Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park RV & Campground Guide
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Found in California, the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is a park that preserves the first and only town in the state to be completely created, funded, and governed by African Americans. Colonel Allen Allensworth founded the town in 1908 and named it Allensworth, and the town thrived with many small businesses until 1914 when the water supply dwindled and became contaminated with arsenic. However, in 1972, the remaining buildings of the area were added to the National Register of Historic Places, and in 1974, the town was turned into a historical state park.
Today, this state park hosts an Amtrak train station, and historic buildings found at the park include the Allensworth House, First Baptist Church, Allensworth Elementary School, Allensworth Hotel, Singleton’s General Store & Post Office, and Dodson House and Restaurant. Aside from the railroad roadbed, the entire town is nearly level with no larger than five-foot elevation differences, which is attributed to its location in the San Joaquin Valley.
Nearby Cities
Fresno, CA
Delano, CA
Bakersfield, CA
Earlimart, CA
Spring 47-77 F
Summer 66-99 F
Fall 43-68 F
Winter 40 -59 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Campground Accommodations
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 45 feet
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets, showers, and a dump station
John Whitehead Jr. Campground
This 115-site campground lies just north of the historical town. Of its campsites, 15 accommodate RVs at the cost of $20 a night.
• Water hookup: No
• Electrical hookup: No
• Sewer hookup: No
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Large shade structures, picnic tables, fire rings
Fun and Sun RV Park
Fun and Sun RV Park in Tulare has 60 RV camping sports, and each costs about $60 per night. Spend the day playing in the outdoor pool or the clubhouse after parking your RV on one of the shaded pull-through spots.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Swimming pool, playground, laundry facilities
Tule Campground
Located on the shores of Lake Success, the Tule Campground offers 103 sites that rent for about $25 per night. This campground offers a boat ramp, playgrounds, and campfire programs.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: No
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Lake, fishing, kayaking
Visalia/Sequoia National Park KOA
This campground, which is located a few miles northwest of Visalia, offers a seasonal swimming pool and dog park. All sites at this campground have gravel pads and rent for about $55 per night.
• Water hookup: Yes
• Electrical hookup: Yes
• Sewer hookup: Yes
• Wi-Fi: Yes
• Pet-friendly: Yes
• Other amenities: Picnic tables, shade, fire rings
What to Do at
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
The Visitor Center at this park provides environmental learning activities and interactive exhibits for visitors to enjoy every day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. There are additional museum buildings to check out between 9 a.m. and sunset, plus there are wildlife viewing and picnic areas to enjoy during the same times. Near the park entrance, visitors can also see an agricultural demonstration area, where regular educational programs are hosted by park staff.
Inside Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Once you get to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, you'll want to check out the 20th-century buildings, which include a schoolhouse, a church, businesses, homes, a hotel, and a library. Learn how the highest-ranking black officer in the United States military built this community when he retired so that other residents of color could live out their dreams. Hike or bike along the paths to see interpretive displays and maps explaining what caused this community’s downfall.
Geocaching
While geocaches are not allowed to be placed in the historical town at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, both virtual and physical caches are permitted in the developed campground area. Visitors may be able to find geocaches placed around the campground by following online guides, and many geocaches found here relate to camp information and equipment.
Nature Watching
There is a day-use area at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park that can be used for picnicking as well as wildlife viewing. Wildlife species commonly seen at this park include burrowing owls, which are active during the day, and the endangered San Joaquin kit fox.
Hiking
There are a number of paved and unpaved hiking trails found at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, many of which pass by the historical buildings. Hikers at this park usually take a self-guided tour around each of the buildings, and hiking here usually takes no longer than two hours when you stop to read the interpretive panels at each building.
Biking
Bikes are allowed at all of the trails found at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, although bikers enjoy using the paved roads of the old town the most. Bikers may also be able to access the Carter House and Carter Livery on the south end of the park more easily than hikers.
How to Get to
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
To reach Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park from Bakersfield, take CA-99 North for about 25 miles. From there, take exit 52 to Pond Road, and continue five miles before turning right onto CA-43 North and continuing for 10.7 miles. To get to the park, turn left onto Palmer Avenue, left again onto Road 84, then right onto Stowe Avenue. From there, you will enter the park, and there are no entrance or day-use fees to see this park. Visitors may use the day-use parking lot with any type of vehicle, including RVs, with no fees for parking as well.
By Car
Entering Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park Per Vehicle : $0.0
1-4 adults
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park Per Bus : $0.0
There are a couple of annual events that visitors can enjoy at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park, including the Black History Month Celebration, Allensworth May Festival, Juneteenth Celebration, and Annual Rededication. Most of these events feature live entertainment, including live music performances and food vendors. Year-round, visitors can also schedule guided tours of the park.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
The best time of year to visit this state historic park is during one of the annual events or festivals, most of which occur between May and October. The Juneteenth Celebration event, held on or around June 19th, is a must-see for visitors who want to explore the park while there is live music and food vendors around.
Burrowing owls are commonly seen at this park even in the daylight. Kit foxes are also common as are Tipton kangaroo rats.
The campground at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park can accommodate RVs in any of its 15 campsites. All sites are open to RV and tent camping too, but there are no RV hookups available.
Visitors may choose to reserve a campsite online before visiting Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park or to book a site upon arrival. The fee to camp at this park is usually $20 a night though seniors over 62 and disabled persons may be eligible to receive a discount.
Dogs are allowed at this state historic park so long as they are on a leash of no more than 6 feet long and are supervised at all times. Pet owners must also pick up after their animals at the park, and animals are not allowed inside any of the open facilities.