From the Northern Central Valley (Sacramento/Fresno/Porterville)
From Porterville, go south on CA-65 to Ducor, and take Avenue 56 East. Travel 50 miles through California Hot Springs until you reach the forest service road 22s82 on your left; it is signed also for Peppermint Campsite and the Wilderness Trailhead. (If you reach R-Ranch at Johnsondale, you have gone too far.) Camp Whitsett is on the right, after three miles and public campsites numbers 1,2, and 3.
From the Southern Central Valley (Bakersfield) and the LA area
Take Interstate 5 North to CA-99 North to Bakersfield. Then take CA-178 East 40 miles to Lake Isabella. Exit at CA-155 W and travel 11 miles up the edge of the lake to Kernville. (Stay right when CA-155 turns left; continue straight on Wofford Heights Blvd. and Burlando Rd.) Turn left on Mountain Road 99 – Labeled “Sierra Highway” (a T-intersection) and go 26 miles to R-Ranch at Johnsondale. About a mile past Johnsondale, is forest service road 22s82 which takes off to your right; it is signed for Camp Whitsett and also for Peppermint Campsite and the Wilderness Trailhead. Camp Whitsett is on the right, after three miles and public campsites numbers 1,2, and 3 (and over 3 bridges).
From the Mojave desert (Las Vegas, Nevada and Inland Empire, California)
From the intersection of US Highway 395 and CA-58 (Kramer’s Junction/Four Corners), go North 50 miles on the 395. Take the signed offramp to CA-14/Inyokern West for five miles; turn left again onto CA-14 South. After three miles, turn right onto CA 178 West. Take the 178 for 32 miles, and turn right onto Sierra Way; take this for 17 miles on the East edge of the lake into Kernville, and then another 20 miles to R-Ranch at Johnsondale. Immediately past this is forest service road 22s82 on your right; it is signed for Camp Whitsett and also for Peppermint Campsite and the Wilderness Trailhead. Camp Whitsett is on the right, after three miles and public campsites numbers 1,2, and 3.