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Visitors Guides
Published by the Kern Valley Sun
The Official Kern River Valley
Print copies available at the KRV Chamber of Commerce
Located at 6416 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella, CA 93240
Or at the offices of the Kern Valley Sun
Visitor's Guide
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The Lodge at Painted Rock - Discover the Treasures of the Valley
Sierra South - Rafting, Tubing, Climbing, Kayaking - Choose Your Adventure
Kern River's Edge Campground - A Great Blog with Lots of Local Info
And Check Out these Chamber Member Pages with even more info!
Clean Getaways - Scroll towards the bottom of their page for an up-to-date list of community events!
Features a guide to the Sequoia National Forest (caution, some of the info in the print version is outdated.)
Interactive map links to the USFS's interactive map, which is different from the link above. Highly customizable views and many features.
Explore! The interactive map is just a part of a range of mapping apps, print, and other wayfinding resources available through USFS. See HERE!
Outdoor recreation guide that includes detailed trail descriptions and information on mountain biking, rafting, snow play, and more.
Kern River Sierra produces the Kern River Sierra Outdoor Recreation Topo Map.
Available for purchase locally and online.
Go here for the latest information on fire restrictions, closures, information on dispersed camping area, and more.
The site includes an interactive map with campground information as well as locations for activities and points of interest.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for information on trails and recreational opportunities.
One page fact-sheets on trails, maps, and lots of other information are available at the District's office in Kernville at: 11380 Kernville Road, Kernville, CA 93238; 760-376-3781
Open Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Start your search for developed campgrounds on recreation.gov.
A search for "Lake Isabella California" will bring up a map of the lake with linked icons showing campground and day-use locations.
Clicking on the icons will bring up information about the availability of campsites within the campground, a listing of amenities at that location, and allow you to make and pay for reservations online.
Recreation.gov does not include information on dispersed camping or private campground locations.
Developed campgrounds and day-use sites, on recreation.gov, including the parking area at the Trail of 100 Giants, are maintained and managed by an authorized concierge contractor of the US Forest Service, ExploreUS.
For questions, concerns, about developed campsites, boat launches at those locations,or to otherwise speak with an ExploreUS representative, please reach out to Western Divide manager Catherine at (661) 429-1599, or call their home office at (661) 702-1420, or their Lake Isabella office at 760-376-1269.
Free campfire permits can be obtained at readyforwildfire.org/permits.
Watch a short video and take a brief quiz to obtain a permit.
Please also note that current restrictions prohibit the use of glass bottles around Lake Isabella or the Kern River.
The Kern River Valley is a true "Sportman's Paradise," an area of stunning beauty with endless areas to explore and activities to participate in. Whether you're a hiker, climber, windsurfer, marksman, skier, off-roader, hot-springs-soaker, cross-country skier, bird-watcher, and the list goes on and on, the Valley has something for you!
Take a look at the sites below, but keep in mind, these are just a start to your adventure!
Most boats and other water-borne vessels require a lake permit issued by the Kern County Parks and Recreation department to legally be put on the water.
Permits can be purchased online at the link below or at Crossroads Shell in Lake Isabella or Sierra Gateway Market in Kernville.
https://www.kerncounty.com/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/16/32619.
Launch facilities located at developed camp ground sites may require a launch fee. Those not located at campgrounds, including Launch 19 at the main dam and the launch at the French Gulch, do not require a fee.
Purchase fishing licenses online through the California Department of Fish or at Crossroads Shell in Lake Isabella, Sierra Gateway Market in Kernville, or other select merchants.
Download the CDFW app to keep a copy your license on your phone.
CDFW no longer prints copies of the annual fishing regulations. A PDF version of current freshwater fishing regulations booklet is available at this link.
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