LAKE ISABELLA, CA

Keyesville Special Mgmt Area (BLM). BD. Dumpsters, vault toilets. Free. 14-day limit. From jct SR-178 & SR-155, go N on SR-155. Rec areas on both sides of Kern Riv. 1st is 1/2 mi N, S side of bridge, go W at 35.63356 -118.48144, across from Ponderosa Dr turnoff to Sequoia NF Visitor Ctr. 2nd is 1 mi N, across bridge, TL on Keyesville Rd at 35.64117 -118.48384. Some poor rd conditions & overhanging trees – scout ahead 1st w/ smaller vehicle, but some areas OK for lg RVs. Very quiet. W & D ($) nearby at Lake Isabella Auxiliary Dam CG. Maps of 7155-acre SMA at several kiosks. Riv access at several points. Good Verizon. Gold panning OK some areas. Town of Lake Isabella 2 mi away has groceries, fuel, propane, military surplus/camping store, fast food. Good bakery in Vons Plaza by Pizza Factory. Steve & Jo Dobbs #55451 Apr 01. Last updated by Jim Datsko #92881 stayed Apr 24.

Auxiliary Dam CG (NF). BD. Unthreaded W spigots (filling RV tank not allowed), dumpsters, chem & flush toilets, $12/vehicle/day, free w/ annual Southern Sierra Pass ($50), or S/A Pass. 14-day limit (not enforced, CG host doesn’t monitor). Go ~2 mi E from town on SR-178. 35.64303 -118.46214. Showers off due to drought. D ($20) at adjacent Old Isabella NF CG. Lake very low, May 15. Good Verizon. Lunch ($2 donation) made onsite M-F at senior/community ctr, sign up & reserve, also free wifi. (sm PDF) & Paul & Sage Mueller #104401 May 11. Last updated by Jim Datsko #92881 viewed Apr 24.

Old Isabella CG (NF). BD along Lake Isabella. Unthreaded W spigots & threaded spigot for potable W near D, vault toilets, D ($20). $12, S/A Pass 1/2. Saw no way to use S/A Pass as no envelopes to use, only a credit card machine, might try to register with CG host. 14 day limit. ~2.5 mi NE of town on SR-178. Next to Auxiliary Dam CG, on separate entrance rd. Jim Datsko #92881 viewed Apr 24.

Old abandoned rd, BD. Free. 50′ S of entrance rd to Black Gulch South Unit CG (NF), which is roughly 5 mi S of town on SR-178, W side of hwy. Rd is ~50′ S of the new entrance rd into the NF CG. Can back at least 100′ into this rd into a little valley not noticeable by passing traffic. Jim Datsko #92881 stayed Apr 24.

Also see CA, KERNVILLE.