Kings River
★ Wild & Scenic🏞 National Park
Fresno / Tulare Co. · 132 mi · Class III–V
—CFS
Loading…Optimal: 1000–4000 CFS · USGS #11218400
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USGS Gauge
National Wild & Scenic River (1987) · Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
The Kings drains the southern Sierra Nevada from 14,000-foot peaks in Kings Canyon National Park, delivering some of the biggest and most committing whitewater in California. The Main Kings (Banzai Bob to Kirch Flat) is a classic Class III run, while the Upper Kings canyons deliver expert Class IV–V. Strong spring snowmelt makes this a destination river in May and June.
Trip sections
Main Kings — Garnet Dike to Kirch Flat, Class III, most-run section
Upper Kings — Rough Creek to Garnet Dike, Class IV+, committing gorge
Middle Fork — Tehipite Valley, Class V expedition, wilderness granite
Outfitters
Kings River Expeditions
Main Kings rafting and multi-day trips
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.