Home > California > Kennedy Meadows |
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Sunday, December 01, 2019
Other Names | Cannell Ranger District, Fish Creek Meadow, Pine Mountain, Jackass Meadows, Little Troy Meadows, Hooker Meadow, Smith Mountain, Sequoia National Forest, Ball Mountain, Bonita Meadows, West Meadow, Lookout Mountain, Danner Meadow, Corral Meadow, Stoney Meadow, Sherman Peak, Mahogany Creek, Trout Creek, Kern River, Monache Meadows, Kern Plateau OHV Area, Kern River Ranger District, Jackass Peak Motorized Trail, Kern Plateau, Rattlesnake Trail |
Last Known Status | Closed For Season |
This riding area has multiple campgrounds and staging opportunities plus about 150 miles of challenging single track trails geared toward the more experienced rider. There are a handful of 4x4 roads for larger vehicles but this area primarily caters to the dirt bikes.
The trails are generally open from mid-June until the first snowfall, which is usually the first week of November. This is one of the most popular places to go for woods riding in southern California.
Nearby services include Kennedy Meadows General Store and the Grumpy Bear Saloon which has a full service bar and live bands that play on Saturday nights.
Permit Required | Yes | CA OHMVR stickers required |
Dates Open | Mid June - November | CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round |
Other ATV Stickers Accepted | Yes | Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY) |
Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB) |
Whip Flags | Not Required | |
Maximum Vehicle Width | ||
![]() | Permitted | CA OHMVR stickers required most trails are single track only |
![]() | Some Areas | Not Recommended CA OHMVR stickers required permitted on Monache and Sherman 4x4 Roads |
![]() | Some Areas | Not Recommended CA OHMVR stickers required permitted on Monache and Sherman 4x4 Roads |
![]() | Some Areas | Not Recommended permitted on Monache and Sherman 4x4 Roads |
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Some Areas | CA OHMVR stickers required permitted on Monache and Sherman 4x4 Roads |
2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | CA OHMVR restrictions apply |
MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
![]() | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
![]() | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
Night Riding | Unknown | Not Recommended |
Trail Blazing | Prohibited | stay on designated trails |
Rule Enforcement |
Approx Size | 160,000 acres (250 sq mi) | |
Miles Of Trail | 150 | |
Climate Type | Forest | |
Elevation | 7500 to 9900 ft. | |
Trail Maintenance | Marked, Rated, Lightly Maintained | |
Loose Dirt | ![]() | |
Hard Pack | ![]() | |
Sand | ![]() | |
Mud | ![]() | |
Dust | ![]() | |
Rocks | ![]() | |
Trees | ![]() | |
Steep Hills | ![]() | |
Water Crossings | ![]() | |
Small Jumps | ![]() | |
Large Jumps | ![]() | |
Berms | ![]() | |
Sand/Gravel Pits | ![]() | |
Single Track | ![]() | |
Roads | ![]() | |
Intersections | ![]() | |
Rider Traffic | ![]() | |
Shade | ![]() | |
Hazards | ![]() | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
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Area | Motorized Trails |
Land | National Forest |
![]() | 1-5 Miles (SE) | Kennedy Meadows General Store (559) 850-5647 |
![]() | 30+ Miles (SE) | Shell (760) 377-5353 |
![]() | On Site | Troy Meadows Campground |
![]() | 30+ Miles (E) | Boulder Creek RV Resort (760) 876-4243 |
![]() | On Site | Grumpy Bears Retreat (559) 850-2327 |
![]() | On Site | |
![]() | 1-5 Miles (SE) | Kennedy Meadows General Store (559) 850-5647 |
Parking | (None) |
Entry | (None) |
Riding | (None) |
Camping | Yes Tent: $17.00 RV: $17.00 Addtl. Vehicle: $0.00 Troy Meadow and Fish Creek Campground Fees |
Comment | No camping fees charged if using overflow campgrounds. |
Our Rating | ![]() |
Recommended Stay | 1-2 Days |
Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
Nearest City | Inyokern, CA | |||
Address | Sherman Pass Road, Inyokern, CA 93527 | |||
| From: Ridgecrest, CA
1) Take US-395 north about 15 miles 2) Turn left (west) on Nine Mile Canyon Road, continue 11.1 miles 3) Turn right (north) on Kennedy Meadows Road, continue 9.2 miles 4) Turn left on CR-J14, continue 1.9 miles 5) Turn left at T-intersection on Kennedy Meadows Road, continue 1.7 miles 6) Turn left on Sherman Pass Road, continue about 8 miles to the campgrounds. |
Contact Info | Sequoia National Forest - Kern River Ranger District 105 Whitney Road Kernville, CA 93238 (760) 376-3781 mailroom_r5_sequoia@fs.fed.us www.fs.usda.gov |
Comment | Extension 633 |
Contact Info | Sequoia National Forest - Black Rock Ranger District 105 Whitney Road Kernville, CA 93238 (559) 539-2607 |
Comment | Extension 276
Office opens in the spring through first week of November. |
Contact Info | Grumpy Bears Retreat Restaurant And Tavern 98887 Kennedy Meadows Road Inyokern, CA 93527 (559) 850-2327 grumpybearsretreat@yahoo.com |
Contact Info | Kennedy Meadows General Store 96740 Beach Meadow Road Inyokern, CA 93527 (559) 850-5647 9ckmgs@gmail.com |
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS