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Sherman Pass Road, Kern Plateau, California
Photo: RuggyBearLA · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

Drives California The Southern Sierra

Sherman Pass Road

Sierra Way, M 99, Sherman Pass Road · Kernville → Kennedy Meadows

Twisty62 mi2 hr 5 min8,100 ft climbHigh point ≈ 9,100 ftOne way
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The drive

Sherman Pass Road climbs from the Kern River to the top of the Kern Plateau, and it's a long, remote road through Sequoia National Forest. The drive leaves Kernville heading north up the Upper Kern River canyon on Mountain 99 (Sierra Way), then turns onto Sherman Pass Road (Forest Road 22S05) near Johnsondale and climbs out of the canyon.

At the top, Sherman Pass is 9,200 feet up, with views to the Sierra Crest and Mount Whitney. From there the road crosses the Kern Plateau, through red fir, then mixed conifer and meadows, and drops toward the desert edge, where the trees give way to pinyon pine. It ends at Kennedy Meadows, a remote spot whose other way out is the long road east to US 395 through Nine Mile Canyon.

Along the way

  1. Kernville
  2. Sherman Pass
  3. Kennedy Meadows
Elevation
8,100 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 9,100 ft
KernvilleKennedy Meadows
Curves
Twisty most of the way
KernvilleKennedy Meadows
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • It's open roughly May through November: it usually opens in late May or early June and closes to passenger vehicles when snow falls in late fall.
  • There's no drinking water at the campsites along the road; carry water and plan your fuel before you leave Kernville.
  • Campfires, barbecues and stoves need a California campfire permit, and fire restrictions can ban them outright.
  • The road serves OHV and horse camping areas, so expect trailers and off-highway vehicles around them.

Closed by snow from about November to late May. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Sequoia National Forest: Sherman Pass Road.

Questions about this drive

How long does Sherman Pass Road take?

Sherman Pass Road from Kernville to Kennedy Meadows is 61.6 miles and takes about 2 hours 5 minutes.

When is Sherman Pass Road open?

Sherman Pass Road usually opens in late May or early June, once the snow clears, and closes to passenger vehicles with the first heavy snow in late fall.

How high is Sherman Pass?

Sherman Pass is 9,200 feet, on Sherman Pass Road between the Kern River and the Kern Plateau.

Is there a fee to drive Sherman Pass Road?

No. Sherman Pass Road crosses Sequoia National Forest with no entrance or road fee, though campfires and stoves need a California campfire permit.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Sherman Pass Road, from Kernville to Kennedy Meadows