Shady Haven RV Park & Mini Storage

We chose this place for an overnight from Death Valley to Sacramento because they were listed in our Escapees directory at 15% off the $30 nightly rate. Was told they no longer are part of Escapees and their nightly rate is $55 but they do offer a 30% Good Sam discount and 50% for Passport America, which we joined (through Escapees) to get the 50% off. Our nightly rate listed includes a $3 "admin fee" (was told for credit card processing,etc., but they do not accept cash) and tax. I had to electronically sign their rules/regs agreement, and they took an electronic picture of my drivers license. They offered free wifi but you have to set up an account, providing detailed personal information so we opted to use our own. This is a no smoking facility, and your rig must be 2007 or newer due to their "insurance" requirements, but they don't verify as a neighbor's rig was a 2002.

Due to its location in a "sketchy" area of Bakersfield, there is razor wire around the top of the fence and you are provided an electronic card to enter/exit and use the laundry/restrooms so we felt safe enough. New owners (1-1/2 years) have put a lot of money and love into this park and it has very nice clean amenities (pool/hot tub, laundry, showers-mens still being remodeled). We had a level concrete site in a separate fenced-off "overnight" section (all pull through) from the longer-term RVers.

HOWEVER, we would not come back due to the constant FREIGHT train traffic just across the street from the park. While there is no crossing nearby, on a few occasions at night, several trains blew their horns to no end!! I finally had to wear earplugs and was able to sleep but hubby could not. Only reason we would not come back.

Surrounded by a wall and barbed wire, this is the most secure RV Park we’ve ever stayed at! Inside the gates is a well manicured RV neighborhood with level, paved full hookup sites that are easy to maneuver in and out of. Customer service was wonderful and they welcome Passport America guests for 7 days. WiFi is decent, laundry room, pool, hot tub and grounds were more than adequate. There is a train that passes often but we’ve not once heard a train horn so it wasn’t much of a bother for us. With everything else this place is doing right, the train was no big deal. Bathrooms are usable but being remodeled.

Meeting Leah and Paul, the owners, makes it worth staying here ... don’t let the razor wire scare you ... we felt perfectly safe here ... nice, immaculate sites ... fresh water is separated from two sewer hole options, which is the way it should be in all parks ... nice dog park and pool/hot tub ... really nice place for an overnight stay or several days in the Bakersfield area ... occasional train noise, but not really bothersome ... we’ll definitely stay here when in the area again 👍

This park is now called “Shady Haven RV Park” and we were led here by this being A Passport America destination. We had planned to stay a night or two, but ended up staying a week due to car problems. Friendly, helpful staff and they gave us PA price for extra days. Good security, clean laundry and bathrooms/showers. Trains might be a big problem for some especially when they come by two at a time, and traffic was also irritating from folks who live in the other section. We think the owners are trying. Showers could use a bench or chair and a shelf for items. Wif-fi was free and pretty good but our own is better. Confusing directions vs GPS for getting here. Good spot for a day or two...

The park is divided. One newer area with cement pads is primarily reserved for overnighters, the other older area for weekly, monthly, and yes longer! There are many long term campers here. And numerous others, like us, staying longer than one night in the overnight area! It is nicer than the long term area and we got to stay there, so I'm not complaining! We were in a 40' Newmar motorhome so we did not use the facilities. Our site was fairly roomy, easily fitting the rv and our truck, with room to sit outside nicely. You can get mail and packages delivered here.

Like I said, management was great. They are friendly, funny and handled our stay very nicely!

But unfortunately, numerous long trains roll through right next to the park at all hours, night and day. You almost feel like the train is coming right through your site! It's a shame this park has to be located right next to busy train tracks with loud locomotives! If you love trains, this is your resort!

Some of the other reviews about the actual campground were accurate - spaces were okay, but not too wide. Amenities were also okay but worn down. I dont think I saw a single picnic table or bbq grill that was not falling apart in some way.

People working there and some other people we met were very nice. Did not feel unsafe, but close to a train with a bit of noise. We chose to stay on the "monthly" side because we were told it was closer to a park but the park was just a piece of grass. The "nightly" spots were concrete, so stay there.

We would stay again because the passport america rate was really good if we were just coming through for a few nights.

I really wish I could give this park a good review because the owners were super nice and understanding when we had some car troubles. They have a pool and hot tub, which was nice as well. And everything was very clean and tidy, especially the daily/weekly area. You can only enter with a chip card or code, which is nice in that area.

But: It's right beside the trains and the highway. The trains blow their horn all night (not so much during the day) and there are a decent amount of sirens coming by.
While the daily/weekly area was very nice, there were some sketchy people living over in the monthly area. There were several loud disputes, including yelling while jumping into a leaving car. Just sketchy stuff.

Also, one time our car was not parked 100% in the spot, so it got towed overnight. No warning no nothing and nothing in the rules, either. We ended up not having to pay for it and the owners were very apologetic. but we had to wait a few hours to get it back. Apparently one renter has a blank check to tow whatever car he thinks is breaking the rules to make some additional money.

And the last night someone tried to steal our pit bike, which was chained to the table. They didn't manage to cut the lock, though.