River Use Permits
How to obtain a River Use Permit for the Upper and Lower Kern Run.
A Kern River Use Permit is required year round and is valid from May 1 through April 30
each year. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and are free of
charge. A permit is required for EACH craft. Group size cannot exceed 18 people on
the river at one time.
To obtain a permit, fill out an application IN PERSON at Forest Service offices
in Kernville, Lake Isabella, Springville or Bakersfield. Applications will not be mailed out or left in office drop boxes. Upon
completion of your application, a waterproof permit may be issued.
A permit is required from Riverkern Beach south to Riverside Park in Kernville. A permit is not required from the KR3 Powerhouse.
How to obtain a River Use Permit for Forks Run.
On the Forks Run, the Forest Service operates an advance reservation service in an effort to give boaters a more equal chance of obtaining a permit. The Forks Run is limited to 15 people per day. Permits are required from May 15 through September 15 each year.
RESERVATION: To obtain a reservation, there is a $10.00 fee to enter the
selection process. This fee is not refundable regardless of whether or not you are
successful in the drawing. Applications for a reservation will be made through the mail
beginning March 15 each year. Requests postmarked before March 15 will be returned. The
final deadline to submit an application is April 15. We accept only ONE application per
person during this reservation process. If more than one is submitted all will be
eliminated from the drawing. Applications will be separated by requested put-in dates, and
a drawing will occur for those dates which have an excess of requests.
OBTAINING A PERMIT: Fill
out this application providing complete information on the front and back.
Sign the back of the form and be sure to include your first, second and third choice
dates. Type or print legibly. Faxed copies of the application will not be accepted.
Mail this application to:
Kern River Ranger District, Kernville Office
c/o River Permits
P.O. Box 9
Kernville, CA 93238
Enclose a personal check, cashier's check or money order in the amount of
$10.00. Checks should be made payable to:
USDA-Forest Service.
Please, do not send cash. Also, each application must have its own separate check
attached. A separate permit is required for each trip.
AFTER THE DRAWING: If you are successful in the drawing your permit will be
mailed out May 1. If you are unsuccessful in the drawing you may call our office before
May 15, secure a permit for unfilled slots and have it mailed to you. After May 15,
permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis, by phone and walk-in. THESE
PERMITS MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON by 9:00 AM the day of your trip or up to 24-hours in
advance.
They are available at one of the following Forest Service offices:
- Kern River Ranger District, Kernville Office
105 Whitney Road
Kernville, CA 93238
760-376-3781
- Tule River Ranger District
32588 Highway 190
Springville, CA 93265
559-539-2607
CANCELLATION AND PARTY SIZE REDUCTIONS: You must notify the Kernville Ranger
Station within 7 days of your scheduled trip, if you need to cancel your reservation or
if your party size changes. If you fail to cancel within the time frame you will be
considered a "no-show" and will be eliminated from applying for a Forks permit
the following year!
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