Limestone Campground – Sequoia National Forest, Upper Kern River

Limestone Campground is a small, riverside campground in Sequoia National Forest, set along the Wild and Scenic Upper Kern River north of Kernville, California. Surrounded by oak and gray pine at roughly 3,500 feet in elevation, this Kern River camping spot offers a more intimate, low-key experience than the larger campgrounds closer to town. It’s a great choice for tent campers and small rigs looking for easy river access, mountain scenery, and a quieter base for exploring the upper Kern corridor.

Location & Access

Limestone Campground sits off Mountain Highway 99 (also signed as Kern River Highway) roughly 16–20 miles north of Kernville along the Upper Kern River canyon. The campground is perched on a hillside above the river, with some sites closer to the water and others a bit higher with sweeping views of the canyon. The drive in follows a scenic, winding two-lane highway that hugs the river, passing several other Sequoia National Forest campgrounds and river access points along the way. The location makes Limestone a convenient home base for exploring the upper Kern, visiting nearby day-use areas, or continuing on toward Johnsondale and the high-country attractions of the forest.

Campground Overview

Limestone is a relatively small campground with around twenty individual sites laid out in a single loop and a lower spur closer to the river. Sites are generally best suited for tents, vans, and smaller trailers, with recommended maximum lengths around 30 feet. Many campsites are partially shaded by trees or tucked near boulders, creating a more natural feel than a typical open parking-lot style campground. Because of its riverside setting and limited number of sites, Limestone can feel cozy and relaxed, especially outside of peak summer weekends when Kern River camping is in high demand.

Amenities

Amenities at Limestone Campground are simple and rustic. Each site typically includes a picnic table and a fire ring with grate for campfire cooking and evening gatherings. Vault toilets are located within the campground, but there are no showers, no electrical hook-ups, and usually no potable water available on-site, so campers should plan to bring their own drinking and cooking water or fill up before arriving. There is no dump station at Limestone, and generators and quiet hours are managed according to Sequoia National Forest regulations. This is classic dry camping on the Kern River, so it’s a good fit for campers comfortable with a more self-sufficient setup.

Activities & Nearby Recreation

Camping at Limestone puts you right in the heart of Upper Kern River recreation. Depending on flows and conditions, the river in this stretch is popular for whitewater rafting, kayaking, and inflatable kayaking runs, as well as fishing in calmer pockets and along slower edges. The steep canyon walls and mixed forest provide excellent opportunities for photography, wildlife viewing, and simply relaxing by the water. Several other campgrounds and day-use areas lie up and down the river, and the broader Sequoia National Forest offers hiking trails, viewpoints, and access roads that climb toward higher elevations and giant sequoia groves farther north.

Summary

Limestone Campground is an appealing choice for campers seeking a smaller, more laid-back Kern River camping experience in Sequoia National Forest. With its hillside sites, riverside atmosphere, and simple amenities, it’s ideal for tent campers and compact RVs who value scenery and river access over full hookups and resort-style facilities. If you’re planning a trip to the Upper Kern and want a quiet base to enjoy fishing, paddling, or just relaxing beside the Wild and Scenic Kern River, Limestone Campground is a solid option to consider.