Where is the Kern River?

The Closest Rafting to Los Angeles.

Tucked into the rugged Southern Sierra Nevada, the Kern River offers world-class whitewater and true wilderness just 3 hours from LA. It is the closest rafting destination to Los Angeles.

Getting Here Getting from the hustle of Southern California for the granite canyons of the Sierras is surprisingly easy.

  • From Los Angeles: A  3 to 3.5-hour drive north. Leave the traffic behind and wind your way up the spectacular Kern River Canyon.

  • From Surrounding Areas: Bakersfield is a quick hour west, while Orange County and San Diego are a comfortable 4 to 5-hour drive.

Nearby Airports

  • Bakersfield (BFL): The closest regional option, just an hour from our meeting point.

  • Hollywood Burbank (BUR) & Los Angeles International (LAX): Convenient major hubs with plenty of flight options and easy rental car access for the drive up into the mountains.

Kernville, CA Your trip begins in the Kernville area. This charming, historic Old West town is the perfect gateway to the Sequoia National Forest. It strikes a rare balance—offering the welcoming, unplugged feel of a true mountain retreat, alongside great local amenities.

Before or after you join us on the water, you can wander through the nearby Trail of 100 Giants, explore local shops, or grab a well-earned pint at the renowned Kern River Brewing Company. It’s a unique river town with a character all its own, and the perfect, relaxed bookend to a Momentum river trip.

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    Kern River Rafting Safari

    2-Days (3-Day Charter Option) | Mid May - Oct | Class IV | Gateway: Kernville - Bakersfield, CA / 3 Hours from L.A.

    Combine big summer whitewater rafting, a beautiful high desert canyon cut through the Sierra’s, & an ultra-comfortable ‘safari style’ backcountry camp (think glamping). Featured in Travel + Leisure & based on our award winning Klamath River Safari, it is 2 days of whitewater & luxury camping on one the West’s finest Class IV rivers – there is no trip like it in the U.S.

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    Forks of The Kern

    3 Days (2 Day Option) | Varies - April -Early July | Class V/V+ | Gateway: Kernville - Bakersfield, CA / 3 Hours from L.A.

    The greatest class V wilderness rafting trip in the Country. Almost continuous Class IV whitewater punctuated with big class V drops - nearly 100 rapids over 18 miles. Set in a breathtakingly beautiful wilderness canyon with towering waterfalls, & epic riverside camping.

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    Kern One Day Trips

    1-Day | April - Sept | IV-V | Gateway: Kernville - Bakersfield, CA / 3 Hours from L.A.

    We offer one of the best summer 1-day whitewater in the West on the Lower Kern as well as charter options ranging from class IV to V on the Upper Kern. World-class whitewater 3 hours from Los Angeles.

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    Kern Half Day Trips

    1/2 Day & Shorter | April - Sept | II - IV | Gateway: Kernville - Bakersfield, CA / 3 Hours from L.A.

    We offer half-day and shorter trips on the Kern ranging from class II/III to one of the best quick class IV summer whitewater trips in the West. World-class whitewater 3 hours from Los Angeles.

Recent Testimonials

  • "Every aspect of the trip far exceeded my expectations. The camping was amazing. The site was beautiful and well maintained, the view it offered of the river was breathtaking, and the facilities and amenities were beyond what I was expecting." - Alexander
  • "The technical expertise required on the Kern make it abundantly clear the skill level of the guides Momentum employs. The guides in their skill level are phenomenal." - Gary
  • "My group of 6 had been looking forward to our trip for about 6 months...honestly, we had the BEST time!! We laughed and screamed the whole time and made wonderful memories together! Thank you for a wonderful experience and adventure!" - Sophie
  • "This trip was life changing for me and my son. It was so fun, so memorable, and I am now hooked to whitewater rafting! Epic epic epic. Thank you all soooooooo much!" - Landon
  • "GRATITUDE is the first word that comes to mind when I think about our family's rafting trip experience. We have two 14-year-old boys who are usually grumpy and glued to their screens, and Dad who’s overworked and burnt out. It was exactly what our family needed! It was SO NICE to have someone else do the cooking, cleaning, etc. The food was delicious, and the safari tents were clean and super cute, with comfy bed cots. Everything was as nice and clean as a high-end hotel." - Tania
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