California whitewater, Kern River - South Fork Tulare county, Kennedy Meadows to Long Valley section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III-V+     22 miles   If you've been out of state whitewater rafting and kayaking you might find the rivers here more demanding, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that quite a few of the sections here are not easy. The starting point is not too far from Bakersfield, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. If you hurry you can run this section in a day but why not make it an overnighter, so go ahead and pack your sleeping bag.     Some people prefer whitewater rafting and some kayaking, either way this is an area with plenty of places for that. A bit of exercise and just hanging out with mother nature will make you glad you came. You might have to settle for a hotel a bit away from the river if you want to stay the night, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. The scenic beauty of California and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream will make you feel great. Whitewater paddling here in the Southern Sierra Nevada is a great experience. This stretch of Kern River - South Fork is 22 miles long and has been determined by American   Whitewater to be a class III-V+ section. For all you camping people there are campgrounds nearby. This river system is full of great paddling sections, the Kennedy Meadows to Long Valley section is just one of them. Briefly about the general area: Take a hike on the Cannell Meadow Trail. Through the months of summer, highs frequently are in the 90's at Kern River - South Fork with night lows in the 60's. The wintertime brings highs down to the 50's, and winter nights come with lows in the 30's to Kern River - South Fork. At Kern River - South Fork you don’t see much rain. Through the month of January you get the most rain around here while June is the month with the least amount of precipitation. Kern River - South Fork, Kennedy Meadows to Long Valley road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Kern River - South Fork.   Whitewater Near Kern River - South Fork: Kern River - South Fork, Tulare County, 5 miles away       Class III-V+ - 22 miles long (Kennedy Meadows to Long Valley) Kern River - South Fork, Tulare County, 15 miles away       Class V - 17 miles long (Monache Meadows to Kennedy Meadows) Whitewater Outfitter - Eagle Rafting, Kern County, 19 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Sierra South MT Sports, Kern County, 19 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Hyside Inflatables River Trips, Kern County, 19 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Brush Creek, tulare County, 20 miles away       Class V - 1.5 miles long (Rincon Camp to Kern River) Kern River, Tulare/ Kern County, 21 miles away       Class III-V - 17 miles long (Johnsondale Bridge to Powerhouse #3) Kern River, Tulare County, 22 miles away       Class III-V - 16.8 miles long (Forks of Kern to Johnsondale Bridge) Whitewater Outfitter - Kern River Outfitters, Kern County, 22 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Dry Meadow Creek, Kern County, 23 miles away       Class V - 1.5 miles long (to North Fork Kern)   Ski Areas Near Kern River - South Fork: Shirley Meadow, California , 29 miles away, 600 foot drop, 3 lifts, 7 runs Mt Waterman, California , 91 miles away, 1300 foot drop, 3 lifts, 10 runs Mountain High, California , 93 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 16 lifts, 62 runs Ski Sunrise, California , 93 miles away, 816 foot drop, 4 lifts, 24 runs Mt. Baldy, California , 100 miles away, 2100 foot drop, 4 lifts, 28 runs   Hotels Near Kern River - South Fork: Passport Inn Inyokern, Inyokern , 29 miles away Rodeway Inn & Suites Heritage, Ridgecrest , 38 miles away Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Near China Lake Naval Station, Ridgecrest , 38 miles away Comfort Inn Lone Pine, Lone Pine , 38 miles away SpringHill Suites Ridgecrest, Ridgecrest , 38 miles away   Campgrounds Near Kern River - South Fork: Long Valley, Onyx, 4 miles away Kennedy Meadows Campground, Tulare County, 8 miles away Fish Creek - Crag Peak, Olancha, 8 miles away   Trails Near Kern River - South Fork: Cannell Meadow Trail, Kern , 15 miles away,  21.4 hiking miles, 5112 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near Kern River - South Fork: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, Three Rivers - CA , 57 miles away Sequoia National Forest, California , 19 miles away Red Rock Canyon State Park, California , 33 miles away   Golf Courses Near Kern River - South Fork: Kern Valley Golf Course, Kernville , 17 miles away