Bakersfield, California · Central Valley
Kern River Golf Course
Kern County's hilly 6,458-yard course beside the Kern River near Lake Ming, with mountains and orchards all around it.
- 18Holes
- 70Par
- 6,458Yards
- BakersfieldLocation
- County-owned public courseAccess
About Kern River Golf Course
Kern River is one of Kern County's three courses, set in the county's 1,012-acre Kern River County Park north of Bakersfield, next to the river and near Lake Ming, Hart Park and the California Living Museum. It's about 15 minutes from downtown, and the county tourism office sells it on the view: mountains, lakes, the river and orchards all around.
It's 6,458 yards on hilly ground, and the county's tourism office calls it a challenge for good players with forgiving terrain for a casual round. The map survey has trees along 11 holes, around 30 bunkers and no water in play. Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data.
The park's bike path runs east from Hart Park and ends at the picnic area by the course, and The River Grill is in the clubhouse.
It's one of 5 courses in Bakersfield on Yoink, and the closest alternative is Scarlet and Gray Golf Club, about 2 miles away — handy when your first choice is booked solid.
What it's like to play Kern River Golf Course
There's real elevation change: some holes rise or fall about 48 feet from tee to green.
Course character from OpenStreetMap contributors' survey data (ODbL).
Booking a tee time at Kern River Golf Course
Book online through the course site or call (661) 872-5128. For 2026-27 (effective July 1, 2026) walking rates are $34.50 on weekdays and $42.50 on weekends for the general public, with twilight from 1 to 4 p.m. and a cheaper super twilight after 4. Seniors 55 and over pay $26 on weekdays, and a cart is $17 per rider for 18. The 9-hole rate only applies before 7 a.m. off the back nine or once the 18-hole times are gone. Birthday rounds are free the day before, the day of or the day after.
How to get a tee time at Kern River Golf Course
Yoink
Golfers across Central Valley know the drill: the good times at courses like Kern River Golf Course are gone within minutes of release, and cancellations come back without warning.
Instead of refreshing the booking page, let Yoink do it. Pick Kern River Golf Course, choose your day and time window, and Yoink alerts you when a tee time that fits opens up. You always book straight with the course.
- Pick Kern River Golf Course in Yoink.
- Choose your day, time window and number of players.
- Get an alert when a matching tee time opens — then book it directly with the course.
Golf courses near Kern River Golf Course
- Scarlet and Gray Golf Club · Bakersfield · 2 mi
- Sundale Country Club · Bakersfield · 13 mi
- North Kern Golf Course · Bakersfield · 15 mi
- The Links at Riverlakes Ranch · Bakersfield · 18 mi
- Buena Vista Golf Course · Taft · 29 mi
All 26 Central Valley courses in California · California golf courses
Kern River Golf Course FAQ
Where is Kern River Golf Course?
Kern River Golf Course is in Bakersfield, California, in the Central Valley area — about 2 miles from Scarlet and Gray Golf Club.
Is Kern River Golf Course open to the public?
Kern River Golf Course is County-owned public course.
How many holes is Kern River Golf Course, and what's par?
Kern River Golf Course is an 18-hole regulation course: 18 holes, par 70, 6,458 yards.
How do I get a tee time at Kern River Golf Course when it's booked up?
Set a watch for Kern River Golf Course in Yoink with your date, time window and group size. Yoink monitors the course's tee sheet and alerts you the moment a matching time opens, including cancellations. You book directly with the course.
What golf courses are near Kern River Golf Course?
Nearby options include Scarlet and Gray Golf Club, Sundale Country Club and North Kern Golf Course. Yoink watches 26 courses in the Central Valley area.
Sources
Facts on this page come from these pages, checked 2026-09-28. Rates and booking rules change, so confirm with the course.
- en.wikipedia.org · wikipedia
- visitbakersfield.com · tourism
- kernrivergolf.com · official
- kernrivergolf.com · official
Never miss a tee time at Kern River Golf Course
Yoink watches the tee sheet so you don't have to. When a time you want opens up, your phone buzzes — you book direct.