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A wooden boardwalk trail winds through lush green meadows and willows toward a dramatic granite peak rising above a conifer forest in warm golden morning light.

California · Kings Canyon National Park · Gateway

Three Rivers

Shared south Foothills basecamp

A wooden boardwalk trail winds through lush green meadows and · near Kings Canyon National Park

Three Rivers, California

At a glance — Three Rivers

Three Rivers is a drive-in basecamp 18.9 miles from the entrance of Kings Canyon. Services on hand: lodging, dining, and gas stations. Population around 2,053. No town shuttle into the park — plan to drive in and park at the entrance lots.

Distance to entrance
18.9 mi drive

Plan to drive in via the big-stump entrance.

Town → park shuttle
No — drive in

Drive in and park at the entrance lots; no town shuttle ties into the park system.

Population
≈2,053
Property mix
Small inn / motel mix

Independent inns and motels; book early in peak season.

Map

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Accessibility

Accessibility — Three Rivers

Drive-in required — no integrated park shuttle from this base. Plan for private vehicle entrance and trailhead parking. Confirm lodging room ADA features with the operator before booking.

Lodging

Where to stay near Three Rivers

Sorted by tier (top picks first), then by drive time to the entrance. Confirm room features and current rates with the operator before booking.

  • Top pick

    Hotel / inn

    Three Rivers lodging

    Three Rivers, CA (shared SEKI south entrance)

    Price $$–$$$ Proximity At the entrance

    Season Summer books 1–2 months ahead; spring and fall are easier; winter is quiet with lower rates.

    The shared SEKI south-entrance town on the Kaweah River (Highway 198) — the lodging base if you're pairing Kings Canyon with Sequoia, though it's a 1.5-hour Generals Highway drive up to Grant Grove. For a Kings-Canyon-first trip, the in-park Grant Grove lodges or the Fresno valley side sit closer.

    Find on Booking.com See all Three Rivers lodging

    Area search — individual Three Rivers properties listed below. Booking.com via CJ affiliate.

See all Three Rivers lodging →

Things to do

Things to do near Three Rivers

We're still mapping things to do near Three Rivers. We'll add operators as we field-test them.

See all Kings Canyon experiences →

Camping

Camping near Three Rivers

Three Rivers has no campgrounds in town — the nearest sites are inside the park.

See all Kings Canyon camping →

Quieter alternatives

Quieter alternatives near Three Rivers

We're still mapping quieter alternatives near Three Rivers. We'll add suggestions as we field-test them.

Save on Entry

One pass covers Kings Canyon — and every other US national park.

The America the Beautiful annual pass pays for itself in two or three park visits. Free entry, free passenger fees, and no more fumbling for a credit card at the kiosk.

America the Beautiful National Park Pass — the 2026 annual pass card Buy your pass → Learn more about the pass

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