Kings River California
Sierra Nevada
Kings Canyon National Park
Kings River is the longest river in the Sierra Nevada mountains, spanning a 70+ miles of terrain from edge of the Eastern Sierra to the western Sierra foothill reservoirs, and down to the agricultural San Joaquin Valley @ Fresno, CA
Classification/Mileage:
Wild — 65.5 miles
Recreational — 15.5 miles
Total — 81.0 miles
Parks & Forests along Kings River:
Kings Canyon National Park
Sequoia National Forest
Sierra National Forest
The 272-mile long Kings River drops sharply in elevation from its headwaters high in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range on its way to the Central Valley, flowing just south-east of Fresno. The dramatic descent generates electric power for dams and the river also helps irrigate cropland and provides fresh water to Central Valley communities.
Sierra Nevada / Central California
Kings is the mighty river of the whole Sierra Nevada mountain range. Deep granite gorge, wild and dangerous, longest running river with abundant waterfalls, tributaries and runs along side a giant cavern too. The giant, rocky canyon for this big river is so impressive, that the created a National Park around it. Hence the name, Kings Canyon!
The snow melt starts way up in the high elevation back country near the tiny alpine lakes at Kearsarge Pass and the tallest peaks of Mount Whitney. The Kings River passes thru Kings Canyon National Park and spills out into the large Pine Flat Reservoir, on the western edge of the wilderness. The river continues down to the great California Central Valley to sloughs & irrigation canals for the big agriculture crops, which feed the world.
Kings River Recreation
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backpacking
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beaches
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boating
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canyons
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car camping
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creeks
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forests
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fishing
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hiking
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kayaking
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rafting
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reservoirs
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RV camping
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swimming
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tubing
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waterfalls
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wildflowers
Kings River Camping & Campgrounds
- National Park Campgrounds
- National Forest Campgrounds
- Dispersed Camping along Kings River
- Pine Flat Lake Campgrounds
- RV Parks near Kings River
Creeks & Lakes near Kings River:
Big Pine Creek / Sierra Road #9
Blackrock Reservoir
Black Rock Road #11S12
Courtright Lake
Gardiner Lakes (highcountry)
Pine Flat Reservoir (aka Sanger, CA and Trimmer Springs)
Wishon Lake
see all Central Valley Reservoirs
Additional resources for Kings River:
USDA Kings Wild and Scenic River
Kings Canyon Visitor Center
(Grant Grove, on Highway 180)
559-565-4307
Cedar Grove Visitor Center
(summers only, end of Hwy 180)
559-565-3793
Sequoia National Forest
(south side of river)
Hume Lake Ranger District
559-338-2251
Sierra National Forest
(north side of river)
High Sierra Ranger District
559-855-5355
towns along Kings River:
- Sanger, CA (Pine Flat Reservoir)
- Reedley, CA
- Hanford, CA
- Fresno, CA
rivers.gov – Kings River Online Topo Map
KINGS CANYON AREA MAPS:
Headwaters to the Kings:
features along the river, listed by fork
South Fork Kings River
South Fork is the most accessible part of the river inside the National Park. Well known and deepest part of the granite Kings Canyon, where Highway 180 dead ends
Although the South Fork waters begin as snow melt on top of the Inyo peaks of the High Sierra. About 20 miles NE of Cedar Grove (as the crow flies) and 33 miles by foot / trail
Mount Prater
Split Mountain
PCT @ John Muir Wilderness
Cardinal Lake
Bench Lake
Vennacher Needle
Mount Ruskin
Mannon Peak
State Peak
Arrow Peak
Dougherty Peak
Kid Creek
Arrow Creek
Kid Peak
Gardiner Creek
Glacier Creek
Glacier Monument
Bubbs Creek
Avalanche Creek
Mist Falls
Buck Peak
Bailey Bridge (footbridge)
Kanawyers
Zumwalt Meadows Trailhead
Granite Creek
Paved Loop Parking Lot
Highway 180
Roaring River Falls
Cedar Grove (NPS campgrounds)
Cedar Grove Overlook
Avalanch Peak
Hotel Creek
Lewis Creek
Deer Cove Creek
Grizzly Creek
Boulder Creek
Windy Gulch Cascade
Boyden Cavern
Lockwood Creek
>> JCT w/ MID FORK <<<<
Middle Fork Kings River
Middle Fork begins at the alpine levels near
Helen Lake the Pacific Crest Trail
Langille Peak
Meadows near Dusy Basin Trail junction
The Citadel
Palisade Creek
Rambaud Creek
Cartridge Creek
Great Cliffs
Goddard Creek
Horseshoe Creek
Simpson Meadow
Ranger Station (backcountry)
Dougherty Creek
Slide Creek
Dog Creek
Alpine Creek
Blue Canyon (4600′ elev)
Crystal Creek
Painted Rock
Gorge of Despiar
Tehipite Switchbacks
Silver Creek
Monacrch Wilderness
Wren Creek
Tombstone Creek
Brush Canyon
Deer Canyon
>> JCT w/ South Fork <<<<
Highway 180 has a paved viewpoint overlook for this impressive, deep granite gorge with rivers intersecting. At this confluence of the Middle & South fork, we pick up with notable spots heading west.
Tenmile Creek
Rough Creek
Garlic Meadow Creek
Kings River NRT
Spring Creek
Converse Creek
Fox Canyon 1500′ elev
Verplank Creek
Garnet Dike
Mill Flat Creek
Trimmer Springs Road
Mill Flat Campground
>> JCT w/ North Fork <<<<
Bailey Bridge (steel road bridge)
Black Road Road #11S12 (Fresno Vomac Rd)
Pine Flat Reservoir
Big Creek / Sierra NF. Road #9
North Fork Kings River
Helms Creek connects Courtright Reservoir to Wishon. However, the official North Fork of Kings River begins below Wishon Reservoir and its gigantic granite gorge.
Rancheria Creek
Teakettle Creek
Mule Creek
Black Rock Reservoir
Patterson Creek
Basin Creek
Dinkey Creek
Free primitive camping on dirt roads, can be found way up near the Bassetts intersection. Opposite from Gold Lake Hwy – turn RIGHT (south) on to logging roads: Forest Rd #54 (long ridge route, all dirt) and club into the forest. Drive a several miles up to any large dirt pulls out. Passenger car accessible road; No low riders. Carry a good forest map. Many primitive camp spots have wide openings with views of the Sierra Buttes and crystal clear night skies. Wind can get bad on this mountain ridge, so pick your camp spot with that in mind.
