Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest operates 5 campgrounds with 96 individual campsites and 1 group campsite. There is another Group Campground under construction. All campsites except the group campsite and the ADA compliant site at Frasier Mill are available on a first-come first-served basis. Reservations for the group and ADA compliant campsites can be made by calling the forest at (559) 539-2855. Please see the Mountain Home Base Map for the location of each campground.
Campsites are open from May through October, depending upon snow conditions. There are 5 public campgrounds with campfire rings, tables and bear-resistant food lockers provided. Campgrounds have potable water and pit toilets. Camping at MHDSF requires a camping permit and payment of a fee. Permits and payment information are available at the entrance to each campground. Pets are welcome but must be controlled by the owner at all times. Horses and pack animals are not allowed in campgrounds but may be kept in the public corrals near Shake Camp. Four campsites were recently constructed near the public corrals and are available for equestrian users only. Equestrian campers are required to register and pay for their site at the Shake Camp Campground. Hunting is permitted under applicable State game laws and regulations.
Hedrick Pond Campground
Hedrick Pond Campground has 14 campsites and one additional site (with RV water hookup) for a camp host. The camp host site is not available for public use. The campground is situated around Hedrick Pond, which is stocked with trout in the summer by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The pond is a popular attraction for anglers often resulting in the campground being full nearly every weekend; as well as, a high number of day-users fishing the pond. Few of the campsites are suitable for trailers or RVs.
Frasier Mill Campground
Frasier Mill Campground has 49 campsites and one additional site (with RV water hookup) for a camp host (not available for public use). The campsites are organized into five loops, each with vault toilets and water spigots. One of the campsites is ADA compliant and is available by reservation only. The campground is situated among several small creeks and is well shaded by a grove of large second-growth giant sequoia. Although this is the largest of the five campgrounds, it is not uncommon for it to be full on the weekends in the summer months. Some of the campsites are well suited for RVs and trailers.
Shake Camp Campground
Shake Camp Campground has 15 campsites and one additional site (with RV water hookup) for a camp host (not available for public use). Four of the campsites are located adjacent to public corrals near the main campground and are intended to be used exclusively for equestrian campers. There are three vault toilets in the main campground and two additional vault toilets near the corrals. The campground is immediately adjacent to a major trailhead into the Golden Trout Wilderness, and surrounded by trails on the State Forest. This campground is quite popular with hikers in the summer and hunters in the fall. Few of the campsites are suitable for RVs or trailers.
Hidden Falls Campground
Hidden Falls Campground has eight campsites. Currently, there is no campsite specifically for a camp host. There are two vault toilets and two potable water spigots. Each campsite is hike-in only; no trailers or RVs are allowed. A parking area is available and will accommodate 8 to 16 vehicles. The campground is situated on the banks of the Wishon Fork of the Tule River and provides more of a wilderness-style camping experience. This campground area is very popular with day-users as it provides excellent river access and water play opportunities.
Moses Gulch Campground
Moses Gulch Campground has 10 campsites and one additional site (with RV water hookup) for a camp host (not available for public use). Due to the narrow and winding road to reach the campground, RVs and trailers are prohibited (an exception is made for a camp host). The campground is organized into two loops of five campsites each. Each loop has two vault toilets and at least two potable water spigots. The campground is situated near the Wishon Fork of the Tule River, and several of the campsites in the upper loop have excellent river access. This campground area is becoming increasingly popular for day-users as it provides close access to the Tule River.
Methuselah Group Campground
Methuselah Group Campground can accommodate up to 100 campers (or more with a special use permit). There is no electricity or water at this campground, although plans to provide running water are ongoing (see below). The campground has two vault toilets, three fire rings, an amphitheater, and a barbecue pit. A large parking area can accommodate 50 or more vehicles. The group camp is situated adjacent to a meadow with many hiking trails in and around the camp. The campground is available by reservation only.