Kern River's Edge Campground Retreat — Hotel in Porterville

I grew up here and never knew about this FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED MUST SEE hidden gem till I moved home this summer.

Horseshoes, frisbee golf, hot showers! Yes, please.

Pleasantly surprised to know I now have a place to recommend my "newer to camping folks" , the borderline "glampers" (firewood, ice, beer delivered to site) or long time campers looking for a new experience where everyone can trust that even if they are inexperienced, either the owners or the on site Camp Host, Curtis, will gladly be your CAMP CONCIERGE and guide you through anything that comes up when needed. At Kern River's Edge you can trust you'll have a clean site, clean river front access, and peace when around the campfire at night for optimal storytelling and stargazing.

While on the hunt for a summer gig that put me next to a campfire as much as possible, this camp became the winner. So yes, I work here, but the owners, Rhonda & John (Johndra as nobody calls them) are unaware of me writing this. (And that we call them Johndra).

Because of a company name change they are rebuilding their campground brand from the ground up and thus rebuilding 34 years of ratings and reviews so I figured I'd get the ball rolling as this feedback is authentic and I'm only a part time weekend minimum wage employee who is really just doing it cause it's fun.

They have placed many boundaries on their camp, including quiet hours, education on "leave no trace", and are glass free, (aka you and your kids can walk around barefoot). At first these seemed too much these rules, what am I at camp?! Yes, turns out.

Now that I've seen it for a few months I get that this is what people come for, a place where your entire experience has been thought out from the time you land till the time you leave with the goal of helping people connect with nature and each other, this is a camp ripe for the making of Family Memories that you want to pass on from generation to generation.

With only 6 employees and 3 of them being in the same family, if you are looking for a more personalized camping experience that's focused on connecting with nature first, this is your new go to spot.

Get it before it blows up. While nearby camps have over 400 sites, Kern River's Edge floats happy with 40.

See you here. -Andie, Camp Concierge

P.S. they have an incredible outdoor venue that I'd love to see used more. Moving forward they are open to a lot more things, contact KRE with all your outdoor connection...

Went up to Kern River's Edge for the meteor shower and was not expecting to have such an amazing stay.

All of the employees we encountered were great. They checked in on everyone from set up to the late night without being overly intrusive. The check in with Michelle was amazing. The meticulous time she took to walk us through all the exciting events and activities the campsite had to offer already made it feel like it was going to be a great vacation. Grant's friendly mellow energy set the tone for our trip once parked.

One of the things that really stood out was having ice and firewood delivered right to our campsite. It's those little details that make all the difference when enjoying those small moments with loved ones without having to leave the site. The restroom facilities were among the cleanest I have used camping.

Now, let me tell you about the epic moment when Grant turned from camp host into the meanest bear defenders this side of Kern county! Late at night, as we were winding down by the fire, a curious bear paid a visit on campgrounds right behind our tents. Without hesitation, Grant swoops in to ensure our safety with loud noises, big rocks, and some bigger Grant energy to fend off the furry one. Talk about going above and beyond! I felt totally secure with Grant on guard.

And can we talk about those telescopes? Beyond the meteor shower, there was a special event going on with a couple of friendly folks coming down to show the campers some crazy views beyond the naked eye. I was absolutely blown away by some of the neat views and educational hosts. I never thought I'd get to see Saturn while camping - it was a magical experience.

The location of the campground couldn't have been better. Being so close to the river was a dream, and having a nearby market saved us when we realized we forgot a few essentials. Convenience at its finest!

To sum it all up, this was hands down the best camping adventure I've ever had. Grant and Michelle's hospitality, the incredible amenities, the bear-defending heroics, perfect location, and pleasant surprises all combined to create an unforgettable experience. I'm already planning my next visit, and Kern's Edge campground will be my go-to choice. Huge thanks to the entire team for making this trip absolutely fantastic! 10 out of 10 will...

Our family of 8 just had the best 3 day/2 night stay at KRE! It was easy to find. Upon arrival, we entered the camp store to check in and were greeted by the cutest camp host ever, Jango the dog. The hosts at the counter were friendly and helpful, and explained the map of the site to us. They also informed us that we could order ice and firewood via text to be delivered to our site, which was awesome and totally came in handy throughout our stay. The camp store is well stocked with anything you might need. We were so impressed with the whole campsite…the location and proximity to the river is perfect! The views were breathtaking. We had the time of our lives perched on the river beaches enjoying the sun and floating around. The campsite itself is incredibly clean. The bathrooms are extremely well kept. Shower pressure and temp was PHENOMENAL 😂 we seriously all kept raving about how the showers were better than the ones at our own homes. There are plenty of sinks for washing dishes and the water is safe for cooking. Those were very handy. The volleyball court, corn hole, and grassy area in the middle was great and we used it the whole time! The owner came around on his golf cart and checked on us, he was so friendly and we had a great chat. Everyone that works here is wonderful. We walked around the whole place and I don’t think you could go wrong with any of the camping spaces, because it is all so close to the river. We wished we were closer to the flush toilets because the port o potties were not great (what port o potties are ever good though? Not a big deal) but had no issue walking to use the flush toilets. Honestly this is probably the best campsite I’ve stayed at! We will most...