01
Best overall pick
Hart Memorial Park Trails
Northeast Of Bakersfield Along The Kern River • Riverfront County Park With Dirt And Paved Paths • Local Favorite
A sprawling riverside park with enough trails and side paths to build anything from a mellow stroll to a full morning hike.
Most people start near the main Hart Memorial Park parking lots and wander the web of paths along both sides of the Kern River. You can keep it easy on the wider tracks by the water or climb the steeper side trails into the hills for views back over Choctaw Valley and the bluffs. Go early on hot days and bring water; shade comes and goes depending on which side of the park you explore.
02
Best for big views
The Bluffs Along Panorama Drive
Panorama Drive Bluff Top Above The Kern River • Bluff-Top Urban Edge Trail • Best For Sunset Views
An easy out-and-back along the rim of the bluffs with wide views over the Kern River, oil fields, and distant mountains.
Park along Panorama Drive near the overlook areas and follow the dirt path that traces the edge of the bluffs. It stays mostly flat, so you get maximum view for minimal effort, with benches and low walls to pause and take in the sunset. Expect some joggers and dog walkers, but you can usually find a quiet stretch by walking a bit farther from the main overlooks.
03
Best park loop
Panorama Park
Panorama Neighborhood Above Choctaw Valley • Neighborhood Park With Linked Walking Paths • Best For Relaxed Walks
A green strip along the bluff edge where sidewalks and dirt paths link into an easy, customizable walking loop.
Panorama Park lines the bluff above Choctaw Valley, with a mix of lawn, trees, and viewpoints that connect via paved walkways and informal dirt trails. It works well when you want a short, predictable loop with bathrooms, picnic tables, and straightforward parking. Use it as a low-key walk on its own, or connect to the longer bluff-top path toward The Bluffs if you feel like extending your outing.
04
Best waterside stroll
Lake Ming Shoreline Trails
Kern River County Park East Of Choctaw Valley • Lakeside Path With Picnic Areas And Campgrounds • Best For Families
Gentle shoreline paths loop around Lake Ming, mixing water views, open lawns, and spots to sit and watch boats or birds.
Start from the main Lake Ming parking area and follow the paths that hug the shoreline, ducking between picnic sites and coves. The terrain is almost entirely flat, making it an easy choice for kids, grandparents, or casual walkers who still want a sense of being outdoors. If you have more time, combine a lap around the lake with a side wander into nearby sections of Kern River County Park for a longer day outside.
05
Best quick nature escape
Panorama Vista Preserve
North Bank Of The Kern River Near Alfred Harrell Highway • Restored Riparian Preserve With Dirt Singletrack • Best For Birdwatching
A network of narrow trails through native plantings and riverbank groves that feels surprisingly wild for being so close to town.
From the small trailhead lot, multiple dirt paths wind through the preserve, letting you put together short loops or a longer figure-eight without repeating too much. The terrain is mostly gentle, but the narrow tracks and sandy sections keep it interesting underfoot. Early mornings are especially good here, when you are likely to spot hawks, songbirds, and the occasional rabbit moving through the brush.