Facility Overview

The Park at River Walk parking facility serves one of southwest Bakersfield\'s premier recreation and entertainment destinations. Spanning over 32 acres of parkland along the Kern River corridor, the venue features large, paved surface parking lots designed to accommodate a high volume of daily recreational visitors as well as massive crowds during seasonal concerts and community festivals. Because all parking areas are open-air surface lots, there are zero overhead height clearance restrictions, making the grounds exceptionally accommodating for high-roof vans, lifted pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, bicycle carriers, and commercial event vehicles. Wide drive aisles and clearly designated stalls ensure effortless navigation and turning radii for vehicles of all sizes.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Nestled directly off Stockdale Highway, the parking facility sits at the cultural and recreational crossroads of southwest Bakersfield. Key nearby landmarks and attractions include:

• Dignity Health Amphitheatre at River Walk: Situated directly on-site, this outdoor concert venue draws thousands for live touring music acts, charity walks, and community festivals.
• The Park at River Walk Lakes & Trails: Immediate pedestrian access to two scenic interconnected lakes, landscaped walking bridges, and the extensive multi-use Kern River Parkway Trail.
• The Shops at River Walk: Located directly across Stockdale Highway, offering a vast array of popular dining options, coffee shops, and retail shopping.
• California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB): Positioned approximately two miles to the east down Stockdale Highway, accessible in less than a 5-minute drive.
• Seven Oaks & Campus Park Neighborhoods: Convenient access to premier residential and business complexes in the southwest corridor.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via multiple wide entrances off Stockdale Highway and Buena Vista Road. The parking lot is strategically engineered to disperse post-event traffic quickly onto major arterials. Motorists enjoy swift connections to California State Route 99 and Westside Parkway (Route 58), facilitating rapid transit across Kern County. For commuters utilizing public transportation, Golden Empire Transit (GET Bus) operates routes along Stockdale Highway with stops adjacent to the park entrance, making multi-modal access seamless for visitors without personal vehicles.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Expansive Open-Air Surface Parking: Ample stalls with no vertical height restrictions.
• ADA Accessible Spaces: Dedicated handicap-accessible parking stalls positioned closest to the paved walking paths, restrooms, and amphitheatre gate entries.
• Direct Trailheads: Immediate connection to the Kern River Parkway paved bike and walking paths.
• Nighttime Illumination: High-mast pole lighting across the main parking bays for added safety after sunset and during evening concerts.
• Pet & Family-Friendly Staging: Immediate access to grassy picnic areas, shade trees, and public restrooms right off the parking perimeter.

Ideal For

• Concert & Event Attendees: Convenient, on-site staging for performances at the Dignity Health Amphitheatre.
• Outdoor Fitness & Nature Lovers: Cyclists, runners, and dog walkers utilizing the Kern River trail network.
• Families & Picnickers: Easy trunk unloading for coolers, strollers, and sports gear near lakeside pavilions.
• Diners & Shoppers: Free, low-stress parking within walking distance of nearby Stockdale Highway shopping plazas.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Standard day-use parking at The Park at River Walk is generally free of charge during normal park operating hours. However, during major amphitheatre concerts or regional holiday festivals, parking lots fill rapidly; arriving at least 45 to 60 minutes prior to showtime is strongly advised. Event organizers may occasionally implement event-specific parking controls or traffic redirections. Drivers arriving for early morning jogs or sunset walks will find the most tranquil parking conditions in the western bays adjacent to the lower lake.