California's Best Spring River Trips - Kaweah River

Spring time in California is an epic and much anticipated season for rafting. California becomes a Mecca for paddlers from around the world. The free flowing rivers begin to roar and rafting companies start up their operations on California's best whitewater. The Kaweah River is one of our top picks for Spring river trips in California.

A group of rafters takes on Pumpkin Hollow on the Gateway section of the Kaweah River

This stunningly clear river originates high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near the aptly named Mount Kaweah. The Kaweah races through Sequoia National Park eventually reaching the gateway put-in where paddlers with previous whitewater rafting experience can join an action packed whitewater trip with a commercial rafting company. The Commercial guides out here are all seasoned professionals with years of guiding under their belt. The intensity of the run and the size of the rapids demands that only the best make the cut as guides on this river. Rapids with names like Osterizer and Suicide Falls capture the incredible power of this beast. 

Rafters charging into the meat of Suicide Falls

Rafting in Three Rivers, CA

After 4 miles of continuous class IV the river tapers off to more of a class III feel when it enters the town of Three Rivers, California. From the end of Suicide Falls you get to enjoy about 3 miles of Class III whitewater until you reach your takeout. As the intensity ratchets down you get to enjoy the beauty of the soaring mountains that surround this amazing place.

Most of the rafting companies stop at one of the local restaurants in Three Rivers for lunch. If lunch is not included on your trip there are several great places to eat in town afterward. If you opt for the morning run you will likely get off the river around 1 pm and a trip up to Sequoia National Park caps off the experience to this amazing section of California whitewater.

Sunset looking up the South Fork of the Kaweah