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 2, 2008. Thunder Run - Upper Kern: A channel-wide log was reported wedged in the far left entry to Squashed Paddler. According to the report, the log is about 8" in diameter and blocks the whole 6-8' channel. It was reported to be visible at about 700 cfs.

HAZARD: IMPORTANT NOTE - CLICK HERE! June 16, 2007. Miracle to Democrat - Lower Kern: A log was reported wedged just below the "goal posts" on White Maidens, about two-thirds of the way through the rapid. The log was underwater on 6/16/07 when the flow at Borel was reported to be 615 cfs.

HAZARD: IMPORTANT NOTE - CLICK HERE! May 11, 2007. Cable - Upper Kern: A boater reports large log about 1/2 way down Tequila Chute in the center of the river.

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! American Whitewater Safety Page

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

• Kern River Notes, Flow and Weather
• Kayaking, Rafting and Weather Links
• "Around the Kern" Resource Guide
• Low Water Kayaking on the Kern
• Kern River Access, Conservation and Water News
• The Kern - American Whitewater
• A Kern River Primer

Camping and Lodging

• Sequoia National Forest
• Kernville Chamber of Commerce
• LODGING GUIDE, Lake Isabella - Kern River Valley, Canyon Connection
• AREA CAMPGROUNDS, Sequoia National Forest / Lake Isabella / Kern River
• National Recreation Reservation Service

More Links

• California State Historical Landmarks - Kern County
• "I'll Never Swim The Kern River Again"
• Cultural Directory - Kern County

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