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Sequoia/Goldledge
Overview
Goldledge Campground, nestled within the expansive Sequoia National Forest, offers a classic California mountain experience for RV travelers. Situated directly along the banks of the Upper Kern River, this site provides a rugged and authentic camping atmosphere that highlights the natural beauty of the Kern River Valley. It is widely considered a premier spot for those seeking a primitive camping experience where the sound of rushing water serves as the soundtrack to your stay. The park is managed by the Forest Service, ensuring the preservation of the landscape while providing access to one of the state's most iconic waterways.
Location & Surroundings
Located approximately 10 miles north of the town of Kernville, the campground is tucked into a scenic canyon where steep granite walls meet the river's edge. The surrounding landscape is characterized by majestic cottonwoods and sycamores, providing a lush canopy and much-needed shade during the warm summer months. The park’s position along the Upper Kern River offers stunning vistas and direct access to some of the most beautiful stretches of water in the region. The high-elevation desert environment creates clear nights, making it a spectacular location for stargazing away from city lights.
Amenities & Park Features
As a National Forest site, Goldledge focuses on the essentials rather than luxury. This is a dry camping destination, so RVers should arrive with full water tanks and empty waste tanks, as there are no hookups provided at the sites. The campground offers vault toilets and seasonal potable water to meet basic needs during your visit. Each individual campsite is equipped with a sturdy picnic table and a steel fire ring, allowing for traditional campfire cooking and evening relaxation. While the roads are paved, the sites are graded with natural materials, so bringing leveling blocks is recommended for RV owners.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The area is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly those interested in white water rafting and kayaking on the Kern River. Anglers will appreciate the easy access to the river for trout fishing, while hikers can explore the nearby Whiskey Flat Trail for breathtaking canyon views. For a change of pace, the western-themed town of Kernville is just a short drive away, offering local dining, historic museums, and the popular Kern River Brewing Company. For those willing to drive further into the forest, the Trail of 100 Giants offers an incredible look at ancient Sequoia groves.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is best suited for independent RVers who enjoy boondocking-style camping in a managed setting. It is the perfect fit for travelers who value scenic riverfront locations and a quiet, natural environment over resort-style amenities. Because of the limited cell service and lack of electricity, it is a fantastic choice for families looking for a digital detox and those who enjoy self-contained RV living. If you are looking for a place to disconnect from the grid and immerse yourself in the wilderness of the Sequoia National Forest, Goldledge provides the ideal home base for your adventure.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Dalt
Terrible experience, I understand this is a cheap campground but it was really ghetto. Bathrooms were absolutely disgusting and the camp host didn’t do anything to clean them. Camp host is a 20 year old kid who went on joyrides on his golf cart. Theres a noise restriction that starts at 10pm and he didn’t enforce any of that, meanwhile our neighbors were blasting music till 4 am. He didn’t even check to see if we paid for out spot and we didn’t even need to check in. He also didn’t clean the bathrooms whatsoever, he has a brand new broom on his golf cart and that didn’t get used at all. His girlfriend also took the golf cart on joyrides around the campground loop with the toddler they have pretty fast. He did go into the bathrooms but didn’t clean them. Pretty bad experience and I wouldn’t recommend coming here
Danny Rodriguez
River access is beautiful, but the camp host is horrible. He hardly did his job cleaning the restrooms but yet constantly drives around looking for something to say and women to talk to. I just hope all the money he was charging for early access was not getting pocketed. The old host, who was way better, never charged for getting there an hour early.
none
Only good thing about this campground is the river access. Pit toilets are under maintained- if you think porta pottys are bad, imagine 8x the volume baking in a tank for months on end. Wind carries the stench to neighboring sites. Camp host is nosey- does everything but his job. Walks around flashing his headlamp into everyone's site multiple times a night, yet when quiet hours came at 10pm, he ignored the people playing loud music so he could sit at a campsite with two extremely drunk women who were alone. Beyond that, there were campsites that were in clear need of repair- picnic tables that were broken, which have seemingly been a problem from a long time, given there's a review about it months ago. Seems like the camp host makes his rounds looking with women to flirt with instead of making the campground better for it's guests. Would not return here again, given the amount of options in the area.
Ann Harbaugh
Terrible spot... We couldn't even sit at the picnic table. I spoke with the groundskeeper and showed him the pics and he said he wasn't authorized to fix anything without approval. He also said that he knows things need to be repaired at the campground but can't do anything until the say-so is yes... I don't blame this guy, it's not his fault... The place is outright disappointing... Better off at Headquarters...
Letitia Harris-Aguilar
We love Goldledge and all of Kernville. We look forward to camping there every year. The bathrooms are a little funky sometimes but you're camping amd roughing for a couple of days. Enjoy the river, the family bonding and memories.