Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Buena Vista Aquatic Rec Area
Overview
Buena Vista Aquatic Rec Area is a premier destination for water sports enthusiasts in California’s Central Valley. Situated around two distinct bodies of water, Lake Evans and Lake Webb, this park offers a sprawling environment for high-energy outdoor recreation. It provides a spacious lakeside camping experience that serves as a refreshing contrast to the surrounding agricultural plains. Visitors often travel here to enjoy a variety of aquatic activities and reliable sunshine.
Location & Surroundings
Located approximately 25 miles southwest of Bakersfield, the park sits in a quiet, rural pocket of Kern County. The landscape is characterized by its wide-open horizons and the shimmering surfaces of the dual lakes. While the area is dominated by farmland, the park serves as a vital recreation oasis for the region. Travelers will find straightforward access via Highway 119, making it an accessible stop for those navigating the southern San Joaquin Valley.
Amenities & Park Features
The park caters well to RVers with over 100 campsites, many of which are equipped with full hookups including water, sewer, and electricity. Sites are generally level, offering enough room for modern motorhomes and trailers. Essential facilities include clean restrooms, hot showers, and multiple boat launch ramps for water entry. For those looking to relax on land, there are shaded picnic pavilions and miles of paved roads perfect for scenic biking along the shore.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Fishing and powerboating are the primary draws here, with Lake Webb hosting motorized craft and Lake Evans catering to quiet fishing and sailing. Just a short drive away, nature lovers can visit the Tule Elk State Natural Reserve to view native species. If you are seeking local culture, Bakersfield offers the historic Buck Owens' Crystal Palace and various galleries. The nearby Kern River also provides additional opportunities for seasonal rafting and wildlife viewing excursions.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for active families and travelers who prioritize boating and fishing over a traditional, secluded mountain setting. It is a fantastic choice for group camping or boaters who appreciate having their vessels just steps away from their RV. Because of its large capacity and open layout, it also suits travelers who want a reliable, well-equipped home base while exploring the unique agricultural heritage and musical history of the greater Bakersfield area.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Kathryn Wolters
we love this place...we come here yearly for a Medieval camping event with the Society for Creative Anachronism....we build a whole medieval village of tents...a merchant area, a food court, an arts /teaching area, with areas set aside for medieval war scenarios...and for about a week we live in another time period. The park is a lovely backdrop for our event. Taft and Bakersfield are not far for those who dont like to camp.
Raymond Ferenci
Great campground right on the lake. Good fishing, nice and quiet, clean restrooms highly recommend.
Dima
great area to combine camping with water activities. lake is very shallow and the water is murky and dirty, but you can wakeboard/paddle-board/swim in it. just don’t get any of it in your sinuses. the campgrounds are large and the grass is nicely cut. some of the bathrooms are okay, while others are prison-style and offer zero privacy. i’m gland that this area exists, but improvements can be made.
Tanya Anderson
This was our first and last time here. We had hoped for a great experience of camping and fishing. First night was ok. Then the weekend started. The camp behind us had the music playing very loud all the way past 1 am. After calling the sheriff office and getting the camp host. Which was parked right by these people. They turned it down a little. The sites are really in need of resurfacing. They are pull in round. You can’t tell where the edge of pavement is to the grass. We did have our boat parked in the so called grass/ dirt. The ranger came by very rudely and said it had to be on pavement. Hubby moved boat and truck to what we thought was on the pavement. But oh no. The ranger came back and our driver wheel was 6 inches into this so called grass. He wrote us a ticket for being on the grass. The bathrooms and showers were all closed. You had to walk to a porta potty. Luckily we have our own bathroom. We left 3 days early and are going to fight the 40 ticket. Plus. We couldn’t sit outside because the flies are sooo bad.
Deanna Cathcart
Sewer hookup on site 15 does not work, causes your sewage to back up and spill out at connection. 15 is listed as water front, should be listed as weird buzzing utilities front, you can see the water off to the side I front of the next site, but you are NOT parked in front of it. So that is not your view. Ground rodents that look like small prairie dogs scratched at the camper at night and the holes were everywhere. At 10:30am the showers were still not unlocked by the host who we never saw. The bathrooms were backed up and wouldn't flush also they were filthy! Also this is a campground but google thinks it's a hotel. 🤷♀️