Sequoia National Park: Camping, Rafting, and Hiking

Day 1: Arrive at Three Rivers Hideaway Camp

We kick off the weekend by arriving at our campground anytime after 2 pm and checking in with your trip leader. Located on the Kaweah River, just three miles from Sequoia National Park, enjoy beach access perfect for fishing and swimming. You’ll be immersed in the outdoors while still having simple comforts like a hot shower and flushing toilets. Set up camp and then relax while listening to the sound of the flowing river.

This evening, we’ll have a welcome dinner and get to know your fellow Adventure People, then we’ll sit around the campfire with your drink of choice. If you’d like, bring some games for us to play as a group.

Included Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Whitewater Rafting on Kaweah River

This morning, Adventure People take to the river for an adrenaline-pumping full-day whitewater rafting adventure! We’ll meet our guides at approximately 8:00 am and have a safety talk before setting out on a full-day river trip of Class III-IV+ rapids. We’ll be rafting 9 miles of the Kaweah River, which will take approximately 4-6 hours. Lunch will be included on this day somewhere along the river.

This evening, we’ll share stories of the day over a community dinner at our campground.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Hiking in Sequoia National Park

After breakfast, we’ll drive into Sequoia National Park for a full day of hiking. We’ll visit the General Sherman Tree (0.8 miles out & back, easy) and Moro Rock (0.4 miles out & back, moderate) and then we’ll visit Tokopah Falls, a waterfall in a valley shaped by a glacier (4 miles out & back, moderate). If there’s time, we’ll also visit Tharp’s Log (2.1 miles, out & back, moderate).

Note: There is a $35 vehicle pass required to enter the park (not included). You can purchase this pass in advance at www.yourpassnow.com.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Depart Three Rivers Hideaway Camp

Today we’ll check out of our campground and make a short drive to explore Crystal Cave, located between the Ash Mountain entrance of the park and the Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia National Park. Crystal Cave is a treasure of ornate marble polished by subterranean streams and decorated with curtains of icicle-like stalactites and mounds of stalagmites. At the end of the day, we’ll say goodbye to our new friends until the next adventure.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Trip Leader
3-nights camping at Three Rivers Hideaway w/ hot showers and flush toilets
Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners
Full-Day whitewater rafting on the Kaweah River with lunch, experienced guides, and all equipment
New adventurous friends and unforgettable stories!

Transportation to the campground
Beverages and meals not specified
Gratuities for your guides (we recommend $5-10 per person for your rafting guide)
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses

Our campground for the weekend is Three Rivers Hideaway Camp, located along the Kaweah River. You will receive a travel guide attached to your booking confirmation with all the information you’ll need to prepare for your epic weekend trip!

Address:
43365 Sierra Dr.
Three Rivers, CA 93271
559-561-4413

Check-in: 1pm
Check-out: 11am

RVs and Campers: Three Rivers Hideaway has 26 RV sites with full hookups (electric, water, sewer, cable, wifi) and 4 sites with partial hookups (electric, water, wifi), suitable for RV’s from 25′ to 60′. To reserve a spot, please book directly with Three Rivers Hideaway (559-561-4413) and mention you are with Adventure People. You will still need to register for the event for full access to the Adventure People whitewater rafting weekend.

Traveling By Air:

The closest major airport is the Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) and Three Rivers Hideaway Camp is located approximately 75 miles and about a one and a half-hour drive from the airport.

Carpooling:

It is recommended that you join the Facebook Event page. There you can meet other Adventure People and make carpool arrangements. Don’t be shy! Invite a traveler coming from your area to share gas, stories, and road trip music jams!

Class IV Rapids are recommended for those who have Advanced Whitewater Experience looking for a thrill. Rapids are unpredictable with large waves, long rapids, narrow passages, and rocky terrain. There is moderate to high flip/swim potential on Class IV rapids. Please read our post that explains it in further detail.

What do you bring on a camping and whitewater rafting weekend?

Camping Gear: For a complete list, please visit our Car Camping Checklist.

• Tent
• Sleeping Bag
• Sleeping Pad or Air Mattress
• Pillow
• Camp Chair
• Cookware
• Water
• Food
• Cooler
• Remember to pack snacks for your adventures! Trail mix, energy bars, however you fuel, pack it so you don’t bonk mid-adventure.

For Whitewater Rafting:

• Swimsuit
• Shorts
• Sun Block
• River Shoes or Sandals with straps (no flip flops or slip-on water shoes)

During Cold Weather: Fleece, wool socks, polypropylene or wool top and bottom (to be worn under wetsuit and paddle jacket, which will be provided if needed)

Important Note: NO COTTON, synthetic fiber clothing only.

World Nomads is our trusted travel insurance provider. Receive a no-hassle online quote in less than 2 minutes.

Nothing like a good kayaking or rafting adventure — planned or unplanned! When we think of kayaking or rafting, we think of 70’s soft drink commercials, or a young Burt Reynolds paddling faster to the foreboding ambiance of banjo plucking, or more realistically: watching our friends freak out down some rapids on our last trip.

Make sure you’re covered in case of an accident!

While rafting is often associated with being a dangerous, risky activity, we can assure you that is certainly not the case. Whitewater rafting is a fun and exciting activity, but all participants must be fully aware of and understand safety precautions before participating in this sport. The companies we work with maintain an outstanding safety record, and your safety is our number one priority both on and off the river. From our world-class certified professional guides to the equipment, helmets, and more, we only work with companies who set the standard for safety in whitewater rafting.

The guides we work with are highly-trained professionals, with an average of at least 10 years of experience and an impeccable safety record. Each guide is certified in CPR, Advanced First Aid, Advanced Swiftwater Rescue, and extensive on-river training maneuvers. You can feel confident that you are in great hands on your rafting adventure.

That depends on the section of the river that we’ll be rafting. If it is class I-III, no previous experience is required. If it is class IV+, previous experience is required. For more information, please read >> Whitewater Rafting 101: What You Need to Know.

Yes. Even though you’ll be wearing a life jacket at all times, you need to be comfortable being in the water, for your safety as well as the others on your raft. Our guides will always ensure that your personal flotation devices fit properly and are adjusted correctly.

We prefer to keep you in the raft, but should you have an “out-of-boat” experience, you’ll most likely pop up right next to the raft and you will be pulled in before you know it. All of these safety procedures will be discussed in the briefing before you get on the river, so it is important to pay attention to your guide during this time.