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Tillie Creek

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

Tillie Creek campground is nestled in oak trees on the shores of Lake Isabella, a popular destination for water activities, especially windsurfing and fishing.

The 11,000-acre lake is actually a reservoir, one of California's largest, and it marks the division between the Upper Kern and Lower Kern Rivers.

Recreation

Lake activities are the focal point of this campground. Options include swimming, water skiing and windsurfing. The lake is known for trout fishing during the colder months. Lake Isabella offers anglers a variety of species, including black and White crappie, bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass.

Facilities

This campground can accommodate family reunions and other large parties, from 60 up to 150 guests. The campground is located 6 miles from the town of Lake Isabella. One group area is wheelchair accessible. A marina and boat ramps are available just to the south. Other facilities include a fish cleaning station and a playground.

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.

Nearby Attractions

The campground provides a good base for day trips to the Sequoia National Park, Trail of a Hundred Giants, and numerous Sequoia groves in the Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (760) 376-1269.

Directions

From Bakersfield, California, take Highway 178 east to the town of Lake Isabella. From Lake Isabella take Highway 155 north, traveling 6 miles to the entry station of Tillie Creek Campground.