Forks of the Kern Permit
Sierra Nevada Rivers · California
17 miles of Class V on the Wild and Recreational Kern, starting in the Golden Trout Wilderness with a two-mile carry to the water.
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Forks of the Kern reservation dates
- Season
- May 15 to September 15
- route distance, point to point
- 17mi
- daily quota
- 15people
- max group size
- 15people
How to get a Forks of the Kern permit
As of September 2026, Forks of the Kern in Sierra Nevada Rivers, California requires a permit issued via reservation. Forks of the Kern rates 6/10 on PermitSnag's demand index. Cancelled Forks of the Kern permits are re-released on the booking system, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens. The permit season for Forks of the Kern runs May 15 through September 15. The Forks of the Kern route covers 17 miles, rated expert.
- Type
- River Access
- Location
- Sequoia National Forest, CA
Step 1: Create a Recreation.gov account
Sign up at Recreation.gov if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Forks of the Kern: Live availability activityWhen Forks of the Kern permits open up
How much a Forks of the Kern permit costs
Forks of the Kern permit fee: $6 reservation fee, plus a $10 recreation fee per permit.
The Forks of the Kern trip
- Distance
- 17 miles
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Duration
- 1-2 days
- Difficulty
- Expert
About this permit
The Forest Service sets the Forks quota at 15 people total per day, and that is the whole story of this permit. If one group of 15 is floating, only one permit issues. If 15 people launch independently, 15 permits issue.
The run is 17 miles of Class V with named rapids including Vortex, Gauntlet, Confusion and Carson Falls. The Forest Service is direct that it is not for the faint of heart and recommends it only for boaters with ample Class IV and V experience if they are going unguided. Most people do it in a day, though there is camping in the canyon.
Getting to the water is part of the trip. The Forks of the Kern Trailhead is at the end of road 20S67 off Lloyd Meadow Road, and the wilderness boundary sits about three quarters of a mile in, so no wheels past that point. It is about two miles to the river and you carry gear on your back or by pack animal.
Forks of the Kern trip highlights
- 17 miles of Class V water with Class IV and V rapids
- A two-mile carry from the trailhead to the river, with no wheeled conveyance past the wilderness boundary
- A trailhead with a vault toilet, bear boxes and a couple of picnic tables
- Waterfalls, unusual rock formations and side trails through rugged terrain
- No cell service, gas, food or emergency services nearby
How hard the Forks of the Kern trip is
- Physical DemandFitness and endurance required4/5
- Technical SkillClimbing, scrambling, or specialized skills3/5
- NavigationRoute finding and trail clarity3/5
- CommitmentDifficulty of bailing out mid-route4/5
Best for: Experienced hikers with excellent fitness and relevant technical skills.
Recommended experience: Multi-day backpacking or river experience recommended.
When to float Forks of the Kern
Best time to visit
The permit season is May 15 to September 15. Outside it no permit is required, but the Forest Service warns that off-season water levels and seasonal road closures affect whether the run is possible at all.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Backcountry Tips
- Tomorrow: Extreme heat (95°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
- Day 3: Extreme heat (98°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
- Day 4: Extreme heat (101°F). Carry extra water, start at dawn.
Today
84°
59°
Wed
95°
67°
Thu
98°
73°
Fri
101°
76°
Sat
101°
76°
Sun
102°
78°
Mon
99°
78°
Forks of the Kern rules, gear and safety
Rules & regulations
- 01Quota is 15 people total launching per day
- 02Maximum group size is 15 including the permit holder
- 03Permits go on sale March 15 at 7:00 a.m. Pacific with all season dates released at once
- 04Season runs May 15 to September 15, and no permit or registration is required outside it
- 05No more than one permit on the same day and no overlapping permits
- 06No more than 3 permits per season per customer
- 07The permit prints 7 days before the entry date, and once printed it cannot be modified or cancelled
- 08Vehicle information for up to 3 vehicles is required at booking
Hazards & considerations
- Class IV and V rapids that the Forest Service says only experienced whitewater boaters should attempt
- Remote canyon with no immediate emergency services
- A rugged two-mile approach carrying boats and gear
- Seasonal road closures in winter and spring
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Forks of the Kern.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Forks of the Kern · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Forks of the Kern FAQ
How many Forks of the Kern permits are issued per day?
The quota is 15 people per day, not 15 permits. One group of 15 uses the entire day's quota, while 15 independent boaters would draw 15 separate permits.
When do Forks of the Kern permits go on sale?
March 15 at 7:00 a.m. Pacific, with every date of the season released at once. The last bookable day is September 15.
How do you get to the Forks of the Kern put-in?
From the Forks of the Kern Trailhead at the end of road 20S67 off Lloyd Meadow Road. The wilderness boundary is about three quarters of a mile in, so gear goes the last stretch on your back or by pack animal. It is roughly two miles to the river.
Do I need a Forks of the Kern permit in the off season?
No. Outside the May 15 to September 15 season the Forest Service requires no permit or registration, though roads and flows may make the run impractical.
Forks of the Kern river conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Trip Reports
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Write the First ReportAlternatives to a Forks of the Kern permit
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Tuolumne River
Class IV+ granite whitewater below Yosemite, drivable to the put-in.
Tradeoffs
No gear carry and a 90-person daily cap instead of 15. Cherry Creek is the Class V+ option there.
Where to stay near Forks of the Kern
- Tule campgroundSuccess Lake
- Wishon CabinSequoia National Forest
- Wishon campgroundSequoia National Forest
- All California campgrounds
Plan the full trip, not just the permit
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