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An Unforgettable Ride with Whitewater Voyages -- More Than Just a River Trip From the moment we arrived in Kernville, it was clear we were in the hands of masters of the river--but what truly set Whitewater Voyages apart was their blend of expert professionalism, deep local knowledge, and a genuine, joyful passion for the Kern. Every guide on our trip was not just highly trained and safety-conscious (which they absolutely were), but also incredibly human--sharing river lore, teaching paddle techniques with patience and humor, and creating a kind of floating camaraderie that's rare to find anywhere, let alone on a raging Class IV rapid. The Kern River itself is pure magic: rugged, raw, and untamed in the best way. But with Whitewater Voyages, it became something more--a living classroom, a thrill ride, and a spiritual experience all in one. Whether we were navigating churning whitewater or floating through quiet granite canyons, our guides knew when to amp up the energy and when to let the stillness speak. Shoutout to the entire crew for creating not just a trip, but a memory--one of those rare experiences that pulls you out of daily life and reminds you you're alive. If you're looking for a river trip that's equal parts adrenaline, beauty, and soul, this is it. I've rafted in half a dozen places across the U.S. and nothing touches the heart of the experience like Whitewater Voyages on the Kern.
Great trip with my kids rafting down the Kern River for my 82nd birthday. Steve our guide was amazing. If you ever need an expert rafting guide, he's your man. The company was well organized and equipment was in very good condition. Nice array of cloths to purchase. Only knock was the photographer took poor photos and wasn't in a good location. Needed to be by class 3 rapid.
Our Group of 9 were split between 2 rafts and we did the full day "Big Water" trip. We had 5 adults and 4 adolescents between ages of 14-17. Our guides KP and Steve were outstanding, they did an excellent job of communicating with us, providing safety, and reassurance for several beginners in our group. They had such an awesome first experience thanks to them, they are already talking about doing it again soon. The whole crew at Whitewater Voyages were down to earth and professional. The lunch that was provided was excellent and prepared well with snacks, drinks, and a sandwich spread that amazing! Can't thank them enough for the wonderful exp
We have been going on white river rafting tours with this amazing company for the past two years, and each experience has been nothing short of incredible! From the moment you call to book your trip, the kindness and professionalism of the staff shine through. They take the time to explain everything thoroughly, ensuring you feel completely prepared and excited for the adventure ahead. The guides are a perfect blend of fun and responsibility. They make safety a top priority while still ensuring that the entire experience is an absolute blast. My 10-year-old daughter had the time of her life, and the guides were fantastic with her, making her feel confident and involved throughout the trip. Not only are the rafting trips exhilarating, but the guides also take the time to educate you about the river, its ecosystem, and the surrounding nature. This added layer of learning makes the adventure even more enriching and memorable. A special shout-out to the photographer who captures the most wonderful moments of the trip. The photos are stunning and truly worth every dime. They provide us with beautiful memories that we can look back on and cherish forever. We've decided that this will be a yearly tradition for our family, thanks to the exceptional experiences we've had. I highly recommend this rafting tour company to anyone looking for an unforgettable, fun, and educational adventure. Thank you to the wonderful team for making our trips so special! Chase was our instructor last year and he was so incredible so fun and kept us safe
Was my friends birthday and we booked online rafting in advance. What I recommend other to do. They always busy. I'll be honest what I didn't like is that the didn't mention that we need to have some shoes on to go rafting. We had to purchase special water shoes next door since they didn't have right size for rental. Sam was excellent instruction and it was fantastic experience to ride with him in the boat. Would defiantly come back for more rafting. PS, make sure to have sunscreen, water and some snacks. The price for the pictures is $75. I wish they can make videos from them boat. Maybe in the future they will. Overall, awesome!
I took my family of adults on the Big River tour with Mike as our guide. This program is very professionally run, with excellent equipment and guides. I was impressed with the entry speech from one of the land staff. She looked us over carefully and warned us what we'd be losing in the river if we didn't leave it behind so we headed out with just the clothes on our bodies and grins on our faces. Because my sons are all in their early 20s, we opted for the Big River Class IV trip and HOLY #*%$&! that is a fast, spooky tour! On the bus ride to the put-in, the lead guide introduced herself and the other guides and once we arrived, she gave explicitly detailed instructions. We had been on Class II and III before, and thought we would be prepared. This river is seriously fast. And we went overboard (had an "out of boat experience") during one of the early, larger rapids. We all got back into the boat relatively quickly but we're very able-bodied adults. There was another group with several minor children - having been under that angry, churning water, there is NO WAY I would take this tour with anyone under 18 for safety's sake. The lunch was pretty good for my meat eaters. I stated on the form that I'm vegan so my option was peanut butter and jelly (there was no world of safety from cross-contamination as everyone just went through the lineup and grabbed food bare-handed to create their own sandwiches - it's a post-covid world, folks.) They put out a bag of baby carrots and a small container of hummus and passed a tray of cut oranges and apples as the guides worked on setting up lunch. There was ample water, lemonade, and a bag of trail mix, but we were told we got one paper cup and that was it. A little better lunch planning would improve this tour. It would have been more efficient and sanitary if they had taken sandwich orders at registration and prepared them so they could quickly hand them out instead of trying to set up a self-serve sandwich bar. And for those with dietary restrictions, it's far safer. The little area we had lunch in was charming, with a flow of quicker water that you could float through without getting swept into the river. After lunch, there was a jump-off cliff that many of the rafters tried - made for a cool photo op but for some reason , none of the 5 people who tried it in our group were photographed so I have no proof, just memories. When we hit the Big Five I was so seriously spooked I feel like I dissociated. All I know is that when Mike said we were heading into the last one, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Folks, it's a lovely river when it's flat but once those rapids hit, it's scary out there - this is not a trip for the timid or even the mild adventurer. When you're underwater in that river, you could die. There's a reason you sign a waiver. Each of my group of 6 had their own tale to tell from our time underwater, and we made indelible memories. I'm glad we did it but we're staying out of Class IV from here on out. Special shout out to Mike, our awesome guide. He kept us in check and after that first flip we remained super solid with his strong guidance. He's so knowledgeable about the area and has been doing this for over a decade so I truly felt we were in good hands. Thanks, Mike and thanks, Whitewater Voyages!
had a fantastic first time rafting with this company! I initially felt like it was a little pricey per person but for how long the trip is (we did half day, 8 am to about noon) and for everything that's included (gear, bus over to the location etc) I think it's fair! We went end of July, the day was HOT but water was still pretty cold, refreshing. We got a chance to float off the raft a bit and jump off a little cliff as well :) Actual trip was super fun!!! We had an awesome cutie guide named Isaac (unsure of spelling) who did an amazing job leading us, very friendly, sweet, and told us some fun stories about the river / the area / the job etc. We all felt very safe being led even through the trickier more intense rapids, I'm an anxious person at times and I felt very comfortable! Would definitely go again and maybe even try a harder class Route. Only cons I would say, is im assuming because the company doesn't want to hold responsibility, we couldn't really bring our phones and I feel like I totally missed out on photo opportunities. Photo I uploaded was taken by my friend, who DID bring her phone. I wasn't really clear on exactly what to expect in terms of where our stuff will be etc while rafting but now that I know, I would definitely have been fine bringing my phone in a little waterproof bag thing. Now the only photos would be the expensive ones they sell. Oh well. Next time! :)
Went rafting today with Whiskey Flats Mayor/River Rat Ryan Merckle and our Tater Michelle as our guides and couldn't have asked for a better time!! It was my very first time rafting as well as my nieces and they took great care of us.. if rafting is something you're even just considering, this is your sign to do iiiiitt!!! Thank you Whitewater Voyages, thank you Merckle and thank you Michelle!! And for the life of me I cannot remember our bus drivers name (I'm sooorry) BUT thank you too!! You were fantastic and we appreciate the cold beverages at the end of our adventure... 10000000% would recommend this company to anyone and everyone!!
1st time rafting. Had a great experience. Everything was very organized, groups were small and each guide took care of their own people. It was very personal, you got to know the other folks in your boat over the day, since you're all depending on each other. Our guide, Kirk, knew what he was doing and kept us all on the boat. He knew a lot about the river and the surrounding area, he lives just across the mountain from the river. It was a great experience and I highly recommend it to anyone interested. When we pulled out, the owner of the company was there to greet everyone and actually drove the bus back to the starting point. Great group of people working there! One thing I should warn you about: As you drive there, you will be looking at the river. Don't worry, the section you run is not the section you see driving up. We almost chickened out based on the water we saw driving there. We were later told that section is considered impassible by raft. Which I believe!
6 months ago
2 days ago
My group (of about 12 teenagers and 8 dads) all recently took an overnight rafting trip down the Kern River with Whitewater Voyages -- and it was an absolute blast! The guides were friendly, fun and knowledgeable, ensuring everyone felt safe ... but equally importantly had a great time. They were all super personable, fun, and knew each of us by name by the end of it. I'd like to give a shoutout to Junior and Steph and the whole crew! Junior was knowledgable and super funny and what I appreciated about him as our guide on the river was one minute he could be having fun, splashing and joking, but when he needed to could quickly get us to understand it was time to focus on the rapid or work better together without ever feeling like we were being scolded for not knowing what we were doing, it was always in a positive fun way. If I returned I would 100% request Junior as our river guide again ... so long as you want to get wet and I think part of the fun are those oh sh*t moments while still being safe ... and he delivered on those :) Also, the meals were ... way beyond expectations. We are talking steaks, breakfast burritos, and more. If you're looking for adventure with great food, excellent guides and a magical night under the stars (this might have even been highlight for me -- getting to sleep under the stars and seeing the Milky Way - then this trip is for you! read more
11 months ago
Wonderful trip down the Lower Kern: Jungle Run. We had a group of 20. Guides made our trip fun, safe and enjoyable. Most of the boys hadn't been rafting before and everyone made our run down the river fun. We will be back. read more
11 months ago
An Unforgettable Ride with Whitewater Voyages -- More Than Just a River Trip From the moment we arrived in Kernville, it was clear we were in the hands of masters of the river--but what truly set Whitewater Voyages apart was their blend of expert professionalism, deep local knowledge, and a genuine, joyful passion for the Kern. Every guide on our trip was not just highly trained and safety-conscious (which they absolutely were), but also incredibly human--sharing river lore, teaching paddle techniques with patience and humor, and creating a kind of floating camaraderie that's rare to find anywhere, let alone on a raging Class IV rapid. The Kern River itself is pure magic: rugged, raw, and untamed in the best way. But with Whitewater Voyages, it became something more--a living classroom, a thrill ride, and a spiritual experience all in one. Whether we were navigating churning whitewater or floating through quiet granite canyons, our guides knew when to amp up the energy and when to let the stillness speak. Shoutout to the entire crew for creating not just a trip, but a memory--one of those rare experiences that pulls you out of daily life and reminds you you're alive. If you're looking for a river trip that's equal parts adrenaline, beauty, and soul, this is it. I've rafted in half a dozen places across the U.S. and nothing touches the heart of the experience like Whitewater Voyages on the Kern. read more
11 months ago
Great trip with my kids rafting down the Kern River for my 82nd birthday. Steve our guide was amazing. If you ever need an expert rafting guide, he's your man. The company was well organized and equipment was in very good condition. Nice array of cloths to purchase. Only knock was the photographer took poor photos and wasn't in a good location. Needed to be by class 3 rapid. read more
9 months ago
11 months ago
Our Group of 9 were split between 2 rafts and we did the full day "Big Water" trip. We had 5 adults and 4 adolescents between ages of 14-17. Our guides KP and Steve were outstanding, they did an excellent job of communicating with us, providing safety, and reassurance for several beginners in our group. They had such an awesome first experience thanks to them, they are already talking about doing it again soon. The whole crew at Whitewater Voyages were down to earth and professional. The lunch that was provided was excellent and prepared well with snacks, drinks, and a sandwich spread that amazing! Can't thank them enough for the wonderful exp read more
2 years ago
We have been going on white river rafting tours with this amazing company for the past two years, and each experience has been nothing short of incredible! From the moment you call to book your trip, the kindness and professionalism of the staff shine through. They take the time to explain everything thoroughly, ensuring you feel completely prepared and excited for the adventure ahead. The guides are a perfect blend of fun and responsibility. They make safety a top priority while still ensuring that the entire experience is an absolute blast. My 10-year-old daughter had the time of her life, and the guides were fantastic with her, making her feel confident and involved throughout the trip. Not only are the rafting trips exhilarating, but the guides also take the time to educate you about the river, its ecosystem, and the surrounding nature. This added layer of learning makes the adventure even more enriching and memorable. A special shout-out to the photographer who captures the most wonderful moments of the trip. The photos are stunning and truly worth every dime. They provide us with beautiful memories that we can look back on and cherish forever. We've decided that this will be a yearly tradition for our family, thanks to the exceptional experiences we've had. I highly recommend this rafting tour company to anyone looking for an unforgettable, fun, and educational adventure. Thank you to the wonderful team for making our trips so special! Chase was our instructor last year and he was so incredible so fun and kept us safe read more
9 months ago
2 years ago
Another amazing experience with Whitewater Voyages ! Kata was an amazing knowledgeable guide! We had such a great time and will never forget our trip! Highly recommend this business for your white water rafting. read more
3 years ago
Was my friends birthday and we booked online rafting in advance. What I recommend other to do. They always busy. I'll be honest what I didn't like is that the didn't mention that we need to have some shoes on to go rafting. We had to purchase special water shoes next door since they didn't have right size for rental. Sam was excellent instruction and it was fantastic experience to ride with him in the boat. Would defiantly come back for more rafting. PS, make sure to have sunscreen, water and some snacks. The price for the pictures is $75. I wish they can make videos from them boat. Maybe in the future they will. Overall, awesome! read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
I took my family of adults on the Big River tour with Mike as our guide. This program is very professionally run, with excellent equipment and guides. I was impressed with the entry speech from one of the land staff. She looked us over carefully and warned us what we'd be losing in the river if we didn't leave it behind so we headed out with just the clothes on our bodies and grins on our faces. Because my sons are all in their early 20s, we opted for the Big River Class IV trip and HOLY #*%$&! that is a fast, spooky tour! On the bus ride to the put-in, the lead guide introduced herself and the other guides and once we arrived, she gave explicitly detailed instructions. We had been on Class II and III before, and thought we would be prepared. This river is seriously fast. And we went overboard (had an "out of boat experience") during one of the early, larger rapids. We all got back into the boat relatively quickly but we're very able-bodied adults. There was another group with several minor children - having been under that angry, churning water, there is NO WAY I would take this tour with anyone under 18 for safety's sake. The lunch was pretty good for my meat eaters. I stated on the form that I'm vegan so my option was peanut butter and jelly (there was no world of safety from cross-contamination as everyone just went through the lineup and grabbed food bare-handed to create their own sandwiches - it's a post-covid world, folks.) They put out a bag of baby carrots and a small container of hummus and passed a tray of cut oranges and apples as the guides worked on setting up lunch. There was ample water, lemonade, and a bag of trail mix, but we were told we got one paper cup and that was it. A little better lunch planning would improve this tour. It would have been more efficient and sanitary if they had taken sandwich orders at registration and prepared them so they could quickly hand them out instead of trying to set up a self-serve sandwich bar. And for those with dietary restrictions, it's far safer. The little area we had lunch in was charming, with a flow of quicker water that you could float through without getting swept into the river. After lunch, there was a jump-off cliff that many of the rafters tried - made for a cool photo op but for some reason , none of the 5 people who tried it in our group were photographed so I have no proof, just memories. When we hit the Big Five I was so seriously spooked I feel like I dissociated. All I know is that when Mike said we were heading into the last one, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Folks, it's a lovely river when it's flat but once those rapids hit, it's scary out there - this is not a trip for the timid or even the mild adventurer. When you're underwater in that river, you could die. There's a reason you sign a waiver. Each of my group of 6 had their own tale to tell from our time underwater, and we made indelible memories. I'm glad we did it but we're staying out of Class IV from here on out. Special shout out to Mike, our awesome guide. He kept us in check and after that first flip we remained super solid with his strong guidance. He's so knowledgeable about the area and has been doing this for over a decade so I truly felt we were in good hands. Thanks, Mike and thanks, Whitewater Voyages! read more
1 year ago
11 months ago
3 years ago
The crew was so nice and fun, we had a great time! Water was perfect and the run was easy enough for us first timers read more
3 years ago
had a fantastic first time rafting with this company! I initially felt like it was a little pricey per person but for how long the trip is (we did half day, 8 am to about noon) and for everything that's included (gear, bus over to the location etc) I think it's fair! We went end of July, the day was HOT but water was still pretty cold, refreshing. We got a chance to float off the raft a bit and jump off a little cliff as well :) Actual trip was super fun!!! We had an awesome cutie guide named Isaac (unsure of spelling) who did an amazing job leading us, very friendly, sweet, and told us some fun stories about the river / the area / the job etc. We all felt very safe being led even through the trickier more intense rapids, I'm an anxious person at times and I felt very comfortable! Would definitely go again and maybe even try a harder class Route. Only cons I would say, is im assuming because the company doesn't want to hold responsibility, we couldn't really bring our phones and I feel like I totally missed out on photo opportunities. Photo I uploaded was taken by my friend, who DID bring her phone. I wasn't really clear on exactly what to expect in terms of where our stuff will be etc while rafting but now that I know, I would definitely have been fine bringing my phone in a little waterproof bag thing. Now the only photos would be the expensive ones they sell. Oh well. Next time! :) read more
2 years ago
Went rafting today with Whiskey Flats Mayor/River Rat Ryan Merckle and our Tater Michelle as our guides and couldn't have asked for a better time!! It was my very first time rafting as well as my nieces and they took great care of us.. if rafting is something you're even just considering, this is your sign to do iiiiitt!!! Thank you Whitewater Voyages, thank you Merckle and thank you Michelle!! And for the life of me I cannot remember our bus drivers name (I'm sooorry) BUT thank you too!! You were fantastic and we appreciate the cold beverages at the end of our adventure... 10000000% would recommend this company to anyone and everyone!! read more
3 years ago
1st time rafting. Had a great experience. Everything was very organized, groups were small and each guide took care of their own people. It was very personal, you got to know the other folks in your boat over the day, since you're all depending on each other. Our guide, Kirk, knew what he was doing and kept us all on the boat. He knew a lot about the river and the surrounding area, he lives just across the mountain from the river. It was a great experience and I highly recommend it to anyone interested. When we pulled out, the owner of the company was there to greet everyone and actually drove the bus back to the starting point. Great group of people working there! One thing I should warn you about: As you drive there, you will be looking at the river. Don't worry, the section you run is not the section you see driving up. We almost chickened out based on the water we saw driving there. We were later told that section is considered impassible by raft. Which I believe! read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
This was the most amazing trip of our lives for our 1st river rafting trip, we did the level 5!!! Brian, Chase & Sam are so experienced we felt comfortable they would keep us safe! That they did!!! Not flips or swimmers. This was Epic!!! You guys are The Rock Stars of the Rapids!!! Thank God for you three!!! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
Be prepared for one of the best days ever. We did the big water trip, which was awesome from the start. Sean and Max were the best guides, they were very knowledgeable and helpful. The lunch was delicious and had a great options for everyone. We were worried about our 11.5 year old and the level of rapids, but she did great. I highly recommend this company and this trip. Make sure to take the cliff jump! read more
2 years ago
Had an awesome time today with our guide Sean and safety guy Max. They made my family feel safe and welcome. They expertly guided us through class 3 and 4 rapids making sure our excitement was to the max. Lunch was amazing!! Great job!!! read more
3 years ago
Our guides was amazing! My family and I had an awesome time and lunch was yummy! thank you! read more
2 years ago
We went out last week and had a blast. The wearer was cold but we were provided west suits and booties so we were.super toasty. The guides were amazing. I would 100% recommend this place to anyone that wants to go rafting. read more
5 years ago
What a day we had at Whitewater Voyages! Came with a group of 11 and did the 1/2 day tour and we all had a blast. The weather was around the low 90s so the water was just perfect to cool us off. T I P S : - Wear a hat, dri-fit long sleeve, and water shoes/sneakers - Bring sunscreen and chapstick with spf!! - Bring a water bottle/hydro The raft has a mesh bag to carry your essentials like water and sunscreen but you're more than welcome to bring your own waterproof bag to carry other belongings you wish to bring. We were allowed to hop off the raft to swim and even jumped off a 16ft boulder into the water. Our amazinggggg guide, Josh, was super chill, funny, and informative. Thank you so much for making our first rafting experience so fun. We definitely want to come back for a more advanced tour when the water levels are higher! read more
4 years ago
Our guide Emily was amazing! Everyone was so friendly and just being on the river was wonderful. It was beautiful, fun, and a refreshing way to spend a hot afternoon. I hope we get an opportunity to come back and experience the upper Kern river too! read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
6 years ago
The is a top notch service from start to finish. You begin with a short 10 min safety meeting where they go over all the items that may happen while out rafting. We chose the level 3 course so unless you choose to jump out the raft into the water you won't have to worry about falling in unless something out of the norm happens. We all had a great time and can't wait to get back out on a level 4 course. Ron read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
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More info about Whitewater Voyages
11316 Kernville Rd
Kernville, CA 93238
Directions
(800) 400-7238
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http://www.whitewatervoyages.com
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Hi what are the rates and how long is the trip? Are there any group deals?
Group deals for 12 or more. $167.96 per person for 1 day Big Water Trip. Saves approx $30 per person.
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Whitewater Voyages - rafting - Updated May 2026
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