Anyone camp at Fairview Campground in Kernville?

Guess I should have mentioned that this is Kernville California. Thx!

I think your best bet would be to come up Hwy 14 to the 178. You'll have to go over Walker's Pass (about a 7% grade close to the top) and then down into Kern Valley. Once down in Weldon, take the right turn to Kernville.

Much better than trying to come up 178 out of Bakersfield through Kern Canyon.

Ron

Fairview is right on the river, so fishing and swimming will be good, provided the water is high enough. Not much in the way of trees for shade, and no hookups unless things have changed. Agree that 178 from Bakenfield is tight and curvy. 178 from the East (Hwy 14) is the way we always went from San Diego. Pretty good grade up and over Walker Pass, but once you get past the 1st couple of turns on the west side of the pass, you're golden.

Last gas at a reasonable price is at James Store (Sierra Gateway) or at Primo's across the street. You can get anything you forgot at this store. Mtn Hwy 99 follows the river, so it's pretty twisty, but is a good road.

Fairview has a small store for ice, bait, canned goods, etc. McNalleys is famous for it's steaks. The hamburgers at the stand next to the campground are good to.

A day trip up the river to the Giant Sequoias is recommended. Take rain gear, as frequent thunderstorms in the afternoon pop up.

Winds in the morning are usually "down canyon" and "up canyon" in the afternoon. Don't leave a tarp or awning up unattended or you'll lose it.

Kern river flow rates
Fishing reports

lanerd wrote:
I think your best bet would be to come up Hwy 14 to the 178. You'll have to go over Walker's Pass (about a 7% grade close to the top) and then down into Kern Valley. Once down in Weldon, take the right turn to Kernville.

Much better than trying to come up 178 out of Bakersfield through Kern Canyon.

Ron

x2

This is the way I do it when heading up to the Kern.

Thx a lot for the great info here. How bad is the grade on the 178 from the 14? Similar to say the Grapevine or Cajon Pass on the 15? My 5er is pretty heavy and not fun climbing long steep grades. Thx again all!!!!

SmittysRV wrote:
Thx a lot for the great info here. How bad is the grade on the 178 from the 14? Similar to say the Grapevine or Cajon Pass on the 15? My 5er is pretty heavy and not fun climbing long steep grades. Thx again all!!!!

Not nearly as long as either the Southbound Grapevine, or the Northbound Cajon pass. The steep part is only about 2 miles long, if that.

There are a couple of corners on the west side of Walkers Pass that you'll want to watch your speed, then when you turn off on Sierra Way heading towards Kernville there is one long straight downgrade that you'll want to watch your speed about a mile or 3 north of the 178. You'll pass a couple of homes at the top of the downgrade.

Come in via Walker Pass. It will be pretty hot there. River will be refreshing-and if you want to take a day trip there are several roads to much higher elevations fairy close by. Sherman Pass road gets to 9200 ft.

One other questions about Fairview....are you able to fill fresh water tanks at the campground? Do they have a faucet? Is there any where in kernville or Lake Isabella to fill fresh water tanks for my TT? Trying to avoid towing full tanks up there if I can.

nuckledragger wrote:
One other questions about Fairview....are you able to fill fresh water tanks at the campground? Do they have a faucet? Is there any where in kernville or Lake Isabella to fill fresh water tanks for my TT? Trying to avoid towing full tanks up there if I can.

According to the Recreation.gov website,

Within Facility:
Campfire Rings
Drinking Water
Host
Pets Allowed
Vault Toilets
Water