Forget Sequoia National Park, This California Forest Is Just As Epic Without The Crowds

Imagine standing at the base of a 240-foot-tall sequoia tree, marveling at its magnificent size, only to realize you're surrounded by dozens of other people doing the exact same thing. You've already waited nearly two hours to enter Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, and finding a moment alone in nature feels basically impossible. Thankfully, Sequoia National Park isn't the only place to see these towering trees: just under two hours away is the way less-crowded and just as impressive Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest (MHDSF).

MHDSF sits on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada range, just 22 miles east of Porterville, California. California is home to national parks with some of the tallest trees in the world, and MDSF itself has some of the largest sequoias on earth. Created in 1946, the 5,000-acre forest preserves 4,500 massive sequoias alongside ponderosa pines, white firs, and incense-cedars. 

But giant 2,000-year old sequoias aren't the only thing that makes MHDSF special, as its history is just as impressive. Alongside saw mills that were active when the area's logging industry was at its height, MHDSF houses 22 prehistoric archeological sites that give visitors a glimpse into local Native American life, like the Sunset Point exhibit and Exeter Hill rock art. According to MHDSF's website, proof of human activity in the area dates back 9,000 years, with Indigenous tribes such as the Foothill Yokuts using the forest for shelter and finding food.

Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest serves many purposes, from scientific research and conservation to a multitude of recreational activities. The area has several hiking trails that vary in length and difficulty, such as the highly rated 2.2-mile Hidden Falls trail and the harder Shake Camp and Tule River trail, which is 11.8 miles and takes up to seven hours to complete. Some trailheads even lead to Golden Trout Wilderness, which offers outdoor fun in two national forests.

A well-preserved network of roads from the forest's logging days makes it easy to drive straight up to some of the giant sequoias, but there are more unique ways to get around, like horseback riding. The area is popular with anglers, and there are three ponds that are stocked with trout for public fishing. Hunting is also permitted in certain areas with a valid California hunting license.

Unfortunately, wildfires across California are becoming increasingly common, and even MHDSF has been affected. Although around 40% of the forest was ravaged by the 2020 Castle Fire, CAL FIRE has worked diligently to restore affected areas through reforestation and trail-clearing. Evidence of this fire remains today, with some areas and landmarks being severely burned, including the historic Enterprise mill and tree stumps left behind from the logging era.

Located in Tulare County, Mountain Home Demonstration State Forest is just over a two hour drive from Bakersfield, California, one of America's best towns for old-school, 1950s charm. If you fly into Meadows Field Airport (BFL) and rent a car, a visit can be combined with other nearby attractions for a western Sierra Nevada road trip, such as Kern National Wildlife Refuge and Sequoia National Forest.

With five campgrounds open from May to October, MHDSF is ideal for spending summer nights underneath giant sequoias. Each campground provides fire pits, picnic tables, and food lockers that protect against bears, as well as drinking water and toilets. Pets are welcome at all campsites and there are even special campsites exclusively for equestrian campers. Camping fees start at $25 per night for up to two vehicles, except for Hidden Falls, where only one vehicle is allowed. Hedrick Pond is one of the most scenic of the five, with 14 campsites situated beside a small pond stocked with fishable trout and is usually full most summer weekends.