Kern River raft trips to fit any budget, schedule or taste for adventure.
Upper & Lower Kern. Class II-III to Class V.

We have expanded our operations and now provide commercial outfitter and guide services on the Forks of the Kern and additional sections of the Upper Kern River. This means more exciting rafting trips & kayaking classes for your paddling pleasure! Download our 2010 Rafting & Kayaking Adventures brochure (PDF) for more information!

Ewings, one of the best rapids on the Lickety-Split run, and one of the most fun!

Lickety-Split

Minimum Age/Wt: 6Yrs/50Lbs - Price: Youth (12 & under) $30/$32 Adults: $33.50/$35

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Our world-famous Lickety-Split and Lickety-Blaster raft trips are far and away the two most popular and most affordable Class 2-3 whitewater rafting runs available on the Kern River. Both are full of enough excitement to challenge just about everyone from young tikes to grandmas and grandpas. Before your river trip, a Sierra South professional river guide will provide you with a trip overview, paddling gear and a paddle talk. Then it's anchors away for three miles of jam-packed action on Kern River rapids such as Big Daddy, Sidewinder, Freight Train , and Ewings. Trips start in late March and run through September.

Look close, you'll see a smile under all the whitewater! Lickety-Blaster raft trip at Ewings rapid.

Lickety-Blaster

Minimum Age/Wt: 6Yrs/50Lbs - Price: Youth (12 & under) $45/$49 Adults: $53/$55

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If you're itchin' for a longer Kern River whitewater escapade that won't swamp your wallet, try our Lickety- Blaster. First, "get your feet wet" on a Lickety-Split run. Then, head back up river once more to put your newly honed whitewater skills to the test. On your second run, you and your guide may try to navigate some of the more difficult lines through the bigger Kern River rapids. The Maytag Wave at Big Daddy and the Rock Slot about Ewings are just two of our favorite spots to "visit" on the second run.

Half-Day I.K.

Minimum Age: 11Yrs. - Price: Youth (13 & under) $67/$69 Adults: $71/$73 - Trip Length: 3 hrs.

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If you are looking for an "up close and personal" Kern River whitewater experience, try captaining your very own inflatable kayak. Our sit-on-top two-person I.K.s are comfortable to ride in and an absolute gas to paddle! Let us show you how to paddle your own I.K. and then lead you down the Class 2-3 water of the Lickety Split run. By mastering the basic paddling skills taught by your ever encouraging Sierra South river guide, most people should be able to navigate their own I.K. down the roarin' rapids of the Kern River with style. Our I.K. adventures run twice daily. The price includes two-person I.K.s, paddles, lifejackets, and helmets. Wetsuits are required in the spring and may be rented at the Sierra South Outfitter's store. We usually make two runs on the Powerhouse run. Please call for daily times.

One-Day Combo

Minimum Age: 11Yrs - Price: Youth (13 & under) $105/$107 Adults: $114/$116 - Trip Length: 6-7 hrs.

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How about a whole day of whitewater fun? Try the best of both worlds! Come rafting and inflatable kayaking all in one day. Enjoy a half-day in the 2-person inflatable kayaks and the other half as a bigger group in a raft. Lunch is on us between the runs. This trip is especially popular with Scout troops, YMCA Parent/child programs, church groups, company outings, and family & friends. Whitewater Merit Badges are available to earn for those scouts who qualify. Wetsuits are required in the spring and may be rented at Sierra South Outfitter's store.

Want the express track to enjoying the thrill of Whitewater Kayaking? Think of this as the equivalent of first-time tandem skydiving with an instructor; only on water.

Dynamic Duo Tandem River Kayaking

Minimum Age: 14Yrs. - Price: $59.99 - Trip Length: 1 hr.

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Want the express track to enjoying the thrill of Whitewater Kayaking? Think of this as the equivalent of first-time tandem skydiving with an instructor; only on water. You get to feel the rush of paddling in the front of a two-person whitewater kayak with a skilled instructor at the controls in the back of the boat. We will help paddle you down the Lickety Split class 2-3 section of the Kern River for the sheer fun and excitement of the sport. You need no previous experience. Your guide will give you all the instruction you need as the two of you together will maneuver through the fun rapids of the Kern for an hour’s worth of pure whitewater pleasure. This is also a great trip to experience with a friend, spouse, or significant other in another Dynamic Duo with an instructor. It is a gas to watch them go through a rapid at the same time! If you simply want to experience the rush of kayaking before putting in the time and effort in acquiring the skills, this is the fast track, quickie way to go. Weight and age limits apply.

Upper Kern and The Forks

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Sierra South is proud to offer its very own Upper Kern and Forks of the Kern trips. The Wild & Scenic Upper Kern is a spring runoff river offering a variety of sensational whitewater over a 20 mile section just north of Kernville. More difficult than the Lickety Split run, the Upper Kern offers fantastic 1/2 Day and 1 Day Class III-IV rafting trips daily from late March through August depending on snowpack. With easy road access along the entire stretch of the Upper Kern, we pick and choose the best sections of the river to run that day to maximize our fun. For a short time during the spring, we also offer the fantastic 1 Day Class V Thunder Run for the more adventurous. All Thunder Run participants must be physically fit, good swimmers, and have previous Class IV experience. Group size is limited to 25 people on all Upper Kern Trips, so book early for your date. 1/2 day trips do not include lunch. A Class V Paddler’s Evaluation is required prior to running Class V water. Wetsuits are required for any Class V trip and may be rented at Sierra South’s Outfitters Store.

Running high in the Sierra from its source near Mt. Whitney is the Forks of the Kern, the most difficult run we offer. A 2 or 3-day Forks of the Kern run is considered one of the premier wilderness whitewater trips in the USA. This trip offers continuous Class IV-V whitewater and spectacular scenery for 17 miles. All Forks of the Kern participants must be physically fit, good swimmers, and have previous Class IV experience. A Class V Paddler’s Evaluation is required prior to running Class V water. Wetsuits are required for any Class V trip and may be rented at Sierra South’s Outfitters Store. Please download our Forks of the Kern Float Notes for additional information.

To check dates and the availability of a trip, click the Book Now! icon:

1/2-Day Upper Kern
1-Day Upper Kern
Class 5 Upper Kern
2-Day Forks
3-Day Forks

Please see Trip Pricing for details.

Lower Kern River

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The ultimate in overnight trips, the Lower Kern is a dam-released section flowing out of beautiful Isabella Lake. After capturing the spring runoff of the boisterous Upper Kern River, water is released on the Lower Kern all summer providing steady warm flow in this steep, granite-walled, secluded canyon. Hot summer day's, quiet pools, punctuated by demanding Class 3-4 rapids make this the most popular 2-day overnight river trip in Southern California. 1 Day Lower Kern trips are available when 2 Day trips are not completely booked. 1 Day trips may be booked for the first day (Class 3), or second day (Class 4), of a 2 day trip. Call Reservations to check availability, or for more information.