Hidden Falls Campground

Beautiful place wife, kids and I love this place. We camp at a very small campsite “shake camp” like 5 minutes from there. Hidden fall is a very family friendly place! Ps. Please keep it clean. Pick up your trash.

I remember coming here in August 2009, before you could even find it on Google maps. Word of mouth from a friend and a Google search revealing one random website (which had written directions) later, and we were on our way! It used to be free to camp too. We stayed 6 days - just out of high school, a good-sized group of friends. I can honestly say, that trip started a love of camping and outdoor adventures for me. Mountain Home State Forest is beautiful, even astounding, with the giant Sequoias right in the campsites rivaling Sequoia National Park/Forest (but with less crowds), the North Fork Middle Fork of the Tule River running through, and the feeling of being completely isolated being the best parts. You have to carry your things from the parking lot to your camp... but we didn't mind. We had so much fun exploring the river up towards Moses Gulch Campground. 1/2-3/4 mile trail along the river to the campground, if I remember right. If you go a bit past that (1/4-1/2 mile?) there's a really nice swimming hole with a jump off the rocks into the clear, cold blue water. A little way past that is a neat old cabin. Across the road from the parking area of the campground, there's a great swimming hole and a steep trail you can take towards Shake Camp or even further to Summit Lake/Maggie Lakes. Not a day hike, as they are many miles away. Beware, this area is wild. On a subsequent trip, we were stalked by a mountain lion around dusk from 2 miles out almost all the way back to camp. Never had a closer encounter in all my years of outdoor adventures. We have also seen numerous bears and cubs in the area. Be smart, use the bear lockers provided to lock up anything with a scent and keep your distance. Keep the wildlife wild. We have been back numerous times over the years - camping at Hidden Falls, backpacking to Summit Lake, and backpacking from Wishon Campground up towards Hidden Falls (too much snow melt and swift water in March to cross the river safely, so we didn't make it, but we still had a blast). The main thing that has changed over the years, is the amount of traffic it gets. Most sites are taken in the summer on the weekends, and lots of day use visitors. I believe the road up is only open in the summer. I am torn to write this, further revealing the magic of our no-longer-so-secret, secret spot. And I am really sad to read reviews saying people have left trash and treated the area poorly over the last few years (no longer live close enough to visit). Even sadder to hear the area was affected by recent wildfires. If you visit, please respect the natural beauty of the area. Take out what you bring in, don't mark the tree or rocks, be careful with fires, respect the wildlife, and have a great time! I have since moved out of state, exploring new trails and terrain, but hope to come back to Hidden Falls / Mountain Home to camp some day. I really hope there is something beautiful to come back to.

This are is quite pristine when leaving other people out of the picture. People leave beer, soiled diapers, pads, and various trash in or near the river or falls, which is terrible. I do not recommend bringing small children or ones who cannot swim, for the river is swift. Since it is a result of the melted, high-Sierran snowpack, the water is frigid. DO NOT drink the water either (common sense, giardia contraction). Overall, it is a nice place to visit, preserve, and keep clean!

Beautiful falls! Fell in love because we were the only ones there. Campground is closed due to tree maintenance. They are unclear when it will reopen. If you start at Shake Camp there is a steep trail to get there (Moses Gultch Trail). When campground is open you park, then hike your gear to your campsite. Sites are shady and each provide a sizable Bear box.

Hidden Falls campground - a good starting place. Pros - the pool with the falls is very scenic. There's a trail upstream with excellent scenery (Whale Rock). The Tule River is great small stream fly fishing - just get 1/2 mile or more above Hidden Falls - very rugged stream and difficult to fish, but tons of small brooks and rainbows. Cons - You have to park in the parking area and carry your gear to your campsite. Gets very crowded on the weekends - everybody wants to go there. I've stayed there a few times, but prefer Moses Gulch campground about 1.5 miles downstream.