Three Rivers: At the Main Entrance to Sequoia and Kings Canyon

Three Rivers is a village in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Its shops and homes stretch along the five forks of the Kaweah River. The town lies at the main entrance to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks; Highway 198 leads into Sequoia National Park at Three Rivers. The river, foothills, and access to the park shape different sides of the destination. If you’re looking for hotels in Three Rivers, you can center your stay on park drives, the Kaweah River, or cultural offerings.

Getting There and Finding Your Way

One specific landmark is the intersection of Mineral King Road and Highway 198: it is in Three Rivers, two miles before the Ash Mountain Entrance. Charging stations are available in Three Rivers just outside the Sequoia park entrance. Check whether the charging stations are currently available before you travel.

The nearby Foothills Visitor Center provides information about the road ahead and offers maps and restrooms. Other offerings include exhibits on the ecology and human history of the foothills and free ranger-led programs, when scheduled.

Riverside Scenery and Excursions

Hospital Rock offers a nearby spot for picnics. The Middle Fork Trail offers a different experience: it follows the main fork of the Kaweah River into the high country of Sequoia National Park; the first section offers views of Moro Rock and Castle Rocks.

Culture, Events, and Activities

The Three Rivers Historical Museum invites visitors to take a walk on the Heritage Trail. The museum’s “Native Voices” exhibit honors and celebrates the diverse cultures, histories, and perspectives of the local Indigenous community; its themes are conveyed through artifacts, language, and storytelling. Yore Sequoia provides an old scavenger hunt map that lets you explore the history of Three Rivers on a drive through the community, visiting landmarks that were already there more than 75 years ago. The two history offerings differ in format: the museum invites you to walk the trail, while the map is designed for a drive through the community.

Jazzaffair takes place every spring in Three Rivers, California, in the Sierra Nevada foothills, bringing jazz bands from across the country to the Kaweah River. The festival has been held in the foothills for over 50 years. The next edition is announced for April 8–11, 2027. If Jazzaffair falls during your travel dates, you can take those days into account when planning your stay.

Kaweah Arts is open Friday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; appointments are available by arrangement on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and evenings. As hours may change, check the latest information before visiting. Kaweah Whitewater Adventures offers rafting on the Kaweah River in Three Rivers, California.

The cultural offerings differ in their scheduling: Jazzaffair is announced for specific days in April, while Kaweah Arts offers appointments by arrangement in addition to its regular hours.

Explore more destinations: Pixley, Tulare, Lindsay, Visalia, Springville, Porterville, Sequoia National Park, Dinuba

Back to the main travel overview: Tulare.