Un-dammed and un-spoiled, the Kings river truly is one of the most scenic rivers in the West, and provides for an excellent whitewater rafting trip experience.
Because the Kings is free-flowing, big water in the spring, and lots of fun even as the water level drops. The longed for conditions of heavy snow pack and warm weather combine to create some big whitewater, not unlike some of the hydraulic (waves, holes, and currents) runs of the Grand Canyon. In the spring, the Kings is a big water river without the technical difficulty of the Merced or Tuolumne, The Kings is suitable for both the first time rafter and the experienced paddler.
The river bed is wide and not very obstructed, so even at high flows the Kings is not particularly hazardous. Class III (beginning whitewater) rapids roll through the canyon in exciting wave trains (a series of waves), creating a wilderness roller coaster ride of gigantic proportions! The exciting ten mile run rushes through Banzai, Fang Tooth and Sidewinder rapids on the way to our take-out at our base camp.
The Kings River is an easy 6-hr drive from Southern California; it is a great river for first-time rafters and families, as well as experienced rafters.
Tour Itinerary
Camping the night prior to your trip: Camping with us the night prior to your trip and breakfast the morning of your trip is included. Our beautiful 5 acre riverside base camp has sandy beaches for campsites, picnic tables and BBQ's for preparing your own dinner the evening before your trip, and a volleyball court for off-river play. Park your car in the parking area above camp for easy access.
Day 1: The day begins at 8 A.M. with a delicious breakfast which can include pancakes, omelettes, fresh fruit, cereal, yogurt, juice, fresh coffee, tea, hot chocolate. Let us know if you have a special diet. By 10 A.M. we have gathered at the picnic tables for the Trip Orientation, a thorough, 30-minute presentation given by your Head Guide. He/she will go over the safety features of the trip, and demonstrate paddle techniques.
You will be introduced to your guides, board our river vehicle and drive up to the Put-In at Garnet Dyke. Here you will launch your boats and begin rafting a couple of fun and easy rapids which will get you warmed up for Bonsai Hole, a large Class III+ rapid! After that, the rapids are continuous, and the current is swift.
About noon we stop for a hearty and nutritious picnic lunch on the banks of the river. Lunch includes a variety of deli meats, cheeses, breads, condiments, vegetables, fruit, chips, cookies, lemonade, ice tea, and water. After lunch, we re-board our boats and continue rafting through several more Class II and III rapids.
The scenery is beautiful, you will see very few other people on the river, and by the time we get to the take-out you feel pleasantly tired and ready for the next activities of the day. We will load the boats onto our trailers, and board the Kings vehicles for the 10-minute drive back to camp.
Back at camp, you may play volleyball, sit by the river, read, relax, and socialize with old and new friends, Hors d’oeuvres prepared by your guides are served about 5-5:30 P.M. Dinner is served about 6:30 P.M. After dinner is a slideshow and campfire. Then, you can enjoy sleeping under the stars.
Day 2: The day begins at 8 A.M. with another delicious breakfast. By 9 A.M. we have boarded our river vehicles for the 30-minute drive to the Garnet Dyke Put-in, the top section of the river. You already know your guide, and you are already an accomplished paddler, so we will launch into the current.
Because the river is free-flowing and the water level changes almost from moment-to-moment, the river seems to be slightly different the second day. You already know the rapids and are better able to have fabulous rides through them. Lunch is served on the banks of the river. We return to camp about 4 P.M. After watching slides of your day’s run, and purchasing a souvenir T-shirt, you have are ready to leave for your next destination.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
- Minimum deposit: $75.00
- Min. age: 7
Price includes:
- 2 days of rafting
- 2 nights of camping
- 5 meals
Also see tour packages in:
USA
California
Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
Camping
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