Kern River Outfitters
Kern River Outfitters
5
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Full view
About
Kern River Outfitters is a whitewater rafting company based in Southern California on the Kern River. Just three hours from Los Angeles we offer professionally guided river tours of varying length and difficulty. These river trips range from Class II upwards of Class V and from just a few hours to two full days. We've been operating on the Kern River since 1980 and have a reputation for running well organized, safe outings with role model staff.
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Kern River Outfitters
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
389 reviews
Excellent
381
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Jeff M
Oceanside, CA3 contributions
Jun 2021
Amazing time! Full day on the river and camped out overnight. The rapids were a ton of fun and the campout was absolutely amazing, food was unreal, tons of fun with the other groups. All of the guides were amazing and a ton of fun, really made the trip special. We rode with Miles who made sure everyone had a great time and gave my son a special memory by completely unexpectedly tossing him in the river, he talks about it daily! Highly recommended trip and this company goes out of its way to make it great. Highly recommended!
Written June 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann P.
1 contribution
Jun 2022
What a great trip! It was my and my son's first time river rafting, so we chose the "mild" ride. It was a very well organized trip and all of the guides worked well together which really helped boost our comfort and confidence. Our guide, Christie, was just fantastic! She gave clear instructions and was very encouraging. We definitely want to come back . . . and maybe even attempt a more challenging run.
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sal W
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Best fun with your clothes on !!! Guides were all amazing , (Jayme the best obvs👍) clear effective safety instructions prior to the water & again prior to boarding - all ages catered for. & boy was it gooooooooooood - thank you guys definitely Recommend
Written July 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inspiration773885
5 contributions
Jul 2021
What a reliable and safe company. Our group of 17 had so much fun. Their honesty and importance to safety measures were greatly appreciated. We were told this river is dangerous and not to go in. When you have the correct guide, correct equipment it makes all the difference. I wish I can give them more than 5 stars. Thank you for a safe and fun experience.
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dddancer
Pasadena3 contributions
Jun 2021
This was a very well run rafting outing, with great guides and good river stretches. Our guide was Christie and she was wonderful! Very knowledgable and clear in her instructions, and delightful to be with. We felt very safe with her and had a wonderful time!
Written July 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel Franklin
Los Angeles, CA1 contribution
Aug 2020
The sky was hazy with smoke from the nearby blazes, but out path down the river was true, and our guides were mighty. It all started at base camp when Adam, our river guide, greeted us. His eyes were bright and knowing, as if in a state of prognostication. I knew the moment we met that our venture down Kern River would be wild, but we were in good hands. There was never a moment on the water when I felt unsafe. Not even when the flesh-eating cows came upon us during the Chocolate Cupcake section. Not even when a Ginger Giant tossed me into the river with little regard. Not even. . .well, you understand. Adam, Miles, Sven, Hector, and Jackson could do no wrong, and their WWE style entrances were exceptional. I have no doubt if you're reading this that you're confused as to what I'm rambling on about.Honestly, you can really only experience a day on the river with this crew. So, here's to Class IV 2020, because I will be back. . .oh, yes, I will!
Written September 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Todd W
1 contribution
Aug 2020
These guys are the absolute very best!! Jackson, Sven and our awesome guide Adam could not have been nicer, more fun and truly focused on the safety of everyone in our group. They clearly love what they do and it made the full day on the river a truly memorable experience that I would repeat EVERY year going forward. An amazing escape from the pandemic blues! I can't recommend this operation and these specific guides enough.
Written August 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Syl Medina
1 contribution
Aug 2020
We did the 1/2 Lower Kern AM with , Adam, Auggie, and also Hector!! They were so fun and professional!!
Amazing experience!!!!!!
This was a perfect family friendly experience. The guides we so helpful and nice. I was with 5 children (age 12 &17 one who is on the spectrum ). We all had a great time and enjoyed quite the adventure. Everyone was professional and helpful- from making the reservation to completeing the ride. Would definitely go with them again.
Amazing experience!!!!!!
This was a perfect family friendly experience. The guides we so helpful and nice. I was with 5 children (age 12 &17 one who is on the spectrum ). We all had a great time and enjoyed quite the adventure. Everyone was professional and helpful- from making the reservation to completeing the ride. Would definitely go with them again.
Written August 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike R
2 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
We had the greatest time.what a way to turn 60!
Kyle was our guide,he navigated the river like a pro!
My wife was tossed overboard, we had her back on the raft in no time ,Thanks to the safety first attitude. The bus ride was as fun as the class 4
(Lol)
Two thumbs up!!
First class
Mike and Norma
4/24/2022
Kyle was our guide,he navigated the river like a pro!
My wife was tossed overboard, we had her back on the raft in no time ,Thanks to the safety first attitude. The bus ride was as fun as the class 4
(Lol)
Two thumbs up!!
First class
Mike and Norma
4/24/2022
Written April 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy
14 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
What a great experience!! Everyone was so nice and hospitable at the store/check in point.
Our guide, Patrick, was great. I really can’t say enough about this guy. He was very knowledgeable of the river, and his conversation was a treat.
Thanks Kern River Outfitters!!! See ya again very soon.
Our guide, Patrick, was great. I really can’t say enough about this guy. He was very knowledgeable of the river, and his conversation was a treat.
Thanks Kern River Outfitters!!! See ya again very soon.
Written June 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are going down a 2 day trip, can we pack sunblock on the raft for the day, etc... things that wont get wet? Trying to figure how to take photos when possible while rafting all day. Also at night I see someone suggested bug spray but can we bring beer etc for the camp fire at night?
Written July 30, 2019
Yes you can (and should) bring water and sunscreen on the boat. There’s a bag where it can be stored, but keep in mind that it’s not waterproof and everything WILL get wet. I recommend leaving your phone behind and just living in the moment. It’s also not safe to take pictures while on the raft, as they’ll need you to paddle. If you must bring a phone, put it with your gear that will get towed separately to camp (along with your beer!).
Written July 31, 2019
We are taking the two day rafting tour these weekend, and I was wondering what the campsite is like. Is it pretty rustic or are there facilities such as bathrooms/showers?
Written July 18, 2019
we stayed at an air b and b not at the camp sites sorry but Kern River outfitters are amazing you will have an amazing time with them good luck
Written July 18, 2019
I would like to know how much white water is there?. We have tubes. Would this be good to go down the river with.? Is it tiny rapids? Is it calm? Or really fast.? Just tubing.
Written July 12, 2018
Hi Jesus, water levels vary dramatically each year. As of 7/12/18 water flows on the Upper Kern river are tubing appropriate. Keep in mind that you should always wear a PFD (life jacket) and if you don't have any I will let you rent them out for free. My company focuses on guided whitewater trips, so admittedly I am a bit out of the loop for tubing, so I suggest getting in touch with my friend Tom Moore who owns Sierra South as he offers both.
Written July 12, 2018
Hi there, for most of our trips the minimum age is 12 years old. However, our Half Day Lower Kern and Kernville Rapid Run have a minimum age of 8 years old. If you would like I can make suggestions for another outfitter with a younger minimum age. Just let me know, here to help. - Matt Volpert
Written July 11, 2018
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