About Keysville Special Recreation Management Area
EMERGENCY CLOSURE 01/25/2023 Keysville Beach Road and Keysville Beach have been closed until further notice due to serious erosion along the road. The affected area is Keysville Beach and Keysville Beach Road. The rest of the SRMA remains open. Overview Keysville (formerly Keyesville) is a historic mining area that offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Set in rolling terrain amidst a blue oak and foothill pine woodland, Keysville is dissected by the lower Kern River. A little exploration can turn up a wealth of historic resources, including a variety of mining structures and features, a historic fort, and the famous Walker Cabin. Keysville offers commercial and noncommercial white-water rafting opportunities as well as fishing, recreational gold panning, and dispersed camping. A network of over seventy miles of trails provides for mountain biking, equestrian, and motorized recreation use. All motorized use is limited to designated roads and trails. For a map of Keysville area designated routes, see https://www.blm.gov/documents/california/public-room/map/keysville-recreation-management-area. Attention: Swimming in the area is discouraged. Use extreme caution around the river's edge and ALWAYS use a life jacket when boating. Last Updated 1/30/2023
How to Get There
From the junction of CA-178 and CA-155 at the town of Lake Isabella, take exit 155 onto CA-155. Keysville South entrance (for camping and river access) is approximately 0.6 miles from this junction on the left (west) side of the road befpor crossing the Kern River. Keysville North entrance (for camping, OHV, and other trail use) is on the left another 0.4 miles down highway 155, just past the bridge across the Kern River.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Keysville Special Recreation Management Area
Heading to Keysville Special Recreation Management Area? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Keysville Special Recreation Management Area?
No central reservation system listed for Keysville Special Recreation Management Area. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/14786) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Keysville Special Recreation Management Area?
From the junction of CA-178 and CA-155 at the town of Lake Isabella, take exit 155 onto CA-155. Keysville South entrance (for camping and river access) is approximately 0.6 miles from this junction on the left (west) side of the road befpor crossing the Kern River. Keysville North entrance (for camping, OHV, and other trail use) is on the left another 0.4 miles down highway 155, just past the brid…
How do I contact Keysville Special Recreation Management Area?
You can reach the park at phone: 661-391-6000 or email: BLM_CA_Web_BK@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
