Camping near Bakersfield

Stop to check out the museums in this sunny gateway to the Sequoia National Forest.

92% (3518 reviews)
92% (3518 reviews)

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Camping near Bakersfield guide

Overview

A couple of hours north of Los Angeles on Interstate 5, at the southernmost end of California’s Central Valley, Bakersfield is a popular stop-off for fueling up and grabbing groceries and supplies before heading out into the Sequoia National Forest. The city is a major hub for the surrounding agricultural industry, and while it's not a typical tourist destination, it does offer quite a few attractions, including art and history museums. The California Living Museum may be of particular interest to those interested in zoology, as it puts a heavy focus on native plants and animals.

Where to go

The Mojave Desert

If you like the hot, dry climate of Bakersfield, you'll love the Mojave Desert, with its wide-open sandy expanses interrupted by canyons and rock formations. The region's star attraction, Death Valley National Park, is a great place for winter camping and dark-sky stargazing.

California's Central Coast

Some of California’s prettiest stretches of coastline can be found in the Central Coast region, from the famous Big Sur to the palm-flanked Refugio State Beach. This region also has plenty of cities worth checking out, from stylish Santa Barbara to enchanting Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Sequoia National Forest and the Inyo Mountains

Not to be confused with Sequoia National Park, the Sequoia National Forest and the Inyo Mountains Wilderness just beyond it has dozens of developed and backcountry campgrounds and over a thousand miles of trails, plus ample opportunities to swim, boat, or mountain bike amongst towering old-growth trees.

When to go

The temperatures in Bakersfield generally range from pleasantly cool (in the dead of winter) to sunny and scorching. Summers are dry and often see highs in the 100s, and while winters are cool, Bakersfield rarely gets freezing temperatures. October and April are ideal if you plan to camp in the area, with warm (but not overly hot) temperatures and not nearly the number of crowds found in the summer.

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