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Auxiliary Dam Campground Introduce

Auxiliary Dam Campground is a charming destination for campers seeking a serene retreat in the natural beauty of California's Central Valley. Located in Lake Isabella, this campground provides an ideal setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy nature while accessing essential facilities. The site is managed by experienced concessionaires and offers a unique camping experience with basic amenities, including water spigots and waste disposal stations near the boat launch area.

Perfect for those who prefer self-contained RVs or trailers, Auxiliary Dam Campground does not offer hookups but allows generator use. Visitors have praised the site for its peaceful atmosphere and stunning views of the starlight satellite fleet at night, making it a memorable spot for stargazing enthusiasts.

  • Location: Nestled in Lake Isabella, CA, providing easy access to lakeside activities and scenic surroundings.
  • Facilities: Basic water and waste disposal services available. No hookups but generator use is permitted.
  • Activities: Ideal for boating enthusiasts with proximity to boat launch areas; perfect for peaceful weekends away.
  • Pricing: $12 per night for dry camping, with discounts available for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Campers have highlighted the campground's convenience and suitability for short stays, making it a popular choice among locals and visitors alike. While America the Beautiful annual passes are no longer accepted, the site offers affordable rates that cater to budget-conscious travelers.

Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many guests appreciating the secluded yet accessible location and the friendly management staff. The ability to bring generators and enjoy basic amenities in a natural setting has made Auxiliary Dam Campground a go-to spot for camping enthusiasts visiting Lake Isabella.

Location

Customer Reviews

4.0
147 reviews
M
Man Gar
Jun 01, 2023

Very nice place to park your trailer and camp for the weekend. No hookups, has a few water spigots, and a gray and black water dump by the boat launch area. Bring your generator. At night, we got to see the starlight satellite fleet up in the sky.

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El Jay
May 17, 2023

Aux Dam campground is now managed by the Koncessionaires. America the Beautiful forest services annual passes no longer accepted here. $12 per night for dry camp. Discount for seniors and disabled.

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S S
Jun 21, 2020

Bakersfield's "beach." It literally looks and feels like a beach (I grew up in a beach town). Same beach sand, fire pits and the water even makes small waves. This place is a nice place to dry camp (portapotties "due to Covid") and you can do so for 14 days. There are pleanty of spaces, and it's nice and quiet during the week. The weekend is loud and the cops were called twice, however they were respectful and left with out bothering anyone who wasn't involved. Only real complaint other than the bathrooms being MORE unsanitary thanks to Covid, I went into the water with my clothes (forgot bathingsuit) and it took 3 washes to get the HORRIBLE smell out. We will be back!

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Christina
Oct 31, 2023

We stopped by for One night. So quiet and peaceful. It's first come first serve and you can choose your own spot.

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Annemarie Vaughn
Aug 05, 2018

GREAT PLACE, BUT PLEASE READ WARNING AT BOTTOM OF THIS REVIEW. We often camp here in the summer and it is a great place, if you don't mind a slightly harsh environment. We have a trailer and 2 Yamaha Wave Runners. It is very hot (90s and 100s)and dry, which is great for swimming, jet skis, water skiing, boating and fishing. In the afternoons, it gets very windy, and is good for windsurfing and kite surfing. If you like to get wet, it is a perfect place. You can park you RV anywhere on the sand near the water, where there is space, and it is awesome. You are surrounded by beautiful mountains. We are water people, so we love it. If you don't like to go in the water, it is not the place for you. Without going in the water to cool off frequently, it would be too hot and uncomfortable in the summer months. The air is still in the mornings, but almost every afternoon there are super strong wind gusts. Make sure you tie down anything you don't want to blow away, or you will be chasing your things down the beach. We've seen people's stuff fly many times. WARNING FOR BOATERS, AND JET SKIS (PWC's) The lake water levels drastically change throughout the year. In the summer, the water level goes down slowly each day. Do not boat or jet ski too close to the dam. You will see markers there, but way out past the dam and those markers, (probably about a 100 feet further from the dam, and the markers) there is an unmarked steel under water gate/grate. When we camped there, the end of this past July, this steel grate was just slightly under the water level and not visible at all. IT IS NOT MARKED! My husband was riding our PWC back to our campsite, thinking he was plenty far enough from the dam and markers, which he was, not knowing there was a grate under the water, a good distance from the dam and those markers. He hit it going about 25 mph, which put a huge gouge in the bottom of the hull of our PWC. It stopped him dead in the water, he teetered on it, and then fell off. He then rode back to shore. Luckily he wasn't going faster, or he could have been seriously hurt or even killed. We reported this to the rangers, but were told that the lake and dam are run by Edison, and they would notify Edison about what happened. We held our breath every time, we saw an unsuspecting boater, or jet skier near that area. We saw a speed boat and a water skier come within a foot or two from it. It is too far out, for them to hear you from the shore, if you yell to try and warn them. We warned people on land camping near us, but people cruise the lake from all over, so it is not possible to warn everyone. . A few days later, the water level went down enough so that you could now see the grate poking above the water, and it was no longer as dangerous, because it was no longer hidden. It IS hidden during parts of the year, and should be marked. I hope it doesn't take someone getting killed by it, before Edison does something about this. They really need to put a buoy or markers of some sort there! If the lake water level is really high, or really low, it is not a problem. But, it is a SERIOUS DANGER when it is only slightly covered and hidden by water.