Camping next to the river is just beautiful . The river rafters and the wildlife is so fun to watch.

This was my first time visiting this campsite, I took my 4 grandchildren and I was a bit worried after reading some of the previous reviews. Now my first positive thing was that I originally booked a smaller campsite but I checked and a larger become available so I called to see if I could be moved.. Lynette made it happen, We arrived around 2 and checking in was a breeze our spot was perfect close to the river with a beautiful creek right behind us that my grandchildren enjoyed. This place has high speed internet that kept my kiddos entertained after quiet time. The place is clean and staff is very welcoming. You have a supermarket, gas station and restaurants less then half a mile away. Staff definitely make you feel very welcome. read more

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We recently had to cancel our camping reservation because my husband, a firefighter, was called out to work on active fires. We understand that businesses have cancellation policies, and we don't typically expect special treatment. However, we were extremely disappointed that no consideration was given to the circumstances. This was not a last-minute change of plans for personal reasons--it was a work obligation serving the community and completely beyond our control. Despite explaining the situation, we were charged over $120 in cancellation fees. What disappointed us most was the lack of flexibility for a first responder who was being called away to do his job. We weren't asking for anything unreasonable, just a little understanding and goodwill given the situation. In all our years of traveling and camping, this is the first time we've encountered a business unwilling to make any accommodation for a first responder responding to an emergency. Policies are important, but so is common sense and customer service. Unfortunately, this experience left a very sour impression and makes us hesitant to book here again. read more

As a minority family, we had a very uncomfortable and upsetting experience at this campsite. We were singled out and required to pay for wristbands for every camper in our group, while we clearly observed multiple white campers staying without wristbands or being asked for the same payment. When we respectfully questioned the inconsistency, staff refused to provide a clear or lawful explanation and completely disregarded our concerns. There was definitely racism in the way we were treated, and it was obvious we were being treated differently because of our race. No one should feel targeted or discriminated against while trying to enjoy time with their family. Based on our experience, I strongly advise minority families and groups to avoid booking this campsite. read more

We attempted to stay at this campground last night, but we never even made it to check‑in because of how difficult the interaction with the host/manager was. We were originally told it was fine for part of our group to arrive later, which we appreciated, but everything changed once we got there. The host spoke to us like we were children rather than adults (I'm almost 40 yrs old) trying to follow the rules. She kept lecturing us about policies, yet she wasn't enforcing them consistently. The real issue came when the rest of our group--who was running later than expected--was told they would have to turn around and go home because walking in with backpacks after dark would "disturb people." Mind you the River in the background mostly drowned out our conversation with her at the time. We tried to understand how this made sense when campers regularly leave for dinner or drinks and return later, but she refused to have a real conversation. Instead, she canceled the reservation on the spot and accused us of being "difficult." At that point, we were never even allowed to check in. All we wanted was clarity on the rules, because what was written and what was being enforced didn't match. It's hard to imagine enjoying this location when the campground host seems more focused on rigid control than hospitality. A little reasonableness and communication would have made all the difference. Still not clear on if my refund went through. Smh. read more

Love this place clean well maintained. The campers are families or more just safe friendly people I feel safe for my kids to roam around all the time. Been there for 5 years in a row for Spring break. My kids never want to leave. I just wish they would fix the volleyball courts that was promised 2 years ago. Love the staff! read more

We stayed over a week & really enjoyed it. Awesome birdwatching spot on the river. There's a security gate so people can't just cruise in. The office pays attention when extra people come in & they enforce lights out/ quiet time. We caught trout and saw deer. The restrooms and showers were ok - I think they have a challenge with campers in adjacent park walking over, so there's a wristband policy. They have housekeepers clean restrooms & ongoing maintenance on the grounds . There are a lot of trees, have to watch the spot you choose, depends on size of your rig. Tent camping right on the river is available too. Highly recommend & we are going back in the Spring. read more

We stayed at Camp James for 5 days at sites 71 and 69, and while there were definitely some positives, a few major issues prevent me from giving this campground more than 2 stars. I do think the camp host should let parents, parent... especially the adult children! The Negatives 1. Bears! Directly across from our site was an open trailer full of trash next to a public picnic area. What we were not told upon check-in is that a mama bear and her cub live in the tree above this dumpster and rummage in it daily. We saw them every day and, honestly, were scared. This is extremely dangerous for campers. When we asked the host about it, her casual response was, "No, we let them finish eating and go clean it up." Meanwhile, during check-in she called all six of our 15-20 year olds over to lecture them on rules, no underage drinking, no music after 10 pm, no walking around alone after 9:30 pm, but not once did she caution us about the bears she clearly knew were there. This is a huge safety oversight. The campground should invest in bear-proof dumpsters for the safety of both guests and the bears. 2. Dump Station Layout If you need to dump your trailer, there's a pile of sand in a very inconvenient spot that makes looping into the dump difficult. It doesn't appear to serve any purpose for water protection and just creates an unnecessary obstacle. 3. WiFi Limitations Each site only gets one WiFi password, good for one device. If you need more, you have to pay extra. Lose it, and they'll even charge you to replace it. 4. Rolling Blackouts Although not the campground's fault, Kernville does experience rolling blackouts. It happened 2 of the 5 days we were there. When it's over 100° in an RV or trailer and you don't have a generator, it's rough, and since generators aren't allowed after 10 pm, there's no relief at night. The Positives * The sites themselves are very clean and well maintained. * Quiet hours and rules are enforced, which keeps the campground orderly. One small drawback is that the office closes promptly at 5 pm. If you need quarters, ice, or firewood after that, you'll have to buy them at the overpriced gas station nearby. Final Thoughts Overall, our stay was fine, but I'd strongly challenge management to invest in bear-proof dumpsters and be a bit more welcoming. This would not only protect campers but also encourage the bears to seek food elsewhere instead of dumpster diving. Until then, it's hard to feel completely safe here, even though the campground itself is clean and otherwise enjoyable. read more

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We Love this Campsite! We just happened upon it one year and have been coming back ever since. We even make a yearly camping trip with our friends! It's a beautiful spot! Love floating down the river or just hanging out by the water or our campsites! Great Family Experience! read more

Pretty Well kept. right on the Kern river. volleyball court. Full hook ups . Nice Dog Park. Campground be totally Close trash bins. read more

All we wanted was a tent site we got a RV site . The sign said dogs on leashes at all times my neighbor had his dog running around off leash. read more

Nice and clean campsite but if your looking for a campsite that is trailered to seniors citizens then look no further. KRS is not a place where you can have fun with your kids. Even kids have to be super quiet 10am. Well definitely we not be coming back. Too bad all our neighbors around our campsite are down to earth and supposedly they complain but it's not true. The management needs to loosen up a bit. read more

KRS Camp James is an amazing campground to take in nature and the beautiful Kern River. It is NOT a campground for you if you're looking it to party. Go elsewhere, please. We have been camping here every year for 10 years and enjoy this small, private campground so much. We have watched our kids grow up here! We love the management and love that they enforce strict rules and quiet time and allow us to soak in a calm, serene camping experience. Yes, it is more expensive, but we are willing to pay a higher price for a smaller, private campground that keeps out the riff-raff. Again, if you're looking to party, this campground is not for you. I was there at the same time as one of the negative reviewers recently and they were part of a loud, rude, disrespectful group that hopefully will find another campground more suitable to them. read more

This was the fourth time we've stayed at Camp James. The first time we stayed in a tent on the riverfront, and the last three times we stayed in the cabin. The cabins are much more comfortable! lol. The cabins come equipped with plates, utensils a large electric frying pan, electric skillet, crockpot, paper towels, dishwashing detergent, etc. Cabins have beautiful knotty pine throughout and I just love staying there. This last stay we were excited to see a small herd of deer come through and just graze while we watched. It was amazing! I recommend this place highly . The staff are very accommodating and very pleasant! I will be returning for a fifth time! read more

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I've stayed at Camp James three or four times over the past eight years. While the location along the river is undeniably beautiful, I won't be returning after my most recent visit. I came with a large group and we reserved multiple campsites and cabins. Unfortunately, the check-in process was a major hassle. I wasn't aware of the 9pm cutoff for arrivals, and at 5pm--while I was already on the road--they called and pressured me to complete payment over the phone. An hour later, I was told I wouldn't be allowed in after all, even though I was already halfway through the drive from Southern California. I had to find alternate lodging that night. When I finally checked in the next morning, the experience was disorganized and lacking in basic customer service. Facilities are limited. There's only one small bathroom near the entrance, which is frequently occupied. A larger restroom exists, but it's inconveniently located at the far end of the campground--pretty impractical for most sites. Camp James is also the most expensive campground I've stayed at, despite offering less convenience and flexibility. Extra fees for groups larger than two and a strict six-person-per-site limit feel excessive, especially for families or friend groups. I have fond memories of camping along the Kern River and it's been a family tradition for years--but sadly, the experience at Camp James just wasn't worth it this time. read more

We camped at site 23 with full hookups. We have a 30ft trailer and it fit with plenty of room and didn't need to add anything to level it. It had a concrete pad along with fire ring, BBQ, and a deck with a picnic table which was really nice! We had a short walk to the river and had plenty of spots to tie up inner tubes. BRING A GENERATOR!! Although we had full hook ups, the power company shut down power due to high winds which apparently happens often. We ran out of propane to keep the fridge on and had to drive 2 towns over to fill up. I wish we would have known about this prior. Great campground! Can't wait to return! read more

Great location right on Kern River. Sites are good size with choices of full hook ups (away from river), to E/W on and near the river. Hosts are friendly and helpful. Cable is pretty bad in the sites we've stayed in, but we don't go there to watch TV! WiFI is decent. Only real complaint is they require campers to wear orange wristbands...not even for free beer! We stayed in site 24 with full hook ups. read more

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First time booker here. We stayed at cabin 26 for a few days this April. We really had a good time. The staff was very friendly. I was a little scared when I started reading some yelp reviews after booking to be completely honest.. but our experience was nothing but great! Upon reading the reviews of others, I made sure to be there by 5pm for check in. We got checked in and given our wristbands, a parking tag for our vehicle and WiFi password pamphlet. Our cabin was perfectly cleaned and everything worked great. Had plenty of hot water and everything we needed for our mini stay-cation! You're close to stores, gas and food. Our cell phones worked (ATT) so I didn't even log on to the WiFi. The views of the river are amazing here. I had my 2 daughters and son with me and they were able to walk around and explore with no issues. They are well behaved and enjoyed it. The wildlife and little creek were so amazing. We cooked at the little campfire site at our cabin and made sure to put the fire out after we were done. Simple guidelines is all they ask you to follow. Same things you should already know to do at any campground really.. Personally, the rules do not bother me. They are in place to keep the riff raff down and I appreciate that. We come up to relax and enjoy nature. Not hear crazies getting rowdy all night long. Some people aren't familiar with the Kern river campgrounds but a lot of people think they're going to come up here and party like it's 1985 and drink all night. KRS keeps that away from here. So if you're looking for a peaceful and quiet place to camp, this is the spot for you. We really enjoyed our stay and would love to come back. read more

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Had a great time camping at spot 71 in the week of July. The spot is riverfront with a spot to set your ez up, some chairs and a table to hang out. Although camp James needs to update their forms of payment(cash or CHECK) we still had a great time. I think they also need a website update to reflect what each Camp site looks like to give people a better idea who have never been there before an idea. Everything was clean. I never had issues with things being dirty. It is 1 dollar to shower for 6-10 minutes, but the water stayed cold. Not an issue as we went in the summer so it was refreshing. We walked in to the rivernook campground and decided to use our tubes In to camp James. It was a lot of fun! There was a bear in the trees but meh. Just left it alone and it wasn't an issue. The staff is friendly and welcoming. I would def come to camp James again! read more

KRS at Camp James - Camp site 71 with partial hook ups - Campgrounds Near Me - Kernville, California

First time here . Cute clean little cabins There is NO pool There is nothing to do for kids except the river/fishing No movie night No kids activities I LIKE the orang bands to keep others out. Will try again in summer. Side note: Please have kid activities at least starting in spring. $950 for 3 nights we should have more to do . read more

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We have been to this rv park twice now since we got our RV, the first time in June few years back and then again in February 2025. The park was not super full but it is wonderfully clean all the time. They work really hard to keep it up I can say that and it is great fully appreciated couldn't be more gorgeous of a place to stay that is still close to little restaurants stores and whatever is in town. read more

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Absolutely completely upset with this place!!! We booked 2 sites. We drove 6 hrs and were told that our "American bull dog" a service dog with paperwork was not allowed as they said they do not allow pit bulls. After making our case they said they reserve their right to refuse service and would not refund our $600 for 2 camp sites. So they basically told us what they thought our dog is and stole our money. Pretty funny as we were turning around to leave the campsite near the gate had a red nose pit bull on a leash. We canceled the payment with our credit card and booked 2 sites next door at RIVERNOOK campground with zero issues! We understand KRS has rules however we were never in breach of them. Also if you have a larger size rig or slide outs on both sides of your rv this campground isn't a good option as the spots are very tight. The owner was a complete A-hole and well never be coming back. We will definitely recommend the nicer campgrounds next door "RIVERNOOK" read more

KRS at Camp James - Pittbull that's not allowed - Campgrounds Near Me - Kernville, California

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Camp James has always been our go-to home away from home but this last experience was horrible. With no oversight, the female manager reigns her power as if she sits on a throne. No professionalism. We stayed in an RV sight and friends in a cabin. Walked our dog up to the cabin for breakfast only. The manager comes in on a scale of 10 10 saying how we are breaking rules and is going to fine us. We tried to explain the dog was not staying at the cabin and we were there for breakfast but she refused to have a conversation. No warning just a fine and kicked my friends out refusing to allow them to stay another night although cabins were vacant for the next few days. Money lost. Additionally, she said pets are not allowed in cabin. There is a sign in the cabin that says don't leave pets unattended. Second, the manager said 250 was fine but again another sign has 200. Owners lost out on money and future money as well as facing legal action in the future with false information posted with a manager who makes up whatever rules she wants cause she has all the power with no oversight. read more

DOG RACISTS! I have camped here for about 6 years until 2025. We were informed our rescue pitbull was no longer allowed due to their insurance. Total BS. Forfeited our site and was refused a refund, only a credit to camp there in the future. Credit wasn't even allowed to be redeemed at their general store. DO NOT ENDORSE THIS TYPE OF DISCRIMINATION. read more

We just stayed for our 3rd time at Camp James, and we loved every second of it. The office staff is wonderful and kind and courteous. The river front sites are absolutely amazing! They worked extremely hard to get them back in good shape after the flooding. They are nearly done with sites 85-90 and have made major improvements while redoing everything. The maintenance guys, Cody and Bryce, are seriously the best! They are genuinely nice people who work hard to keep everything clean and in working order. Bryce even helped us out with finding a tool we needed for something on our trailer that we didn't have. They go above and beyond. As other reviews have stated, this is not the place for loud music and partying. This is a very family friendly campground where you will feel safe letting your kids do their thing. It's exactly why we stopped staying at Rivernook and started coming here. You can tell they are selective about their guests and as a mom of 3 kids (13, 9, and 7) I greatly appreciate it. I feel completely comfortable with my kids riding their bikes around while I cook dinner knowing they are safe. Each time we have stayed, we make friends with other families and create the best memories. We loved this place so much, that after our first trip last summer, we decided to store our trailer here. It's a very affordable storage rate. When you book a stay, they pull your rig out of storage and back it into your site for you! Which is awesome to just show up and start setting up camp. As for the bathrooms and showers, I personally don't have too much experience using them because we have our trailer. The one thing I will say is about the dump station. Because there is only one, it does get backed up with people dumping between about 10am- 12pm during check out time. We use a sewer caddy and just try to time dumping outside of those hours. But not a huge deal at all. They are very pet friendly here and most campers have dogs. As long as you keep your dog leashed, you're good. They have poop bag stations throughout the campground which is super nice for when you forgot to grab your own bags. This place has become our little home away from home and we love it dearly We plan on coming several times a year, for many years to come. Thank you Camp James for being so wonderful! read more

KRS at Camp James - River view from our camp site - Campgrounds Near Me - Kernville, California

Beautiful views, but the camp manager harassed us our whole trip and called the cops on us on our last night for playing UNO at our site not being aggressively loud. Thankfully the cops were understanding on our behalf and stated they didn't want to ruin our camping trip. The camp manager should definitely think about changing her attitude towards her guests and NOT call the cops on her guests in less it was a SERIOUS matter!!!!She had HORRIBLE customer service!!!! read more

Excellent staff! Grounds are very clean and well kept. Beautiful campground! Highly recommend! read more

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Site 50 is terrible backs up looking over the maintenance area. We paid full price and this is the view that we were looking at the entire weekend so terrible. They didn't even offer a discount. I really recommend you guys putting up a fence so your guests do not have to look at this mess. read more

KRS at Camp James - Site 50 view sooooo terrible. Over looks the maintenance area - Campgrounds Near Me - Kernville, California

We went to Camp James for our memorial day weekend. We had the best time. Our cabin had everything you needed. We made our reservation with Lanetta and she was a pleasure to meet. read more

Great place to camp have family with you. Clean facility's friendly staff. It's been while since I've been back up time for trip

Conveniently located near town center I also agree with other reviews that the people who work here are not very friendly/rude and we had serval electrical outages during our stay when we had to ask the park managers to reset their breakers $ WiFi available, only one device at a time. Not really meant for streaming. Additional devices, come with a daily rate. $ Showers available, 7 quarters for a 10 min shower. Bathrooms close at 9pm $ Rates per night, for 2 people. Additional guests are $5. All guests must wear annoying wrist bands to prove they are othe reservation. You will be asked to put on and verify your wrist band is on upon entering campground. Had to show I put on my wristband through the RV window. $ dogs $5/night $ Must book reservations by 4 day min during holiday Not all sites are full sewage hookups, dump site on site, but you can acquire services for pumping at $40 on holiday or $30 any other time. There is access to the river from this campground and a the river is very shallow but strong current. The stream that runs through the campground is refreshing for the little ones, but not deep enough for adults to float in. "Movies @ the Boulders" was a neat activity. Watching a movie in the woods setting. Small green area, pack snacks and a blanket. Clean restrooms and overall, this campground was a good family setting. No crazy drunk party animals. read more

Gates close at 9pm however cars were still coming in & out of gate at 10pm. Quiet hours begin at 10pm but people were still being loud at 2am. 6 people per campsite but only 2 tents per campsite. 1 car per campsite, overflow parking is limited. Lots of shade & bathrooms were super clean. Safe campground & clean. read more

********** I recently had the unfortunate experience of staying at this campsite, and I must say, I was extremely disappointed. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that this place was not going to be the relaxing getaway I had hoped for. Initially, the staff appeared pleasant and accommodating over the phone, but as soon as they got hold of our money, their attitude took a nosedive. It's disheartening to see how their friendliness was merely a facade to lure us in, only for them to show their true colors once they had our payment secured. I was bombarded with a list of rules that seemed not only excessive but also unfairly applied. It was as if the camp staff had a mission to make our stay unpleasant with their constant "policing or patrolling" approach. While enjoying some music at a reasonable volume, we were approached by a staff member who requested that we lower our music. The baffling part was that our music was already playing at a very modest volume, far from what could be considered disruptive. These rules were not only a nuisance but also made it clear that the comfort and enjoyment of guests were not a priority. Rose (a blonde older lady with a wart on her face) and an older brunette (whose skin resembled leather) talked down to us in an unprofessional manner. It's shocking that individuals in a customer-facing role could lack the basic courtesy and respect that any guest deserves. KRS Camp James campsite exclusively caters to an older demographic with RVs. It's as if they've completely disregarded the presence and needs of younger campers, including families, children, and dogs. Also, it became clear that they held biased views against people from minority backgrounds. The staff's actions and attitudes revealed a troubling prejudice that made us feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. It's disheartening to encounter racism in a place that should be open and inclusive to everyone. The campsite management needs to address and change this behavior to create a better environment for all campers. Until they take real steps to address the racism, we can't recommend this campsite to others who want a positive experience. Bryce and Anthony, the maintenance workers, were genuinely helpful and personable. Their efforts were a breath of fresh air amidst the challenges I encountered during my stay. I strongly advise anyone seeking a campsite that values all its guests and upholds fairness to look elsewhere. I highly recommend Kern Rivers Edge (previously Mountain Rivers Adventure) or Camp Kernville. KRS Camp James falls short in every aspect of hospitality and inclusivity. read more

Really enjoyed our stay!!! Minus bugs it great! Friendly staff, they kept area nice and clean. Good time read more

KRS at Camp James - Camp site - Campgrounds Near Me - Kernville, California

Great customer service great campground They actually pick up their phone when you call Not like the competitor next door We'll come back again Now the Cons Your guys Utilities need a Lil tlc I was at a fifty amp service site an The plug was SO low to the ground. I couldn't even use my search protector it barely even worked with just the cord And the sewer outlet This is way too close to the power box And way too high My fitting I used Barely even works because how close the sewer is to electronic And your guy's water Just PVC not a good idea an charging guest five dollars to visit family not cool But otherwise it's a clean park and will be coming back read more

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KRS CAMP JAMES is the best place to camp . Workers are very friendly accommodating and helpful . We enjoyed our stay at cabin Faith it is very cozy . Suggest to have a water hookup outside so the campers can clean up before entering the cabin . Our family will definitely came back by fall and summer 2024 . read more

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We had space 43 It was a good spot , shade from the trees. Super quiet . Everyone was so nice , staff was great . Down side was lots of bees And the skunk wanted to fight lol Bathroom were far from us . But I would definitely book again closer to the middle read more

Great place to camp on the Kern River. The staff were such pleasant people. The grounds are very well taken care of. Restrooms and showers were well kept up and clean. This wasn't our first time there our the last. Thanks to the staff and stay at Camp James. read more

This campground is one of our favorites because of the proximity to the Kern River for its views from the campsites and the river floating in tubes or small rubber boats/rafts. The camp staff is excellent and very friendly. The grounds are well maintained. The owners need to pay more attention to the electric infrastructure however. The power company is providing inferior load during the hot days. I had a voltage meter hooked up to the campsite power box to monitor the fluctuations in power load. Last year my power cord melted to my adaptor cord. This year I was at a 50 amp site for my 30 amp Motorhome and I brought an expensive surge protector. My neighbor was in a 30 amp spot and did not have a surge suppresser and had to wait until evening to turn on his air conditioning after the power levels came up to a safe level. If this problem isn't addressed, the owners of this campground will lose future customers and possibly have a lawsuit when the electronics of a Motorhome are fried from the unstable power level conditions. read more

Really great place with more than plenty of folks to assist. Extremely clean and beautiful spot on the Kern River. A big negative was during our last rest day (Wednesday, leaving Thursday) was interrupted by a construction contractor showing up mid morning with tractor backhoe and loud dump truck. the work lasted until roughly 6pm. Our peaceful day was interrupted. All they needed to do was inform everyone a couple days prior. We would have spent the out of camp instead of day of construction. read more