The best camping near Fossil Falls

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Fossil Falls adventure.

Discover the ancient allure of Fossil Falls.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Fossil Falls

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Fossil Falls

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Lake Olancha RV Park and Campground

24 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Olancha, CA

Welcome to our new resort with breathtaking views our 100 acre RV retreat and our nearly 1 mile shoreline of beautiful Olancha Lake with the majestic snowcapped Sierra Nevada Mountains to the west and Death Valley to the east make for an incredible retreat. We are located near Lone Pine in the township of Olancha in the Owens Valley of California.

87%

(79)

SoCal Camping

39 sites · Lodging20 acres · Kernville, CA

The cabins are situated in The Sequoia National Forest, overlooking the majestic rapids of the Kern River. Come and hike, bike, dip in the river, or simply kick back and take in the 360 of sky scrapping mountains (even glimpse Mount Whitney!) At once a silver mine along the Kern River, now converted to a fun recreation spot for adventure seekers

99%

(525)

Spirit Walk - Private Retreat

14 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Wofford Heights, CA

Private ADULT ONLY camping. With a central outdoor kitchen and dining area, group fire pit, & a bathroom with a composting toilet, sink, & shower. Seasonal creek. Quiet and private. We have a small cabin (The Playhouse) and 15 campsites. No Pets, No Smoking ADULTS ONLY. Spirit Walk is a quiet meditative place. It is not a conducive environment for young children. Thank you for understanding. Lake Isabella, the Kern River and historic Kernville are just 5 minutes down the road. All Hipcamp proceeds go directly back into the land in the way of forest maintenance, a tree planting program and improvements to the facilities.

85%

(10)

Desert Stargazers Dream

4 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · California City, CA

Learn more about this land: Less them 3 hours from Los Angeles, this private property is 2 acres of the secluded desert for you to enjoy! Just outside California City, there are miles of roads for the off-road enthusiast and some of the best stargazing in California. (As the Mayor once said, you can see more stars in California City then you could in Los Angeles). There is also great rockhounding and hiking opportunities! Campers can set up camp anywhere on the property but we also have an area cleared off for tent or car camping. There is also a firepit - enjoy and have a huge bon fire! Fires are allowed but must be completely put out, and campers must bring all their own supplies. All off-roading must get permit before hand - contact host for details.

99%

(39)

Wandering Star Ranch

1 site · RV, Tent15 acres · Weldon, CA

Learn more about this land: A large private dispersed group camp- Entire property (all sites) included in rental. 7 night maximum. Longer possible with discussion. 15 acres yours to enjoy. Take your jeep or ATVs through our gates straight into the BrightStar BLM Wilderness which abuts the property on two sides. Beginners can ride the extensive trails on the property itself. Play your music, dance naked, let your dogs run free... Enjoy the fantastic star gazing. Visit the primitive firing range a two minute walk away or by jeep, or plink varmints on site. Hiking, Biking. Nearby fishing, swimming, boating in the Kern River or Lake . The Brightstar wilderness extends to Jawbone canyon. Situated on the back side of the lake, this site provides more sunlight time than many other sites around the lake. In some cases close to 2 hours. Close to the lake at Mt. Mesa, boat launch, South fork Audubon nature preserve, restaurants, and scenic back road to Kernville. Verizon has good service Gas/Diesel and Market with Deli 5 minutes away. (Ice, wood, adult beverages, fishing tackle, full grocery)

100%

(15)

Diamond Acres Camp 🏕

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents290 acres · Weldon, CA

Diamond Acres is a quiet, secluded camp in the Kern River Valley just minutes from Lake Isabella, the mighty Kern River, and Southern Sierras! We offer glamping sites (tent or trailer) with hot showers and flushing toilets! Come enjoy the solitude and stars. Our camp overlooks miles of rolling hills with no houses in view! Skip the crowded campgrounds and glamp comfortably while only being 5 minutes from Lake Isabella! Take a short walk to the top of the property and enjoy some of the best sunsets you've ever seen! We are close to the Kern River, OHV trails, hot springs, hiking, kayaking, fishing, boating, paragliding, and so much more!

85%

(23)

Underworld Farms

15 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents6 acres · Kernville, CA

Underworld Farms is a small goat ranch in the Kern River Valley. Surrounded by forestry land, on the Kern River, and on top of what used to be the old town of Whiskey Flat (Later re-named Kernville). There is no end to the beauty, history and adventure all around the property. Life took us to the Kern River Valley after moving out of Los Angeles. We enjoy living in the Southern Sierras immersed in all its natural beauty. The small but magnificent town of Kernville is approximately two and a half miles north of us. Our livestock includes horses, dairy goats, sheep, and rabbits: Most of which are raised and bred as our son's 4H or FFA projects. You may be wondering why our farm is called "Underworld Farms". In a nutshell, since our ranch is on the footprint of the historic town of Whiskey Flat, we just happen to be south of the old Whiskey Flat "Boot Hill" Cemetery. Our "driveway" is the road that led from the old town of Kernville to the cemetery. We hope that you consider parking your RV, van conversion, or trailer on one of our customized spots on the property. Or drive your vehicle and pitch a tent on one of our tent friendly sports. Or enjoy a stay in one of our small cabins. Regardless of what you stay in, you will definitely have a memorable time. The campground is VERY barebones and rural. Critters, bugs, and sometimes fellow Hipcampers can be sparce or prevalent pretty randomly. Because Underworld Farms is a working ranch, you will probably hear livestock noises like horses neighing, sheep and goats calling, and our protector dogs barking from time to time. We encourage you to walk over to the horses and goats and meet them. They especially like when you bring them carrots or apple pieces. The ranch has a double outhouse with a hand washing station sandwiched in between, it is rustic and bare bones. We check it to see if it has paper products, soap, water, and plenty of room in the trash bins. During the hotter months, the "daddy longleg" spiders enjoy infiltrating the outhouses and seem to spin new webs overnight. But they and their webs are harmless and easy to brush off. We ask for your assistance if there is something missing, or the trash needs taking out, or if the spiders have taken over again by getting ahold of us through the Hipcamp App and letting us know. With all that being said, there is an ambient beauty here that is unbelievable and memorable. This beauty and draw is so powerful that it causes the many people who come visit to make arrangements to live in our little valley. There is much to do in and around our valley that you couldn't do it all in a lifetime. We hope that you come and stay at the ranch while enjoying our valley. May you have a great time. *** THE PIN MAP ON HIPCAMP IS NOT 100% ACCURATE. PLEASE REFFER TO THE MAP OF THE PROPERTY IN THE PHOTOS

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The Squattage in the Sequoia National Forest!

1 site · Lodging1 acre · California Hot Springs, CA

It’s a newly constructed little cottage that a Sasquatch would call home, that’s why we call it the Squattage! Our guests love the history of our Village and surrounding areas, the wildlife, serenity, and friendly folks, we hope you do too! Learn more about this land: Beautiful new A-frame, high-end fit and finish! Features include a sleeping loft! The downstairs has a daybed with a trundle, a sitting area, an indoor potty and a nice breakfast bar! It’s so relaxing, romantic, and just as fabulous as can be! The hot outdoor shower has a beautiful view of the trees and sky! The large front porch is perfect for relaxing or planning the day's adventure! All solar powered. There’s a propane fire pit to cook on or enjoy, propane is available for $35 or you can bring your own. Peaceful Village, beautiful views, park-like setting! Lots of wildlife to see! Beds have high-end bedding, nicer than the hotels! Towels and washcloths are provided for the shower. We even have a few games for you to play to add to your stay at the Squattage! HEY FOLKS! The weather is beautiful, come on up! Spoil yourself and spend some time in our neck of the woods, you deserve it! BOOK NOW BEFORE SOMEONE BEATS YOU TO IT!! Hope to see you soon! PS, we now have Star Link Wi-Fi!! Come on up and be a part of our community! Our Village has begun having craft shows on the first Saturday of every month, lots of great things for purchase! We attend and sell many beautiful items including exotic custom rings, don’t miss out! Items will be available for you to purchase after you check in👍

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Double Triangle Ranch

3 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Weldon, CA

Once settled by Tubatulabel and Shoshoni tribes, this area is rich with reminders of their habitation. Grinding rocks near Tipi camp are one of those. When gold was discovered in the Kern River Valley, most of the native tribes were displaced but their decendents here in the KRV keep the history alive with language studies and cultural events.

78%

(9)

Cartago Springs

2 sites · RVs1 acre · Cartago, CA

Cartago Springs is right off of the 395 HWY, with beautiful panoramic views of the Sierra mountains with bright twinkling open skies at night. Just minutes from cotton wood creek and a short drive to the Alabama Hills and Mt. Whitney. Open land to park your trailer or RV. Star gaze and eat under the stars. Cartago wildlife area is a five minute walk down the road from the property. The Cartago Wildlife area is a protected wet land that homes many different birds and wild life, there are walking trails and a small pond to enjoy. The property sits near what was once the old Cartago dump. You can find beautiful colored glass, porcelains, neat items like silverware, car parts, old lighters, a pickers paradise. feel free to take any treasures you find home with you! If you like to ride, Olancha dunes is just down the road. Cactus Flats Road in Olancha will take you into the Coso Mountains where the trails are endless, the views are beautiful and the peace is surreal. Cartago Springs is a few miles north of the Mobile gas station, where they serve hot food a perfect convince for the traveler. Hope to see you soon!

100%

(11)

Kernville Ranch

5 sites · Lodging15 acres · Kernville, CA

Nestled in meadows with a private river flowing through horse pastures, tall shade trees and all natural cedar hot tub. Kernville Ranch is just a 5 minute walk from the center of Kernville. Plenty of fishing and white water rafting, hiking and hot springs and snow play depending on the season. Explore the lake for water-sports, the high country for pristine wilderness and a little snow. The town is full of restaurants, antiques stores, and a wonderful museum of the rich heritage of this Wild West town,

Booked 9 times

Oak Glenn * California Hot Springs

3 sites · Tents1 acre · California Hot Springs, CA

This camping spot is quiet, beautiful and peaceful. Surrounded by nature but also within walking distance to a store and near the Sequoia National Forest for hiking activities. Enjoy fresh running streams, rolling hills and wild berries in the area. Mineral springs and hot tubs should hopefully be opening Spring 2024. Property at Pineflat has a flat area you can park by the camper and pitch your tent anywhere beneath a beautiful oak tree or any flat area. Located right across the road from the church at Pineflat. Photos #2 & 3 are of the property. The others are of the area and the drive up. Just down the way (about 150-200 feet from the property) there is a store that is usually open 8am-5pm, Seven Oaks Market, where they serve food most days and can buy a few things you may need and handmade goods. When you come up Pineflat from California Hot Springs, the property will be right across from the church. Enjoy the peace and beauty of the area. Visit the 100 giants or enjoy the streams and the beautiful drive up the rolling hills and National Park Sequoia area or Kern River area.

The best camping near Fossil Falls guide

Overview

About

In the eastern foothills of the Sequoia National Forest, Fossil Falls lies in wait for travelers on Highway 395. A misnomer, Fossil Falls actually doesn't have any fossils or waterfalls. What you will find here are actually fascinating lava formations that have been sculpted by the melting glaciers that historically resided in the valley. A hotspot for climbers, Fossil Falls has several "finger-friendly" and established climbing routes. Ranging from easy to intermediate routes the climbing here is a truly unique experience as you must work with the eroded landscape in order to summit.

Notable campgrounds

The Fossil Falls campground offers 11 sites with potable water, restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings for a complete camping experience.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early to secure your spot at the popular Fossil Falls campground, especially during peak seasons.
Check for cancellations regularly as plans change and spots may open up unexpectedly.
Consider visiting during the off-season for better chances of getting a reservation.
Explore nearby camping options as a backup plan or to extend your adventure in the region.

When to go

The best time to visit Fossil Falls is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and conducive to outdoor activities. Summer months can be extremely hot, making daytime exploration less comfortable. Winter offers clear, crisp days but prepare for cold nights.

Know before you go

Wear appropriate footwear for hiking on uneven lava terrain and ensure children are supervised at all times.
Be mindful of the local wildlife, including rattlesnakes, and keep pets on a leash.
There are no fossils at Fossil Falls, but the area is rich in geological and cultural history.
Bring plenty of water and sun protection, as the high desert environment can be harsh.
Check the weather and park alerts before your visit for any closures or safety advisories.

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