If you’re looking for an active outdoor adventure near Los Angeles, our Kern River Rafting Safari recently received national attention.
The trip was featured in Travel + Leisure in a story highlighting the wild beauty and world-class rafting of California’s Kern River as well as our unique river safari camp.
A Two-Day Rafting and Glamping Adventure
The article follows a two-day rafting journey down the Kern River with Momentum River Expeditions, combining Class IV whitewater with a safari-style riverside camp.
As the writer describes arriving at camp:
“after drifting 10 miles down the Kern, we arrived at Momentum’s base camp. An enclave of safari-style tents set atop wooden platforms—inside two of which, as if by magic, our luggage awaited—the experience was like being shipwrecked in a place you never want to be rescued from“
After a day running rapids through the granite canyon of the Southern Sierra, guests pull into a riverside camp designed to combine wilderness immersion with comfort.
Instead of traditional camping, the experience includes:
- Private Safari-style walk-in canvas tents
- Riverside lounge areas and a fire pit
- Multi-course dinners
- Wine and cocktails at camp
- A relaxed evening beside the river
Big Whitewater Just 3 Hours From Los Angeles
One of the things that makes the Kern River special is how wild it feels despite being so close to a major city.
The river flows through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, creating a canyon known for its steep granite walls and powerful rapids. Yet it’s remarkably accessible.
From most of the Los Angeles area, it’s roughly a three-hour drive to Kernville, the gateway town for rafting trips.
That means a quick weekend can turn into a full wilderness experience:
Drive up from LA → Launch into whitewater → 3-course meals beside the river (luxury camping) → Wake up to a leisurly breakfast and then run rapids again.
An Active Alternative to the Typical Weekend Trip or 2-day Trip
Many Southern California getaways revolve around beaches or resorts.
The Kern River Rafting Safari offers something different: an active but comfortable outdoor adventure.
As the Travel + Leisure story highlights, that mix of adrenaline and relaxation is what makes multi-day rafting trips so memorable.
Read the Travel + Leisure Article
If you’d like to read the full story:
“This Little-known California River Has Some of the Country’s Best Rafting.”
