Inyokern is a rural desert town in Kern County
The small, Mojave Desert town of Inyokern, east of the Sierra Nevada, has a population of approximately 960. Residents enjoy the town’s natural beauty and remote location absent of big shopping centers and events. “I had a buyer who was looking for more land in Inyokern because they lived in the city, in LA. They wanted a place with a lot of land and to live in a small town,” says real estate agent Kha Hoang, who works with Berkshire Hathaway Homeservices California Realty and has over five years of experience. Those searching for a calm rural lifestyle can find it in Inyokern, located 90 miles east of the closest big city of Bakersfield. The community’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Bungalows, manufactured homes and ranch-style homes in Inyokern
Around downtown Inyokern, there are grid-style blocks of bungalows and manufactured homes on lots often protected by fences. Many houses have landscaped yards that add pops of green, including palm trees and boxwood shrubs, to the desert landscape. Most homes also have views of the Sierra Nevada. The blocks become looser and more spread out in the southern part of the community, where similar homes can rest on over an acre of land. “The buyer wanted to grow something and didn’t want to be near a lot of people anymore,” Hoang says. To the north, Inyokern is spread out, with plenty of empty land and ranch-style homes on multiacre lots. According to a Homes.com calculation, which uses a combination of estimate data, the average home value in Inyokern was around $310,000 in the spring of 2025. On average, homes stay on the market for 59 days, in contrast to the national average of 49 days.
Hiking at Indian Wells Canyon and more recreation options
With its panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and wide stretches of sand, Inyokern has been the backdrop for Westerns and car commercials. To explore the desert, locals can go to Indian Wells Canyon for hiking and off-roading on the western outskirts of town. The trails have overlooks of the Indian Wells Valley, mountain scenery, Joshua trees and old mining sites. The community is also about 15 miles from the Walker Pass Trailhead, an entry point for the famous Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from British Columbia to the border of the United States and Mexico. The centrally located Inyokern County Park has a picnic pavilion, a basketball court and a shaded playground.
Education from Inyokern Elementary to Burroughs High
On Niche, Inyokern Elementary School has a B-minus rating. Murray Middle School has a B, while Burroughs High School earns an A-minus rating. The high school course catalog includes classes on zoology, ceramics and German.
Local shops and restaurants in downtown Inyokern
Inyokern has a retail district on West Inyokern Road, a main thoroughfare in the heart of town. It has local restaurants, including the beloved fast-food stop Classic Burgers. At Five Fingers Pub, patrons enjoy a tavern setting with a pool table. West of town, Indian Wells Brewing Company offers unique soda and beer flavors, plus dog-friendly outdoor seating. Shops on West Inyokern Road range from Mari's Boutique And Thrift, which sells furniture and clothes, to the convenience store Inyokern Market. The closest grocery store is Albertsons, located about 10 miles away in Ridgecrest.
The distance to Bakersfield and more travel
Many residents commute to Ridgecrest, a larger city about 10 miles from Inyokern. Via state Route 178, Inyokern is about 90 miles away from Bakersfield. Ridgecrest Transit provides bus services. The town has a small regional airport called Inyokern Airport, while the closest major airport is the Meadows Field Airport in Bakersfield.
