Hiking Near Bakersfield: Kern River Valley & Sequoia Forest Trails

Hiking near Bakersfield splits into two rough tiers: easy, valley-edge trails within or near city limits, and a wider range of forested trails an hour or more up Highway 178, once the terrain climbs into Sequoia National Forest around Lake Isabella and Kernville.

Hiking near Bakersfield: close to town

For a short hike without leaving the valley, Panorama Bluffs Park, off Panorama Drive, offers an easy 2-mile loop with views over the Kern River and downtown Bakersfield. Hart Memorial Park, on the city’s east side, has a network of canyon and hilltop trails shared with mountain bikers, ranging from easy to moderate. Just next to it, the Panorama Vista Preserve protects roughly 940 acres along the Kern River and is a genuine wildlife-viewing spot, home to the endangered Bakersfield cactus among other native species (see our Panorama Vista Preserve guide for its restoration history and access points). Further southwest, the Wind Wolves Preserve, run by the Wildlands Conservancy, covers about 93,000 acres of foothill and canyon terrain; its San Emigdio Canyon Trail is a roughly 7-mile route with creek access, and free primitive camping is available for overnight visitors.

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Kern River Canyon and the Kern River Valley

Heading up Highway 178 toward Lake Isabella, the Kern River Trail is a beginner-friendly out-and-back of roughly 5 to 6 miles that follows the river through the canyon, with wildflowers typically showing in spring. The longer Mill Creek Trail, off Kern Canyon Road, runs through creek crossings and partial shade and can be hiked in full or in shorter sections depending on time and ability. Closer to Lake Isabella, near Wofford Heights, the Unal Trail is a moderate 3.5-mile loop that climbs through shaded cedar and pine forest to an overlook of the surrounding Sequoia National Forest, where a small time capsule buried at the summit is a local landmark on the route.

Higher up: Sequoia National Forest trails around Lake Isabella

The forest above Lake Isabella has an extensive trail network maintained by the Kern River Ranger District. Sunday Peak is a short, family-friendly 1.7-mile hike to summit views. The Portuguese Trail is a 2.1-mile ridge loop with views across the valley and toward the Sierra, while the longer Remington Ridge Trail, at about 7.4 miles with a steep climb, rewards hikers with views down over Isabella Lake. Near Springville, Dome Rock is a well-known short hike to an exposed granite slab with sweeping panoramic views, popular as a sunset spot. For current trail conditions, closures, or seasonal access questions, the Kern River Ranger District can be reached at (760) 376-3781.

A longer drive: Trail of 100 Giants

For hikers willing to make a longer day of it, the Trail of 100 Giants sits further north in the Giant Sequoia National Monument portion of Sequoia National Forest, near Johnsondale, roughly two hours or more from Bakersfield via Kernville. It’s a flat, easy 1.3-mile interpretive boardwalk loop through a genuine old-growth sequoia grove, including a roughly 2,000-year-old tree, and makes a good add-on for a full day trip that also includes Lake Isabella or Kernville.

Practical notes

Elevation makes a real difference in season here: trails close to Bakersfield are hikeable nearly year-round, while the higher Sequoia National Forest routes can hold snow into late spring and are best hiked from late spring through fall. Wildflower season, where it applies, generally runs mid-March through April on lower canyon trails. Anyone hiking near Bakersfield who also wants time on the river itself should read our Kern River recreation guide for water-safety context, and check road conditions before the drive up Highway 178.