The San Joaquin River Gorge

The San Joaquin River Gorge is open to the public year-round.  The fall and winter is a great time to visit as the cooler temperatures can offer a more enjoyable experience.  The Gorge is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and offers fishing, camping, swimming, nature study, horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking trails.  Permits are required for large group camping, but at this time there’s no fee for the individual camp sites.  There are also corrals available for horses, but they are popular so call ahead to the BLM to reserve them.  Other popular activities sponsored by BLM include guided nature walks, simulated archaeological digs, Native American basketry and acorn processing, gold rush and geology programs. Call the Gorge BLM office for more info on these at (559) 855-3492 or email trowland@ca.blm.gov.

Directions: From Fresno take Hwy 168 East to Auberry.  Turn Left (N) on Auberry Rd. Slight Left (NW) on Power House No. 1 Rd.  Turn Left (W) on Smalley Rd. About six miles down Smalley Rd. is the Gorge trailhead and parking lot.  The trail will take you to a footbridge over the San Joaquin River and leads to the Wuh-ki'o and Pa'san Ridge Trails.