Balch Park Campground, near Springville, California, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. Surrounded by towering giant redwoods, this campground offers a serene escape with designated sites that come equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for evening gatherings.

The campground features two ponds stocked with rainbow trout, making it a great place for fishing enthusiasts. Visitors have noted the beauty of the area, with one camper reminiscing about their stay, saying it was “a dream” to be fully surrounded by wildlife and trees. Just a heads up, though—bears are known to wander around at night, so keep your food secured.

Facilities include clean flush toilets and a fish cleaning station, ensuring you have the essentials for a comfortable stay. While some campers mentioned the dusty roads, the stunning scenery and peaceful atmosphere more than make up for it. If you’re planning a visit, remember that the campground is open from mid-May to mid-October, so plan accordingly!

They Tulare County Parks does not recommend vehicles with trailers due to road conditions however.

Balch Park Campground is located in the Mountain Home State Forest, within the larger Sequoia National Forest in California. The campground is owned and operated by the Tulare County Park & Recreation Department. Camping in this campground is first-come, first-serve and is open from Spring to Fall.

Balch Park Campground

Join the fun near Camp Nelson. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Camp Nelson. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your California camping adventure.

Camp Nelson

The Best Camping Near Camp Nelson, California

Fish dont always bite but the frogs do! Absolutely amazing location in the sequoias, amazing camp hosts! George the ranger is super awesome and so friendly. Make sure to take Everything you will need thu ot eont want to drive back down the mountain for anything. Take the first turn off to get there the second one is a terrible road. Go visit the pack station for an amazing horse back trip up the mountain(cash only) head on down to hidden falls for a gorgeous view and a swim. Dont forget your fishing poles for the two ponds on balch park.

Stunning

A local favorite, gets lots of tourists. Bears come at night

Balch

By far one of the best campgrounds I stayed. The site donated the Balch family and operated by the Tulare County Parks, host camping among the Sequoias, fishing at two lakes that are stocked with trout, a self-guided hiking trail and more. Each site has a fire ring, barbecue, and table plus each site has there own running water. 
The bathrooms are flush toilets and clean sinks. 
The place has the feel of Yosemite without the large granite rocks. 
Great host and camp ranger on site. 
It’s first come first serve and the way it works is you go pick out a campsite not reserved and take it. The ranger will be around to collect. Check out the map in the pictures. It can look confusing at first. There are 60 sites. 
The place fills up on the weekends. There are more opportunities during the week. Mike the ranger said before COVID, plenty of camping was available, but with so many campgrounds closed, the place fills up fast. 
The price is $20 a night, $10 for seniors. 
When you take the Balch Road turnoff to the camp, you can turn right  at Bear Creek Rd if you are NOT pulling a trailer. It’s steeper and with more hairpin turns than Balch Road, but about five miles shorter. You go from 1000 feet to 6000 feet elevation in a short distance. 

Sublime

Beautiful area. Huge redwoods. Your camping among the giants. The campground roads are pretty rough and it is super dusty. I use to camp here as a kid and don’t remember it being this dusty. Remember, no showers, so bring wipes or something to clean up with especially if you have kids! The ponds hadn’t been stocked so fishing was a bust but we had fun anyways. We didn’t have bears the two nights we stayed but someone said the bears were there the night before we got there. Overall it was fun, close to home but unfortunately the crazy amount of dust was too much for us. If we go back I’ll bring a hose to spray down the campsite.

Beautiful but super dusty

Balch Park is CLOSED for the remainder of 2023 for road repair. 

  

It is a nice place to camp when you can.

Balch Park is CLOSED for the remainder of 2023 for road repair.

It's a nice place. Two ponds, each with a campground, and typically stocked with rainbow trout.

Wood at entrance to upper near the host. The museum is non existent and was about to collapse. When I was a kid it had cool stuff from the logging days of the area. 

Flush toilets, fish cleaning station, and water. Dusty! There is an ADA site at the upper pond next to the host. 

Bears. They come around sun down and throughout the night. Don't be that idiot that spot lights them and chases them into others camp sites.

Giant Redwoods & Fishing 

Stayed here Aug 2022 and reminiscing. This location was a dream. I wanted to be fully immersed in the woods and this hit the spot. No contact with people and wildlife all around. Will definitely be back. 

Incredible spot in the trees

Quiet and you feel engulfed in the forest. Road is winding and narrow, takes about 20 min from base of mountain to get there and no service but very beautiful! Lots of other campers and fishing pond near. Chilly near night and morning.

Photos of Balch Park Campground

Real photos from real campers