Kern Canyon, the deep canyon of the river northeast of Bakersfield, is a popular location for fishing and boating, particularly fly fishing and whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking, and riverboarding.
Of particular interest to fishermen are the Kern River rainbow trout, the Little Kern golden trout, and the California golden trout.
The Kern Canyon is  popular for camping, hiking, and picnicking.
There are developed campgrounds maintained by the US Forest Service along the North Fork of the Kern River.
Campgrounds include Camp 3, Fairview, Goldledge, Headquarters, Hospital Flat, and Limestone.
All of the campgrounds are open in the summer months while only a few remain open year-round.

The Kern is well known for its danger, and is sometimes referred to as the "killer Kern".
A sign at the mouth of Kern Canyon warns visitors: "Danger.
Stay Out.
Stay Alive" and tallies the deaths since 1968; as of May 22, 2020, the number of deaths listed is 307.
Merle Haggard's song "Kern River" fictionally recounts such a tragedy.
Most of the people who died in the Kern River were recreational users who entered the water without proper life vests.
 Haggard also references the river in the song "Kern River Blues" recorded two months prior to his death in 2016 and released after his death the same year.

Below the canyon the Kern River has a gradient of 0.3% until it reaches the Kern River Oil Field and begins to meander along flat land into and through the city of Bakersfield.
Tubing is popular along this stretch.

The Class II whitewater located in Kernville is used for the slalom event of the annual Kern River Festival.
Kern Canyon, the deep canyon of the river northeast of Bakersfield, is a popular location for fishing and boating, particularly fly fishing and whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking, and riverboarding. Of particular interest to fishermen are the Kern River rainbow trout, the Little Kern golden trout, and the California golden trout. The Kern Canyon is  popular for camping, hiking, and picnicking. There are developed campgrounds maintained by the US Forest Service along the North Fork of the Kern River. Campgrounds include Camp 3, Fairview, Goldledge, Headquarters, Hospital Flat, and Limestone. All of the campgrounds are open in the summer months while only a few remain open year-round. 
The Kern is well known for its danger, and is sometimes referred to as the "killer Kern". A sign at the mouth of Kern Canyon warns visitors: "Danger. Stay Out. Stay Alive" and tallies the deaths since 1968; as of May 22, 2020, the number of deaths listed is 307. Merle Haggard's song "Kern River" fictionally recounts such a tragedy. Most of the people who died in the Kern River were recreational users who entered the water without proper life vests.  Haggard also references the river in the song "Kern River Blues" recorded two months prior to his death in 2016 and released after his death the same year.
Below the canyon the Kern River has a gradient of 0.3% until it reaches the Kern River Oil Field and begins to meander along flat land into and through the city of Bakersfield. Tubing is popular along this stretch.
The Class II whitewater located in Kernville is used for the slalom event of the annual Kern River Festival.
Kern River