Permits can not be mailed out or left in office drop off boxes. Each day, a completed Forest Service manifest for the specific river run must be left at your launch site prior to your trip. Manifests are available at each Forest Service office and at designated drop off boxes in the field. More than one permit number may appear on a manifest as long as the number of passengers does not exceed the 15 person limit. During a normal water year, the boating season usually runs from May to September.
Water flows are dependent upon releases from Lake Isabella Dam.
Each raft should have an extra oar or paddle, a 50 foot throwline with bag and a 16 foot mooring line. Scout rapids before running to check for hazards. Experienced boating skills are a must. Overhanging brush and trees present special hazards for boaters. Poison oak can also be found in abundance in the Lower Kern Canyon.