When people search for glamping near Los Angeles, they usually find places to stay.
Stylish tents. Desert domes. Maybe a deck and a good sunset.
Those can be incredible weekends. But most are just built around the lodging.
What we built on the Kern River is something different.
Glamping Near Los Angeles FAQ
How far is the Kern River from Los Angeles?
About three hours, depending on traffic.
Is the Kern River Safari good for beginners?
Yes. First-time rafters in good physical condition are welcome.
What is included in the trip?
River gear, our award-winning Safari Camp, 3-course meals, guides, and trip photos. Just bring your clothes and your toothbrush.
It is glamping — but it is also an active adventure.
What Is the Kern River Rafting Safari?
It is a two-day rafting and glamping trip on California’s Lower Kern River, about three hours from Los Angeles. You raft through a scenic granite canyon by day and spend the night at a safari-style riverside camp tucked among oaks and large granite boulders.
Guests stay in shaded walk-in safari tents with comfortable bedding and private decks. The meals are 3 courses and served family style with river views. The camp itself is relaxed and social, with a covered dining area, places to sit by the water, and room to spread out.
The trip combines fun (but approachable) whitewater rafting, the hospitality and comfort of a safari inspired camp (only accessible by raft), and one of California’s classic river landscapes.
Where Is the Kern River?
The Lower Kern River flows through the southern Sierra foothills near the town of Kernville, California. The canyon sits on the edge of the Sierra Nevada where the mountains meet the high desert landscape.
The most surprising part of the Kern may be how accessible it is.
Within a few hours of leaving Los Angeles, the city disappears and the rhythm of the trip becomes simple: paddle, float, swim, eat well, and sleep beside the river.
That combination — wilderness feel with easy access — is rare in California.
A Glamping Trip with Adventurous Days That Go Somewhere
Most glamping trips in the United States revolve around arriving somewhere beautiful and staying put.
The Kern River Safari moves through the landscape.
You raft roughly twenty miles of river over two days. The first day begins with fun Class III whitewater and scenic floating, then steps it up with some amazing class IV rabids. You reach camp in the afternoon. Day two continues downstream through the famous Big Five section of the Lower Kern.
By the time the rafts pull into camp, the day already feels full and you are ready to truly enjoy it.
Smaller Trips and Momentum Hospitality
By keeping our groups smaller, we’re able to pour our passion into the unparalleled personal service and thoughtful details we’re known for. Enjoy world-class whitewater, a welcoming pace, “wilderness gourmet” meals, and relaxing in our innovative safari-style backcountry ‘Gamping’ style camps.
You don’t need to bring specialized camping gear or rafting equipment—we provide everything. Show up ready to be on the river, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Here is what Travel + Leisure recently had to say about our Kern River Safari:
“…after drifting 10 miles down the Kern, we arrived at Momentum’s base camp. An enclave of safari-style tents set atop wooden platforms—inside two of which, as if by magic, our luggage awaited—the experience was like being shipwrecked in a place you never want to be rescued from.”
It is a Different Kind of Glamping – active AND comfortable:
That is why we love this trip.
It is not just a place to stay.
It is two (or 3) amazing days on the river and a camp only accessible by raft.
Learn more about the trip:
