Kennedy Meadows, CA

Kennedy Meadows is a secluded, high-country outpost perched around 6,000 feet on the Kern Plateau in the southern Sierra Nevada. Surrounded by Sequoia National Forest and the South Sierra Wilderness, everyday life here is quiet, rugged, and distinctly off the beaten path. Winding roads connect the community down to U.S. 395 to the east, while seasonal routes cross over Sherman Pass toward the Central Valley during the summer months.

The area is famous among backpackers as the iconic gateway to the High Sierra along the Pacific Crest Trail, which brings a brief burst of lively energy each spring. For year-round residents, the pace stays relaxed and self-reliant, with easy access to the South Fork Kern River, pine forests, and miles of backcountry trails. It is a peaceful mountain retreat defined by starry night skies and dramatic seasonal changes.