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The best camping near Tehachapi with campfires guide
Where to go
Brite Valley Aquatic Recreation Area
Set amongst lush greenery with a mountain backdrop, Brite Valley Aquatic Recreation Area and Brite Lake’s landscape provide hiking, fishing, wildlife watching, and camping amenities, from tent to car to RV (with hookups and dump stations). The aquatic area provides drinking and home-use water for residents of the area, so swimming or wading is prohibited. But boating and fishing (with proper permits) let campers enjoy a fish dinner at one of the fish-cleaning sites, campsite fire pits and grills, or picnic pavilions. Plan to visit during special events, like the parks department’s fishing derby or Astronomy Club star parties. Campers can pay a daily fee at the entrance or snag a yearly pass from the Tehachapi Valley Recreation & Park District.
Tehachapi Mountain Park
This 490 acre park in the mountains just south of Tehachapi features first come, first serve campsites, each with ample space for a single trailer, vehicle, or RV. The park’s open year-round, just be sure to bring snow chains for your tires. In summer, hike the Nuooah Nature Trail or marvel at high-altitude views from horseback. Group camping sites with cabin rentals make Tehachapi Mountain Park a welcoming wilderness experience. Campers should be sure to drop their fees in the honor-system backed fee box by the park’s entrance duck pond.
Fort Tejon State Historic Park
Fort Tejon State Historic Park is a living history park nestled in the lush meadow of the Grapevine Canyon featuring a unique opportunity to experience what life was like for soldiers and civilians on the very edge of the California frontier. The park offers tent camping and RV hookups, complete with picnic tables, barbecues, and fire pits. Though there are no designated hiking trails, campers can watch wildlife visiting Grapevine Creek, explore nearby Los Padres Forest, or discover the 220-mile-long surface rupture scar left over from one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded along the San Andreas faultline.
When to go
Tehachapi experiences all four seasons, with summers usually between 58 and 88°F, so June and July are ideal times to visit. Consider March, April, or May, with early spring temps averaging 52°F because many campgrounds, recreation areas, and state parks operate year-round, so campers will have access to everything in spring they would in summer, without the potential for packed campgrounds.