My friends and I have returned to Kernville four times now, each visit filled with unforgettable moments. This year, the Kern River rewarded us with world-class whitewater rapids, thanks to a much-needed rise in water levels after California’s prolonged drought. Our group of 19 camped at the Mountain & River Adventures Campground, a perfect base right along the river. With clean bathrooms, hot showers, a volleyball court, horseshoes, and roomy campsites under a blanket of stars, it was the ideal spot for adventure and relaxation, far from the city lights.
To Get There
Kern River is located in Central California near Bakersfield.
The From Los Angeles, take I-5 North to CA-99 North, then follow CA-178 East through Bakersfield to Lake Isabella, and head north on CA-155 to reach Kernville and the Kern River.drive from Los Angeles to the Kern River near Kernville typically takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.
When To Go
The best time to go white water rafting on the Kern River is typically from late spring to early summer (May to July), when the snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada mountains is at its peak, providing optimal water flow for rapids. However, conditions can vary based on snowfall and weather, so it’s always good to check river levels before planning your trip.
White Water Rafting
White water rafting on the Kern River offers thrilling rapids ranging from beginner-friendly Class II to heart-pounding Class V sections, making it a popular adventure destination. The river flows through scenic canyons and rugged wilderness, providing both excitement and natural beauty. With water levels peaking from late spring to early summer, it’s the perfect time to experience some of California’s best rafting.
On this particular trip we rafted class four rapids on the Upper Kern with Mountain & River Adventures. We started on a stretch of class 3’s called the Lickity Split to get our feet wet. The second run was more action-packed with plenty of class 4’s, lots of big drops and intense rapids. We were lucky to ride this stretch of the river, it’s only rideable about 2-3 weeks of the year.
We had some lunch after the second run, then did another stretch of the river. One of our rafts capsized on this run, and everyone was picked up by other rafts. We decided after this run to do the same run once more before calling it a day.
This last run ended up being the most action-packed white water run I’ve ever had in my life. It was getting colder, and everyone was tired. On this run, we had multiple “swimmers.”
On our boat, one of our rafters fell out on a run called “Joe’s diner” and got to ride down some rocks and heavy rapids the entire way until we got her back into our raft. We had one guide who was a rookie and had people falling out of his raft all throughout the day.
Towards the end of the run, the rookie’s raft got stuck on a rock for a quite some time. While they were trying to get unstuck, some of the raft’s waiting decided to “surf.” This means rowing towards the rapids for a fun little push off the rapids. Unfortunately, when our boat pushed up against the rapids on of my friends fell out into an undertow. It felt like an eternity, but it went on for about 25 seconds watching her struggle to get out of the cycle and finally it spit her back out. It was a huge reminder that rafting, while fun and exhilarating, is definitely something to take seriously. Take into consideration all the potential dangers and be aware of what to do in those situations.
That being said, the Kern is really a great river to raft on, and we had an amazing time there which is why we’ve gone back multiple years.
Remington Hot Springs
Remington Hot Springs, located along the Kern River, is a natural thermal spring known for its relaxing mineral-rich waters and stunning riverfront setting. The springs feature several pools of varying temperatures, offering a soothing soak with picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and river. Accessible via a short hike or drive from Kernville, Remington Hot Springs is a popular spot for unwinding after outdoor adventures.
After discovering the water flow was too high for commercial tubing, we decided to go here. The hot springs are on the river’s edge and comprise of 3 stone hot tubs. There is also a nearby rope swing into the colder river waters. This is super fun to swing off of but be careful how high you jump. When we were there the water was only about 4 feet deep.
The rest of the afternoon we spent at camp, playing games like spikeball, ladderball, and making margaritas.
Map of Locations
Resources
Mountain & River Adventures Campground
Mountain & River Adventures
Remington Hot Springs
One Response
A weekend trip to the Kern River is definitely worthwhile!