Bay Area Couple Drowns at Roaring River Falls in Kings Canyon National Park

A Bay Area husband and wife drowned while visiting Kings Canyon National Park over Memorial Day weekend, authorities said, underscoring the persistent dangers of fast-moving Sierra rivers during peak snowmelt season. The Fresno County Coroner’s Office on Monday, June 1 identified the victims as Parth Patel, 30, and Dharti Patel, 29, of San Mateo.

The couple died May 25 while visiting Roaring River Falls, a popular and easily accessible stop along the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. According to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, the couple had stopped at the waterfall before heading home.

The husband attempted to rescue his wife after she slipped, and both were pulled into the water. Search-and-rescue crews responded to the scene, with visitors reporting helicopters and emergency personnel at the trailhead parking area.

Roaring River Falls is a 40-foot cascade that surges through a narrow granite chute, especially powerful in late spring and early summer when melting snow feeds Sierra rivers. Despite its scenic appeal and short, shaded access path, park officials warn the site poses serious risks: strong, hidden currents can quickly pull people underwater; slippery granite rocks increase the risk of falls near the water’s edge; and water that appears calm on the surface can be fast-moving beneath.

The National Park Service explicitly advises visitors not to swim at the falls, warning that currents “can easily drag you under.”

Park officials say drowning is the most common cause of death in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, particularly during spring and early summer when rivers are swollen with snowmelt. Even experienced swimmers are vulnerable.

Officials note that many victims did not intend to enter the water but slipped or fell in, where cold temperatures, powerful currents and steep banks make escape difficult or impossible. Additional hazards include sudden drop-offs and undertows, icy water that can quickly sap strength, and crumbling riverbanks that can collapse without warning.

The Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon, where Roaring River Falls is located, typically reopens in late April after a seasonal winter closure and sees its highest water flows in late spring and early summer. Visitors hiking in the area can access trails like the River Trail to Zumwalt Meadow, but officials stress that the same scenic rivers drawing crowds can quickly turn deadly under the wrong conditions.

As California heads into peak summer travel season, park officials and safety experts are urging visitors to take extra precautions around rivers and waterfalls.

To stay safe, officials recommend staying out of fast-moving water, avoiding swimming in rivers and near waterfalls especially during snowmelt season, keeping a safe distance from edges, always having someone watching if near water, wearing sturdy shoes to prevent slips, avoiding alcohol and drug use, not leaving children unattended near water, and wearing a life jacket when appropriate. Instead of entering rivers, visitors are advised to take breaks in shaded areas, explore designated swimming areas in calmer lakes, and stay hydrated using cooling towels.