The Kings River is a major river of California, USA. It arises in the Sierra Nevada, in three forks. The Middle and South Forks start in Kings Canyon National Park, while the North Fork starts in the John Muir Wilderness. The South Fork flows in Kings Canyon: a spectacular 4000' deep glacial valley. The forks join in the foothills of the Sierra, where the river becomes an attraction for whitewater rafting.

In the foothills, the water from the river is impounded at Pine Flat Dam. In the Central Valley, the river flows south of Fresno, California, where its water is diverted for agriculture. The river channel feeds into the Tulare Lake basin, which is currently dry.

Kings River was named by Gabriel Moraga on one of the first expeditions by the Spanish to the Central Valley of California in 1806. Kings river was originally named Rio de los Santos Reyes (River of the Holy Kings).

See also

• List of California rivers

Rivers of California