Kern

2) Forks of the Kern to Johnsondale Bridge

Difficulty	III-V
Length	14.6 mi
Avg Gradient	n/a
Permit	On the Forks Run, the Forest Service operates an advance reservation service in an effort to give boaters a more equal chance of obtaining a permit. The Forks Run is limited to 15 people per day. Permits are required from May 15 through September 15 each year. To obtain a reservation, there is a $10.00 fee to enter the selection process. Applications for a reservation will be made through the mail beginning March 15 each year. The final deadline to submit an application is April 15. Applications will be separated by requested put-in dates, and a drawing will occur for those dates which have an excess of requests. You must notify the Kernville Ranger Station within 7 days of your scheduled trip, if you need to cancel your reservation or if your party size changes.
Gauge	No. Kern Above Fairview Dam
Flow Rate as of 53 minutes	1130 cfsrunnable
Reach Info Last Updated	July 5, 2020

Projects

Kern River (CA)

Table of Contents Kern River #3 Hydropower Project, P-2290 Borel Hydropower Project, P-382 Kern River #1 Hydropower Project, P-1930 Kern Canyon Hydropower Project, P-178 Wild and Scenic River Management American Whitewater’s work on the Kern River has included engagement in the management of the Kern Wild and Scenic River [...]Read More

River Description

The Forks of the Kern is a classic class V section with outstanding scenery. It is a popular kayak run and also supports commercial rafting trips. Kayakers tend to do the run in a single day while the commercial companies stretch it into two or even three days to allow their customers to savor the experience.

Getting There: Johnsondale Bridge is about 25 minutes north of Kernville and about one hour and 40 minutes from Bakersfield. If coming from the north it is faster to turn off of highway 99 at Earlimart to go through Ducor and California Hot Springs. Allow about one hour and 20 minutes from Earlimart. Sometimes people drive through Springville and up through the Tule River Canyon, but this is a slow drive due to the narrow, windy road. Allow an hour and a half just from Springville, not counting stops for gawking at the Tule canyon.

Take-out: Johnsondale bridge. topozone map, google map.

Put-in: Forks of the Kern trail. From Johnsondale bridge drive west about 4 miles then turn left and follow signs to the Forks trailhead. This road is closed in the winter and opens back up in the spring. The gate is about 3 miles past the junction, just past Camp Whitsett, near Dry Meadow Creek. Call the Kernville office at (760)-376-3781 to find out if the road is open or not. topozone map,

...

River Features

Put In

Distance: 0 mi

Take Out

Distance: 16.8 mi

Take Out

Trip Reports

Patrick Lorch - Stairs closed at Johnsondale bridge, on river left (boat ramp still open)

Jun 10, 2022

The stairs coming off the foot-bridge on river left at Johnsondale bridge and the associated trail are closed indefinitely (by Forest Service) due to the need for repairs.

Untitled

Dec 28, 2008

To limit boaters to 15 per day is CA gone nuts. The pure experience is insane. Fun is where everything is. For fun you should provide for the people at the rate of 1,000 per day.

Sonny

Ratt Boy

Jun 3, 2001

You can see Scott and Gilbert behind the curtain. Check out much more of Scott's excellent photo album here.

Untitled

Jan 1, 1900

Dave on the Forks - Just before a swim