Upper Kern Rafting Trips
Class III-V: Beginner/Intermediate

Challenge IT!

April - July

We have lots of choices for you on the Wild and Scenic Upper Kern depending on your desires, enthusiastic expectations, and water levels. Drop into beautiful, short, intensely crazy rushes of whitewater, or longer “warm-up” to “hot” sections that leave you with that good, deep, wasted feeling of meeting the wet challenge! The powerful Upper Kern offers fast-moving thrills and white water that allow you to run the premium rapids more than once. Meet up with famous Tombstone and Sock ‘Em Dog rapids, and have the opportunity to conquer the “big ones;” they await you in the Upper Kern canyon.

Not sure which river trip we offer is best for you?  Check out our frequently asked questions page for more information.

Two Day Trips on the Upper Kern

We are the only outfitter on the Kern River with an overnight camp on the Upper Kern section.  This allows our guests to enjoy two fun-filled days of paddling on the Upper Kern without the added hassle of looking for restaurants or lodging.  We provide tents and sleeping pads for all of our guests and our bathrooms have flush toilets and hot showers.  Guides prepare gourmet-style food while you kick back and enjoy the scenery and company of friends after a day of paddling.

Class III-IV

The first day is spent on Class III as a warm up and learning experience for the Class IV rapids the second day. 

12 years old and up.  Sun-Fri $334.75, Sat $350.20

Class IV

Warm up on class III, then straight into the class IV rapids the first day.  Then even more class IV rapids the second day.  Water level and crew ability dictate which class IV sections are run. 

12 years old and up.  Sun-Fri $370.80, Sat $396.55

Class IV-V

It is possible to run the entire Upper Kern River on this exciting 2-day trip.  If you have rafted before and are looking for more, or if you are in good shape and want to move quickly into class V, this is the trip for you.  The first day, crews warm up and hone their skills on several of the class IV sections, then move the second day to Class IV+ and finally the Class V Thunder Run section.  Mile for mile this is the most action packed 2-day trip available on the Kern, if you’re not quite ready for, or don’t have the time for the Forks of the Kern. 

14 years old and up.  Sun-Fri $386.25, Sat $427.45

One Day Trips on the Upper Kern

Class III-IV

This is our most popular Upper Kern trip and features several runs that are jam-packed with Class III and IV rapids.  We will start off with a warm up run that will give the crews a chance to hone their skills. Then we will continue running Class IV sections that contain rapid after rapid and drop up to 45 feet per mile through rocky hills and steep cliffs of limestone and granite.  We enjoy an awesome riverside deli-style lunch in between runs.

12 years old and up.  Sun-Fri $156.56, Sat $184.37

Class V Thunder Run

Adrenaline junkies will love this trip. Mile for mile this is the most action-packed day of white water the Upper Kern has to offer.  We start this day out with a swim through a class II-III section that allows everyone to demonstrate their fitness and assess what it’s like to have an “out of boat experience.”  Then we head up river to warm up on a class IV-IV+ section before taking on the class V rapids that are sure to get everyone soaked and exhausted.  We enjoy an awesome riverside deli-style lunch in between runs.

14 years old and up.  $211.15

Half Day Trips on the Upper Kern

Class III-IV

If your looking to get a taste of what running rapids is all about, our half day trip is sure to wet your appetite.  After a quick warm up we will drop into a couple of runs of wet and wild white water for a total of six to eight river miles. 

12 years old and up. Morning and afternoon trips available.  Sun-Fri $118.15, Sat $128.75

Add It!  Upper Kern Trip Options

Inflatable Kayak Option

At lower water or if you have previous experience you can choose to shoot the rapids in an inflatable kayak that you guide yourself or with a friend.  IK’s up the adventure for anyone that already enjoys boating whitewater.

One day: Sun- Fri $156.56, Sat $194.67

Two day: Sun- Fri $313.12, Sat $389.34

River Clean Up Option

Be an environmental hero while you enjoy your rafting experience by participating in a River Clean Up trip.  On this trip we make frequent stops along the river and clean up litter that has found its way into the Kern.  In exchange for your service to our river community we reduce the price of a trip by up to 50%.  Call us for a customized program.

Fly Fishing Float Trip Option

Let our fly fishing pros drop you into places where most fisherman dare not walk.  Our elite trips float you silently into secret eddies and pools where the trout, bass, and catfish are voracious and oh-so-lonely for you and your lure.

One day: $334.75

Bike Rental Option

Rent a Mountain Bike from our shop and it will be at our Lower Kern Camp when you arrive by raft.  Then take an afternoon cruise and explore the canyon from a different perspective.

$15

Interpretative and Educational Trip Option

Skilled guides not only make sure you have fun, but you’ll also learn lots more about the countryside you paddle through than on our regular trips.  All questions are welcome as you learn the natural history and ecology of many plants and animals that have successfully evolved to call the Kern River canyon their home.  Call for a customized program.

Luxury Kayak Trips

Perfect for experienced kayakers who want to go on a multi-day trip without carrying all the gear.  Guides will point out all the best play spots, shoot pictures, and even standby as safety while you work the waves and holes for all they are worth.

Two day: $200.85/day