Hidden Falls Campground

California's Best Camping

Tule River Valley, Mountain Home, Tulare County, California
Tule River Valley, Mountain Home, Tulare County, California

Hidden Falls Campground

Mountain Home - Tulare County


Hidden Falls Campground

Hidden Falls Campground is a small, walk-in tent campground along the Tule River in Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest. Soon after you pass through Springville, plan on a slow drive on a winding road up the mountain; but expect to be rewarded by magnificent groves of Giant Sequoias once you reach Mountain Home. The final several miles to the campground are down a fairly good dirt road.

Visitors to Hidden Falls Campground enjoy its quiet, secluded location, a few miles off Bear Creek Road. A series of waterfalls along the Tule River upstream from the campground draw most of the attention of visitors to the site. The highest falls is about 30 feet and another 15 feet. When water levels are safe, swimming holes can be found along the river near the campground. Hiking and fishing are also popular.

Hidden Falls Campground has 8 sites for tents only. Picnic tables, fire rings, piped water, and pit toilets are provided.

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Hidden Falls Campground Basics
Hidden Falls Campground Location: From just north of Springville on Hwy. 190 follow Balch Park Rd. 3½ miles to Bear Creek Rd. Go 17½ miles on Bear Creek Road, turn right and follow signs to campground.
Elevation: 6,150 feet
Mileage from Gateway City: Visalia - 69 miles
Bakersfield - 89 miles
Number of Sites: 8
Camping Season: Usually open mid-May through October, weather permitting
Max. People per Site: Campsites: 6
Vehicles per Site: 1 ($5 fee for 2nd vehicle)
Pets: On leash, always attended
Operated by: Mountain Home State Demonstration Forest
Mountain Home State Forest: (559) 539-2321, summer; 539-2855, winter

Reservations
No Reservations available: All campsites at Hidden Falls Campground are first-come, first-served.
Wheelchair Accessible Sites: None designated
Fees: Campsites $15
Check-in, check-out: 2:00 PM, check-out Noon

Hidden Falls Campground Amenities
Campsites: Picnic table, fire ring with grill; no hook-ups
Campground: Pit toilets, tap water
Showers: No
Dump station: No
Attractions near Hidden Falls Campground: Explore the Tule River, visiting the falls and finding good fishing spots. Hike along the trail down the river to Moses Gulch. Drive to Balch Park and spend time in the Balch Park museum. Fish for trout in one of the two Balch Park ponds. Tour groves of Giant Sequoias. Drive or hike to nearby Hedrick Pond. Visit the Giant Sequoia Mercantile at the Springville Visitors Center. 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.





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.


map of Mountain Home campgrounds, Tulare County, CA


Hidden Falls Campground, Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest, CA

Hidden Falls Campground

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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 Hidden Falls Campground enjoy the tranquility of a tent campground along a beautiful mountain river.

  • 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 Hidden Falls Campground Regulations

  1. Trailers are not permitted at Hidden Falls Campground.
  2. Dogs must be on leash and attended while in the campground.
  3. Obtain your firewood locally to avoid the spread of tree-killing pests.
  4. Quiet Hours are from 11 PM to 6 AM.
  5. Campfire permits are required.
  6. To avoid problems with bears, store in in bear-proof lockers, keep ice chests put away at night, and never bring food into your tent.