Three Rivers, California: The Gateway Town Worth More Than a Pit Stop

September 28, 2025 by jordangassner

Most visitors to Sequoia National Park treat Three Rivers as nothing more than a place to sleep between trail days, but I think that’s a big mistake. In fact, I think it’s a HUGE one. Tucked along the Kaweah River, about 30 minutes from Sequoia’s southern entrance, this small town has good food options, thoughtful local shops, and a slower pace that makes it the perfect base for your park visit! Here’s my guide for visiting:

Practical Information

Why Stay in Three Rivers versus Sequoia National Park?

Three Rivers is the perfect base for exploring Sequoia National Park, and here’s why: lodging inside the park is extremely limited (there’s really just Wuksachi Lodge and a few campgrounds). That means fewer accommodation options, higher prices, and limited flexibility if you want to change your plans!

Three Rivers, on the other hand, offers a range of lodging from budget motels to boutique glamping (like AutoCamp Sequoia), actual restaurants with varied menus beyond lodge cafeteria food, and local shops where you can stock up on supplies or pick up last-minute gear. You’re also getting the experience of a small California gateway town with its own character, rather than just sleeping between trail days.

The drive from Three Rivers to the park’s Giant Forest is only about an hour up the mountain (and most of this drive is in the park itself). To me, this is a small tradeoff for better food, more lodging choices, and the option to decompress in town after a day on the trails.

When To Go

Three Rivers is great to visit year-round, though summer is the most popular time of year and sees the highest temperatures! The town, as the name suggests, is the spot where three different rivers connect, so lots of travelers come not just for the national park, but also for warm-weather camping, fishing, and lake activities just down the road. If you’re thinking about planning a visit during this peak season, I’d also recommend thinking about indoor activities like shopping or brewery visits for the warmest parts of the day.

If you don’t want to worry about those summer crowds though, I’d suggest visiting in winter. I visited in December last year and found the town to be both quiet and pleasant. Think chilly mornings and evenings (just bring layers and a jacket for evening fire pit time), but comfortable afternoons. The town sits at a lower elevation than the park (around 800 feet), so it’s generally milder than inside Sequoia. You’re not likely going to need chains on your tires for the snow, unless you’re heading up the mountain and into the park.

And finally, spring and fall offer the sweet spot of comfortable weather and fewer visitors. I personally prefer winter though!

Trip Length

For a first visit to Sequoia and Three Rivers, I’d recommend 3-4 days. This gives you enough time to hit the essential trails (General Sherman, Congress Trail, Crescent Meadow, Moro Rock) without feeling rushed, plus a day to explore Three Rivers itself. You can be biking, shopping, enjoying fire pit evenings, and actually tasting what the town has to offer in this time.

You may also want to consider the season when thinking about how long you want to spend here. In winter, when some roads and trails are closed, 2-3 days might be plenty to see the accessible highlights. In summer, you could easily stretch it to 4-5 days if you want to add in lake activities (Lake Kaweah is nearby), more challenging hikes, or exploring Kings Canyon. The area around Three Rivers also offers warm weather camping, fishing, and river access, so outdoor enthusiasts can fill extra days without running out of things to do.

How To Get There

If you’re planning to visit from Southern California, you can fly into Los Angeles (LAX) or Burbank (BUR) and make a road trip up to Three Rivers! It’s about a 4 hour drive north through the Central Valley. I drove up around 9AM from Burbank during my visit, arriving at Three Rivers just in time for a late lunch.

And if you’re coming from Northern California, San Francisco (SFO) or Sacramento (SMF) offer easy options to fly into! It’s then about a 5 hour drive through the Central Valley.

And for those looking to make this a larger California’s national park themed trip (Yosemite? Kings Canyon? Death Valley?), or just looking for something even closer, the nearest major airport to Three Rivers is the Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), about 90 minutes away. Most travelers doing this combo-national park trip fly into Fresno and rent a car for the drive down Highway 198, which winds through foothills and farmland before reaching Three Rivers.

How To Get Around

Hands down, you’ll need a car. Three Rivers is small and spread out along Highway 198, with restaurants, shops, and lodging scattered over a few miles. There’s no public transportation, rideshare options are limited, and most attractions require driving.

The good news: parking is easy everywhere in town, and traffic is nonexistent, except for maybe at the Sequoia National Park entrance. The roads wind significantly once you head into the Park (budget extra time and consider motion sickness medication if needed), but navigating Three Rivers itself is straightforward.

If you’re staying at AutoCamp, you can bike around the property, but you’ll still need a car to access restaurants, shops, and the park entrance.

Where to Stay

Autocamp Sequoia

I’ll be honest. I was skeptical about glamping. I’ve never been a big camper (always preferring the ability to take a warm shower over a freezing cold one), and the whole concept felt a bit Instagram over substance to me. But Autocamp Sequoia changed my mind.

From the moment we arrived, the hospitality stood out. Four staff members greeted us at check-in (when have you ever seen that at a hotel?) and gave us a thorough tour of the property and its amenities. During our December visit, they were hosting a holiday party that evening with live music and complimentary Christmas cookies. The whole setup was thoughtfully done and came together quite nicely for us!

Our Airstream was cozy and well-equipped, with a half kitchen, comfortable bed, and outdoor space with a fire pit. The property itself is larger than it initially appears, with bike rentals, a pool, and river access. We spent an afternoon biking along the property’s paths, following the Kaweah River through orange leaves and crisp air.

One evening we ordered a bottle of organic red wine from the front desk and made s’mores by our airstream’s outdoor fireput while playing Rummikub. It was the perfect lowkey evening to come back to after a long trail day.

What to know: Airstreams have half kitchens with microwaves, refrigerators and cooking supplies (for the outdoor campfire area) so you can cook your own meals or stock snacks for the park. Bike rentals are available at the front desk. The property also hosts daily programming and events, the details of which are shared at check-in.

Additional Hotels

If AutoCamp isn’t really your speed, there’s still a few other hotels nearby from which you might want to base yourself:

Sequoia Studio Suites – $$$

Buckeye Tree Lodge – $$

Comfort Inn – $

Where to Eat

Sierra Subs

Sierra Subs is the spot you want to go for lunch (even if you order to go to take with you into the park). I got the weekly special: a Thai Treasure sandwich (shredded chicken, peanut sauce, sriracha mayo, and coleslaw on a French baguette) and I’m still thinking about it.

River View Grill and Bar

After a cold day hiking, we stopped here for dinner and both ordered dinner-size salads and cups of chili. Nothing fancy, but the chili was exactly what we needed: hot, well-seasoned, and oh so comforting! The more I travel, the more I’m finding that simple done well beats elaborate done poorly.

The River View Grill and Bar also has river views (as the name suggests) and a casual atmosphere that feels appropriate for a gateway town rather than trying to be something it’s not.

Three Rivers Brewing Co.

Three Rivers Brewing Co. is local spot with a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for post-hike beers (or canned wine)! We stopped by and enjoyed the laid-back patio. There’s typically a food truck in the evenings here as well, in case you’re looking for something easy to eat while enjoying your drinks.

Order: Beers on Tap vary by week, but we loved the Momelo!

Casa Mendoza

A local Mexican restaurant that’s popular with both visitors and locals. I loved the combo dinners here! And the margaritas? Huge! If you’re craving Mexican food after a day on the trails, this is a solid option.

Kaweah Coffee Roasters

Closes at 3PM daily, so plan accordingly. We didn’t get to visit, but Kaweah looked like a solid option for morning coffee before heading into the park.

Where to Shop

Stem + Stone

Stem + Stone is located is right next to Sierra Subs and was an unexpected place to pop into, but I’m so glad I did! Natural skincare, Sequoia-themed gear, cookware, local honey, jams, and hot cocoa mixes are just a portion of what you can find here. And all are curated thoughtfully, rather than feeling like generic tourist merchandise.

The real highlight here though is that they carry original paintings from local artists. I bought a waterfall painting from an artist with autism whose mother also makes the soaps and oils sold in the store. This is the kind of local business worth supporting, both because the products are good and because your money actually goes back into the community.

Don’t miss: Original local artwork, natural skincare products, cooking-ware, curated treats

Reimer’s Candies, Gifts, and Ice Cream

If there’s only time for one stop on your itinerary in town, make it this one. Reimer’s is the most darling place, consisting of three red and white painted buildings full of Christmas decor (at least when I visited in December), chocolates, ice cream, and candies!

I was genuinely surprised by the quality of their chocolates. They have artisanal truffles and caramels and even carry quite a few vegan options! Not something most chocolate stores offer. I bought myself a custom box of different chocolates, and the caramels in particular were amazing! Worth rationing throughout the trip.

Don’t miss: Truffles, caramels (including vegan options!), ice cream

Village Antiques

Old photographs, vintage finds, and a pleasant way to kill time in town! I popped in to Village Antiques briefly and think it’s worth a stop if you like antiques.

Village Market

Before heading into the park, stock up here. We grabbed breakfast items, vegetables, fruits, trail snacks, and logs for our Airstream’s fire pit at the Village Market. Everything was significantly more affordable than park prices, and having our own snacks meant we could eat lunch on the trail without relying on the limited food options inside Sequoia.

Stock up on: Trail snacks, breakfast items, firewood (if your lodging has a fire pit)

Things To Do Outside Sequoia National Park

Explore Lake Kaweah

About 20 minutes from Three Rivers, Lake Kaweah offers swimming, boating, and fishing during warmer months. The Slick Rock Recreation Area at the mouth of the lake is particularly popular for its swimming holes along the Kaweah River and natural rock formations. In summer, this becomes a local hot spot, so expect families cooling off in the calm water!

Kaweah River Access

The town’s name comes from the confluence of three forks of the Kaweah River, and river access is one of its best features. Many lodging properties (including AutoCamp) have direct river access where you can wade, cool off, or just sit with your feet in the water. I’d only recommend this in late summer months though, and definitely not in the spring, when the water level is much higher.

Kaweah Whitewater Rafting

For those interested in rafting, guided trips run along the Kaweah River during spring and early summer when water levels are higher. It’s a way to experience the area’s natural beauty from a completely different perspective.

Three Rivers Historical Museum

A small museum, but but worth a quick stop if you’re interested in local history and the area’s connection to the national parks. It’s right in town and gives context to the gateway community you’re staying in.

Bike the Autocamp Property

If you’re staying at AutoCamp, rent bikes from the front desk and explore the property. We spent an afternoon cruising along the river paths, and I didn’t realize how large the property actually was until we’d biked through! The paths wind through trees, along the Kaweah River, and past different Airstream clusters. It’s a nice way to stretch your legs without committing to a full hike.

Warming up by a Fire Pit

There’s nothing quite like sitting by a fire after a day of hiking. We spent multiple evenings at our Airstream’s fire pit making s’mores, playing board games (Rummikub and Parks were our go-tos), and watching the temperature drop as stars came out.

If your lodging has fire pits, stock up on firewood at the Village Market and lean into the slower pace. This is what makes Three Rivers more than just a place to sleep between trail days.

Final Thoughts

If you’re planning a trip to Sequoia, don’t just treat Three Rivers as a place to crash. Give yourself time to explore, eat well, and enjoy the slower pace. It’s part of what made my trip feel like a real escape rather than just another national park checklist!

Planning your Sequoia trip? Check out my First-Timer’s Guide to Sequoia’s Best Trails and The Mistakes I Made in Sequoia National Park Guide(So You Don’t Have To)!