Granite Launch

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About Granite Launch

Also referred to as “The Rails,” Granite is a popular put in on the Lower Kern. It’s right off highway 178 and can get you on the water quickly. Parking immediately at the put-in is limited, but there is a huge lot across the street. As always, lock your vehicle and hide your valuables. At higher flows, the bottom deck (where the ramp concludes) is covered in water. At these flows, it’s probably a better idea to launch from Slippery Rock which is just upstream. That way you can load your rafts much easier as that is a shore based put-in.

This put in is managed by BLM but was built by the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). The construction cost was $145,000.

granite put in lower kern

Flows are ~400 CFS at this flow. Photo by Kern River Outfitters.

granite boat launch

Photo by Kern River Outfitters.

Construction of granite boat launch lower kern

Photo from the DBW showing the ramp mid-construction.

Guides using granite boat launch on the Lower Kern

Granite launch in 2020. Photo by Kern River Outfitters