Methuselah Group Campground in the Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest east of Porterville.
Mountain Home is best known for its groves of Giant Sequoias, some of the trees among the largest in the world. The nearby Methuselah tree stands over 200 feet tall and has a diameter of over 24 feet. The campground is about 16 miles northeast of Springville, much of the way via a narrow and winding road.
Methuselah Group Campground has a single camping area for groups from 20 to 80 people. With space only for 1 or 2 small RVs, the majority of the camping is in tents. Picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets are provided, but there is no drinking water. The group campsite must be reserved.
| Methuselah Group Campground Basics | |
|---|---|
| Methuselah Group Campground Location: | From just north of Springville on Hwy. 190 follow Balch Park Rd. 3½ miles to Bear Creek Rd. Watch for the turn to the group camp just east of the State Forest Headquarters. |
| Elevation: | 6,100 feet |
| Mileage from Gateway City: | Visalia - 63 miles
Bakersfield - 83 miles |
| Number of Sites: | 1 |
| Camping Season: | Usually open mid-May through October, weather permitting |
| Max. People per Site: | Campsites: 80 |
| Pets: | On leash, always attended | Operated by: | Mountain Home State Demonstration Forest |
| Mountain Home State Forest: | (559) 539-2321, summer 539-2855, winter |
| Reservations for Methuselah Group Campground | |
|---|---|
| Reservations: | Reservations are required. Reservations for the group site open on January 1 of each year. |
| Wheelchair Accessible Sites: | Some facilities are accessible |
| Maximum RV/trailer length: | 20 feet |
| Fees: | $50 per night |
| Reservations: | (559) 539-2321 (summer), 539-2855 (winter) |
| Check-in, check-out: | 2:00 PM, check-out Noon |
| Methuselah Group Campground Amenities | |
|---|---|
| Campsite: | Picnic tables, stone BBQ, fire rings, bear-proof food lockers; no hook-ups |
| Campground: | Vault toilets, amphitheater, no potable water |
| Showers: | No |
| Dump station: | No |
| Attractions near Methuselah Group Campground: | Drive to Balch Park and spend time in the Balch Park museum. Fish for trout in one of the two Balch Park ponds. Fish for trout in nearby Hedrick Pond. Tour groves of Giant Sequoias. Visit the archaeological sites at Sunset Point Day Use area. Arrange trail rides or pack trips with neighboring Balch Park Pack Station. Explore the Tule River, visiting the falls and finding good fishing spots. Hike along the river trail connecting Moses Gulch to Hidden Falls.
Visit the Giant Sequoia Mercantile at the Springville Visitors Center.
Trout Fishing Best Sellers |
Methuselah Group Campground
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.
Methuselah Group Campground
Mountain Home State Demonstration Forest contains nearly 5,000 acres of forest and streams adjacent to Sequoia National Forest east of Porterville. Campers at Methuselah Group Campground can enjoy all the nearby trails, fishing ponds, and Sequoia groves.
