🍂 A Fall Day Trip from Your Base Camp at Kern River’s Edge
- Kern River's Edge Team
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 17 minutes ago
Trail of 100 Giants, Nobe Young Falls & Ponderosa Leaf Peeping
Hi campers! We are Kealy and Trevar, your camp hosts here at Kern River’s Edge Campground, and Fall is one of our absolute favorite times to be in the Kernville area. The summer crowds thin out, the air turns crisp, and the mountains glow with golden leaves.
Today, we’re taking you along on one of our favorite fall day trips — a scenic loop through the Sequoia National Forest to explore the Trail of 100 Giants, Nobe Young Falls, and some seriously stunning leaf peeping around Ponderosa.
And the best part? This entire adventure starts and ends at Kern River’s Edge Campground — your perfect base camp for exploring the Southern Sierra.
Pro tip: Dress in layers — fall mornings can be in the 40s and afternoons can warm into the 60s or low 70s.
With clean amenities, riverside campsites, and an on-site camp store stocked with essentials, snacks, and a custom map for navigating mountain trails, you’ll be ready to head out and return to a warm fire by nightfall.
🌄 Morning: Fuel Up in Kernville
Start your day slow and cozy at Sequoia Mountain Bakery in downtown Kernville — just a few minutes from your campsite.
Fresh pastries, hearty breakfast sandwiches, and rich coffee will power you up for your mountain day.
Fuel up your car in Kernville — there are no gas stations once you leave camp.
Grab your picnic lunch (try our new fav, the Turkey Provolone on garlic rosemary sourdough from Sequoia Mountain Bakery!) and any last-minute road trip snacks.
After breakfast, you can easily swing back by your campsite at Kern River’s Edge to pack your day bag, top off your water bottles, and head for the mountains.
🎒 Pro tip: Before heading out, swing by the Camp Store at Kern River’s Edge. Pick up our exclusive, easy-to-read adventure map, created by local trail lovers — a must-have when cell service fades in the mountains.
🌲 Midday: Trail of 100 Giants
Just 37 miles north of camp, this paved, family-friendly trail winds through a grove of awe-inspiring ancient Sequoias.
📍 Directions from camp: Take M-99 north along the Kern River to Johnsondale, then west on the Western Divide Highway (M-107). Look for signage to the Trail of 100 Giants.
Allow one hour to drive to the trailhead, more if it's a busy weekend.
The trail is about 1 mile round-trip and fully accessible.
Towering Sequoias, golden dogwoods, and crimson maples make this a fall dream.
Take your time here — the peace and scale of the forest are something special.
Kealy & Trevar tip: We love taking our time here, snapping photos, and just soaking up the serenity from these ancient wonders.
👉 Want more? Read our full blog post: Walk Among the Giants: Trail of 100 Giants
💦 Afternoon: Nobe Young Falls + Picnic Stop
From the Trail of 100 Giant sequoia trees, it’s a short drive to the Nobe Young Falls trailhead — one of the best-kept secrets in the area.
The trail is short but can be steep and uneven — watch for a dirt pullout just south of Nobe Young Creek.
The falls may run slower in fall, but the setting is peaceful and perfect for your picnic.
Stand in the cave behind the waterfall or relax creekside with a warm drink and mountain air.
🚨 Safety tip: Rocks can be slick — stay low, stay safe, and supervise kiddos closely.
🧭 Feeling adventurous? Explore other hidden gems nearby like Dome Rock or The Needles — ask us or check out Kern River Sierra’s hiking guide for ideas!
🍁 Late Afternoon: Leaf Peeping in Ponderosa
Another 15 minutes away from Nobe Young, you will find Ponderosa, a tiny alpine hamlet bursting with color in the fall.
Expect glowing golden quaking aspens, vibrant red maples, and photo ops galore.
It’s a quiet, peaceful place to breathe in crisp air and stretch your legs before heading back to base camp.
🧤 Pro tip: Pack those cozy layers — temps drop quickly at higher elevations.
🍽️ Evening: Dinner at McNally’s Fairview Lodge
On your way back to camp, stop at McNally’s Fairview Lodge, just 25 minutes north of Kern River’s Edge:
Mountain hospitality, sizzling steaks, and cozy cabin vibes.
It’s the perfect way to end a golden day before returning to your cozy campsite.
We recommend dining on their screened patio, overlooking the Kern River.
🔥 Before You Go: Travel Tips from Your Camp Hosts
⛽ Fuel up in Kernville — there’s no gas in the mountains.
💧 Bring extra water and snacks — it's best to be prepared!
🚗 Drive carefully — mountain roads are narrow, winding, and full of wildlife.
🧭 Cell service is unreliable up here — grab our camp store map before leaving.
🔥 Always check local fire conditions before heading into the forest.
🥾 Leave No Trace — help us keep these mountains wild and beautiful.
🏕️ Make Kern River’s Edge Your Fall Base Camp
This mountain loop is one of our favorite ways to experience fall in the Southern Sierra. From golden forests to hidden waterfalls, every stop is a reminder of how magical this season can be. If you wish to pack more exploration in to your day, consider adding Dome Rock and The Needles to your itinerary.
And the best part?
You’ll start and end the day at Kern River’s Edge Campground — with:
🛒 An on-site camp store to grab supplies and gear
🚿 Hot showers and full campground amenities
📍 A central location between the Upper and Lower Kern, and a gateway to the Southern Sierra
🔥 A warm campfire waiting when you return
Book your fall campsite today and make Kern River’s Edge your home base for mountain memories.
Wake up by the river. Wander among giants. Chase waterfalls. Leaf-peep to your heart’s content — all just a day trip away.
Care-for-It and Volunteering
Recreating responsibly includes packing trash bags to leave our wild spaces cleaner than you found them. There is a glass ban in the Sequoia National Forest, so remember to use plastic storage containers, ziploc bags, or bota bags for camping gear and kitchen supplies instead.
Micro-trash and cigarette butts are trash. Thank you for caring and picking up micro-trash and cigarette butts to leave outdoor spaces better than you found them.
Click here to learn more about opportunities to volunteer your time to care for the Kern in September.
Looking for more Kern River campground tips, tricks, and hidden gems?
We’d love to help! Our campground is located right on the edge of Kern River, and we know this majestic body of water inside and out. If you’d like to learn more about swimming, camping, or rafting the Kern River, check out our website or take a look at our additional resources.
Comments