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2020 Kern River Rafting Trips

Half, Full, and 2 Day Trips!

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Kayak Classes

Learn to whitewater kayak in 2020!

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Rock Climbing

Learn to climb...feel the adrenaline!

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Shop Sierra South's Online Store & Boat Barn!

Or visit our store in Kernville, Hours: 10 am-5 pm Daily

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For info on Kern River Flows: Upper Kern & Lower Kern

Why choose Sierra South for your 2020 adventure?

Sierra South will celebrate its 36th year in 2020, as the premiere rafting outfitter in Southern and Central California. Join us for world-class Kern River rafting; whitewater kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding on Isabella Lake, and rock climbing in Sequoia National Forest. We offer family-friendly and thrilling trips of all lengths and difficulty!

 Our brick-and-mortar outfitter’s store is centrally located, 3 hours from LA, in the river town of Kernville. With a view of the Kern River from our deck, you can shop for boats, apparel, gear, gifts and more. You can also shop online in our new River Store & Boat Barn. Our customer service line is well-manned by paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts, who are there to answer any questions you may have.

We live and love what we do.  We would love to share it with you. It’s good for your soul!

We are proud supporters of the Kern Valley River Council, Kern River Conservancy, the annual Kern River Festival, Keepers of the Kern, and Kern River Streambed and Park Restoration Project.

Choose Your Adventure

Rafting

Kayaking

Rock Climbing

Stand-Up Paddleboard

Tube the Kern

Featured Adventures

Lower Kern Half Day Class II-III

Class II-III. Ages 8 & up

The Lower Kern Half Day Class II-III includes fun, splashy rapids, beautiful scenery, wildlife, jump rocks and plenty of opportunities to cool off with a dip in the water. No experience necessary!
3-4 Hours
Beginner

Lower Kern Half Day Class II-III

The Lower Kern Half Day Class II-III includes fun, splashy rapids, beautiful scenery, wildlife, jump rocks and plenty of opportunities to cool off with a dip in the water. No experience necessary!

From $120 Learn More »
3-4 Hours
Beginner
Learn More
  • Popular Trip!

Lower Kern Big Five Class IV

Class III-IV Ages 12 and up

The Big Five is an exciting afternoon run with five great Class IV rapids, an exciting Jump Rock below Horseshoe Falls.
2-3 Hours
Intermediate

Lower Kern Big Five Class IV

The Big Five is an exciting afternoon run with five great Class IV rapids, an exciting Jump Rock below Horseshoe Falls.

From $120 Learn More »
2-3 Hours
Intermediate
Learn More

Lower Kern Full Day Class IV

Class III-IV. Ages 12 & up

The Lower Kern Full Day Class IV river trip is an exhilarating white water adventure which winds down narrow, rocky canyons, twists around giant boulders and charges through tight gorges. 
6-8 Hours
Intermediate

Lower Kern Full Day Class IV

The Lower Kern Full Day Class IV river trip is an exhilarating white water adventure which winds down narrow, rocky canyons, twists around giant boulders and charges through tight gorges. 

From $159 Learn More »
6-8 Hours
Intermediate
Learn More

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Aug 11

Open
Exactly 20 days left in our Kern River Rafting sea Exactly 20 days left in our Kern River Rafting season! Come join us on your own private raft and enjoy the last few weeks of summer ☀️ #raftthekern #sierrasouth #rafting #kernriver #california #kernville

Exactly 20 days left in our Kern River Rafting season! Come join us on your own private raft and enjoy the last few weeks of summer ☀️ #raftthekern #sierrasouth #rafting #kernriver #california #kernville ...

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Aug 3

Open
We are into our final week of Class 4 rafting trip We are into our final week of Class 4 rafting trips on the Lower Kern for the season! Join us before August 10th to experience one of the best sections of whitewater in California. Our class 2-3 trips will continue to run through the entire month of August. #raftthekern #sierrasouth #kernriver #kernville #rafting #california

We are into our final week of Class 4 rafting trips on the Lower Kern for the season! Join us before August 10th to experience one of the best sections of whitewater in California. Our class 2-3 trips will continue to run through the entire month of August. #raftthekern #sierrasouth #kernriver #kernville #rafting #california ...

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Jul 27

Open
Big splashes and big smiles at Oscars Nightmare on Big splashes and big smiles at Oscars Nightmare on the Lower Kern Class 2-3 half day! #raftthekern #sierrasouth #kernriver #california #rafting

Big splashes and big smiles at Oscars Nightmare on the Lower Kern Class 2-3 half day! #raftthekern #sierrasouth #kernriver #california #rafting ...

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Jul 20

Open
Big smiles on the Lower Kern this weekend! Come re Big smiles on the Lower Kern this weekend! Come recreate responsibly on your own private raft. #raftthekern #sierrasouth #kernriver #california #rafting

Big smiles on the Lower Kern this weekend! Come recreate responsibly on your own private raft. #raftthekern #sierrasouth #kernriver #california #rafting ...

Testimonials

"My All-Time Favorite Rafting Co."

“This company is my all-time favorite rafting Co.  From the office management/reservations (thanks Marti), to the store workers/drivers, and to the guides (Lonnie, Alex, Tanner, & Taylor………), Sierra South is  the best for rafting‼ I should know, I have gone 10 times on Class 4’s with them and 2 -Class 2/3’s. If you want a fantastic rafting trip, where you have skilled guides and no worries- call Sierra South. ”

-Nanci B. on Yelp

"Great Kayak Lesson"

“We’ve done several rafting and IK trips with Sierra South and always had a good time and been pleased with everything about Sierra South. I wanted my son to continue to work on his Whitewater Kayaking skills so I signed him up for a 1/2 day private lesson. As always everyone was helpful and informative. What really stood out was the quality of my son’s teacher Matt. He did a great job of explaining things (my son was working on his roll) and giving him helpful information to continue tuning his skills. My son had a great time and left with a reliable flat water roll.”

-Evan D. on TripAdvisor

"Highly Recommend"
Hey there adventurers: I highly recommend Sierra South Mountain Sports for the 2 day Lower Kern river raft trip including THE BIG FIVE class IV rapids on the last day.  They have been around since 1985 and their number one focus is SAFETY!  So if you want to laugh and scream and bond with other funsters, this is the trip for you.  Our guides: Brandon, Johnny, and Sam made sure that each individual need was met with a smile. The equipment and facilities are top-notch and the guides have years of experience. The campsite was one of the best I’ve ever encountered: Food was excellent, they provide thick sleeping pads, shady flat areas and the bathroom facilities get an “11” out of “10”.  Go face your fears and do it while laughing blissfully. Thank you for a top-notch trip!

-Lynn H. on Google

Sierra South
Mountain Sports
760-376-3745

11300 Kernville Road
Kernville, California 93238

Sierra South operates under permits issued by: Sequoia National Forest, Klamath National Forest, and the National Park Service/Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Sierra South is an equal opportunity recreation service provider.

Hours of Operation

Store:

Open 8 am-6 pm Monday-Sunday

Reservations:

 Open 9 am-5 pm Monday-Friday

U.S. Forest Service Logos

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