Balch Park Campground

California's Best Camping

Balch Park, Mountain Home, Tulare County, California
Balch Park, Mountain Home, Tulare County, California

Balch Park Campground

Mountain Home
Tulare County


Balch Park Campground

Balch Park Campground is part of a county park managed by Tulare County Parks, surrounded by the Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest east of Visalia. The campground is about 19 miles northeast of Springville. Much of the way after Springville is via a narrow and winding road, but the beauty of the Mountain Home area makes it worth the drive.

Several of the oldest and largest Giant Sequoias in the world are protected in the nearly 5,000 acres of Mountain Home forest. Some trees tower to 240 feet tall and spread 27 feet in diameter. Balch Park itself is a favorite with families, with many great places for children to explore from hollow logs to streams and fishing ponds.

Balch Park is popular for fishing in two local ponds, hiking, rock climbing, photography, and viewing wildlife. The history of the area is preserved in a local museum. Balch Park Campground offers 71 campsites for RVs, trailers, and tents. All the campsites are first-come, first-served.

Shop Amazon: Camping Essentials



Balch Park Campground Basics
Balch Park Campground Location: From just north of Springville on Hwy. 190 follow Balch Park Rd. 3½ miles to Bear Creek Rd. Go 15 miles on Bear Creek Road.
Elevation: 6,000 feet
Mileage from Gateway City: Visalia - 64 miles
Bakersfield - 84 miles
Number of Sites: 71
Camping Season: Usually open mid-May through October or mid-November, depending on weather (call to confirm)
Max. People per Site: Campsites: 6
Vehicles per Site: 1 ($5 per night fee for 2nd vehicle)
Pets: On leash, always attended, $5 per dog per night
Operated by: Tulare County Parks & Recreation
Balch Park: (559) 539-3896

Reservations
No Reservations available: All campsites at Balch Park Campground are first-come, first-served.
Maximum RV/Trailer Length: 40 feet
Wheelchair Accessible Sites: None designated
Fees: Tent Campsites $20 (seniors $10) per night
RV sites $25 (seniors $15)
Check-in, check-out: Check-in 2:00 PM
Check-out Noon

Balch Park Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring with grill; no hook-ups
Campground: Flush toilets, tap water
Showers: No
Dump station: No
Attractions near Balch Park Campground: Tour the Balch Park museum. Fish for trout in one of the two park ponds. Stroll through groves of Giant Sequoias. Drive or hike to nearby Hedrick Pond. Visit the Giant Sequoia Mercantile at the Springville Visitors Center. Enjoy a trail ride with Balch Park Pack Station. Drive north on the Great Western Divide Highway to Dome Rock and views of the Needles Rock formation. Hike or mountain bike the 2-mile Needles Lookout Trail.




Balch Park sign, Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest, CA


map of Mountain Home campgrounds, Tulare County, CA


Balch Park Campground, Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest, CA

Balch Park Campground

Mountain Home State Demonstration Forest
Attractions and Activities

Mountain Home State Demonstration Forest contains nearly 5,000 acres of forest and streams adjacent to Sequoia National Forest east of Porterville. Campers at Balch Park Campground are near wonderful groves of Giant Sequoias.

  • Stop at State Forest Headquarters off Bear Creek Road for maps and information about the forest.
  • Stroll through groves of Giant Sequoias, including 4 of the largest Sequoias in the world.
  • Learn about and visit archaeological sites, some dating as far back as 8,000 years. Visit an interpretive exhibit at Sunset Point.
  • Find the Indian Bathtubs in the area. These deep basins in the granite appear to have been man-made, perhaps by the Yokut, Paiute and Mono tribes that often stayed in the area.
  • Visit the museum at Balch Park. The California Department of Fish and Game stocks three ponds in the area with trout for public fishing. Two of the ponds are in Balch Park.
  • Hike along popular trails such as the Memorial Trail, the Loop Trail and Nature Trail.
  • Rock climbers challenge their skills on the granite faces off Needles Lookout Trail.
  • Enjoy a trail ride with Balch Park Pack Station.
  • Hike the scenic Trail of 100 Giants.

Key Balch Park Campground Regulations

  1. Dogs must be on leash and attended while in the campground.
  2. Obtain your firewood locally to avoid the spread of tree-killing pests.
  3. Quiet Hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM.
  4. Campfire permits are required.

    Check Tulare County Parks - Balch Park for any campground updates.


General Camping Information

Opening and closing dates of campgrounds are only estimates, usually dependent on weather conditions. Not all campsites can accommodate trailers or RVs of all lengths. If using a reservation website, check to be sure your vehicles will fit in the parking space for your campsite.

In order to prevent the spread of invasive insects, obtain firewood locally.