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.
| 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.
Trout Fishing Best Sellers |
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.
Hidden Falls 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 Hidden Falls Campground enjoy the tranquility of a tent campground along a beautiful mountain river.
