California White Water Rafting Trips:
Lower Kern River

Lower Kern River - Southern Sierra Escape
2 Day Rafting Trip (Class III-IV)

The Lower Kern is ideal for a 2-day vacation adventure and we start trips seven days a week. Our run starts off with Class III white water and steadily builds into Class IV. This trip is really, really lots of fun and one of our most popular - so book early!

Our Southern Sierra white water rafting escape takes off at a moderate tempo but gradually builds to a stampeding finish. The cool, clear flow of the Kern River alternately dashes through heaving rapids and canters through jungle-like stretches of lush foliage. At the close of our day, our guides serve delicious meals and we lounge under dazzling stars around a cozy campfire.

On day 2 of our trip, the river runs away headlong through a series of galloping rapids of ever-escalating intensity. In one place the canyon is completely choked with boulders and the rafts must be portaged around. As the homestretch draws near, the sinewy Kern explodes into gnashing, foam-filled eruptions of whitewater.

Lower Kern Rapids include It's a Dilly, White Maiden's Walkway, Sundown Falls, Dead Man's Curve, Royal Flush (Portage), Surprise, Hare Kare, Horseshoe Falls, Pinball

 

 

What to Look Forward to on this trip:

20 River Miles of wave trains, boulder turns and refreshing whitewater spray in your face!

The journey begins about 9:30 a.m. with a short bus ride to the river, then an instructional talk. We raft downriver enjoying the scenery and rapids, to an idyllic spot by the river where the guides prepare a delicious lunch. We continue on with more rafting fun before arriving at camp mid-afternoon.

The guides then prepare a great happy-hour (beer, wine, hors d'oevres), followed by a campfire and a feast of a dinner. Camp by the river lulled to sleep by the sounds of the river!

Day two starts out with a breakfast (fruit, eggs, sausage, bacon, cereal), followed by a full day of class IV rafting excitement!

Lower Kern River Trip Stats:

 

River Class:	III-IV+
Normal Season:	May to September
Days:	2 days
River Miles:	20
Minimum Age:	10
Boat Types:	Paddle & Oar
Gradient:	30' per mile
Elevation:	2360'
Distance from L.A.:	145 miles
Distance from Bay Area:	325 miles
Group Size Limit:	30
Wet Suits:	Recommended in Spring and Fall

 

Top 5 Reasons to go on this trip (Lower Kern - Southern Sierra Escape):

1. THE BEST 2-Day rafting trip in Southern California!
2. The Lower Kern typically flows all summer - yeah!
3. A perfect 2-Day escape out of the city: just 2.5 hours from Los Angeles
4. Great white water ideal for first-time and veteran rafters alike
5. A great option for groups of all sorts (wedding parties, bachelor parties, reunions, school groups, church groups, scout groups - they all love it!

 

Lower Kern River - Jungle Run
1 Day Rafting Trip (Class II-III)

Our Jungle Run white water rafting trip (scientifically proven to be far superior to Disneyland's alternative) is a great choice for first time rafters and the perfect warm up for our "Big Water Run" Lower Kern Trip.

Highlights include Tabatalabal Indian pictographs, a slickrock water slide and sculpted granite gorges. In places the river glides through dense foliage pressing in from both sides with barely enough room for the rafts to squeeze through. This trip is a good option for families with kids over the age of 9. We run the Jungle Run section of the Lower Kern on selected dates. Please call the office for details.

Jungle Run Rapids include Dilly, Oscar's Nightmare, Wallow Rock, Hobo and Miracle.

 

 

What to Look Forward to on this trip:

Jungle run covers 8 - 9 River Miles of mainly class II with a touch of class III rapids.

Lower Kern River Trip Stats:

 

River Class:	II-III
Normal Season:	May to September
Days:	1 day
River Miles:	9
Minimum Age:	9
Boat Types:	Paddle & Oar
Gradient:	20' per mile
Elevation:	2360'
Distance from L.A.:	145 miles
Distance from Bay Area:	325 miles
Group Size Limit:	30
Wet Suits:	Recommended in Spring and Fall

 

Top 5 Reasons to go on this trip (Lower Kern - Jungle Run):

1. An ideal introduction to the world of rafting
2. A perfect day trip to get you and your friends out of the city: just 3 hours from LA
3. The Lower Kern typically flows all summer - yeah!
4. Southern California's most popular river
5. Pictographs and water slides and sculpted gorges: the REAL Jungle Run

 

Lower Kern River - Big Water Run
1 Day Rafting Trip (Class IV)

 

Our Big Water Run white water rafting trip is a great choice if you are looking for a more challenging one day rafting trip with family or friends and don't mind an occasional splash in the face!

We raft past 2 natural hotsprings said to have miraculous healing powers.

The Big Water run includes the "big five" rapids: Surprise, Hari-Kari, Horseshoe, White Fluffy Bunny (Eat Rocks and Bleed) and Pinball. We run the Big Water Run section of the Lower Kern on selected dates. Please call the office for details.

Lower Kern Run Rapids include White Maidens, Sundown Falls, Silver Staircase, Preparation H, Hawaii 5-O, Arnie's Armpit, Surprise, Hari-Kari, Horseshoe, White Fluffy Bunny (Eat Rocks and Bleed) and Pinball.

 

 

What to Look Forward to on this trip:

Big Water Run covers 12 River Miles of mainly class IV rapids.

Lower Kern River Trip Stats:

 

River Class:	III-IV+
Normal Season:	May to September
Days:	1 day
River Miles:	12
Minimum Age:	12
Boat Types:	Paddle & Oar
Gradient:	30' per mile
Elevation:	2360'
Distance from L.A.:	145 miles
Distance from Bay Area:	325 miles
Group Size Limit:	30
Wet Suits:	Recommended in Spring and Fall

 

Top 5 Reasons to go on this trip (Lower Kern - Big Water Run):

1. A great one day escape - just 3 hours from LA
2. The Big Five provide the ultimate "quick hit" of Class IV excitement
3. The Lower Kern typically flows all summer - yeah!
4. Southern California's most popular river
5. Combine rafting with a camping weekend of hot-tubbing, hiking, water skiing or fishing

 

Lower Kearn River Rafting Trip Dates and Pricing

BOOK ONLINE will display trip dates over the next 21 days, or the first available dates. Packages will display all season dates. Choose your exact dates on the next page.

2012 Start dates:

May to September: 7 days a week

 

1-Day Trip - Lower Kern River - Jungle Run
Trip Starts	Adult	Youth	Group
Monday -Thursday	$155	$139.50	$124
Fri, Sun	$165	$148.50	$132
Saturday	$175	$157.50	$140
BOOK ONLINE

 

Subject to a 4% River and Land Use Fee.

 

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1-Day Trip - Lower Kern River - Big Water Run
Trip Starts	Adult	Youth	Group
Monday -Thursday	$185	$166.50	$148
Fri, Sun	$195	$175.50	$156
Saturday	$205	$184.50	$164
BOOK ONLINE

 

Subject to a 4% River and Land Use Fee.

 

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2-Day Trip - Lower Kern River - Southern Sierra Escape (PKG)
Trip Starts	Adult	Youth	Group
Monday-Thursday	$335	$301.50	$268
Fri, Sun	$365	$328.50	$292
Saturday	$395	$355.50	n/a
BOOK ONLINE Kern, Lower, 2-DAY SIERRA ESCAPE (PKG)

 

Subject to a 4% River and Land Use Fee.

To check availability and / or make your reservation, either call our friendly and helpful staff at 800-400-7238
or Use our new On-line Reservation System

More Helpful Information about
White Water Rafting on the Kern River

For all of the instructions on rendezvous locations, what to bring, where to stay, and
everything else you need to know, please click to download our
Lower Kern River Rafting Rendezvous Information

Kern River Area Links:

• Kernville Chamber of Commerce
  Kernville Chamber of Commerce provides information about the Kernville area, including local accommodation, attractions, and events
• Kern Highway 178 Road Conditions
  Real-time road conditions, closures information and restrictions for State Highway 178. The 178 follows the Lower Kern river Canyon, and is the main thoroughfare entering the Kern River Valley.
• Sequoia National Forest
  The Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument are named for the giant sequoia. Located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada Mountian Range, it awaits your discovery of the lush meadows, wonderful whitewater and beautiful canyons.
• Whispering Pines Lodge
  Classic country lodging on the Kern River and a beautiful bed and breakfast!
• Camp James
  THE BEST CAMPGROUND ON THE BEAUTIFUL KERN RIVER IN KERNVILLE, CALIFORNIA! Situated between majestic mountains and just minutes from the giant redwoods, Camp James offers you an "oasis" for your visit to the spectacular Kern River Valley!

Lower Kern River Flow:

Flows on the Lower Kern are controlled by the Isabella dam, which accounts for the exceptionally long season of this river. We run trips from 600 to 4000 CFS.