Friant is a census-designated place in Fresno County, California, located about 11.5 miles north of Clovis along the San Joaquin River. It sits at an elevation of roughly 344 feet at the base of Friant Dam, which holds back the waters of Millerton Lake. The community lies where the San Joaquin Valley floor begins to rise toward the Sierra Nevada foothills, at the gateway to the lake and its state recreation area. The community's setting is defined by the river and the dam. Millerton Lake, the reservoir formed behind Friant Dam, stretches between Fresno and Madera counties and serves as a major water and recreation resource for the region. The Millerton Lake State Recreation Area draws visitors for boating, fishing, camping, and watersports within minutes of the community. Friant is a small place, with roughly 450 residents at the 2020 census. Its residential character is a suburban-rural mix, and most residents own their homes. The community is part of the Clovis Unified School District, which extends from Clovis northward to include Friant and its elementary school. Historically, the site was known as Converse Ferry before taking the name Friant, and its growth followed the construction of Friant Dam and the filling of Millerton Lake. The dam and reservoir remain central to the community's identity, shaping both its landscape and its role as a recreation gateway. Friant's location gives it a foothill setting while keeping the amenities of Clovis and Fresno close at hand. Millerton Lake is described as about ten minutes from Fresno, making the community a convenient base for lake recreation and a quieter alternative to valley-floor living, with the San Joaquin River corridor and surrounding ranch country offering a distinctly rural backdrop.