A student-guide for summer fun close to Fresno

KINGS RIVER, Calif. – Spring has only just sprung, but students already have their minds on summer.

Fresno State’s spring semester is a mere seven weeks away from reaching its conclusion. With that, the sweltering summer heat is on the horizon.

For students like Remy Cottrell, growing up out of town means finding places to cool off, that are close to Fresno, is a challenge in the summer time.

“I’m not that familiar with the spots here,” Cottrell said. “The bad news is everything’s three hours away. But the good news is everything’s three hours away. So you can get to a lot of stuff, but not in a short amount of time.”

Even for students who grew up in the Valley, the adventure for that sweet spot continues.

Camalah Saleh grew up in Sanger but still finds it challenging to balance fun and travel time.

“When I go out on a hike I have to carve out a whole weekend day for it,” Saleh said. “It is a little bit inconvenient.”

So, where is the best of both worlds — water access in a natural setting and close proximity to Fresno Many believe the Kings River is the answer.

After quick half-hour drive east on Highway 180, Avocado Lake welcomes visitors with a cool lake and shaded shorelines. There are also grills, picnic tables and plenty of green space. There are also some other unique options for swimming right next to Avocado Lake.

The Kings River flows along the western edge of the park, providing cooler water to swim in. Avocado Lake provides warmer waters for swimming.

If you want to avoid the crowded areas, there’s a dirt road that winds around the west shore. It has plenty of pullouts to find a private place to relax.

There is a $5 day-use fee. The entrance kiosk, which is usually unmanned, has envelopes to pay the day-use fee. To avoid the fee, there are dirt areas to park outside the entrance.

Summer adventure seekers can find Pine Flat Lake just 15 minutes up the road from Avocado Lake.

Pine Flat is great for aquatic sports, boating and fishing. The lake also has campsites at Island Park and Trimmer. Those sites require reservations and they go fast.

For those seeking a longer adventure, the windy Trimmer Springs Road meanders around the shores of Pine Flat Lake until it reaches the Kings River upstream.

At the Bailey bridge, civilization is in the rearview mirror and wilderness awaits. There are forest service dirt roads on both sides of the river. At this point, the roads are narrow and rocky. To push on, high-clearance two-wheel drive is recommended for smooth sailing.

Along both sides of the Kings River, many campsites line the river bank. These campsites are free and first come, first served. Each campground has limited spots, so get there early in the day to stake your claim!

If you plan to build a fire, campfire permits are required. Permits are available through Cal Fire or in person at any Cal Fire, Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management station.

Check fire restrictions before losing cell service to make sure campfires are allowed during the time you are camping.

There are two hiking options on the north side of the river: Kings River Trail and Bear Wallow Trail.

For a shorter and leisurely hike, the Kings River Trail follows the river upstream for three miles with two trail campsites to rest at or stay overnight and plenty of water access.

For a challenge, Bear Wallow is an extremely difficult trek that takes multiple days. The 16.4-mile route starts near Bear Wallow Camp at 1,100 feet, traversing a grueling 7,000 ft+ gain in elevation. At its terminus, the High Sierra is at your fingertips, and the views are expansive.

With plenty of options, the Kings River is the perfect balance for close summer fun for both new explorers or seasoned adventurers.

“I think that Fresno and the Central Valley has a lot to offer,” Saleh said. “People are just not aware of what we have to offer.”