Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area
County Park
Write a Review Ironbark Rd. Bakersfield, CA 93311 661-868-7000 Official WebsiteGPS: 35.2273, -119.2614
Overview of Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area
Last Price Paid: $35
Reported by AmyPare on 4/19/2023
Longest RV Reported: 40 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by FastLaneBlur on 2/3/2018
Number of Sites 112
Pad Type gravel
Reservations yes
Elevation 295 ft / 89 m
Tent Camping Yes







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Reviews of Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area 24 people have reviewed this location.
“Perfect for what we needed.”
Reviewed 4/19/2023
Nightly rate: | $35 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 65 |
First night of a two month road trip from Sacramento to Kentucky. We decided to take 40 instead of 80. We'd thought about a trip into Carrizo Plain so this was the perfect place to stay. It was close to 5, with all pull through sites. The place is huge and sits on a nice lake that is very busy in the summer. It is also pretty clean. I ... more
First night of a two month road trip from Sacramento to Kentucky. We decided to take 40 instead of 80. We'd thought about a trip into Carrizo Plain so this was the perfect place to stay. It was close to 5, with all pull through sites. The place is huge and sits on a nice lake that is very busy in the summer. It is also pretty clean. I mistakenly booked a non-hookup site. And since we got there just before the office closed, it was too late to change sites, legally. We thought about doing it anyway. If we were going to stay a second night we would've. Anyway, great place to camp this time of year. And the Verizon signal was strong enough for us to watch the Kings beat the Warriors!
AmyPare would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice camping in the off season”
Reviewed 3/7/2023
Nightly rate: | $35 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 2 |
RV Length: | 35' (Fifth Wheel) |
I see negative reviews here, but they're from the summertime. We hit it in March, and found it to be very pleasant. The sites along the lakeside are the premium spots. Pretty laid back and not many campers. It's kinda in the middle of nowhere and really seems far away if you're coming from CA Highway 58. But, it's close to I-5 without... more
I see negative reviews here, but they're from the summertime. We hit it in March, and found it to be very pleasant. The sites along the lakeside are the premium spots. Pretty laid back and not many campers. It's kinda in the middle of nowhere and really seems far away if you're coming from CA Highway 58. But, it's close to I-5 without being so close you can hear it. Bicycling is good here, with a bike path next to the access road. Lots of agriculture nearby, so I imagine it can smell pretty ripe in the summer. Well maintained when we were here.
JM would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Terrible!”
Reviewed 1/22/2023
Nightly rate: | $44 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
I don’t often give negative reviews but Buena Vista Aquatic Rec stands out. 1.There are major stockyards in the vicinity and particularly when the wind blows in from the west the stench is BAD (and this was in January)! 2.The bathrooms are cramped, decrepit and poorly maintained. 3. Cancellation fee is $38 - even if canceling months ... more
I don’t often give negative reviews but Buena Vista Aquatic Rec stands out. 1.There are major stockyards in the vicinity and particularly when the wind blows in from the west the stench is BAD (and this was in January)! 2.The bathrooms are cramped, decrepit and poorly maintained. 3. Cancellation fee is $38 - even if canceling months in advance! (be sure to read ALL the fine print as there are other onerous stipulations)! I could go on, but other folks have already mentioned the bad roads, party scene, poor maintenance, etc.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Pothole City!!!”
Reviewed 11/5/2022
Days stayed: | 3 |
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Site Number: | 29 |
Lake water is so dirty! Potholes from gophers EVERYWHERE!! Campground is not maintained!! But there is nowhere else in this area
camper-747124 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Really nice place”
Reviewed 4/12/2022
Nightly rate: | $43 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 2 |
Great for families. Boden allowed and the lake is beautiful. They have a lot of rules and restrictions which is normal for campsites. The cost including $5 add a for each of my two dogs. Daily charge was 33 + 10. It was pretty clean and I did not encounter any flies but I don't think the flies come out until later in the summer. Very c... more
Great for families. Boden allowed and the lake is beautiful. They have a lot of rules and restrictions which is normal for campsites. The cost including $5 add a for each of my two dogs. Daily charge was 33 + 10. It was pretty clean and I did not encounter any flies but I don't think the flies come out until later in the summer. Very cool and windy but a light sweater was about all that was required. Parking sites are gravel and include picnic table and Fire ring. I stayed in the side with water and Electric but I believe there are sites without the hookups that are cheaper. Tent camping is also allowed. I would come here again if in the area. Bathrooms and trash are included as well bathrooms or nothing fancy but we're clean. No showers. Had four stars with T-Mobile cell and had internet pretty much all of the time.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Party Zone”
Reviewed 4/4/2022
Nightly rate: | $33 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 62 |
Friday night was out of control! Large party, loud people, amplified music until at least 2am.
Screaming kid at next door site long after 'quiet hours'.
Parents didn't give a rip.
Generator noise all night long.
Campground host was three sites over...
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Not bad for a quick stop”
Reviewed 11/3/2021
Nightly rate: | $32 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 28 |
My first stop using campendium to find a place! I paid for site 28 which was listed as shaded (its not) and not lake view but its pretty close to Lake view! Its on on non living side across the little road. I have a pretty view out my bedroom window so thats nice. Site was listed as $24 but there was an $8 reservation fee. Says dog... more
My first stop using campendium to find a place!
I paid for site 28 which was listed as shaded (its not) and not lake view but its pretty close to Lake view! Its on on non living side across the little road. I have a pretty view out my bedroom window so thats nice.
Site was listed as $24 but there was an $8 reservation fee. Says dogs are $5 per dog per day but they didn't ask us about dogs but did tell us dogs must be leashed.
They were very clear that if we unhook our toad vehicle even for a second we will get charged for it.
Flies are rough but I don't smell anything like other reviews.
Bathrooms are a WRECK tho. Idk how the showers are even supposed to work. So those really lowered my cleanliness score. And fire pit had a bunch of trash in it.
Not bad for a night just passing through and I could see how it could be nice to stay for a few nights if you have the lake view. Other spots kinda look like parking lot spots.
And_we_explore would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Not bad for a quick stop off of I5”
Reviewed 10/27/2021
Nightly rate: | $28 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 67 |
Yes, there are a fair amount of flies here, it was nice to be forewarned! Mid week during this season there are plenty of open sites. I took a walk and preferred the view of the lake along campsite numbers 20’s through 40’s. There is also someone running a generator at this end, and since those camp sites at the other end have hook... more
Yes, there are a fair amount of flies here, it was nice to be forewarned!
Mid week during this season there are plenty of open sites.
I took a walk and preferred the view of the lake along campsite numbers 20’s through 40’s. There is also someone running a generator at this end, and since those camp sites at the other end have hookups it’s likely to be quieter. I also noticed a loud buzzing that seems to be coming from either the building near the boat launch or it’s the large light over there.
Anée would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful park but.....”
Reviewed 12/20/2020
Nightly rate: | $25 |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 27 |
RV Length: | 37' (Class A) |
Driving into the park, we thought "what a beautiful park". And it was. We had a pull through site on the water; roads were paved, there was grass which was a welcome site after so many parks were just dust and dirt. We rode our bikes around the park and down to the boat launch and store. However, the coots are all over....and so i... more
Driving into the park, we thought "what a beautiful park". And it was. We had a pull through site on the water; roads were paved, there was grass which was a welcome site after so many parks were just dust and dirt. We rode our bikes around the park and down to the boat launch and store. However, the coots are all over....and so is their poop. There was a concrete place to put chairs on but we had to tiptoe around duck poop to get there. And there are flies! Two or three came inside every time the door was opened, and the side of our car would get covered in them. It just wasn't pleasant and I'm glad we didn't stay more than 2 nights. If it weren't so far off I-5, it would be a good place to overnight.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Not on a summer weekend...”
Reviewed 11/11/2020
Nightly rate: | $30 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 89 |
RV Length: | 22' (Travel Trailer) |
Sorry, but I can't remember what we paid here as we reserved it a week or two ahead of time - just put 30 as it was somewhere in that range. We wanted a last night stop somewhere in this area after a week's trip, so picked this as we like water features. While the campground is laid out nicely - in two big u shape roads and all sites... more
Sorry, but I can't remember what we paid here as we reserved it a week or two ahead of time - just put 30 as it was somewhere in that range. We wanted a last night stop somewhere in this area after a week's trip, so picked this as we like water features. While the campground is laid out nicely - in two big u shape roads and all sites are long pull thrus, it was the lack of camper control and common courtesy that was unacceptable. We were here in September, 2020 during COVID. There had to be 15 or so people in the site across the road from us - well behaved, but there is a 10 person limit. And then there was the birthday party in the site next to them... literally 60+ people (we saw only one mask) with amplified music on two giant speakers. Their friends kept showing up and parking in the empty site next to us. The Sheriffs came 4 times... on the 2nd or 3rd time they should have been asked to leave. The trash and mess in the morning was actually quite funny. Also in a crowded situation I don't like seeing dogs off leash. And we have a dog... Just not our style... and maybe bad luck to be by the campers from hell. But I did do a campground review video as mid-week non-summer might be ok!
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
noted 3/20/2022
It is my understanding the 36 + mile Kern River Parkway Bike Trail has been extended to reach this campground.
See: https://www.kget.com/news/local-news/lake-to-lake-kern-river-parkway-at-36-3-miles-may-now-be-longest-municipal-bike-trail-in-us/
noted 3/18/2020
new site link is https://www.kerncountyparks.org/index_C5.asp
noted 2/19/2020
Attn MHs with toad: you will be charged $12.00 extra a day if you unhook your tow behind vehicle. So far we are leaving it attached.
Bakersfield, CA – The Adventures of Liz & Jake
I am really tempted to type out "THERE IS NOTHING TO DO IN BAKERSFIELD, CA' and then end this post. But that's probably not true; although maybe it's a little true. To be fair, we didn't plan to do muc...
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Amenities
Hookups
- 30 Amp
- 20 Amp
- water
- dry camping
- sewer
- Full Hookups
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- picnic area
- playground
- water access
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- dump station
- recycle
- restrooms: flush
- showers
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
Nearby
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