Summer Recreation in Sequoia National Forest
Recreation opportunities are abundant in Sequoia National Forest! With miles of hiking and biking trails, world-class climbing, and spectacular whitewater, recreationists are guaranteed an unforgettable adventure no matter their chosen activity. As always, practice the Leave No Trace Principles when exploring the great outdoors.
Hiking/Biking
Trail Of 100 Giants
Trail of 100 Giants offers an easy, accessible walk through Long Meadow Grove, one of our area's premier groves of giant sequoias. A 1.3-mile paved trail has several loop options with interpretive signs for some highlights.
Fees: $12 per vehicle/day
Open Season: End of May – Nov 15
Difficulty: Easy – 30 minutes
Facilities: Available at Redwood Meadows Campground
Johnsondale Bridge River Trail
This 5.1-mile out-and-back hike, most used for hiking and overnight backpacking trips, begins at Johnsondale Bridge (19 miles north of Kernville). The trail climbs at a gentle to moderate grade over riverside bluffs, then descends to interspersed riverside terraces. Parts of the path may be submerged at the height of spring run-off.
Fees: Free of charge
Open Season: Open year-round but best in summer
Difficulty: Moderate
Water: None
Restrooms: None
Permit Info: A fishing license is required for all persons over 16.
Cannell Meadow Trail
The Cannell Meadow trail is 23.7 miles long. It begins at Camp Owen and ends at Sherman Pass Vista. The trail is open for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Motorcycle trail riding is only allowed from Camp Owen to Pine Flat and Big Meadows Horse Camp to Sherman Pass.
Fees: Free of charge
Open Season: Year-round but best in summer
Difficulty: Hard
Water: None
Restrooms: None
Just Outstanding Trail
This 4.7-mile singletrack mountain biking trail is one of the best in the area. It is a flowy trail through the woods with small berms, twisty turns, and tons of fun.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Up: 174’
Down: 1,909’
Avg Grade: 8%
Climbing
The Needles
The Needles are a series of gigantic granite spires rising up from the North Fork of the Kern River near its junction with the Little Kern River. A true climber’s paradise with beautiful scenery and minimal crowds. The area was first explored in the early 70s and now features many world-class climbs. The best season is May through November, but summer can be hot. A good guidebook for the area is “The Needles Climbing, A Complete Guide” by Kristen Solem, available here.
Church Domes
With golden granite walls, domes, and spires, this area features well-bolted sport climbs in the awe-inspiring Domeland Wilderness. One of the classic routes of the area is Liquid Jesus, a sport climb rated at 5.11c. Climbers can easily enjoy multiple days of climbing in a remote setting. Most routes are described in the guidebook Southern Sierra Rock Climbing: Domelands, available here.
The Slabs
This dome-like slab is the closest to the town of Kernville and overlooks the upper Kern River. Officially known as “Kernville Rock”, locals refer to it as “The Kern Slabs” or just “The Slabs”. Most of the routes at Kern Slabs are moderate and equipped with 2-bolt ring/chained anchors to rap from. As summer temperatures tend to be extremely hot, it is best to climb is 7am to 10am. A guidebook for the area can be purchased online or at Sierra South in Kernville.
Camping
With hundreds of campgrounds in Sequoia National Forest, there is undoubtedly the perfect site for each camper, no matter what they seek. Along the Upper Kern River are paid and dispersed campsites where the river's roar can be heard from your tent. With a short drive to town, these sites are ideal for recreationists looking to explore all that Kernville offers. If big crowds aren’t your cup of tea, a scenic drive to the high country will offer much more secluded campsites. With so many excellent campgrounds, the best way to find what you’re looking for is to stop at the local Forest Service headquarters. Another great option is to use one of the many camping apps available. We recommend The Dyrt, Free Roam, and iOverlander.