sheldrickrafting.com

As I stated in the introduction, the Kings River is located @ 1-1.5 hours east of Fresno, California. So, for those who are use to a nice plush bed this is where you would want to get a room. For all the others who like to “rough it” there is Kirch Flat Campground.

First of all Kirch Flat campground is FREE!! But with that free status comes the unfortunate reality that there is no trash service (explain later), electricity, or running water (except for the river water a few steps away).

The campsites are shaded (except one), generous in size, have picnic tables, and fire pits. The restrooms, unfortunately, are outhouses but some of them were rebuilt last year and are not that bad.

Obviously, if you will be joining us on using these accommodations a compliment of camping gear is helpful, ie sleeping bags, tents, flashlights, lanterns, etc.

Food is divided up among the participants, ie. I will bring breakfast for Saturday and you bring breakfast for Sunday, etc. Saturday night is pot luck. I usually bring a campstove and a BBQ but extra cooking equiment is always welcome. Because I ask the participants to bring food and drinks, I don’t charge them for the rafting trips. Finally, menus are discussed the week before the trip.

Now, back to the no trash service issue, what this means is what we pack in we also have to pack out, including garbage. I have found that cans, plastic water bottles and paper products are easy to crush down and transported (usually in my truck) back to a dumpster. Yes, I do like my Belgian ale in bottles but if you bring bottles you will have to bring them back.

Lastly, in the 12 years that I have been coming to Kirch Flat campground for rafting trips, I have invited dozens of people who initially complain about the campground but then it kind of grows on them and they really begin to enjoy it.

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