California whitewater, Kings River Fresno county, Garnet Dike Campground to Kirch Flat Campground section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III-IV     9.5 miles   Kings River rafting trip 1997 (see picture) Kings River Rapids, photo taken in spring (see picture) This is a great place to paddle, specially in late spring. It slows down in the summer and gets very rocky but it's a fun run even then. Says Bob The Garnet Dike Campground to Kirch Flat Campground section of Kings River in Fresno County is 9.5 miles long and has been rated as a class III-IV section by American Whitewater.     The rivers for whitewater rafting and kayaking here in California are often tougher than in other states, so keep in mind that many of the sections here are not safe for beginners. The natural beauty of Fresno County and the cool fresh water are reasons enough to come here and paddle. The Garnet Dike Campground to Kirch Flat Campground stretch is one of many paddling stretches in this river system. Getting some good exercise and spending some quality time in nature are sure to keep you coming back for more. The beauty of the Central Sierra Nevada is a great plus for this river. On this section you do get some distance, you can easily run it on an afternoon.   No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking this area has a large number of paddling places. The put-in location is a reasonable drive from Visalia-Porterville, if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. The nearby hotels are a bit away from the river, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. Briefly about the general area: A day at gorgeous Sandy Cove Beach in close proximity to Kings River is a great thing to do. Have a tremendous hiking adventure along the Deep Creek Trail, and at Kings River you always meet someone from Dunlap. Kings River, Garnet Dike Campground to Kirch Flat Campground road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Pictures of Kings River Bigger Picture Bigger Picture Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Kings River.   Whitewater Near Kings River: Mill Flat Creek, Fresno County, 2 miles away       Class IV-V - 2 miles long (Forest Service Road 12S0 to Kings River) Kings River - North Fork, Fresno County, 2 miles away       Class V - 1.5 miles long (Balch Afterbay to confluence with Dinkey Creek) Kings River - North Fork, Fresno County, 3 miles away       Class V - 3 miles long (Dinkey Creek to Main Kings Confluence) Dinkey Creek, Fresno County, 4 miles away       Class V - 1.5 miles long (Old mine trail to National Forest Kings confluence) Kings River, Fresno County, 4 miles away       Class III-IV - 9.5 miles long (Garnet Dike Campground to Kirch Flat Campground) Kings River, Fresno County, 5 miles away       Class II(III) - 7 miles long (Kings River Powerhouse to Big Creek Cove) Mill Creek, Fresno County, 11 miles away       Class V - 6 miles long (Squaw Valley to Wonder Valley Guest Ranch) Big Creek Kings River Tributary, Fresno County, 11 miles away       Class III-IV - 1 miles long (Trimmer Springs Road to Kings River) Big Creek Kings River Tributary, Fresno County, 11 miles away       Class III-V - 5 miles long (Bridge on Forest Service Route 7 to Trimmer Springs Road) Dinkey Creek, Fresno County, 11 miles away       Class V+ - 6.3 miles long (Ross Creek Trail to confluence of National Forest Kings)   Ski Areas Near Kings River: Sierra Summit, California , 21 miles away, 1679 foot drop, 11 lifts, 45 runs Mammoth Mountain, California , 43 miles away, 3100 foot drop, 27 lifts, 156 runs June Mountain, California , 50 miles away, 2580 foot drop, 7 lifts, 37 runs Badger Pass, California , 59 miles away, 540 foot drop, 5 lifts, 10 runs Shirley Meadow, California , 74 miles away, 600 foot drop, 3 lifts, 7 runs Dodge Ridge, California , 94 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 10 lifts, 59 runs   Marinas Near Kings River: Pine Flat Lake Marina, Piedra , 19 miles away   Beaches Near Kings River: Sandy Cove Beach, Fresno , 14 miles away   Hotels Near Kings River: Elliott House Bed And Breakfa, Shaver Lake , 20 miles away Plantation Bed Breakfast, Lemon Cove , 26 miles away Comfort Inn & Suites Sequoia Kings Canyon, Three Rivers , 27 miles away Sequoia River Cabins, Three Rivers , 28 miles away Americas Best Value Inn, Three Rivers , 28 miles away   Campgrounds Near Kings River: Bear Wallow Group, Kings Canyon National Pk, 1 miles away Mill Flat Campground, Fresno County, 1 miles away Green Cabin Flat, Kings Canyon National Pk, 1 miles away   Trails Near Kings River: Deep Creek Trail, Fresno , 13 miles away,  8 hiking miles, 1608 feet elevation difference Bobs Flat Trail, Fresno , 14 miles away, 5.3 hiking miles, 1872 feet elevation difference Red Mountain Trail, Fresno , 18 miles away,  16.8 hiking miles, 2167 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near Kings River: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, Three Rivers - CA , 28 miles away Devils Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Lakes - CA , 45 miles away Sierra National Forest, California , 31 miles away   Lakes Near Kings River Hume Lake, Fresno , 13 miles away Duck Lake, Fresno , 15 miles away Rainbow Lake, Fresno , 16 miles away