Kirch Flat Campground Sierra National Forest California

Kirch Flat Overview

Kirch Flat Campground has 16 spacious campsites (all first-come, first-served) next to the scenic Kings River in the foothills of California’s central Sierra Nevada mountains. The campground sits at an elevation of about 1,000 feet on a broad sandy flat near the eastern end of Pine Flat Reservoir, northeast of the city of Fresno and beyond the small community of Piedra.

Most sites have great shade from the oak and pine trees throughout the area. Five sites are double-family (4 vehicles and 12 people) including 3, 9, 10, 12 and 14. The rest are single-family sites (2 vehicles and 6 people). Camp roads and parkings spurs have been recently paved at this upgraded facility.  Kirch Flat Group Campground is also nearby and has one group site for up to 50 people.

The campground is open year-round and can be quite hot in the summer months but just right in the spring and fall. Amenities include vault toilets. Potable (drinking) water is not available.  Trash services are also not available (pack in and pack out).

Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Each site also has a paved parking spur, table, food storage locker, fire ring and grill.  Overflow parking is available. Cell service is not available in the area although you can pick up a signal/coverage about 10 miles away.

The nearest services are in Sanger, a decently sized town about 45 miles (1 hour 20 min.) away, with all essential services (i.e. gas, supplies, groceries, restaurants, etc).

Kirch Flat Campground – Area Recreation & Activities

Outdoor recreation in the area includes whitewater rafting and kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Kings River Expeditions is one of the vendors that offers whitewater rafting trips. The ten-mile rafting run includes Class III and IV rapids. Rafting season is usually from late April to mid-July depending on river runoff. No permit is required for private boaters to raft the river. The raft take-out is also next to the campground.

There are also several hikes available in the area, including hiking up to the wild and scenic portion of the river. To get the trail head, continue driving upriver from the campground past Garnet Dike put in, shortly after the vault toilet the road ends at the trailhead.

The Sierra Nevada foothills are incredibly beautiful in the spring as the grasses green up and the native orange California poppies paint the hill sides, along with other wildflowers.

Amenities

• BBQ Grills
• Campsite Tables
• Cell Service - None
• Fire Pit
• Fire Rings
• Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
• Grills
• Overflow Parking
• Pets OK
• Picnic Tables

Activities

• Cultural Sites
• Fishing
• Fly Fishing
• Hiking
• Kayaking
• Mountain Biking
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Rafting
• Stargazing
• Whitewater Kayaking
• Wildlife Viewing