Whitewater

Rafing at

Kern River

June 19th-20th, 2026

Ready for an Adventure?

We've been on this river. Multiple times. And we keep coming back.

The Lower Kern is one of the best Class IV whitewater runs in California, and Sierra South, the guide outfit taking us down it, knows every rapid by name. This isn't a lazy float trip. It's a full day of real white water, real challenge, and real brotherhood — the kind that only happens when men show up, get in the raft together, and hold on.

The Details

The trip runs Saturday, June 20th from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Sierra South Mountain Sports, 11300 Kernville Rd, Kernville, CA. The cost is $220 per person and covers your full day on the water plus lunch. Registration closes June 9th. After that, we'll send confirmed registrants everything they need to know before the trip.

Who This Is For

This is a men's trip, open to any man 18 and older. Come solo if you need to, but bring someone if you can. Bring your small group. Bring the guys from your church. Bring the friend who's been stuck and needs a reason to get up and go somewhere. This trip is better with more men in the raft, and it has a way of doing something that's hard to manufacture any other way. Sword & Shovel exists to come alongside men in the work, and sometimes that work looks like a day on the Kern River.

Make It a Weekend

It's Juneteenth weekend, which means many guys have Friday, June 19th off. Consider driving up a day early and making a full two-day excursion out of it. The drive from the LA area up through the mountains is worth it on its own, and there's plenty to do on the way: a morning round of golf, a stop at the shooting range, an early surf session at Trestles, or a pickleball game before you hit the road. Come up Friday, stay the night in Kernville, and hit the water Saturday morning rested and ready.

If you're coming up Friday, here are a few places we recommend for the night:

Kern Riverfront Lodge — 113 Kern River Dr, Kernville. Right on the river, affordable, warm and rustic. Easy walk to everything in town.

Corral Creek Lodge — Mountain Hwy 99, about 15 miles up the canyon from Kernville. Highly rated, kitchenettes, outdoor grills, peaceful setting. Great option if you want to get away from it all.

Riverview Lodge — 2 Sirretta St, Kernville. Right on the river, walkable to downtown, dog-friendly. Good value.

Not finding availability in Kernville? Lake Isabella is about 20 minutes down the road and has additional lodging options worth checking out. It sits right on the lake and makes for a scenic base if Kernville is booked up, especially on a holiday weekend like Juneteenth.

Book early regardless of where you land. Kernville and the surrounding area fill up fast on summer weekends.

Whitewater Rafting - Kern River
Quick View
Whitewater Rafting - Kern River
$230.00

Join Sword & Shovel for a two-day men’s whitewater rafting trip, June 19th-20th, 2026! Whether you're coming solo, with a buddy, or bringing your whole men's group, this is a chance to build camaraderie, embrace challenge, and unplug from the noise. Cost is $220 (includes rafting + lunch) on Saturday. Lodging, meals (outside of lunch on Saturday), and carpools will be coordinated once you're registered. Space is limited—don’t wait to sign up.

  • Yes. This is a men's trip, open to any man 18 and older. Whether you're coming solo, with a friend, or bringing a group from your church or small group, you're welcome here.

  • 18 and older. Sierra South requires all participants to be at least 18 years of age for the Lower Kern Full Day Class IV run.

  • The $220 covers your full day of rafting with Sierra South and lunch on the water. Lodging, transportation, and any meals outside of the trip are on your own. We'll send lodging and activity recommendations to all registered men before the trip.

  • Email us directly at Christian@swordandshovel.com. He'd love to connect with your pastor or men's ministry leader, talk through what this trip could look like for your guys, and make sure no one gets left behind. Sword & Shovel has done this trip multiple times and is happy to help you make the case to your church.

  • No experience needed. Sierra South's guides will walk you through everything before you hit the water. That said, this is a Class IV run, which means it's real white water with real rapids. It's not extreme, but it's not casual either. Come ready to work and you'll be fine.

  • Item descriptionSierra South will provide all rafting equipment including a wetsuit, paddle, helmet, and life jacket. Plan to wear clothes you don't mind getting completely soaked. Bring sunscreen, a change of dry clothes for the drive home, and a good attitude. Leave anything you can't afford to lose in the car.

  • We encourage men to carpool, especially if you're coming from the same church or small group. We'll help coordinate rides for anyone who needs one closer to the trip date. No one gets left without a way to get there. If you need help with transportation, note it when you register or email us at Christian@swordandshovel.com

  • The registration fee is non-refundable after June 9th. If something comes up before the deadline, reach out to us at Christian@swordandshovel.com and we'll work with you.

  • Yes, as long as he's 18 or older. This is actually one of the best trips you can take with your son. There's something about a day on Class IV water together that doesn't happen in a living room. Bring him.

Subscribe

Subscribe