PLEASE READ THIS LISTING AND DOWNLOAD DIRECTIONS IN ADVANCE.
Walk in a couple of hundred feet to a tucked-away site on our fully-protected working ranch and nature preserve.
HIDDEN has a soft, leafy roof of oaks overhead and soft flooring and is surrounded by trees and shrubs. It has almost full shade all day. It is close to kitchen and toilets and fire pit and
PLEASE READ THIS LISTING AND DOWNLOAD DIRECTIONS IN ADVANCE.
Walk in a couple of hundred feet to a tucked-away site on our fully-protected working ranch and nature preserve.
HIDDEN has a soft, leafy roof of oaks overhead and soft flooring and is surrounded by trees and shrubs. It has almost full shade all day. It is close to kitchen and toilets and fire pit and wifi and dining tables. It's a two minute stroll to Turtle Cove, our swim hole.
This site has a maximum of one tent.
Kitchen access: Communal kitchen. Please note: you are expected to leave the ranch and kitchen area as you found it, i.e., dishes washed thoroughly and dried and put away, recycling separated from trash, food scraps in compost buckets, sticky marshmallow removed from forks and surfaces (ick!). Thank you.
Refrigerator, microwave, cook top, sinks, dishes, glassware, utensils, pots and pans, etc. 10' diameter river rock fire pit (extra firewood available by donation), propane bbq, swimming in North Fork Tule as season allows, miles of hiking trails on ranch.
River Ridge goes from 1,000' elev. to 3,000' elev. and passes from 3/4 of a mile of superb riparian corridor through Valley Oak grassland to Blue Oak Woodland and ends in Chaparral. Abundant wildlife. Next to Giant Sequoia National Monument (free).
We are about a one hour drive to Sequoia National Park, but we're only 16 miles to groves up Hwy 190. There are 33 giant sequoia groves in our Southern Region of the Giant Sequoia National Monument, some easily accessible and others more remote.
Our ranch is a nature preserve and an educational/demonstration site, teaching sustainable and regenerative land use practices. River Ridge Institute, our non-profit, hosts a variety of events for the public.
Please see the Rules and Safety section to review our Waiver of Liability.
Our friends at WildPlaces host all kinds of community outdoor events and are a Hipcamp site, too.
- Check in: After 3PM
- Check out: Before 12PM
- Cancellation policy: Flexible
- On arrival: Go straight to camp
- Minimum nights: 1 night
- Accepts bookings: 3 months out Weeknight discount: 20% off
- Response time: Within 6 hours
- Response rate: 100%
Activities
Offered on the Host's property or nearby.
Biking
Superb mountain biking on the trails in the Giant Sequoia National Monument up the road.
Boating
Success Reservoir has houseboats for rent by the hour or day. Five miles back on Hwy 190.
Fishing
Early Spring trout on the ranch. Bluegill in late Spring through Fall. Bit 'o Bass now and then. Carp in summer. Superb fishing...Read more
Swimming
Turtle Cove has plenty of water as of June, but will gradually slow down over the summer.
Terrain
Natural features you'll find at RR Hidden Tent Site in California.
Beach
We are lucky to have a sandy beach at our Turtle Cove swim hole. Chairs and overhead shade are provided. Hang out here in the m...Read more
Cave
Crystal Cave at Sequoia National Park is a favorite. 1.5 hours to entrance of Park.
Forest
Giant Sequoia National Monument entrance 3 miles; Sequoia National Park 1.5 hours.
Hot spring
California Hot Springs is our neighbor to the south on Deer Creek. It's an hour and a half trip and you can do it as part of a ...Read more
Lake
Success Lake, located on the road to Springville and east of Porterville, is a recreation spot with access for boating, swimmin...Read more
Mountainous
While our sites are on the flat, there's a 3,000' mountain on the ranch. Over 8,000' nearby.
Field
We have 100 acres of prairie/pasture on the ranch.
Swimming hole
Note. As of July 11, 2018 our swimming hole is marginal, for some!
Waterfall
Angel Falls is up Highway 190 about 18 miles, just past the PG&E powerhouse. Fabulous swimming holes. CAUTION: Can be extremely...Read more
Ranch
We are a working ranch and nature preserve.
Places to see near River Ridge Ranch & Institute
38 Reviews
What an amazing place! We spent one night on the hidden spot. There's such a great balance between sleeping in nature and having everything we need to feel at home, with a well equipped kitchen, nice sitting areas, and even wifi connection (can be improved). We cooked food, made ourselves some nice coffee, sat by the warming fire pit, and went to sleep with beautiful night skies above us.
I would totally recommend everyone to stop by Gary's awesome camp. I know if I'm back in the area I will.
Great stay at River Ridge… the kitchen is super .. there is everything you need .. big fridge and bbq grill. Loved the hot shower and the toilet is very clean.
It was my first experience in a tent and could not have been better!!!
The temperature was very hot when we stayed there so the river was super refreshing and so relaxing . Highly recommended !

This was our second time staying at River Ridge, and this time we had the pleasure of meeting Gary! He was so kind and answered my questions about the wildlife in the area. My husband and I stayed at the Hidden Campsite which was secluded and beautiful. We went to Turtle Cove and swam just like we did last time we visited. The water was a little chilly in May, but if you're in the direct sunlight while swimming it's perfect! We also did both of the easier trails around the compound, including the one that goes around the fields where Secluded and Starry are located as well as the trail that goes past Shaman Cove. I have to say, Shaman Cove is my new favorite place. It's easy to get to, but still hidden, perfect for just relaxing and pondering life. I'm already planning my next trip! While this place was perfect for just two, it would also be a wonderful place to bring friends. The campsites and rustic cabins are near the community center where there is a refrigerator, freezer, grill, and full cookware. Also, there are toilets and warm showers. This would be a great place to bring your friends who are new to camping and need to ease into it a bit. We will definitely be returning, hopefully later this year! Thanks to Gary and others at the River Ridge Institute who manage this amazing place and share it with others!

Really nice site and amenities! The kitchen and shower was especially appreciated.
Amazing with perfect setup for a quiet weekend in the woods! Lots of exploration opportunities in the campground! Loved the creek with prefect water conditions for a dip.
P.s someone checked in at 1 am so perhaps disallow such late checkins…
Decided to stay at this site after spending the day at sequoia National park. Such an amazing idea. This site has everything and more! Such a gorgeous setting to relax and explore. The property is massive, so much more than just a camp site. Huge kitchen with everything you could need, bathrooms and showers are clean and fully functional. My favorite part was the lights that are strung up around the entire communal space to illuminate everything, it made the space magical. Gary was so nice and helpful, would definitely stay again!
Gary's land was everything and more! The tent sight was secluded but still close enough to all the amenities. We thoroughly enjoyed the 7 mile round trip hike (road/trail right off the premise). Gary has so many little touches, like the labyrinth and swimming pond (we used after the hike). The shower was hot and the toilets clean, there were also plenty of amenities in the kitchen and more than enough firewood! There was even wifi. We will most certainly be coming back.
Stunning campsite. Super quiet and peaceful 🙏🏼 Gary was a wonderful host
Excellent place!!
Awards
- Property
- River Ridge Ranch & Institute
- State
- California
- Country
- United States
- $65/night
- 1 Site