French Gulch

Campground · California · 1 bookable site ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Sequoia National Forest (NF) · Open Access

1
Bookable site
up to 100
People per site
2,638 ft
Elevation
French Gulch
Photo: Local Staff · Recreation.gov

Overview

French Gulch Campground sits 3 miles from the western shores of Lake Isabella, a 27-acre reservoir off the Kern River, in the expansive Sequoia National Forest.

Recreation

Visitors can enjoy swimming, water skiiing and wind surfing at Lake Isabella. There is also excellent trout and bass fishing at the lake and in other nearby streams.

Facilities

French Gulch can accommodate groups of up to 100 guests. A marina and boat ramps are available at Lake Isabella, just to the southeast.

This facility is operated by ExplorUS and comments are welcome; comment forms are available from campground hosts or online.

Natural Features

Located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada in central California, the Sequoia National Forest takes its name from the giant sequoia, the world's largest tree, which grows in more than 30 groves on the Forest's lower slopes.

The Forest comprises about 1.1 million acres, and elevations range from about 1,000 to 12,000 feet, creating precipitous canyons and mountain streams with spectacular waterfalls such as Salmon Creek Falls and Grizzly Falls.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (760) 376-1269.

The facts

  • Season: Year Round — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 1 bookable site
  • Up to 100 people per site
  • Loops: AREA FRENCH GULCH

Site types

  • 1 Group Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed
  • Water hookups
  • Sewer hookups

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

1 campsite at French Gulch

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
001AREA FRENCH GULCHGroup Standard Nonelectric—Paved—100 🐾

Getting there

From Bakersfield, California, take Highway 178 east to the town of Lake Isabella. Turn onto Highway 155 north, following the western edge of the lake, for approximately 3 miles to the campground.

35.65783, -118.48056 · 35°39'28.2"N 118°28'50.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 98°F in Jul, down to 58°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F596267738292989891816958
Low °F303436405259656255433430
Precip in————————————

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

More photos

French Gulch
Photo: Local Staff · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about French Gulch

Can you reserve a site at French Gulch?
Yes, French Gulch is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does French Gulch have?
1 site.
Are pets allowed at French Gulch?
Yes, pets are allowed at French Gulch.
Does French Gulch have hookups?
No hookups are recorded here.
Are campfires allowed at French Gulch?
Campfires are allowed at French Gulch. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

French Gulch also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by French Gulch's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $405 per night.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near French Gulch

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-13.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.