By:
Submission
Buena Vista is a man-made site located approximately 25 miles southwest of Bakersfield. When the site was completed in April 1973, it took 43 days to fill both Lake Evans and the much larger Lake Webb with over 2,300,000,000 gallons (or 6,800 acre feet) of water.
Lake Webb is an elongated shape of 873 acres available for boating, jet‐skiing and fishing, as well as an additional 125 acres for jet‐skiing (maximum speed 45 mph). Projecting midway into the lake, a horseshoe‐shaped spit of land contains 112 campsites in a double row. To maintain the landscaping through the dry season, a sprinkler system operates, requiring campers to place their things in designated spots.
Lake Evans, at 86 acres, is the place for the more serene pursuits of sailing, fishing, and boating at no more than 5 mph.
From the South:
Take I-5 North to the 119 West.
Travel 1.8 miles on Highway 119 West to Enos Lane (Highway 43). Turn south (left) on Highway 43 (Enos Lane) at the Shell gas station. Go approximately 2 miles on Highway 43 to the entrance to Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area.
From the North:
Take I-5 South to the 119 West.
Travel 1.8 miles on Highway 119 West to Enos Lane (Highway 43). Turn south (left) on Highway 43 (Enos Lane) at the Shell gas station. Go approximately 2 miles on Highway 43 to the entrance to Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area.
From the East:
Take the 14 North to the 138 West to the I-5 North to the 119 West.
Travel 1.8 miles on Highway 119 West to Enos Lane (Highway 43). Turn south (left) on Highway 43 (Enos Lane) at the Shell gas station. Go approximately 2 miles on Highway 43 to the entrance to Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area.
Had a pleasant time. We were hauling through N on I5 and this was convenient just a short way off the freeway. We were able to reserve a spot online and change to a better spot when we arrived. We got campsite #18 which had hookups, pull through, picnic table and fire pit, a couple trees and beach front. Very large campsite. Pull through easily accommodated our 29 ft Class c with tow vehicle. There are lots of ground squirrels who will pilfer anything that is left unattended. I thought they were fun to watch and didn’t feed them. The water was nice. Beach had some trash, that should have been addressed better. View across the lake was lovely sunset and sunrise. Lots of flies so I’m glad we only stayed one night. Didn’t use their bathrooms so I can’t comment on that. Staff was nice. It was a weekend so there were lots of boaters there. At this camp site and all the other beach front sites that I saw, you could tie up your boat right at your campsite. Lots of people so there was music and noise but it quieted down during quiet hours. They do charge extra for dogs. I would stay again if doing the trip the same way—just an overnight on a long haul.
Note that the cool photos of artwork are from a music festival that is held there every year. Don’t expect to see that stuff when the festival is not going on.
I used to spend many times camping here as a kid/early teen age, which has mostly good memories with only a few I’d rather forget. I believe at the time, there was little swimming section with a working fountain/spray when I was a kid but unsure if still there or not. Also did lot of fishing in the inlet area, caught some huge carp.I haven’t done any camping trips there as an adult but do stop by now and then to take pictures with my bike, usually in the fall or winter when it’s not so crowded. Sadly the grounds itself have really taken a beating over the years, dead grass/dirt areas, big holes, worn out tables, not so great bathrooms. Hopefully by next summer, it’ll get cleaned up some.
What a terrible place to visit. Fly infestation everywhere. I would understand a few flies, but this is a swarm of flies like bees. I've been camping many times and have never seen anything like this. Restrooms are old and filthy. Probably only cleaned once a year by the looks of it. Nice view of the lake is all. And tables are non moveable.
