As California’s ninth largest city, Bakersfield offers plenty of urban amenities yet retains a surprising amount of nature readily accessible around town. From lush central city parks to panoramic hiking trails with scenic vistas, Bakersfield provides plenty of outdoor recreation options.
| Park Name | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Hart Memorial Park | 30-acre green space, rose gardens, historic structures |
| Panorama Vista Preserve | Scenic vistas, lakeside trails, picnic spots |
| The Park at River Walk | Urban oasis, craft markets, concerts |
| Yokuts Park | Sports facilities, aquatic center, playgrounds |
| Jastro Park | Historic park, duck ponds, summer concerts |
| William M. Thomas Kern River County | Greenbelt, bike paths, fishing access |
| Mill Creek Park | Downtown green space, walking paths, public art |
| Stramler Park | Sports facilities, disc golf, dog park |
| Beach Park | Sand, river, beach activities, picnic areas |
| Bakersfield Bark Park | Dog-friendly, agility equipment, picnic areas |
| Lowell Park | Historic, playgrounds, basketball courts |
Landscaped neighborhood playgrounds give way to sprawling sports complexes, dog parks and scenic waterways perfect for picnicking, cycling or just appreciating sunny days surrounded by blue skies and green landscapes.
Here are 12 of the top parks and outdoor spaces to enjoy during Bakersfield visits:
Hart Memorial Park
Name and Location: Hart Memorial Park is located northeast of downtown Bakersfield, along the Kern River.
History and Significance: Established in the early 20th century, the park is named after Dr. Hart, a local physician and philanthropist. It’s one of the oldest parks in Bakersfield.
What to Expect: Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, picnic areas, fishing in the Kern River, and wildlife viewing. There are also playgrounds and sports facilities.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, with areas for barbecues and family gatherings. The park is dog-friendly but requires pets to be on leashes.
This sprawling 30-acre park provides a gorgeous green space amidst downtown Bakersfield. Mature oak trees dot expansive lawns perfect for laidback picnics and relaxing while kids enjoy adjacent playgrounds. Fragrant rose gardens in full spring bloom delight the senses. Historic architecture adds intrigue with a handmade stone pavilion, grand bandstand shell and unique homestead structures open for self-guided tours. Don’t miss the mini train museum featuring scale model locomotives. From poetry readings to summer concert series, Hart Park offers a little something for everyone in the heart of the city.
Panorama Vista Preserve
Name and Location: Located northeast of Bakersfield, near the Kern River.
History and Significance: The preserve is a protected natural area aiming to restore and conserve the local ecosystem, particularly the riparian habitat along the Kern River.
What to Expect: Ideal for hiking, horseback riding, and bird watching. The preserve offers a natural escape with scenic views and diverse wildlife.
Visitor Information: Access is free. Visitors should respect the natural environment and stay on designated trails. No restrooms or water facilities are available on-site.
Bakersfield is surrounded by picturesque rolling hills and bluffs, best appreciated from this nature preserve’s aptly named panoramic vistas. The Kern River Parkway stretches for 50+ miles with the Panorama Vista section offering easy lakeside trails, shady picnic spots and Instagram-worthy outlooks practically made for landscape photography. Early mornings and golden hours glow especially magical upon the waters. Relaxation options abound whether casting fishing lines, gentle walks or just grabbing a bench along the seaside trail soaking up the scenery.
The Park at River Walk
Name and Location: Situated in Southwest Bakersfield, near Stockdale Highway and Buena Vista Road.
History and Significance: Developed as a community gathering place, this park features two man-made lakes and is a hub for community events and outdoor activities.
What to Expect: Offers walking paths, an amphitheater for events, fishing, and beautiful lake views. It’s a popular spot for concerts, festivals, and family outings.
Visitor Information: Open daily with no admission fee. Ample parking is available, and the park is wheelchair accessible.
This contemporary green space provides a trendy urban oasis downtown along the Kern River. The Park at River Walk features Friday evening craft markets during summer months with beer and wine gardens that give way to concerts on the open air Plaza stage. Throughout the park, checkerboard concrete and green grassy patches meet shady cottonwood groves, an adjacent dog park and even manmade white sandy “beaches” dotting the riverbank. Public art including colorful Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Wagon metal sculpture and a splash pad fountain provide interactive elements for families. From yoga sessions to car shows, River Walk programming brings community life to these city center grounds.
Yokuts Park
Name and Location: Located along the Kern River in central Bakersfield.
History and Significance: Yokuts Park is named after the indigenous Yokuts people. It’s been a recreational area for Bakersfield residents for many years.
What to Expect: The park features picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports facilities. It’s also a starting point for the Kern River Parkway bike trail.
Visitor Information: Open to the public with no entrance fee. The park has ample parking and is a great place for family picnics and sports activities.
Spanning over 100 acres on the southeast side, this sizable regional park contains amenities attracting sports teams and families alike. Yokuts Park features a dozen baseball and softball diamonds perfect for tournament play along with batting cages and concession stands to support the complexes. Beyond fields await shady picnic spots with barbeques plus two separate playgrounds connected by a zipline. The park also contains an aquatic center, skatepark, basketball and tennis courts in its multifaceted facilities. Enjoy exercising Rover within designated dog zones or by taking advantage of the park’s scenic walking path looping around open grassy fields.
Jastro Park
Name and Location: Located in central Bakersfield, near downtown.
History and Significance: One of the older parks in Bakersfield, Jastro Park has been a community staple for leisure and recreation.
What to Expect: The park offers a playground, picnic areas, a swimming pool, and tennis courts. It’s a quaint spot for relaxation and outdoor activities.
Visitor Information: The park is open daily. It’s a family-friendly location, perfect for small gatherings and outdoor sports.
Historic Jastro Park provides a nice green getaway just northeast of downtown near the Kern County Museum. Established in the 1920’s upon land donated by local leader Benjamin Jastro, the park offers a relaxing blend of sylvan scenery and structured activities. Kids delight in the Rocketship themed playground while teens meet at the skatepark or basketball courts. Meandering walking paths lead past duck-filled ponds and fountain jets shooting skyward. Sheltered picnic spots encourage lingering within the central “Grove” gathering area hosting free summer concerts and movie nights under the trees. With so much on offer, Jastro Park makes an easy escape benefiting Bakersfield residents and visitors of all ages and interests.
The William M. Thomas Kern River County Park
Name and Location: Situated along the Kern River, northeast of Bakersfield.
History and Significance: Named after William M. Thomas, a local political figure, this expansive park is part of the larger Kern River Parkway, offering a variety of outdoor recreational activities.
What to Expect: The park features picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, and equestrian trails. It’s a popular spot for river-related activities and wildlife viewing.
Visitor Information: Open year-round with no entrance fee. Ideal for family picnics, fishing, and outdoor sports.
Stretching for nine miles along the Kern River, this ambitious park project preserves a greenbelt for public enjoyment and wildlife habitat alike. W.M. Thomas Park features bike paths, fishing access points and undeveloped space allowing scenic vistas across Kern river bottoms north of town. While still expanding amenities as a “park in progress”, current improvements include parking lots at access points, the Mike Dorris Fishing Pier and Falcon Way boat launch for easy water entry. Visitors connect with nature via trails and outlooks for hiking, cycling plus seasonal trout fishing within Kern’s winding cool waters all made conveniently accessible right outside city limits.
Mill Creek Park
Name and Location: Located in Central Bakersfield, adjacent to Mill Creek.
History and Significance: Mill Creek Park is part of the larger Mill Creek development, a project aimed at revitalizing central Bakersfield with green spaces and community areas.
What to Expect: Features a linear park with walking paths, a pedestrian bridge, and beautiful landscaping. It’s a peaceful area for walking and relaxation.
Visitor Information: The park is easily accessible and open to the public. It’s a great urban oasis for residents and visitors alike.
Tucked within downtown rests this hidden green space perfect for escaping city sights and sounds for a revitalizing lunch break or relaxing stroll along lush waterways. Centered around the spring-fed Mill Creek streaming through town, shady Mill Creek Park offers walking paths under canopies of sycamore trees paralleling small waterfall feature. Public art installations include bronze sculptures and bright mosaic walls cloaking the adjacent dirty water treatment plant from view. Enjoy watching ducks drift by from redwood picnic tables and benches inviting lingering as you tune out urban noise replaced by the gentle bubbling creek. Grab lunch steps away to make a quick getaway without going far at this lesser-known nature gem.
Stramler Park
Name and Location: Located in North Bakersfield.
History and Significance: Stramler Park is a community park, known for hosting events and gatherings in the northern part of the city.
What to Expect: The park offers picnic areas, playgrounds, and open fields. It’s often used for community events, festivals, and sports activities.
Visitor Information: Open to the public with facilities for various events and activities. The park also has a large parking area.
For sports and recreation convenience across over 80 acres, it is hard to top convenience of Stramler Park. This impressive park located in southeast Bakersfield contains everything from equestrian facilities and batting cages to bike trails circumventing two fishing stocked lakes. Practice your swing at the 27-hole Frisbee style disc golf course threading through Stramler grounds. Families enjoy shady picnic spots plus a Timothy themed children’s playground. Dogs frolic safely at the designated dog park pond while teams take advantage of volleyball, tennis and basketball courts available. With such variety and easy highway access, Stramler satisfies outdoor enthusiasts across interests at this all-in-one activities hub.
Beach Park
Name and Location: Situated along the Kern River in central Bakersfield.
History and Significance: Beach Park is a popular local spot, especially in the summer, offering access to the river and various recreational activities.
What to Expect: Amenities include picnic areas, bike paths, and access to the river. It’s a great place for picnicking, cycling, and enjoying the outdoors.
Visitor Information: The park is open year-round and is particularly busy during the summer months. It’s a family-friendly location with plenty of open space.
Though landlocked in Central California, Beach Park brings a taste of shoreline scenery and vibes to local residents. Over 80 arid acres have been transformed through tons of imported white sand, a meandering manmade river and lakeside beach fun for kids of all ages. Lifeguards oversee the swimming zones while visitors splash about with inner tubes, paddleboards and kayaks or play seasonal games like beach volleyball among the palm trees swaying lakeside. Surrounding the central beach recreation awaits shaded picnic spots, walking trails, gardens showcasing cacti and unique metal sculptures. BYO beach gear or enjoy amenities rental kiosks and nearby concession stands at this unexpected oasis perfect for beating valley heat.
Bakersfield Bark Park
Name and Location: Located in Southwest Bakersfield.
History and Significance: Bakersfield Bark Park is a dedicated dog park, providing a space for dogs to play and socialize off-leash.
What to Expect: The park features separate areas for large and small dogs, agility equipment, and water fountains for dogs. It’s a social space for dog owners and their pets.
Visitor Information: Open daily with free admission. Dog owners are expected to abide by park rules and clean up after their pets.
Dedicated expressly for dogs and their human companions, this park provides over five acres of secure space for pets roam freely unleashed. The Bakersfield Bark Park features segmented areas based on dog size from small to large breed zones up to 10,000 sq ft in area. Each section contains agility equipment for climbing and jumping, shady gazebos, drinking fountains and hoses for cooling off plus covered picnic tables when owners need a sunny respite. Beyond separated turf spaces, walking trails with street lamps and trash bins make picking up after furry friends easy as owners bond over four-legged fun. Annual park passes ensure privileges allowing beloved pets to socialize safely at this tail-wagging paradise.
Lowell Park
Name and Location: Located in central Bakersfield.
History and Significance: Lowell Park is a community park serving the local neighborhood with recreational facilities and green space.
What to Expect: The park offers playground equipment, picnic areas, and open spaces for casual sports and activities.
Visitor Information: The park is open to the public and is a nice spot for families and local community gatherings.
Historic Lowell Park established over a century ago offers a nice grassy getaway just blocks from downtown Bakersfield. Canopies of mature trees shade the expansive Central Park lawn frequented for family reunions, picnics or simply chilling out on sunny days. Two children’s playgrounds including a 1950’s replica offer nostalgic equipment and pirate ship structures for climbing. BBQ spots allow cooking out while a large corkscrew slide delivers extra thrills. Encircled by a smooth walking path, Lowell also features basketball courts, animal sculptures and a decorative California poppy garden to delight the senses. Old-fashioned parks like Lowell carry tradition providing welcoming green zones for play and community gathering close to home.