Kaweah River

Travel Info for the Kaweah River

Meet Place for Kaweah River Trips

Three Rivers Hideaway Camp
43365 Sierra Dr (Hwy 198)
Three Rivers, CA 93271

Note: If you plan to use a GPS navigation system or online mapping service, please use in conjunction with the driving directions we provide below.

Meet Time: 8:00 am

All-Outdoors Kaweah trips usually start at 8:00 am, but keep in mind that meet times may vary. Please refer to the information sent to you in your Trip Confirmation email, check with your group’s organizer, or contact our office. Plan to be on time; guests that arrive late may miss their trip.

Driving Directions to the Kaweah River

From Northern California:
Take I-5 south to Hwy 152 east; turn south on Hwy 99 toward Visalia.

From Southern California
Head north on I-5 and merge onto Hwy 99 north after the Grapevine.

From Visalia:
Take Hwy 198 east 35 miles toward Sequoia National Park. Hwy 198 becomes Sierra Drive just before Lake Kaweah. After passing the lake, travel about 5 miles through the town of Three Rivers and you will see the Three Rivers Hideaway on your left at the far end (east side) of town. The Three Rivers Hideaway is across the road from the We Three Bakery. Check in at the "drive-up” office and you will be told where to park and meet your AO guide.

We encourage you to print and use our driving directions and not rely strictly on GPS navigation. GPS / cellular service is limited to nonexistent in outlying areas.

Map

Driving Distances and Times to Meeting Place From:

San Francisco: 260 mi./ 4 hrs
San Jose: 220 mi./ 3.5 hrs
Sacramento: 240 mi./ 4 hrs
Fresno: 75mi. / 1.5 hrs
Los Angeles: 210 mi./ 3.5 hrs
Visalia: 35 mi./ 45 min
Walnut Creek: 240 mi./ 4 hrs
South Lake Tahoe: 330 mi./ 6.5 hrs
San Diego: 340 mi./ 6 hrs
Sequoia National Park: 2 mi./ 5 min

These are approximate mileages and driving times and do not take into account any delays or stops. Please allow a little extra time to assure correct arrival time to the meeting place. Thank you!

Accommodations

Hotels and B&B's

Comfort Inn & Suites:
Three Rivers, (559) 561-9000

This spacious hotel is situated right off of Hwy 198, about 5 minutes away from our meeting place. All rooms have wifi included as well as a microwave and refrigerator. Weather permitting, you can relax on the sundeck by the pool or even in the hot tub. Complimentary hot breakfast is included.

Lazy J Ranch Motel:
Three Rivers, (559) 561-4449

This small family owned working ranch is located on the west side of town, about 10 minutes away from our meet place. There are 18 motel style rooms, 2 two-bedroom units and 5 cottages surrounding a spacious lawn area with pool, volleyball court, and playground for children. Amenities include laundry room, in-room TV, refrigerator, microwave, and phone. Pet friendly rooms are available.

Cort Cottage:
Three Rivers, (559) 561-4671

This private guest cottage has a comfortable, tasteful interior and spectacular views of the surrounding meadows, mountains and wildlife. The fully-equipped kitchen comes stocked with breakfast fixings for you to prepare. Wifi internet available. Cort Cottage is located 1.1 miles from our meeting place.

Buckeye Tree Lodge:
Three Rivers, (559) 561-5900

This Lodge can be found just below the entrance to the Sequoia National Park, about a 10 minute drive from our meet place. Enjoy the views of the Kaweah River and the mountains from the grassy picnic area behind the Lodge. 11 motel style rooms, 10 cabins, and the River House (for larger groups) feature air conditioning, refrigerator, microwave, phone, and back doors to a patio (downstairs) or balcony (upstairs).

Sequoia Motel:
Three Rivers, (559) 561-4453

This motel offers 11 rooms and 3 cabins in a pleasant garden setting complete with an outdoor pool and wooden gazebo.  All rooms have TV, air conditioning and coffeemaker.  Cabins also feature kitchen, private patio, and a fireplace.  It will only take you about 2 minutes to drive to our meet place from this location.

Gateway Restaurant and Lodge:
Three Rivers, (559) 561-4133

Just a 5-minute drive to the AO meet place, this property features 5 rooms, 2 cabins and a two-bedroom river house overlooking the Kaweah River. Lodging guests enjoy a discount at the on-site restaurant.

Rio Sierra Riverhouse:
Three Rivers, 833-239-7450

This riverfront boutique hotel includes 3 comfy rooms and a cottage, all with beach access. Each room is unique, with custom vintage furnishings and decor, as well as standard hotel amenities.

Campgrounds

Three Rivers Hideaway Camp:
Three Rivers, (559) 561-4413

The campground is conveniently located on the banks of the Kaweah River and is also the meeting place for our Kaweah rafting trips. This small privately owned RV park also offers tent camping and 2 cabins. Amenities include RV hookup, fire rings, picnic tables, showers, flush toilets, and dump station. The cabins can accommodate 2 - 4 people and all feature air conditioning, wifi, cable TV and linen service.

Sequoia RV Ranch:
Three Rivers, (559) 561-4333

This campground is located about a 10-minute drive from the AO meet place and features full hookup sites as well as tent camping positioned along the banks of the North Fork of the Kaweah River. Amenities include wifi that covers the entire area of the campground.

Lemon Cove Campground:
Lemon Cove, (559) 370-4152

About a 30 minute drive from our meeting place, this campground nestled among citrus orchards just off Hwy 198, offers tent and RV camping.  A recreation room, mini mart and laundry room are available in the main building.  Guests can also enjoy an outdoor pool, playground and volleyball court.  Other amenities include cable TV, RV hookup, dump station, hot showers and flush toilets.

Sequoia National Park:
(559) 565-3341

This park contains 14 campgrounds at various distances to the AO meet place in Three Rivers. Some campgrounds are first come, first serve, some accept reservations. Visit the park website for campground status and current conditions. Note that road closures inside the Park might occur in early Spring. The entrance to this beautiful Park is only a few miles away from our meeting place.

Local Information

Surrounding Attractions

If you plan to spend additional time in the area before or after your trip, Sequoia National Park is a great place to visit. The entrance to the Park is only 8 miles east of our meet place on Hwy 198. Any reservations for accommodations in the Park should be made well in advance of your visit.

Lake Kaweah is located along Hwy 198 just west of the town of Three Rivers. Activities include boating (kayak and paddle board rentals available), swimming, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. For more information visit Visalia Convention & Visitors Bureau or USACE Lake Kaweah website.

River Conditions
(Real Time)

Real-time, up to the hour flow information is available for the Kaweah River on our Updated River Conditions page.

Local Weather

The important thing to remember about the weather in the Sierra Foothills is that it can change on short notice. It is always best to be prepared for any kind of weather situation.

Seasonal patterns do exist. In April and May, days are generally breezy and warm (60-70 degrees). Nights can be in the 50's; generally cooler during the earlier spring trips. The summer months are usually hot and dry (85-100 degrees). Night temperatures can range from the low 60's to the low 70's.

Even though these patterns exist, it is not uncommon to get a 90 degree day in May and a breezy, rainy day in June or July. It is always important to bring sun protection and cold weather gear to the river. You can decide which is most appropriate once you have arrived

For specific questions, contact our Reservations office at (800) 247-2387.

Kaweah River Three Rivers, CA

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