastically.) Other years there have been so many bugs & gnats in the mornings & evenings - this year, there was almost none. The bathrooms are vault toilets - no surprises there, they are what they are. Our campground host came around on the last day of our stay - super friendly & welcoming guy. We drove up to see the Trail of 100 Giants one day, but basically spent the rest of the time at the river by Croc Rock. Water is pretty high and current is stronger than other years, but the beach area has a nice shallow area for kids and grownups to get wet in. We had an awesome time at Limestone - will definitely keep going there!
Diana G
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:008
Reviewed 2 years ago
Wonderful view. Perfect access to the sandy beach and alligator rock! Did a little fishing, no catch but the kids loved it! 🔥🎣🏕️
Carimi A
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:008
Reviewed 2 years ago
We stayed at limestone campground #8 it was a great spot with an amazing view of the river but the only bad thing is that people cross through our campsite to get to the river and are disrespectful
Taylor S
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:013
Reviewed 2 years ago
Love this campground, however it’s not monitored at night and of course some people are disrespectful. We had a group near us blasting music until after midnight every night we were there which was a bummer.
Happy they were having fun and didn’t mind it at reasonable hours but it went on a bit too long.
Sarah R
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:008
Reviewed 2 years ago
We had a great time at Limestone campground site #8! We were there 4/26 thru 4/28/24. Site #8 backs up to a short downhill trail that leads right to a sandy beach on the river -- so lovely! One thing to note is that the camp area (containing the picnic table and fire pit + grate) is downhilll from the driveway where you park your car. The whole site is *slightly* downhill sloped which may make it difficult to find a perfectly level spot for a tent. My partner and I slept in our car in the driveway (which was pretty level) so this wasn't an issue for us. Two other couples were camping with us, so there was a total of 3 cars parked in the driveway. We helped each other angle the vehicles at a slant so we could all fit. The 2nd and 3rd vehicles were considered "additional" and cost $8 per vehicle per day. On Saturday morning (we arrived Friday, late afternoon/evening) we paid the ranger who came around $32 in cash for the additional vehicles. Although it was a bit chilly (definitely not summer yet) we had a great time hanging out and cooking up some good food together! The campground was relatively quiet and clean over all. The pit toilets were clean but stinky as expected! Thank you for a great stay. :)
Dahlia S
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:008
Reviewed 2 years ago
I booked this place for a group of friends and got a lot of praise from the group for choosing such a good spot. It really is magically being right on the river and hearing the water as you fall asleep. I had a great time. The spot we were in was well shaded and the campground was in two parts, a lower part and an upper part, each with their own bathroom (vault toilet) that was stocked by the rangers with toilet paper. It never felt crowded. No cell phone reception, no potable water, but still within a reasonable distance to the nearest market if you forget something. One thing, the reservation you make on recreation.gov is for ONE car. You’ll be asked to pay for a second car per night. Hope to be back.
Joel H
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:017
Reviewed 2 years ago
April 3-7-2024 We got site 18 and 19 for a long overdue family campout. Two brothers and family drove down from San Francisco and found the road that heads south through the mountains to the campground was closed. Unfortunately, one brother didn't get the memo and drove 2 hours through the winding mountains only to find a road closure about 10 miles from the campground. He had to turn around and drive an additional 3 or 4 hours down through Bakersfield to get to the campground. Weather at this time of year could be hot and sunny, rainy, or cold and snowy. Rain was forecasted with light snow but we only got snow; about 2 or 3 inches over the span of 2 or 3 days. It was cold but glad it wasn't too wet and muddy. Although we didn't have the best weather, the campground was nice, the hills were green (and then covered in a blanket of white), the pit toilet wasn't as bad as the disgusting crackpipe bathrooms in Venice Beach. Nice small campground, great for exploring nature on mushrooms,...and campfire s'mores!
Andrew W
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:012
Reviewed 3 years ago
There was someone in our spot and the original site I booked, glad though as that site had so many gnats and bees. We ended up happy with the spot they moved us to. Great central campground and we loved the jets flying over.
Shahar K
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:017
Reviewed 3 years ago
Beautiful place. Large camping area.
The bathroom were kind of dirty...
MIke W
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:008
Reviewed 3 years ago
Place was clean and ready for me. Though this website said campground reservations were full, I actually had the place to myself, which I didn't mind at all. Weather was perfect, bugs were crazy this year though. One question, why put another picnic table right where someone could put a larger tent?
edwin h
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:008
Reviewed 3 years ago
The best part of our camping experience was Ginger, our camp host and the s'mores by the campfire.
Sandeep K
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:012
Reviewed 3 years ago
Good but it’s not that cold as we expected. But there are more insects.
Phoebe B
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:018
Reviewed 3 years ago
The campground itself is well maintained, has great access to the river, and has clean restrooms. No cell service (TMOBILE) and there was a noticeable amount of broken glass near the river. Lots of yellow jackets and gnats first thing in the morning; they definitely die down later in the day.
Overall a great campground - will definitely return. I was the only one there so it was very peaceful :)
Bryanna C
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:016
Reviewed 3 years ago
When I got to my camp site. Two cars were parked in the spot I reserved. I could not find the owners so I had to park off to the side and start setting up camp. Cars were not gone the night I checked in after I came back up from the river. I didn’t see a host all weekend I was there to report it. I stayed only one night, sucks I paid for the night to be practically sharing a spot until they left.
Michael Z
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:017
Reviewed 3 years ago
beautiful river, tree area, spacious campsites (especially #17). We had great weather in the end of August. Would go back!!
manuel l
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:011
Reviewed 3 years ago
Well located for day hikes: 100 giants, Sherman Peak, Packsaddle cave, 7 teacups and close to Fairview grocery store and restaurant. Little trash scattered around the campground and along the river. Very quiet (weekdays in August 2023)
David Z
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:012
Reviewed 3 years ago
The photos do not do this site justice. Beautiful area to pitch tent that overlooks the river and hillside. Highly recommend. Drivable to both Kernville and Trail of 100 Giants Trailhead. Site 12.
Emily R
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:005
Reviewed 3 years ago
This campground was cute! We never saw the ranger and never checked us in. We did ask our camping neighbors for close by attractions. There is a way down to the river behind our site, it's a steep walk down but nothing too crazy. We found a cute little spot to wade in the water, be careful with the current, it's strong. About 30 min before camp, there is a beautiful town called Kernville, They have all you need to restock your equipment and there are activities in a store called Sierra South like rafting and kayaking. Trail of 100 Giants is about 40 min away from camp, it's a 1.3-mile trail. We never saw any wildlife in our camp. Many Bugs and wasps at night. No service at all, you can go down to Kernville to get service. Overall it was a great experience would come back, only wish the ranger would've stopped by.
Jennifer S
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:017
Reviewed 3 years ago
No camp host/patrol/support for unruly campers. Bathrooms were filthy with no toilet paper. Neighboring campers loud and up into the morning hours.
Bridget h
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:019
Reviewed 3 years ago
We only saw the ranger once. When she checked us in on Monday, she saw that there were people camping in non-designated areas and she said someone else would come and say something to them. Noone ever came. There were several parties camping in those areas.They were also cutting branches off of the trees and using it as fire wood on non-designated fire pits they made. They were making the fire very large, similar to like a bon fire. They were very close to our camp site and it took away from our experience of being able to watch the river from our site. The toilet paper was very low. We notified the Kernville Ranger station on Wednesday and they said they would sent law enforcement out, but noone ever came. When we left on Friday, they were still camping in the same spot.
John B
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:015
Reviewed 3 years ago
A great campground. Not too big, not too small. River was raging.
Rachel Y
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:004
Reviewed 3 years ago
Beautiful space, just far enough from town!
Tyler C
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:008
Reviewed 4 years ago
I stayed in #8 and I highly recommend it! It's one of the back-most spots, with easy access to the river. The campsite itself is pine and oak shaded, and overlooks the Kern.
Martin D
Loop:Limestone Campground
Site:005
Reviewed 4 years ago
Limestone camp site is smaller than a lot of the camp sites in the area. Which means less people around you at night. The sites near the entrance have a much easier access to the river than the sites at the end. Though you can still get to the bottom from those camp sites where there is a sand beach. No bear boxes and the trash containers were raided one night, likely by racoons. Not far from Kernville if traffic is light.
Popularity
Busy · 71%
Busiest in July, when about 71% of sites are booked. Based on 9 years of reservations.
