We are considering going to Lake Isabella for the 4th. I spoke to the ranger on the phone and she told me the best campgrounds to dry canp close to the water are Aux Dam, Old Isabella, and South Fork. What can anyone tel me about these or other cqamp grounds we do have a small group of 4 rigs going. How close to the water can we get our rigs and is it easy to lanch a boat. How is the swimming for the kids and any riding ops here? Bring the bikes? Please let me know any experiences please.
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albizia wrote: We are considering going to Lake Isabella for the 4th. I spoke to the ranger on the phone and she told me the best campgrounds to dry canp close to the water are Aux Dam, Old Isabella, and South Fork. What can anyone tel me about these or other cqamp grounds we do have a small group of 4 rigs going. How close to the water can we get our rigs and is it easy to lanch a boat. How is the swimming for the kids and any riding ops here? Bring the bikes? Please let me know any experiences please.
Aux dam is an open camping area. I don't know the level of the water this year but the last time we went, we were 20 ft from the water. You can park parallel to the water, so your awning faces the water. Its pretty nice.
If you show up on a friday night though, its slim to none that you'd get one of those spots. We got there on a Sunday night stayed the week.
I think I have picture of the shore, I'll try to post it tonight.
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So you think Aux Dam is the one? Do you have directions or GPS. I will be comming from OC. Is it best to go over the 5 or the 14? Any more info you can tell me.
If you take the 14 you go about 4500ft into the mountains, on the other hand the 5 will take you thru bakersfield and from there its real tight to the lake. I used to race jetskis there and a double ski trailer hangs over the white line and into the shoulder. It does get super windy there, if your lucky you might not get any wind. Ive never taken my 5th wheel there. If you have a chance go to where the Kern river dumps into the lake and try the rapids..watch for shifting sandbars and strong currents....It sounds funny for a lake but the wind is strong enough to move the water around.
Good luck
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i'll be heading out there next Tuesday, 6/24, so i'll take some pics and try to get them posted up for you . . . Anything you would like to see? i'll try and get pics of the Dam and the campgrounds.
I was up there about a month ago, and the water level was decent, i've seen it a lot higher, BUT, its better then it was a few years ago.
been going there every summer for years, and its a great place to hang out and relax. Yes it does get very windy. If you have any more questions, shoot me a message or just ask, i'm sure there are plenty of us that can answer questions for you.
Come up the 14 and over Walker's Pass via 178. Good road and much less twists and turns. Going up 178 through Kern Canyon out of Bakersfield is very, very tight in places and is dangerous for anyone pulling a trailer of your size that hasn't been up that road before.
There are some campgrounds on the northern side of the lake going to Kernville out of South Lake that looks to be good camping....haven't done that side in years but I understand it's been fixed up real nice.
Paradise Cove is another that has fee required and organized camping sites and if lucky can get very close to the water. Most sites there have trees for "some" shade as it really gets very, very hot there in July. The winds will come up every afternoon and the lake patrol will turn on the red lights and run everyone off of the lake.
Over on the Wofford Hights side are some campgrounds, but are not on the shore. However, they are up in the pine trees and is much cooler than down on the lake.
The dam area (right before the turn off to Lake Isabella town site), is probably the best place. Lots of open area, no fees, and park where you want. It's on a pretty good slope, so bring plenty of blocks for leveling.
South fork is questionable. Maybe someone else can chirp in on that area.
Hope this helps
Ron
ps BTW, watch for cattle on the highway going up and over walkers pass area....open range and not uncommon.
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albizia wrote: We are considering going to Lake Isabella for the 4th. I spoke to the ranger on the phone and she told me the best campgrounds to dry canp close to the water are Aux Dam, Old Isabella, and South Fork. What can anyone tel me about these or other cqamp grounds we do have a small group of 4 rigs going. How close to the water can we get our rigs and is it easy to lanch a boat. How is the swimming for the kids and any riding ops here? Bring the bikes? Please let me know any experiences please.
Not sure if this pic shows up as a link or as an image.
This ia at Aux dam in July a couple of years ago.
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et me know any experiences please.
