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Published by the Kern Valley Sun
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
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!
Features a comprehensive visitors guide to the Sequoia National Forest (caution, some of the info in the print version is outdated.)
Interactive map Includes an interactive map with highly customizable views and many features.
See HERE for a range of mapping apps, print, and other wayfinding resources available through USFS!
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 info on fire restrictions, closures, and for information on undeveloped or dispersed camping areas.
In addition to campground info, the searchable map on this site includes locations for activities and points of interest.
Scroll to the bottom of the page for more detailed info recreational opportunities.
The District offices, located at 11380 Kernville Road in Kernville, are open M-F, 8am to 4:30pm. Stop by to speak to a ranger, pick up a fire permit, purchase maps, or for lots of one page fact-sheets on a range of topics including local flora, trails, designated wilderness areas,safety, and more.
Start your search for developed campgrounds on recreation.gov. Search for "Lake Isabella California" for a map showing campgrounds and day-use locations around the lake.
Click on the icons to check campsite availability, make reservations, or for a list of amenities at that location.
Developed campgrounds & day-use sites are managed by an authorized contractor or "concierge" of the US Forest Service, ExploreUS.
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 760-376-126 for questions or concerns about developed campgrounds or the boat launches at those locations.
Free campfire permits can be obtained at readyforwildfire.org/permits.
Watch a short video and take a brief quiz to obtain a permit.
Current restrictions prohibit the use of glass bottles around Lake Isabella or the Kern River.
Permits may be available at the Isabella Lake Fishing Derby, April 12, 13, and 14 at Derby HQ. Go to the derby page to learn about the Derby!
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, angler,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!
Check Out These Sites!
Most boats and other water-borne vessels require a lake permit from Kern County 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.
Launch facilities located at developed camp ground sites may require a launch fee. 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 and Wildlife or at Crossroads Shell in Lake Isabella, Sierra Gateway Market in Kernville, or other select merchants.
Free or discounted licenses may be available for select groups. See here.
Pro Tip: Download the CDFW app to keep a copy your license on your phone. You don't need to be connected to wifi to access your license(s) and Wardens can validate your digital license whereas whereas an illegible or unsigned license in your wallet may not be accepted!
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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