John L. Whitehead Jr. Campground

About

John L. Whitehead Jr. Campground is located within Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, a site that preserves the history of Allensworth, California's only town founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. Established in 1908 by Lieutenant Colonel Allen Allensworth and other settlers, the town represented a vision of self-determination and economic independence for Black Americans in the early 20th century. The campground offers 17 sites year-round, including 15 standard sites for tents or RVs and 2 sites with full hookups. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Amenities include flush toilets, showers operating from 6:30am to 4:30pm, potable water, and an RV dump station. The campground can accommodate trailers up to 35 feet and motorhomes up to 45 feet. Located in Tulare County approximately 30 miles north of Bakersfield, the park sits in the flat agricultural landscape of the southern San Joaquin Valley. Summers are hot, regularly exceeding 100°F, while winters are mild. Visitors can explore restored historic buildings, learn about the town's founding families, and understand this important chapter in African American history.

Directions

From Highway 99 near Earlimart, take the Avenue 56 Exit (Exit 65). Turn west toward Alpaugh and travel 7.4 miles on County Road J22. At Highway 43, turn right and proceed to Palmer Avenue. Turn right onto Palmer Avenue and continue to the park entrance.