Fishing Derby in the Sequoias
Sequoia National Forest camping options for Fishing Derby, courtesy of the Sequoia National Forest.
KERNVILLE, Calif.—For Immediate Release. There are many camping options on the Sequoia National Forest, Kern River Ranger District for the 2019 Isabella Lake Fishing Derby (April 13-15). Paradise Cove, Boulder Gulch, and Tillie Creek campgrounds are open with first-come, first-served sites available for $28 per night. (Hungry Gulch campground will open April 10 with the same services.) Camp 9 is open year-round and offers individual campsites for $17/night or group campsites available by reservation ranging from $75 – $160/night. Group sites at French Gulch and Tillie Creek will also be available by reservation. Please call 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov to make a reservation. Live Oak North and Live Oak South campgrounds will remain closed.
In addition, overnight camping is available at Auxiliary Dam, Old Isabella, and South Fork Recreation, with a daily fee of $10 (or $50 for an annual pass). Access into these areas may be limited due to the Isabella Dam Safety Modification Project; however, shoreline camping will be available throughout the Fishing Derby. The Southern Sierra Pass is required at these sites and may be purchased at Golden State Surplus in Lake Isabella, Sierra Gateway Market and Sporting Goods in South Lake, and at the Kern River Ranger District office in Kernville.
Stine Cove and Hanning Flat are also available for camping and are free of charge. Be aware of loose sand as you drive through areas that are traditionally lake-bottom. Please stay on the designated routes, and four-wheel drive is recommended.
Overnight camping will be allowed in several additional areas for the Derby. The following undeveloped day-use areas will be open to camping: Paradise Cove (along the beach area below the campground), Boulder Gulch (along the beach, north, and south of the campground), Kissack Cove and Rich Gulch (between French Gulch day-use and Boulder Gulch). For these areas, visitors can begin to set up campsites Thursday, April 11, at 6 a.m. If visitors set up their campsites earlier, they may be cited. The special camping areas will remain open until Monday, April 15, at 6 p.m.
As a reminder, camping is limited to 14-days out of a 30-day period. Visitors can set up their recreation vehicles in recreation sites before the weekend event; however, visitors must occupy the site and may not leave a vehicle or trailer unoccupied for over 24-hours.
Credit:
U.S. Forest Service – Sequoia National Forest Facebook page
