California whitewater - Kern River, Southern Sierra Nevada, Tulare County Tulare county, Forks of Kern to Johnsondale Bridge section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III-V     16.8 miles   The Forks of Kern to Johnsondale Bridge section of Kern River in California is 16.8 miles long and has been rated as a class III-V section by American Whitewater. The nature scenery of California and the cool fresh water attract people from near and far. Some people prefer whitewater rafting and some kayaking, either way there are lots of good places for that around here. Getting your paddling muscles activated and just being out on the river for a while will make you glad you came. You can enjoy this stretch more if you take your time, so pack your sleeping     bag. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. The nearby hotels are a bit away from the river, and if you make reservations in advance you're all set. Whitewater rafting and kayaking spots in California are harder than the national norm, so don't forget that lots of rivers here are not for beginners. The wild scenery of the Southern Sierra Nevada is great. There are so many sections to paddle in this river system, the Forks of Kern to Johnsondale Bridge section is just one of many. Briefly about the general area: The amount of precipitation that falls at Kern River is close to the national average; of all the months in a year January is the one with the most rain; the driest month is July. All through the warm days of summer at Kern River temperatures are frequently in the 90's, and the night is somewhat   cooler of course, ordinarily in the 60's. High temperatures throughout the wintertime are normally in the 50's with winter lows in the 30's overnight here at Kern River. Nearby Cedar Canyon is a great spot to go if you're at Kern River. Kern River, Forks of Kern to Johnsondale Bridge road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: III-V Length: 16.8 miles    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.1306 Longitude: -118.4375 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 35.9681 Longitude: -118.4854 Paddler input for Kern River, California: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at Kern River, Southern Sierra Nevada, California Local climate location: THREE RVRS EDISON PH 13 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. Western Holiday Lodge Three Rivers, Three Rivers 35 miles away We are located on Highway 198 at the entrance to the Sequoia National Park in Three Rivers, CA. The Western Holiday Lodge Magnuson Hotel is only minutes from Kings Canyon National Park, Lake Kaweah, ... Comfort Inn At Sequoia National Park, Three Rivers 38 miles away Hotel offers free high-speed Internet access, fitness room with sauna, seasonal outdoor pool/hot tub, picnic area, conference room and business center. Hot tub and fireplace in some rooms. National Pa... Best Western Porterville Inn, Porterville 39 miles away New Renovated Guestrooms, 2006. 100% Smoke-Free. A warm and friendly staff awaits you at the Best Western Porterville Inn. We offer a spacious, elegant lobby and a selection of tastefully decorated, h...   Southern Sierra Nevada Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Southern Sierra Nevada. Southern Sierra Nevada Outdoors Info Complete outdoors info for the Southern Sierra Nevada. All California Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in California. Books about whitewater paddling on Kern River, California List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Kern River, California. Find a whitewater outfitter in California Whitewater Basics If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info. Outdoors Recreation Near Bakersfield, California Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Bakersfield, California, the metro area neareast to Kern River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near Kern River.   Whitewater Near Kern River: Dry Meadow Creek, Kern County , 3 miles away, Class V - 1.5 miles long (to North Fork Kern) Brush Creek, tulare County , 5 miles away, Class V - 1.5 miles long (Rincon Camp to Kern River) Kern River, Tulare/ Kern County , 9 miles away, Class III-V - 17 miles long (Johnsondale Bridge to Powerhouse #3) Kern River, Tulare County , 17 miles away, Class II-V+ - 37 miles long (Junction Meadow to Forks of Kern) Kern River - South Fork, Tulare County , 21 miles away, Class III-V+ - 22 miles long (Kennedy Meadows to Long Valley) Kern River - South Fork, Tulare County , 22 miles away, Class V - 17 miles long (Monache Meadows to Kennedy Meadows) Kern River, Kern County , 25 miles away, Class II-III - 7 miles long (Lake Isabella to Sandy Flat) Kern River, Kern County , 29 miles away, Class III-V - 11.5 miles long (Sandy Flat to Democrat Hot Springs)   Ski Areas Near Kern River: Shirley Meadow, California , 20 miles away, 600 vertical feet Sierra Summit, California , 82 miles away, 1600 vertical feet Mammoth Mountain, California , 97 miles away, 3100 vertical feet Mt Waterman, California , 105 miles away, 1300 vertical feet June Mountain, California , 105 miles away, 2590 vertical feet Mountain High, California , 108 miles away, 1600 vertical feet Ski Sunrise, California , 108 miles away, 816 vertical feet Mt. Baldy, California , 115 miles away, 2100 vertical feet Badger Pass, California , 123 miles away, 800 vertical feet Snow Valley, California , 142 miles away, 1041 vertical feet   Hotels Near Kern River: Western Holiday Lodge Three Rivers, Three Rivers , 35 miles away Comfort Inn At Sequoia National Park, Three Rivers , 38 miles away Best Western Porterville Inn, Porterville , 39 miles away Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites PORTERVILLE, Porterville , 39 miles away Palm Tree Inn & Conference, Porterville , 40 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Kern River: Lower Peppermint Campground, Tulare County, 2 miles away Peppermint Campground, Tulare County, 4 miles away Limestone Campground, Tulare County, 5 miles away   Trails Near Kern River: Summit Trail, Tulare County , 9 miles away,  51.4 hiking miles, 3514 feet elevation difference Tobias Creek Trail, Tulare County , 10 miles away, 6.5 hiking miles, 4434 feet elevation difference Bull Run Cattle Drive, Tulare County , 15 miles away, 3.6 hiking miles, 1739 feet elevation difference Cannell Meadow Trail, Kern County , 16 miles away,  21.4 hiking miles, 5112 feet elevation difference Old Sled Trail, Tulare County , 17 miles away, 2.1 hiking miles, 1313 feet elevation difference Black Mountain Trail, Tulare County , 18 miles away, 6.3 hiking miles, 4286 feet elevation difference Virginia Trail, Kern County , 19 miles away, 4.1 hiking miles, 2879 feet elevation difference   National Parks Near Kern River: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, Three Rivers - CA , 37 miles away