Outdoors
Refuges, lakes and wild areas near Visalia for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
Good to know: Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife; bring binoculars and keep a respectful distance.
19 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers
One hour SE of Fresno in the rugged foothills of the Sierra Nevada. High mountains provide an exciting background for fishing and boating at this popular park, located on the main southern route into Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park.
21 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers
Horse Creek Campground is located on the Kaweah River in the foothills of central California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Terminus Dam on Kaweah Lake is three miles east of Lemon Cove, CA.
27 mi east · Bureau of Land Management
Nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada foothills, Case Mountain offers a stunning natural escape for outdoor enthusiasts.
Map of 23 places loads as you scroll.
One hour SE of Fresno in the rugged foothills of the Sierra Nevada. High mountains provide an exciting background for fishing and boating at this popular park, located on the main southern route into Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park.
Horse Creek Campground is located on the Kaweah River in the foothills of central California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Terminus Dam on Kaweah Lake is three miles east of Lemon Cove, CA.
Nestled in the heart of the Sierra Nevada foothills, Case Mountain offers a stunning natural escape for outdoor enthusiasts.
Visitors to the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge may be surprised to see that it is home to small, seasonal marsh wetlands.
At the southern end of the Central Valley, this scenic setting with the Sierra Nevada in the background provides great fishing and boating pleasure for the visitor. From Porterville, 5 mi E on CA 190
Tule Campground is located at Success Lake in the Sierra Nevada foothills just 8 miles east of Porterville, California. A variety of outdoor recreational activities abound, including boating, kayaking and fishing.
Potwisha Campground, located along the Generals Highway in Sequoia National Park, offers convenience for visiting the many attractions in the park.
Located in the Giant Sequoia National Monument at 4,800 feet in elevation, this facility is nestled among Ponderosa pine, Cedar,Giant sequoia and other conifers.
Buckeye Flat Campground is located in Sequoia National Park, in the heart of the Sierra Foothills.
Less than an hour east of Fresno in the Sierra and Sequoia National Forests. The scenic and rugged Kings River Canyon is the location of this beautiful park where fishing, boating, and waterskiing are all available.
Stony Creek Campground sits at an elevation of approximatly 6,500 feet in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It's nestled among Sigar Pines, Jeffrey Pines, Red Firs and the scenic Stony Creek is just steps away.
Upper Stony Creek Campground sits in the mid-elevation of the Sierra Nevada mountains at an elevation of about 6,500 feet.
Huge mountains, rugged foothills, deep canyons, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees exemplify the diversity of landscapes, life, and beauty here.
Friant Dam on the San Joaquin River, forms Millerton Lake. The dam and lake are features of the Central Valley Project - Friant Division .
The San Joaquin River Gorge SRMA is located at the upper portion of Millerton Lake and is accessed through the town of Auberry, CA. The area is managed by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) with trail heads for the San Joaquin trail.
Visitor Center The Visitor Center is open every Friday through Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Come to the Visitor Center to explore the plants, animals and people who call the scenic San Joaquin River Gorge their home.
Less than an hour drive northeast of Fresno in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada enroute to Yosemite National Park. Lake activities include water skiing, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, and camping.
Parking access onto nearly 1,800 acres of Bureau of Land Management property in this area is provided through an easement from the California Department of Fish and Game.
The Coalinga Mineral Springs National Recreation Trail was designated under the National Recreation Trails System Act in 1981. The trail is located on the scenic southern tip of the Diablo Mountains.
Located within the Alabama Hills National Scenic Area, photographers come from all over the country to capture this amazing view.
The rounded contours of the Alabamas form a sharp contrast between the glacially chiseled ridges of the Sierra peaks to the west. Both geologic features were shaped by the same uplifting occurring 100 million years ago.
Just one hour north of Fresno in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Rolling oak-covered hills provide a scenic and restful setting for fishing, boating, and hiking.
In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Visalia. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A recorded Visalia Chamber Oktoberfest visit at nearby Mooney Grove Park. This county-park event video is regional context, not a current event listing or proof of a city-business location.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A creator’s short view of a downtown Visalia Latin-dance gathering. Recorded activity, not confirmation of a current recurring schedule.
Watch on YouTube ↗Kaweah Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 19 miles east of Visalia as the crow flies. Next are Horse Creek (21 mi) and Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area (27 mi).
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.