Rivernook Campground

The Great Outdoors

Once you've secured one of the RV rentals in Kern County, your first stop should be Sequoia National Forest. The sequoia trees for which the park is named grow on the slopes of the lower elevation, surrounding massive peaks that spiral upward into the sky. While you're here, you'll have access to both maintained and abandoned roads and trails. Some of the park's trails are a part of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail that stretches from Canada to Mexico. Needless to say, hiking in this region will be heavenly, but if you'd prefer something less challenging, you can explore the park in your rental RV, taking a self-guided tour using the paved roads.Coso Range Wilderness Area is a wilderness reserve inhabiting the northern portion of the Coso Mountain Range. The area is characterized by extensive erosion that has left volcanic displays and numerous valleys with desert-style vegetation scattered about, such as creosote and Joshua trees. It will make for some stark landscapes to hike through if you're up to the challenge; if you are, there are a few areas where you can see the remains of mining activities that were conducted in the past. Continue on to higher elevations, and you'll have panoramic views of Owens Valley and the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains. Keep your RV rental close, and you can end the day's excursions with a warm beverage and a comfortable chair.Bright Star Wilderness is a bird sanctuary providing much-needed refuge to migratory bird species, but it also provides opportunities for outdoor recreation. The park is a true primitive recreation area as there are no marked trails, allowing you to experience complete freedom as you make your way over the terrain. Camping is allowed within the park for short periods after which you must relocate to a new campsite. Park rangers can offer advice to help you make the most of your visit.

Exploring The Area

At some point, you're going to want to come back to enjoy the nearby communities, and you should. Springville is a smallish, charming community, and if you happen to make it this way, you should take a pack train excursion into the backcountry to experience for yourself what the first settlers found. Trips can be made for a few hours or a few days, depending on your schedule and preferences. The town's restaurant industry is established and has a good selection of venues to choose from, with cuisines like Mexican and Japanese, and at least a few steakhouses.If you head in the direction of Porterville, you'll have a chance to relive some of the local history by visiting a former home that has been converted into an authentic museum with all of the original dishware, linens, and other home decor that belonged to the home's owners. The town has a golf course for you to try out and a blueberry farm that is a commercial operation but allows guests to come and pick their own fruit (don't forget to bring your bucket).If comfort and a return to the cityscape are what you're after, Bakersfield isn't that far away from Rivernook Campground, and for a big city, it still has an air of small-town charm. There are several museums for you to check out, a raceway park and theater, and a combination museum/steakhouse honoring one of the city's most notable citizens, country music legend Buck Owens.Whether it's quiet country relaxation you're looking for, authentic outdoor adventure, or some combination of the two, you will find what you're looking for while RV camping at Rivernook Campground.