Kern River kayaking and rafting: Paddling the Wild and Scenic Kern River

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Safety - Additional Sources of Information - Permits and Manifests

Wild and Scenic North Fork Kern - Lower Kern - Kern Below Democrat (Cataracts) - Kern Below Rio Bravo
Wild and Scenic South Fork Kern - Brush Creek - Dry Meadow Creek

Paddling the Kern River

The Kern River area is a whitewater wonderland. The river and its tributaries offer some of the most varied, challenging and aesthetic whitewater boating in the world!

The North Fork features the premier expert wilderness run, The Forks, and over 20 miles of easily accessible, roadside boating. The Lower Kern has dependable summer flows, warm water, and exhilarating rapids. The Kern Below Democrat (Cataracts of the Kern) has awesome class IV, V, and V+ whitewater that even the most experienced boater will find challenging. Like steep creeks? Brush Creek is one of the best and Dry Meadow Creek even steeper, more difficult, and amazing!

Safety

HAZARD: IMPORTANT NOTE - CLICK HERE! April 1, 2011. Upper Kern, Brush Creek & Lower Kern: The Kern snowpack and forecast runoff are the largest since the big El Nino year of 1997-98. High flows are expected on the Upper Kern, Brush Creek and Lower Kern. The increasing flow and high-water levels will increase the amount of debris in the river, and the likelihood of logs, strainers and other hazards. Rapids and eddies can change dramatically. They can become easier or more difficult. New rapids can form. Self rescue can become more difficult with the speed of the current and lack of eddy lines. The location of such hazards may change at any time. Extra care should be taken on or near the river. When in doubt, get out and scout!

The information presented here is not a substitute for your own good judgement. There is a saying, "You never run the same river twice." Very small changes in flow can result in dramatic changes in the way a rapid is run, or even if the rapid can be run. Logs, strainers and other hazards can appear overnight. Rapids can be changed by floods, landslides and other geologic processes. Even the simple shift in position of one boulder can dramatically affect the safety of a rapid. It's a good idea to check with local boaters prior to doing a run, and "If in doubt, scout. If still in doubt, portage."

Any river can be a dangerous place. The best way to learn about rafting or kayaking is through a professional outfitter. We offer many different kinds of raft trips and kayaking lessons, so you can maximize your enjoyment of the sport and all that it has to offer.

Always, always wear a proper lifejacket when on, or near, the river!

Safety Code of American Whitewater

Additional Sources of Information

Guidebooks and maps that cover the Kern include:

The Best Whitewater in California, Lars Holbek & Chuck Stanley.
California Whitewater - A Guide to the Rivers, Jim Cassady & Fryar Calhoun
Waterproof Kern River Maps
Western Whitewater - From the Rockies to the Pacific, Jim Cassady, Bill Cross, & Fryar Calhoun
The Whitewater Sourcebook, Richard Penny.

We have a great selection of paddling Books, Videos & DVD's in the Sierra South River Store.

Additional Kern River Info

Camping and Lodging

Kern River Festival

Kern River Festival Web Site
Kern River Festival: Results - Photos

A good source for information regarding Kern area businesses, events, and activities is the Kernville Chamber of Commerce. You can contact them at:

Kernville Chamber of Commerce: Box 397; Kernville, CA 93238; 760-376-2629

Permits and Manifests

A boating permit is now required year round on nearly all sections of the river. A permit is required on the Forks during the period May 15 to September 15. According to the Forest Service, a permit is not required for the section of the river from KR3 Powerplant to Kernville. This section includes the Powerhouse Run and The Park.

With the exception of the Forks run, it's easy to get a permit. Just bring a picture ID to one of the local ranger stations at Kernville or Lake Isabella. The Greenhorn Ranger District office, previously located on Highway 178, has been moved to Lake Isabella.

All runs that require permits, require that a daily manifest form be filled out and placed in a manifest box. These are located at the various Forest Service put-in's along the river.

For more information contact:

Lake Isabella Visitor Center Greenhorn Ranger District: 4875 Ponderosa Drive; Lake Isabella, CA 93240; (760) 379-5646

Cannell Meadow Ranger District: 105 Whitney Road; Kernville, CA 93238; (760) 376-3781

Greenhorn Ranger District Bakersfield Visitor Center: 3801 Pegasus Drive; Bakersfield, CA 93308; (805) 391-6088