USDA Forest Service · California
Hobo Campground
USDA Forest Service · California, United States
- Sites
- 25
- Hookups
- 23 with water, 20 no hookups
- Season
- May 28 to September 7
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,283 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- HOBO C.G./MIRACLE HS (NFSR 27S05) · bituminous surface treatment · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Sequoia National Forest
- Nearest town
- Kernville
- Address
- 11380 Kernville Road, Kernville, CA, 93238
- Phone
- 760-376-1815
- Activities
- Biking, Birding, Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Kayaking, Rafting, Water Access, Whitewater Rafting, Wildlife Viewing
25 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Hobo Campground is tucked on the banks of the Lower Kern River, north of the popular Miracle Hot Springs. It sits at 2290 feet elevation on the Sequoia National Forest in the Lower Kern Canyon. The close proximity to the Lower Kern River and the shade provided by the riparian forest make it an ideal summer escape from the heat. It has 23 individual tent only sites and an additional 10 sites across the campground.
Recreation
White water boating is popular on the Lower Kern and requires a free Kern River Use permit from the Kernville Ranger Station. A trail also exists at the northern end of Hobo Campground that connects visitors to Sandy Flat Campground. The remains of an old resort can be found in the campground and Miracle Hot Springs area.
Facilities
Hobo Campground offers 21 single sites and 2 accessible single sites. All sites are by reservation only. The campground road is paved but not suitable for vehicles and attachments longer than 22 feet due to the narrow road. There is no potable water available for campers. The host site is located near the entrance at site 4.
Each site has a table and a fire ring and most are within close proximity of the Kern River. Vault toilets are located in the middle and end of the campground. Additional portable toilets are also available throughout the campground.
Natural Features
The campsites are mostly all shaded by majestic sycamores, willows, cottonwoods, alders with views of the Lower Kern River close by.The trees show off a dramatic display of yellow, gold, and orange in the fall. The Kern River flows higher in the late spring and early summer months as water is released from Lake Isabella. The river can appear calm but can be deceiving with it's fast currents under the surface. The Forest Service does not encourage swimming in the river.
Contact Info
This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (760) 376-3781.
Nearby Attractions
Remington Hot Springs is a free Hot Spring on Forest Service Land located approximately one mile West of Hobo Camppground off Old Kern Canyon Road.
White water rafting is a very popular activity on the Kern River, local Rafting Outfitters provide half-day to multi day trips along the Kern River.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 60° | 41° | 32° | 79° | 1 of 11 |
| February | 61° | 41° | 24° | 78° | 3 of 11 |
| March | 62° | 45° | 32° | 92° | 1 of 11 |
| April | 70° | 48° | 37° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| May | 80° | 58° | 44° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 92° | 69° | 47° | 106° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 100° | 79° | 63° | 109° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 98° | 76° | 63° | 108° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 91° | 67° | 51° | 100° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 82° | 54° | 40° | 95° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 71° | 47° | 34° | 84° | 0 of 10 |
| December | 62° | 41° | 31° | 78° | 1 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Hobo Campground · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi
- Sandy Flat · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 32 sites
- Black Gulch South · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Main Dam Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Pioneer Point · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 80 sites
All public campgrounds in California · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.