Kirch Flat Group Campground

The nearest services are in Sanger, a decently sized town about 45 miles (1 hour 20 min.) away, with all essential services (i.e., gas, supplies, groceries, restaurants, etc.). Although there is no cell phone coverage at the campground, there is a location with cell phone reception approximately 10 minutes away or the nearest pay phone is at Balch Camp, a PG & E community about a 10-minute drive. Watch out for rattlesnakes and poison oak. Poison Oak abounds in this area. Please avoid plants with three leaf clusters: "Leaves of three, let it be!" Recreation The Kings River offers an enjoyable ten-mile rafting run with Class III and IV rapids. Rafting season is usually from late April to mid-July depending on river runoff. No permit is required to raft the river. The Kings River is a 1 1/2 hour drive east of Fresno towards Pine Flat Reservoir via the Trimmer Springs Road. Put ins are available at Winfrey Mine and Garnet Dike up river from Kirch Flat Group Campground. There are several commercial outfitters that are permitted with the Sierra National Forest, for commercial trips on the Kings River. Please contact the High Sierra Ranger District for more information. A short walk from the Group Campground puts you on the edge of the Kings River, cooling off from the heat or working the water's edge fishing are popular activities. Please always use caution as the rivers current can be stronger than realized. There are several hikes available in the area, including hiking up the Kings River to the wild and scenic portion of the river. To get the trail head, continue driving upriver from the campground past Garnet Dike put in, shortly after the vault toilet there the road ends at the trailhead. Facilities Area Amenities: Tent camping recommended - RV's 30' of less fit, picnic tables, toilets, parking, fire rings, pedestal grills Fees: Currently in the fee proposal process. Reservation fee is $8, with a site fee pending as it goes through the process. Open Season: Year round Usage: Light Maximum length of stay = 14 days Maximum vehicle length = 30' Maximum group size = 50 Water: No Restroom: Vault Toilet Operated By: Sierra National Forest Information Center: High Sierra Ranger District 29688 Auberry Rd P.O. Box 559 Prather, CA 93651 (559) 855-5355 Hearing Impaired California Relay Service 711 Open: Monday-Friday Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm Natural Features The Kings River as it pours out of Kings Canyon and into the foothills is the big draw to this area. Upriver from the campgrounds and developed recreation sites, the river is designated by congress as wild and scenic. At the campground, the river is just about to enter Pine Flat reservoir, however there is no motorized boat access from the reservoir. The Sierra Nevada foothills are incredibly beautiful in the spring as the grasses green up and the native orange California poppies paint the hill sides, along with other wildflowers. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (559) 855-5355.