ABOUT HIDDEN VIEW CAMPGROUND: We’d never been to this area before but are always open to trying an Army Corps of Engineers Campground. Hidden View is located at Hensley Lake in the foothills of central California, 50 miles north of Fresno. The lake area offers many recreational opportunities, such as swimming, water skiing, fishing, boating, and hiking. It is a 1 hour drive to Yosemite National Park, and a 1 ½ hour drive to Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks, as well as Sierra National Forest. The 1,500-acre lake was created by the construction of Hidden Dam on the Fresno River. With over 20 miles of shoreline, it is a popular summer vacation spot for families and those who enjoy water activities.
Hidden View Campground provides 55 campsites including two large group campsites. Some sites have electric hook-ups ($30 per night), and all campsites are located within walking distance of the lake and boat ramp. Water spigots are located throughout the campground for fresh water and there is a dump station. The campground also offers restrooms, showers, picnic areas, boat ramps, loaner life jackets, parking, plus protected picnic tables and fire rings at each campsite. Tent campsites are large. RV campsites vary in size. Some are quite large. Sites without electric hook-ups are $20 per night. The campground accepts the Federal Senior Pass which decreases the above fees by 50%.
The campground is located on the shores of Hensley Lake and is surrounded by rolling hills and the oak woodlands of the Sierra Nevada foothills, offering a mixture of sun and shade. The area was once home to the Miwok and Yokut Native American Tribes.
Hidden View Campground – located near the geographic center of California, the park is 17 miles northeast of Madera. Address/phone: 25207 Road 407, Raymond, CA 93653-0085; (559) 673-5151. Reservations are required (but you don’t have to make then in advance; you can call or go online from the campground) Www.recreation.gov. E-mail hensley-info@usace.army.mil.
- 2022 – 03/01-03/06