The general store closes at 5pm, so make note of that if you plan to be in the area. This high elevation, sage brush and pinyon pine forest is located west of US Hwy 395, in the Southern Sierra range. Where the Mojave desert meets the Sierra Nevada. Another access is Sherman's Pass Road (from the Kern River) but snow can close that route half the year. Certain times of the summer this area can get busy, especially on holiday weekends, but then other times can be wide open & you'll have the whole place to yourself. Kennedy Mdws campground has 39 spots with a motorhome limit of 30'. Back roads provide more privacy & seclusion.
If the unruly crowds are overwhelming & you have the SUV to get going, head north to the secluded harder to reach Monache Meadows area. NO services! The rangers recommend 4 wheel drive for the 'Jeep Road' that heads north into the Inyo National Forest, but we easily made it in a high clearance 2WD Amigo. Of course, this depends on the season. If heavy snow is present, the dirt 4WD trail may be tough going.
There is also another Kennedy Meadows in the Sonora Pass, Central Sierra Nevada region. It is a horse packing ranch, only open during a few summer months.
kennedy meadows, California
Mountain

location:
Tulare County
Southern Sierras, W of Ridgecrest
on NIne Mile Canyon Road (Inyo Co. Rd. J41), off of Hwy.395

recreation:

parks, forests, rivers & lakes:

kennedy meadows campgrounds
Monache Meadows Camping
Fish Creek Campground NFS
Troy Meadow Campground
Kennedy Meadows Campground
Big Meadow Sequoia
Horse Meadow Campground
Chimney Creek Camp BLM
Long Valley Campground BLM
Kern River Camping
Kern River Campgrounds

description:
High desert mountain community of cabins in pinyon pine, juniper, sage brush meadow forest. On the Kern Plateau inside the Sequoia National Forest, bordering Inyo Forest, near Olancha Peak.

local links:
Kennedy Meadows General Store
559-850-5647
https://www.kennedymeadowsgeneralstore.com
Kern Valley Canyon Connection
Back Road Camping Photos
Kennedy Meadows General Store
Kern River Hot Springs
PCT - Pacific Crest Trail Association
Porter Ranch Airport
Kennedy Meadows, Sonora Pass 108
Golden Trout Wilderness Map
Inyo National Forest Map
Sequoia National Forest Map
South Sierra Wilderness Map
Grumpy Bears Retreat
Shermans Pass Road 22N05
Chimney Peak Backcountry Byway
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