The district's off-highway vehicle program is located on the Kern Plateau and is almost completely surrounded by wilderness. The Kern River borders the area on the west. The terrain varies from high rocky trails near Sherman Peak (elevation 9,909 feet) to the open country of Monache Meadow (elevation 8,000 feet), the largest complex of meadowlands in the High Sierras. Challenging rocky side hill type trails can be found in the Rattlesnake and Bonita Creek drainages. The program provides 120 miles of unpaved roads, 154 miles of maintained trail system, as well as, 18 miles of trail available for 4-wheel drive vehicles, motorcycles and ATV's over 10,000 acres of suitable open area. The OHV system on the Cannell Meadow provides a variety of riding opportunities, from relatively easy to routes that challenge even the most experienced off-roaders.

Camping Information

Troy Meadow and Fish Creek Campgrounds provide centralized access to most of the trails found on the Kern Plateau. Trail maintenance will continue with the crew maintaining a trail system, which provides many opportunities to make loops of varying difficulty. The district's trail system will be well marked with intersection signing at most junctions. The district will continue to provide user informational handouts, which includes a map giving specific trail information to the public. The district's trail system provides the opportunity to camp in a campground or in a little used site or even visit an operating fire lookout with a panoramic view.

Kern River Ranger District Off-Highway Vehicle Map Guide