Tillie Creek Campground

May, 2024. We stayed one night at this campground mid-week in our Class B RV after having made reservations on Recreation.gov.Finding the campground (Rating: 1/5). We had had a LONG driving day, it was getting dark, and we were not familiar with the Lake Isabella area. We passed several National Sequoia Forest campgrounds on the lake that had vacancies but Tillie Creek was still further along -- and required navigating a curvy road where the speed limit and driving by locals was too fast for conditions. When our GPS reported that we had reached, we didn't see any signage that a campground was there so we mistakenly missed it. However, we then noticed picnic tables and fire rings that were suggestive of the campground so we turned back and found the campground. Finding a site. (Rating: 4/5). Being mid-week, almost ALL of the sites were available but most had tags that they were reserved for the weekend. We selected a fairly level site -- and were soon joined by the camp host who checked us in and gave us our car tag. He also warned us to be careful because there were rattlesnakes in the area. We only saw a bunny! It turned out that only the camp host, another rv, and us were the only ones on-site for the night. It also turned out that our selected site (#18) wasn't ideal because there was early morning traffic noise. This campground does not offer showers, but it does have restrooms and water spigots. Also note that one section of the campground isn't being maintained -- beyond where Tillie Creek had flooded. Also, to our knowledge, the lake is not easily accessible from the campground.

Stayed at this campground over the weekend. The campground is very pleasant, quiet, and has many different sites available. We chose a site in a grove of trees and it's been amazing have shade throughout the entire day.The campground isn't perfect, we were lost when we first came in, went up the road to some mobile homes and then finally when we reached the campground it looked slightly abandoned. The booth where you check in was abandoned, in disrepair and full of cobwebs, a playground was full of empty frames of where swings and stuff should be, and like I mentioned before looked empty. We eventually found the camp host who was very pleasant and helpful though and were given the choice to pick any site we wanted.About an hour from Sequoia's trail of 100 giants and a few minutes from the French Gulge Marina where we rented some kayaks.Only real downside was there were a lot of wasps at our campsite when we tried to prepare food and no showers on site either. Toilets are basically outhouses but were kept clean. All in all had a good weekend away here.

Went in mid July with a big group (July 16th). We stayed for one night before hitting the lower kern for rafting. The campground was nice. The lake was a lifesaver from the 100+ degree heat that week. The bathrooms were clean and the site was tidy. Basic tent/rv camping. Nothing fancy, but exactly what we needed. However, there was some confusion with the reservations. Our group leader booked one of the group campsites. We had 20+ people so we needed the big space. I've never booked a group campsite so I don't know how it works, but, our leader was told he would be assigned one of the group sites when we arrived. When we got there, the camp host told us all 4 group campsites were closed... Didn't give us a reason, and when I looked over the sites and they all looked fine and empty. Instead, he gave us 4 regular non-group sites next to each other. We had 18 tents, 7 cars, 1 rv, a bunch of chairs & furniture, and too many people to fit in that space. The RV guy had to buy a whole extra campsite for two nights (we only stayed one but he had to buy two nights) just to park there. We didn't have the space we needed for the activates we had planned. I don't know what happened. Our leader is a go with the flow kind of guy so he didn't make a fuss. But, we didn't get what we signed up. So, if you're making a group campsite reservation here, call ahead before your trip and get some reassurances. Otherwise, you might run into trouble.

I love this campground, it's very quiet and peaceful. The host was very welcoming and helpful in locating a spot that was shewolf worth.

PSA: use your mask when you walk into the common areas like the restroom! My campsite was right next to the restroom and I saw NO ONE wear a mask when walking in. It's basic courtesy. The camp host was very friendly and easy to talk to. However, they set the tone for how relaxed the rules can be. Obviously, if the fire warning is set to high respect that and don't trip over not having a bonfire. Same as if there is a global wide pandemic, be mindful of others and wear a mask. Camp host was strict about only one of those examples, guess which one it was. Over all the campground is a little dry. Only some areas have trees. Anything from campsite 17-22 are comfortable. Located close to two restrooms. Unfortunately we cut our trip short. The restroom area was horrendous and the amount of people not respecting social distance was disappointing. Also, water service was cut off for the majority of the day and temperatures were in the triple digits. The campground restroom are big and somewhat ventilated. The camp hosts checks up on them and cleans what they can. The toilets stopped working a day into our trip. They immediately ordered porta pottys and luckily we were the first ones to use them. Wore a mask and cleaned high touch surface for the next person. However, that was our way of being mindful to the rest of the camp guest. During the day the air was extremely hot and still. In the confined space of a 3x3 toilet box, it was the perfect environment for germs to thrive. Honestly, not worth the risk.Camping in an RV is ideal. You can avoid all this drama and social distance safely. Pros: Some campsites are spacious, come with a grill and picnic table. Water is available to almost every camp site.Roads are paved. Located a quick walk away to the lake and a 10min drive up to the river. (The Lake was not clean enough to swim in)Grocery store and fast food is about a 7miles drive away.Convince store 2miles away. Not many bugs this time around.Pet friendly.Cons:Social distance is a bust in common area. Restrooms are as clean as the last person who leaves it. Camp sites are close together. So, if you're looking for a quite area, just hope you don't get noisy neighbors. Lake access is available but the water looked like matcha green tea.Leaving ANY food out while you're away from camp is not a good idea even if it's in a styrofoam container. The crows and chipmunks know how to open all types of food containers. They will try to fight you if you try to shoo them off your neighbors picnic table. I hope your camping trip turns out amazing and remember to respect the river and animals. Love and light y'all!

This site is for the well prepared outdoor, die-hart experienced camper. Tent camping. No hook up, no shower, no Wi-Fi. Rugged outdoor camping. You make your reservation and when you get to the site, you pick out your site. No reserved camp space. You plant your flag in your space of your choice. Nature trails throughout the campsite. You can walk to Lake Isabella. Campsite not far to Wofford Heights and Kern River. Also near the office of Kern River Outfitters for the White Water Rafting Tour.

Love how close it is to the lake. The bathrooms are decent and there's some shade but I wish the host would keep the noise level down past 10. Every night had immature adults that had no respect for people sleeping.

If I could give negative stars I wood. Per the camp website it clearly states that you must obtain a fore permit to have a campfire, which is what we did. Second day into camp the manager comes yelling and screaming at us in the dark to put out the fire because if the fire ranger saw it we would be fined. We immediately put it out despite knowing we had the permit. The next morning at 7:30am we awake to the management weedwacking brush right outside our tents. After we complained about it he called the fire ranger to report us from the night before. Also note 3 of the bathrooms are non funtional. Thede is a serious infestation of palm size cockaroaches all over all the water sations. If you park anywhere near the host you will be subjected to the exhaust of his generator. Trash everywhere. No lake view or access. We took a river rafting trip with a great company and they said this was the absolute worst place in the valley. Do NOT camp here!

Loved this spot. Creek and Lake close by. Not too congested and the staff was welcoming. Market and gas/ ice were close by as well. Great place to get away for the weekend.

Nice spacious campground. Camp host was awesome. But it was HOT and the lake is not walking distance from the open campground.