Then come up to the Eastern Fresno County mountains. Find Shaver Lake on Google Maps and follow the directions from where you reside. This mountain community is the hub to a variety of fantastic vacation options. The region is truly an untapped, year-round, outdoor recreational paradise.
Herein lies heavily wooded forests, lakes and streams teeming with fish, trails for hiking, horses and 4-wheel vehicles as well as challenging rocks to climb.
The words, images and options expressed here are designed to market the tourism industry and businesses that are dependent upon visitors to Fresno County’s eastern Sierra Nevada. The County of Fresno does not adequately do any productive promotion of this region, so somebody needed to step up. If this information is helpful to you planning a trip or if you own a business in the region and would to help, please make a donation.
Scour the “Things to Do” link and you’ll find nearly every popular outdoor sporting activity that you can imagine.
But, hey, there’s only one way you can find out for yourself. Give the area a try. Come up and experience the best kept secret in California’s Central Sierra. Once you do, you’ll be back! You can even settle in!
Take advantage of the Regional Map which will give you an opportunity to plan ahead on what you might wish to visit or where you might like to stay while here.
While you are in the region, get yourself a "Free" copy of the China Peak Times, Shaver Lake Times and/or Eastern Fresno County Tourism Guide. Each is filled with great information concerning the many activities you can enjoy.
If you are looking to work in this region, a variety of jobs are available. These include bartender, chef, dishwasher, mechanic, waitstaff, wrangler, accounting, purchasing, security, maintenance, housekeeping, retail, manager, guide, marina staff, snowmaking, transportation and guest services. Check with businesses to see if they are hiring.
If you own a business within the region or want to get your goods and services in front of thousands of potential buyers, then consider advertising in the China Peak Times and Shaver Lake Times. The first is distributed from the week of Thanksgiving through mid-April. The second from Mother's Day through mid-October. These tabloids have proven to be very popular with tourists, who tend to take the publications home with them and share them with friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Click on either link above to participate.
- Shaver Lake Offers Year Around Outdoor Activities
- Courtright and Wishon Reservoir News
- Edison Lake, Florence Lake and Mono Hot Springs
- Huntington Lake Offers Regattas, Fishing, Hiking and More
- Come Walk Through the Giant Sequoias at McKinley Grove
- China Peak Mountain Resort and China Peak Landing
- Experience Regional History at Central Sierra Museum
- Dinkey Creek Offers Fishing, Camping, Hiking, Swimming
- Over 20 Four Wheel Off Road Trails Await You
In late fall through early spring you have winter sports such as skiing, boarding, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing and Snow Play destinations.
In late spring through the early fall you can take advantage of fishing, hiking, boating, sailing, hunting, rock climbing, horseback riding, bird watching, sightseeing and water sports. You can also see wildlife like bears, deer, foxes, badgers, squirrels and many more.
Courtright and Wishon Reservoirs are part of the PG&E Helm's Project. This region is very popular with those that love fishing, four wheeling, rock climbing, horseback riding, camping and hiking.
Take Dinkey Creek Road off Highway 168 in Shaver Lake. You will pass through Dinkey Creek and go by the McKinley Grove of Giant Sequoias. Be sure to stop and walk among the giants.
You can take your off road vehicle to Spanish Lakes, the Dusy Ershim Trail and many other backcountry roads in the area.
Camp at Courtright. Climb the rock faces around the region. Stay at the Wishon Village RV Park where there are RV and Tent Camping Sites available, along with a rental cabin. There is a General Store and Marina as well at Wishon Village.
When you venture beyond Huntington Lake up the Kaiser Pass Road into the Kaiser Wilderness you will find Portal Forbay (a popular fishing spot), as well as Mono Hot Springs, Edison Lake, Florence Lake and Ward Lake.
Edison Lake features camping and the Vermilion Valley Resort which has lodging, dining, a general store and marina. Florence Lakes also has a store and marina. They are both very popular with fishermen, backcountry horsemen and hikers.
Make sure to explore for the natural hot springs along the San Joaquin River where you can soak in the soothing hot water. Camping is available nearby or you can just stay at the Mono Hot Springs Resort where you will find cabins and tents available for lodging. This facility also features dining, a store and a spa with mineral baths and massage therapist.
Surrounded by three wildernesses: Kaiser, Ansel Adams and John Muir. Known as the "best kept secret in the Sierras".
Huntington Lake is at 7,000 feet and is a crisp and clear alpine lake. Read More about history of Huntington Lake.This area is undeveloped and surrounded by forests, lakes, streams, waterfalls, granite rock formations and views to take your breath away. Short day trips to the high country offer visitors variety in fishing and hiking trips or just taking in the beauty.
There is always something to do in the Sierra or just do nothing, whichever you decide, we are here to help you have a relaxing and enjoyable time away.
McKinley Grove is a tiny, isolated patch of sequoias between Dinkey Creek and Wishon Reservoir. The core of the grove is a small, shallow basin where a short paved path leads through a cluster of about 20 big sequoias.
The grove is so small that most of the biggest trees are visible from the parking area. But what little there is of the grove is exceptionally scenic, with an unusual number of really big trees for such a small area.
What’s more, the trees grow in an attractive setting that looks a lot like the Giant Forest, with little or no groundcover and an open understory of leafy dogwood trees that bloom in May. Parts of the grove were logged in the 1980s, but everything that can be seen from the path appears to be unlogged old growth.
Family fun for all ages is found near the end of Highway 168 at Lakeshore, where you will find China Peak Mountain Resort and the China Peak Landing. Here you can thrill to the excitement of roaring down the snow covered mountains on skis or a snowboard during the winter and enjoy Huntington Lake at the China Peak Landing marina complex during the late spring, summer and early fall.
The China Peak Ski Resort is a family favorite. It features great runs, reasonable prices and lots of fun adventures.
The pure beauty of the forest, the snow covered mountains and being out in the wild is a fantastic feeling.
Do not miss the opportunity to visit the Central Sierra Museum, located near the entrance to Camp Edison. The facility highlights the history of the early Indians, logging industry, ranching and mining.
The Central Sierra Historical Society and Museum, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) public benefit corporation with a membership of over 500 individuals, businesses, and organizations. CSHS was founded in 1991. Its’ roots however date back to the early 1980’s, when a group of individuals in the central Sierra recognized the need for an organized effort to preserve the fast-disappearing history of the area.
This grassroots endeavor was the catalyst for the Central Sierra Historical Society, which identified as part of its mission the creation of a regional history museum. CSHS launched the Museum of the Central Sierra with a major media event in 1998.
Dinkey Creek is about a half hours drive from the community of Shaver Lake. The area features a very large public campground that is popular with families from around Central and Southern California.
There is a ranger station nearby as well as the Dinkey Creek Chalets and fully stocked General Store. Do not miss a walk across the historic Dinkey Creek Bridge, built in 1938.
Dinkey Creek itself offers trout fishing, swimming at the well known Honeymoon Pool, kayak runs on the upper creek falls and hiking trails. You can also go horseback riding at the Clyde Pack Outfit stable.
The surrounding Dinkey Creek Wilderness includes 16 lakes and is a favorite destination for fishermen, hikers and backcountry horsemen.
The Sierra National Forest management team has been working extremely hard with a cadre of volunteers from several of the Central Valley OHV/4x4 Clubs to make the OHV trails safe for public use.
Where we’re going, we don’t need roads!!!” From the Dusy Ershim Trail that runs from behind Courtright Reservoir to the Kaiser Pass Road Summit at White Bark to the Coyote Lake Trail, Bald Mountain Trail, Brewer Lake, Big Creek Railroad Grade Trail and more, come enjoy the backcountry.
Pre-planning and research is essential – know what you are getting yourself into. If you are new to off-roading, make sure you are comfortable with the level of difficulty. Don’t attempt any steep climbs or descents or water crossings of any type.