Lake Isabella is located in the Kern River Valley, between two sections of the Sequoia National Forest. Several towns surround it, including Lake Isabella, Kernville, Bodfish, Caliente, and Wofford Heights. The lake is the main attraction, one of Southern California’s largest reservoirs. From fishing to boating, camping to picnicking, the lake offers some of the best fresh-water recreation experiences.
The upper and lower Kern River offer excellent fishing, camping, and rafting. We recommend the upper Kern for camping and rafting. River water levels are higher, campgrounds are numerous, and there is spectacular scenery.
Things to do at Lake Isabella
There are plenty of exciting things to see and experience in the area. Head to the Kern Valley Museum in the historic town of Kernville to start your visit.
The museum houses several unique periods of artifacts from prehistoric times to the present day. It has a collection of indoor and outdoor exhibits, including some of the valley’s original buildings. It is open year-round, and best of all, and it’s free.
Kern Valley Museum
One of the many things you will learn at the museum is that Native Americans originally inhabited the Kern Valley, called the Tubatulabal, as early as 100 A.D. Evidence of the Tubatulabal living in the area is around the Kern Valley, from rocks with grinding holes to petroglyphs.
Many descendants of the Tubatulabal Tribe live in the Kern River Valley today. Some of these descendants volunteer at the “NuuiCunni” Native American Intertribal Culture Center. The culture center is a beautiful place to explore the local Native American culture, traditions, and history of the Kern River Valley.
Silver City Ghost Town
Silver City Ghost Town is a short drive from Lake Isabella and a must-see for history buffs and ghost hunters. Located in Bodfish, guests take a self-guided tour of over twenty historic buildings. Thousands of artifacts were from mining camps, and other local frontier settlements moved to the site.
Some say that spirits haunt Silver City from the past and possibly the present, earning the location a spot on the “National Directory of Haunted Places.” Antique collectors will want to browse the unique collection of antiques for sale in the main building. 3829 Lake Isabella Bl. Bodfish, CA. 93205 and is now open daily, seven days per week, from 10 AM to 4 PM
Kern River Fish Hatchery
Kern River Fish Hatchery is another little-known area attraction. Kern River Fish Hatchery is located just a few miles north of Kernville and is owned and maintained by the California Department of Fish and Game.
There is also a Fishing Museum, a Natural History Museum, and an area where visitors can view the holding tanks where the hatcheries and five different strains of Little Kern Goldens have been raised for decades. The Kern River Fish Hatchery is located on the Kern River, one mile north of Kernville.
Kern River Preserve
Wildlife enthusiasts will also enjoy spending some time at the 1127-acre Kern River Preserve, located along the South Fork of the river, east of Isabella Reservoir. The National Audubon Society operates the preserve and is open 365 days a year.
The experience will expose visitors to thousands of birds calling out in a collective symphony. But birds are not the only inhabitants of the preserve. The area has a multitude of critters, including turtles and the occasional black bear.
Kern River White Water Rafting
Rafting is one of the most popular activities along the Kern River, with numerous outfitters offering guided trips down the tours. The most popular Kern River rafting trips are on the Upper Kern. When a good flow comes out of Lake Isabella, rafting trips are available on the Lower Kern River.
The upper Kern River is an excellent place for one-day rafting trips. To book a Kern River rafting trip, visit Kern River Outfitters.
Where to Dine, Lake Isabella
Kernville and Lake Isabella have various restaurants, from fast food to fine food.
You can enjoy a Beer Belly Bratwurst topped with stout mustard and one of four locally brewed beers in Kern River Brewing Company. There is a menu just for the kids too.
Ewing’s On the Kern
Ewing’s On the Kern is the place to dine for a spectacular view. Ewing’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ewing’s first opened in the 1950s as the best steakhouse on the Kern River. The restaurant was completely renovated in 2014 by the owner of Sierra Gateway Markets. New decor, updated outdoor river view patios, and a new menu have made Ewing’s On the Kern the most popular place to dine in Kernville.
Sierra Gateway Markets is a convenient place to stock up on food for your camping trip and offers pre-cooked breakfast, lunch, and dinner items. Sierra Gateway has three locations in the Kern Valley. (try the Breakfast Burritos, they are great.)
Kern Valley Campgrounds
Lower Kern, Upper Kern, and Lake Isabella Campgrounds. Where to stay on a Lake Isabella Camping trip.
Getting to Lake Isabella
Lake Isabella is located three hours north of Los Angeles and one hour northeast of Bakersfield, where Highway 178 meets Highway 155.
The two main roads into Lake Isabella. The scenic route through the lower Kern Canyon from Bakersfield and the RV-friendly route via Highway 14 and 178.
Estoy mirando las imágenes y me gustaría conocer este maravilloso lago, amo la naturaleza y seguido me gusta caminar entre senderos y disfruta del ruido de los ríos y canto de las aves. Mi pregunta es la acampar tiene que reservar algún espacio en particular o uno puede acampar cerca del Río o el lago? Solo estoy tratando de obtener información.
Many campgrounds require reservations On the upper kern river, there are camping areas that do not require reservations.
I used to live out there in the Kernville area and there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t miss it. I unfortunately had to move back home to Texas where they keep a stable economy. My wife and I have been discussing the possibility of buying a vacation property out there. Can’t wait to get back to the mighty Kern River