Lake Isabella Reservoir

Address: Lake Isabella, Kern County, California, United States

Website: https://www.kerncounty.com/

Hours: Open access (no formal hours)

Admission: Free to access surrounding recreational areas; some marinas/permits may charge for services

Lake Isabella is a reservoir on the Kern River in Kern County, California, formed by the construction of Isabella Dam in the mid-20th century. It serves as a managed reservoir used for flood control, water storage and recreation in the Kern River Valley.

The shoreline includes marinas, boat launch areas and camping and fishing locations that attract local and regional visitors for boating and angling. Recreational use is a primary contemporary function of the lake.

The dam and reservoir were built in the 20th century to regulate the Kern River for downstream water uses and flood protection; the reservoir has since been managed for both utility and public recreation.

The lake sits in the Kern River Valley in the southern Sierra Nevada foothills of Kern County, California, and is the major waterbody in that valley.

• Purpose: Constructed by building a dam on the Kern River in the mid-20th century, the reservoir provides flood control, irrigation storage and recreational facilities along its shoreline.

From Bakersfield, take CA-178 east toward Lake Isabella; the drive is about 1-1.5 hours depending on traffic. The reservoir has several public access points, marinas, and campgrounds.

• Visit in late afternoon for softer light and to avoid daytime winds that can pick up on the reservoir
• Check for scheduled maintenance or dam operations-access can be limited during certain periods
• For water recreation, verify permits and local regulations with Kern County authorities