Rio Sierra River Resort

Rio Sierra River Resort’s beach (five minutes’ stroll) faces a gorgeous, tree-shaded stretch of Kaweah River. In this spectacular natural playground, you can chill on loungers in the sun, picnic with your feet in the water, stargaze at night, do yoga and go fishing. All too tame for you? Get your heart beating faster on whitewater-rafting adventures from Kaweah Whitewater Adventures (also five minutes), where guides offer family fun tours, mid-level rapids or advanced thrill-seeker expeditions. You might also like to explore the surrounding valleys and forests on mountain bikes or horseback. In Sequoia National Park (10 minutes’ drive) you can investigate The Giant Forest (50 minutes), drive through the Tunnel Log (15 minutes) and take in Panoramic Point Overlook (90 minutes) for stunning views over Hume Lake to the glacial Kings Canyon and High Sierra peaks. Got spare energy? Follow hiking trails to the General Sherman Tree (an hour, one of the world’s largest trees) or scramble up the flight of stone steps to the granite dome of Moro Rock (also an hour).