A great destination for outdoor recreation is Lake Kaweah. Boating, swimming, and fishing are just some of the activities offered. The Kaweah Marina is well stocked and offers rentals of water craft. The Visitor Center has knowledgeable staff that share information about the area and offers educational exhibits as well. Note the bedrock mortar on display - local native Americans used this for grinding acorns and preparing food.
Lake Kaweah is fed by the Kaweah River, which originates in the Sierra Nevada at Sequoia National Park. The three smaller forks of the river join together forming the larger Kaweah River a few miles upstream in the town of Three Rivers. Long ago many Native Americans occupied this area; the Yokuts, Wukchumne, and Kaweah people lived and hunted along this river.
Lake Kaweah was formed by the construction of Terminus Dam on the Kaweah River in 1962 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide flood damage reduction and water conservation. While the lake provides a multitude of activities for visitors, the water retained in the reservoir is 100 percent agricultural water for California’s south central valley – well known for its agricultural production.
Be sure to stop in at the Kaweah Heritage Visitor Center located in the upper parking lot near the marina. Along with information about the building of the dam that created the lake, bed rock mortar from the early native American community are on display.
Recreation at Lake Kakeah - Camping/Boating/Fishing/Hiking: Kaweah Lake
Events: Please call Park Headquarters as events are subject to change.
Visitor Center: 559-597-2005 or Office: 559-597-2301
Campfire Programs: Every Saturday Evening at 7pm, Horse Creek campground, beginning June through late August. Programs vary in content from fire safety, to reptiles, to astronomy!
National Public Lands Day: Last Saturday of September, Annually. Join us during this nationwide event to pay tribute to our public lands by cleaning, maintaining, and improving facilities and plants while enjoying company, good food, exhibits, and live local music.
Regional Fairs: Lake Kaweah is active at almost all local fairs and festivals, presenting ranger-led exhibits as well as educational and entertaining events for the public relating to water safety and Natural Resources in the area.
