Kennedy Meadows Campground is a scenic, remote campground in the Inyo National Forest, situated in the Kern Plateau region of the southern Sierra Nevada in California. Located near Pearsonville, it serves as a popular gateway for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hikers.
Location and Access
The campground sits at an elevation of approximately 6,100 feet (1,859 m) along the banks of the South Fork of the Kern River. It is reached by exiting US Highway 395 near Pearsonville (north of Ridgecrest) and driving west approximately 25 miles on the paved Nine Mile Canyon Road. The drive transitions from high desert into the forested hills of the Kern Plateau.
Campground Features
- 37 campsites scattered among juniper and pinyon pine trees, with several sites (typically 28–37) located directly along the river.
- Sites accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs up to about 30 feet.
- Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring/grate, and access to vault toilets.
- It operates on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations) and is generally open year-round, though snow can limit access from November through March.
- A small general store and pack station (Kennedy Meadows Resort) are nearby, making it a key resupply point for long-distance hikers.
The campground offers a high-desert to montane feel, with hot summers (often reaching the 90s°F) and cooler evenings. It is especially popular in late spring through fall. Activities include fishing the South Fork Kern River (home to native California Golden Trout), hiking, horseback riding, and exploring nearby wilderness areas.
Surrounding Wilderness
Kennedy Meadows is surrounded by three wilderness areas:
- South Sierra Wilderness
- Golden Trout Wilderness
- Domeland Wilderness
This makes it an excellent base for backpacking, day hikes, and stock (horse/pack animal) trips.
NOTE: The campground is physically in the Inyo National Forest, but is administered by the Sequoia National Forest. It is also known as Kennedy Meadows campground.
Kennedy Meadors
Kennedy Meadows is a scenic high-elevation mountain community and popular recreational destination in the Sierra Nevada of California. There are actually two notable places with this name, but the most well-known is the Kennedy Meadows Resort area in Tuolumne County along Highway 108 (Sonora Pass).
Location and Setting
Kennedy Meadows sits nestled at approximately 6,200–6,500 feet elevation in the Stanislaus National Forest, about 58–60 miles east of Sonora. It lies along the Middle Fork of the Stanislaus River, surrounded by lush meadows, dense pine forests, granite outcrops, and dramatic mountain peaks. The area is accessible via scenic Highway 108, though the road typically closes in winter due to heavy snow.
History
The area was first settled in the late 1800s by Thomas Kennedy (and his brother), who used it as a rest stop and grazing land for travelers crossing the Sierra. A historic cabin from that era still stands. The resort itself dates back over a century, with the original lodge built in 1917. It has long served as a hub for ranching, packing, and mountain recreation.
The Kern Plateau
The Kern Plateau is a distinctive landscape at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada, characterized by vast, gently rolling forest-covered hills and mountains interspersed with lush green meadows. Unlike the sharply glaciated, rugged high Sierra to the north, the Kern Plateau features smoother terrain because it largely escaped glaciation.
This high-elevation plateau (generally 6,000–10,000+ feet) offers open, accessible country ideal for stock users, hikers, and anglers. It is renowned for:
- Abundant meadows and water sources.
- Home to California’s state fish, the California Golden Trout, which thrive in Golden Trout Creek and the South Fork Kern River.
- Expansive views from peaks like Kern Peak (11,443 ft).
- A mix of pinyon-juniper woodlands at lower elevations transitioning to pine forests higher up.
The plateau provides a peaceful contrast to busier Sierra destinations, with excellent opportunities for fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and solitude in the surrounding wilderness areas.
Overall, Kennedy Meadows Campground is a favorite for those seeking a remote, beautiful high-country experience with easy access to trails, riverfront camping, and the unique ecology of the Kern Plateau. Always check current conditions with Inyo National Forest for road status, fire restrictions, and availability.