Floating is the best.
The Kings River begins as snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada and winds down into the San Joaquin Valley. By the time it reaches us at Reedley it's wide, cool, and mostly gentle — perfect for drifting on a tube with a drink in the cupholder and no place to be.
Some stretches are lazy flatwater; a few bends pick up and get lively. It's cold — that Sierra snowmelt never really warms up — which is exactly what you want in a valley summer.
Three ways to float
An air-conditioned coach bus shuttles us to and from the water all weekend — pick your distance.
The long float
3 – 5 hoursThe big one. Bus up to Goodfellow Launch, put in, and float all the way down to camp. Pack a cooler, bring your patience, and settle in for the afternoon.
The medium float
about 1.5 hoursThe crowd-pleaser. Put in at Travioli River Ranch and drift back to camp — long enough to relax, short enough to do twice in a day.
The short float
about 1 hourLaunch straight from camp and get scooped up down at Reedley Beach by the same bus. Perfect for a quick afternoon dip or a first float with the kids.
What you need to float
{{ need.title }}
{{ need.body }}
Faces on the water
It all depends on the water
Float times and put-in spots shift with how much water is released upstream. We watch it closely and share the plan closer to the trip so you always know what to expect.
Respect the river
The water is cold and moving. You should be a comfortable swimmer, kids under 12 wear life vests, and everyone keeps an eye out for each other. No trendy pool floats — sturdy tubes and PFDs only.
