Kern County, California
276 hiking & walking trails · 61parks, recreation areas & campgrounds · 27 cities. Real OpenStreetMap + Recreation.gov data, with a free trail map for every listing.
About Hiking in Kern County, California
Kern County is home to 276 mapped hiking trails and 61 federal parks, campgrounds, and recreation areas spread across 27 cities. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap contributors; park and campground info comes from Recreation.gov.
Looking for something specific? Search all trails in Kern County or browse parks. Want to narrow further? Pick a city below to see only that city’s outdoor options.
Trails & Parks in Kern County
Up to 261 pinpoints showing trail and park locations across the county.
Cities in Kern County
Click any city to see trails and parks within it.
3 more cities in this county.
Sample Parks in Kern County
Sample Trails in Kern County
Curated Guides for Kern County
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there hiking trails in Kern County, California?
Yes — we have 276 mapped hiking and walking trails in Kern County, California, sourced from OpenStreetMap. Browse the full list below, with distance, elevation, and difficulty for each.
What is the most difficult hiking trail in Kern County, California?
Cooks Peak Trail near Wofford Heights is rated hard — the toughest classification among Kern County, California's mapped trails.
What is the best hiking trail in Kern County, California for families?
16th Street near Bakersfield is one of the best family picks in Kern County, California — easy difficulty, short enough for kids and first-timers. See the full family hiking guide below for more options.
Is there a trail map for Kern County, California?
Each of the 276 trails in Kern County, California has its own page with an interactive map, GPS coordinates, and a link to view it on OpenStreetMap — no app or account needed.
What parks and recreation areas are in Kern County, California?
Kern County, California has 61 parks, recreation areas, and federal facilities in our index (16 classified as recreation areas). Each listing includes activities, photos where available, and directions.
Can I go camping in Kern County, California?
Yes — 5 of Kern County, California's parks have mapped campsites, from first-come sites to Recreation.gov reservations. The largest is HUNGRY GULCH with 81 sites. See the full campgrounds guide below for the ranked list.
Where can I find hiking trails and parks near Kern County, California?
Browse all hiking trails, walking trails, parks, and campgrounds across California for more options beyond Kern County, California.
Hiking guides for California
Statewide rankings and guides — useful context for Kern County.
Photo: Joshua EarleThe 10 Longest Hiking Trails in California, Ranked
California's longest mapped hiking trails, ranked by distance with notes on what makes each route worth the commitment.
Photo: Sergei AkulichCalifornia's 10 Most Punishing Trails by Elevation Gain
Steep is hard. These are the ten California trails with the most total elevation gain — quad-burners earned by hard climbing.
Photo: Maddi BazzoccoThe Best Beginner-Friendly Hikes in California
Ten gentle, well-marked California trails perfect for first-time hikers, families, or recovery days.
Photo: Holly MandarichThe 10 Most Challenging Hikes in California
California's ten hardest hikes — expert difficulty, big mileage, or serious exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers.
Photo: Diego LozanoThe Best National Parks & Recreation Areas in California
Federal parks and recreation areas in California ranked by what they actually offer hikers and campers, not just popularity.
Photo: Joshua EarleBest Waterfall Hikes in California: 10 Trails to See Falls Up Close
California's best hikes to named waterfalls — from short family-friendly viewpoints to all-day cascade chasing.