🚣 River
Forks of the Kern River
About This Permit
The Forks of the Kern is California's most committing wilderness river permit — a 17-mile Class V+ creek run through a roadless canyon requiring a multi-mile pack-in hike before the put-in. Only 1 permit per day (up to 15 people) is issued during the May 15 – Sept 15 quota season, and the technical difficulty limits the paddler pool to experts. California's equivalent of the Middle Fork Salmon in terms of prestige.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access the Forks of the Kern put-in?
Access requires a 4–5 mile pack hike from Lloyd Meadows Road down to the river confluence, carrying all gear. Hard-shell kayaks are essentially impossible to transport — inflatable kayaks or packrafts are standard.
How technical is the Forks of the Kern?
Expert-level Class V continuous whitewater at peak flows. Multiple rapids require portaging or lining at high water. Not appropriate for intermediate paddlers — solid Class V experience and river rescue skills are essential.
When does the Forks of the Kern permit season open?
Permits become available on recreation.gov on March 15 at 7:00am PDT on a first-come, first-served basis — not a lottery. With only 1 permit per day available, they go quickly. The quota season runs May 15 – September 15; no permit is required outside that window.
Key Facts
- State
- CA
- Float Season
- May 15 – September 15 (permit required); no permit required outside this window
- Launch Quota
- 1 permit per day; maximum 15 people total per day
- Put-in
- Johnsondale put-in (after multi-mile pack hike from Lloyd Meadows Road)
- Take-out
- Limestone Campground takeout; Sequoia NF
- Difficulty to get permit
- 5/5(Nearly impossible)
Get an SMS the moment a cancellation opens — we scan every 60 seconds.
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