Fresno, California

For top outdoor adventures in Fresno, California, the best trails and outdoor activities are a must-visit. Try the San Joaquin River Gorge Trail, a moderately challenging hike that rewards you with panoramic views of the San Joaquin River. Keep an eye out for unique rock formations and the occasional deer. If you prefer water activities, the Kings River is perfect for rafting and fishing. For a more leisurely activity, visit Woodward Park, a scenic spot with Japanese gardens and bird-watching opportunities. Nearby, the Sierra National Forest offers camping, hiking, and horseback riding with stunning views of mountains and lakes. These are just a few examples of the outdoor attractions in and near Fresno.

Top Spots in and near Fresno

Friant, California
Pincushion Peak

2.49 mi / 1043 ft gain

Head North on Friant Rd. It will begin to head East, becoming Millerton Rd. Stay on Millerton Rd for 4.2 mi. Turn left onto Sky Harbor Rd (street JUST before Table Mountain Casino). Follow Sky Harbor Rd for 5.8 miles to the end of the road. Parking is available along the road. There are port a po...
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Shaver Lake, California
Balsam Forebay

4.0

1.05 mi / 62 ft gain

Access to the forebay starts at the trail head from the parking lot 6,700 ft up, also from the parking lot there is access to two different sets of boulder patches separate from the ones encountered along the hike in. Hike Start the 1 mile out and back hike from the parking lot following the t...
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Hume, California
Walk the General Grant Tree Trail

5.0

0.5 mi

The trailhead starts at the back of the parking area, a sign will direct you.This short yet beautiful walk will lead you past amazing sights. Starting counter clockwise you will quickly pass the Fallen Monarch. Feel free to walk inside this massive fallen tree. As you continue you soon reach G...
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Hume, California
General Grant Loop Trail

0.58 mi / 171 ft gain

General Grant Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Cedar Grove, California.
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Hume, California
Big Stump Loop Trail

5.0

1.71 mi / 305 ft gain

Big Stump Loop Trail is a loop trail where you may see wildflowers located near Dunlap, California.
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Hume, California
Camp at Sunset Campground in Kings Canyon National Park

Sunset Campground is minutes away from the King's Canyon National Park entrance. There are a total of 150 sites (2 group campsites) at this campground which can be reserved here. There are several bathroom, water faucets and even an amphitheater. Each campsite comes with a bear locker, picnic tab...
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Hume, California
Camp at Princess Campground

Situated just off the stretch of road that connects the two sections of Kings Canyon, Princess Campground is the perfect home base for exploring both Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. In addition to its central location, it takes reservations, so you can book a roomy spot well in advance o...
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Bass Lake, California
Camp at Greys Mountain Campground

/ 5293 ft gain

From Greys Mountain Campground, Sierra National Forest is your oyster! Enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, and more. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring. The campground has vault toilets and (sometimes) potable wate...
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Bass Lake, California
Climb and Camp at Shuteye Ridge

5.0

The Journey to your final destination can get a little tricky once you get on the dirt roads. From the Bay Area it will take you about 3 hours to get into Oakhurst, then another hour to get to the Wilderness Area simply because of the windy and not maintained roads. On that note I would suggest t...
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Tulare County, California
Hike the Sugar Bowl Loop in Kings Canyon NP

4.5

6.5 mi / 1480 ft gain

First and foremost, to get to this trailhead you need to drive down a 2-mile, one lane dirt road that is quite steep. It is highly recommended you do this in an AWD or 4WD vehicle, especially since the road can be muddy from snowmelt or after a recent rain. We have a 2WD car but used chains for e...
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Hume, California
Hike and Fish Hume Lake

2.7

3.5 mi / 100 ft gain

This spot is less than four hours from the Bay Area and offers everything you would ever want to do in the outdoors. The interesting thing about Hume Lake is that it is actually a Middle School and High School camp in the Summer and Winter. That being said, it is not the place to go if you are lo...
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Oakhurst, California
Hike the Shadow of the Giants Trail

4.0

1.1 mi / 85 ft gain

The Shadow of the Giants National Recreation trail is an amazing 1.1 mile self-guided hike through the heart of Nelder Grove. Take Hwy 41 north from Fresno; continue thru Oakhurst to Sky Ranch Road (6S10 or Forest Road 10) travel approx. 5 miles to Nelder Grove, when you reach the camp area take ...
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Oakhurst, California
Camp at Nelder Grove Campground in Sierra National Forest

0 mi / 0 ft gain

Sites are located along Willow Creek with plenty of shape. Right out of the campground you can hike nearby Bull Buck Trail and discover the giant sequoia trees. This is a first-come first-serve campground so arrive early.Directions: Take Hwy 41 north from Fresno; continue thru Oakhurst to Sky Ran...
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Tulare County, California
Hike to the Summit of Big Baldy, Kings Canyon National Park

4.5

5 mi / 650 ft gain

This short and easy trail to the summit of Big Baldy in Kings Canyon National Park is not to be missed if you are in the area.The trail winds through forest and boulders as it climbs the north shoulder of Big Baldy. When you think you have reached the end, and you see people sitting down with the...
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