Kern River

Oh how I completely love the Kern River!! I have been going for 24 years. It has never been as beautiful and full as it is now.One of my dearest friends is a seasoned river rafter. When we go river rafting, we mainly stay @ Headquarters or Sandy Flat Campground. This past weekend, we stayed at Sandy Flat. It was amazing. It is right off the river.The river was full and had power. I will add official stats by this weekend.My favorite group of runs is called The Jungle. (I will fact check this). I think that a great run was called Dilly. It is a class 4!! OMGoodness, it was wild & fun.Once more rafters arrived we went on another run. I will get the official names. One is named ... something Deli. Anyways, EPIC FUN.I forgot my wetsuit. I just went on June 3rd. The water was C O L D.Our guide, Doug, told us NOT to bring our phones. I wish I would have remembered my Go - Pro.We were lucky that the 178 reopened for the drive home.It was 93 degrees. I was mesmerized by the river. I couldn't stop watching it on the drive home.

The Kern River is beautiful. This review is based on a first timers camping visit. Coming up here from San Diego we didn't really know what to expect other than we might have an opportunity to tube down the river. So everyone in our group brought river tubes. That was our first miscalculation. Aperently tubing depends on the season, recent weather conditions, and various natural events that really narrow the scope of when you can tube safety. Also consider how you plan to get back up to your campsite after you tube down the river a few miles.. Ideally you rent tubes from a company that also shuttles you back up the river. If you don't want to rent tubs someone in your group has to pick you up and drive you back, which is a pain. There is no cell service and no uber...The Kern River is best suited for kayaking and rafting. There are many companies in kernville that offer those services.Camping. If you're looking to camp along the river during the summer you need to think about booking in January. During our stay mid-June, the entire river was booked solid.. We stayed at Sandy Flats campgroup which had a small beach area by the river. Litter bugs. One of the most discouraging things to see along the river was the amount of trash that people leave behind. The number one item? Used diapers..If you can manage to visit midweek, and be prepared to use a kayak/rafting company you will have an epic time.Note - Sequoia National Park is about an hours drive away. Makes for a great day trip.

I say go north bound from Lake Isabella especially if you have a family with little ones. On of my favorite is the Brush creek area. Lots of natural pools to explore but rich with insects. Lots of dragonflies! https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sequoia/recarea/?recid=79660It is always extremely hot during the summer days. The water makes it all nice. As soon as your out of the river you will dry up with in 5 minutes. Please be kind and take your own trash back to the big city. It is profoundly sad how much trash is left behind. My last visit was unreal how many folks came out for the weekend and just trashed the river. A world of a difference to visit the river and camp out during the week. Faintly anyone was around and a lot more peaceful. This last time I spotted a Manx cat, a skunk, two deer's, many many cotton tails with lots of adorable bats! Lots of beautiful pebbles in the river. The hospital flat is probably another campground favorite. I think I found it pleasurable because of the lush big tree's that offered alot of shade. https://www.recreation.gov/camping/hospital-flat/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=71595We usually do not start a fire or cook we bring ready to eat cold food. To me it is not worth the risk and peace of mind when going to sleep.The water is soft but do not be fooled. Kern River claims 294 lives lost since 1968. why? idk! Lastly, I saw what appeared to be a ground grey squirrel but it had a long torso with a white collar and no fluffy tail. I am not sure what it was but it almost looked like a weasel but I am not sure. The little guy was just in shock to see me as I was to see it. So if you jump in the river you might want someone to stay near the food or make sure you cover it up really well. The local creatures are clever!

Picture yourself in Times Square on New Year's Eve. Or maybe you're an olive in a jar. Or a sardine packed in a can. Crowds, shoulder-to-shoulder along every stretch of the river. People leaving diapers, their own poop, trash and even ovens, busted inner tubes and rafts, people camping at the edge of the road. This is the new Kern River reality.The Kern River used to be a quiet get-away location. It used to be a place to relax, to get out of the city or the suburbs. But, alas, the Kern River area is now a crowded cesspool. If you dare to attempt to find a spot along the river to fish, camp or just relax, be sure to bring 8-10 hefty, extra large trash bags so you can pick up other people's diapers, poop, trash, last night's gnawed rib bones and beer cans.Better yet, stay home.

Prior to camping at Kern River, the most camping I have done is renting a parking spot at Lake Piru with showers and electric provided. It was more like tailgating than camping. When I was younger, I appreciated the running water and the electricity. However, now being older, I can do without my phone or eyeliner...actually I want to have a handful of days where I wouldn't have to worry about my phone or anything outside of just enjoying the refreshing river and seeing the stars at night!I have gone camping at Kern River a couple times and I absolutely love it! The weather is warm, the river is cooling and at night, the moon shines so bright that it cases a shadow! Every inch of the sky is covered with stars and it is just amazing! Kern River is one of the places I can actually relax and not worry what is come when I get home. The river stretches pretty far and there are natural made slides which are super fun to ride, especially if you have a life jacket on! Over the years, the spot that I camp out on has gotten dirtier, which is a bummer but the river is so nice and when the weather is right...everything is good. Also, there is the River Kern General Store about a mile or less away. It is great for grabbing ice and other items that might be needed that was forgotten at home!Until next time Kern! I can't wait! :]

Fun to go for the day or camp with the family/friends. River isn't the cleanest where we stayed. There was a lot of trash in the area where I went and only a (full) dumpster in the parking lot. The port-a-potties were disgusting. I just wish people would clean up after themselves. They're there to enjoy nature, please appreciate it. Next time I'd stay at a campsite where the ranger checks you in. It seems like where we stayed there were a lot of campers there without reservations.

so sad - what was once an amazing, rushing river is now, a river that is green and stagnant: maybe, due to the California drought. A few years ago, the Kern was rushing and powerful. Highway 178 / 155 / Sierra Way was a joy to ride to see the mighty river but alas, no more - just mediocre now. Only thing good now was that you can go boulder hopping since the water level is so low.The Brush Creek and South Creek falls along the Kern was great to see. Still missed twice the Salmon Oak falls.

Water was low but it was my first time rafting so my expectations were not too high. We enjoyed ourself. May not come back but still had a good time.

The Kern river is amazing. I have been camping there for the last 17 years. There are plenty of free campgrounds but avoid them on holiday weekends; way too many people. Kern is best enjoyed on a non-holiday weekend or Monday-Friday. Kernville is a great little laid back mountain town ("feels good to mingle with these laid-back country folk, don't it hare?") There are plenty of things to do there. They have markets, a brewery, a park that is right on the river, several nice restaurants, bars, little town shopping, a fly fishing store, river rafting tours, etc. The giant sequioa trees are only about a 1 hour drive up river from Kernville. Google or ask the locals how to get there. The water level and danger level fluctuates year by year. The more snow the southern sierras/Mt Whitney get in the winter the more water the Kern gets in the spring throughout the summer. Last year (2017) was a huge year for the river. It reached volume it hasn't seen since 2011. The river right now (2018) is perfect for swimming. Be very careful. Fast moving water should be avoided completely unless you are very very experienced. Even if you have a great deal of experience, it's not a good idea to swim in fast moving water because you never know what's around the next turn...it could be a class 5 rapid that will eat you up and spit your body out a mile down river; this happens all the time in this river. But be safe and there is nothing to worry about. Take all of your trash out and throw it away in a proper receptacle. There are plenty at the camp spots. There are porta-potties at the free campgrounds too. These are all dry camping. If you want running water you need an rv...or go in the river..plenty of running water there :)

Yep, Eddie and Kris G, say it was as good as could be gotten for today.Matthew our guide was really cool, we went through safety first, and orientation for rafting. Kris and I were two man with Matthew, (Matthew is very knowledgeable and skilled guiding and rafting, which made the raft trip a fun experience for Kris And me. WAY TO GO MATTHEW! Rafters don't forget to ask fo Matthew for. Blast of a good time.Thanks Matthew