Lower Kern River Rafting: Two-Day Trips
Prices start at $348 plus 3% Visitor Fee.

Our two-day Lower Kern River rafting trip is a superb rafting challenge with some of the best Class III-IV whitewater in California. The two-day trip originates below Lake Isabella and ends at Democrat Beach, a distance of 20 miles. The river flows southwest through a gorge forested with willows, cotton wood, sycamore and alder. Our trip starts at a leisurely pace, then quickens as the canyon steepens. Both days feature stretches of Class III and IV rapids.

Camping on the Lower Kern

Although our camp is rustic, it's really quite comfortable. We have camp chairs and to make overnight camping easy, we have built sleeping platforms and provide sleeping pads for all of our guests. Many guests bring personal bedding from home (sheets and a warm blanket) instead of a sleeping bag, and this works fine during the summer months. For your convenience, we do have sleeping bags and tents available for rent. They should be reserved at least a week before your trip.

Click here for a complete list of recommended items for your two-day Lower Kern rafting trip.

Lower Kern Two-Day Logistics

From our meeting place, we'll take you by bus to the river. Because our on-river campsite is accessible by road, it isn't necessary to carry over night gear on the rafts. During the day, you'll probably want to carry sunscreen, a water bottle, a hat, and perhaps a light jacket. Our Trip Manager will discuss the trip and answer last-minute questions before everyone boards the rafts. Guides will be introduced and passengers instructed on paddling technique, safety and general procedures.

For the first few miles the Kern is gentle and ideal for practicing skills we'll need to navigate the rapids downstream. By the time we stop for lunch, you'll be familiar with rafting techniques and quite comfortable. After lunch the rapids get bigger and your new skills will be tested. Our campsite is just below Powerful Possum, a Class IV rapid that's one of the biggest on the Lower Kern.

We usually arrive at camp around 4:00 p.m. Your overnight gear will be there and the guides will help you select a campsite. Snacks and cold drinks will be available shortly after arrival. Before dinner, hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Our second day begins with a hearty breakfast. Afterwards, personal gear is repacked, the camp cleaned up, and we're ready for another day on the river.

After portaging the Royal Flush, a Class V rapid, we stop for lunch a gear up for a series of Class IV rapids called "The Big Five." The rapids come close together, and we end our day navigating Pinball, an intricate and demanding rapid.

We end our trip at Democrat Beach. Our bus will take you back to Wofford Heights, about a 30-minute ride. We usually arrive there by 5:00 p.m. The trailer with your personal gear will be at our rafting center.