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Calaveras
Big Trees State Park
      
Location: County: Calaveras. Nearest City: Arnold.
Campsites, facilities: North Grove: There are
36 sites for tents, 14 sites for RVs up to 18 feet long, 24 sites
for RVs up to 30 feet long, and two sites designed for wheelchair
use. A group campground is also available. Fire grills and picnic
tables are provided. Piped water, flush toilets, firewood for
purchase, coin-operated showers, and a sanitary disposal station
are available. A nature trail and exhibits are wheelchair accessible.
No bicycles are allowed on the paths, but they are permitted
on fire roads. Leashed pets are permitted, except on trails.
Oak Hollow: There are 31 sites for tents only, 19 sites
for RVs up to 18 feet long, and five sites for RVs up to 30 feet
long. Fire rings and picnic tables are provided. Piped water,
flush toilets, a sanitary disposal station, and coin-operated
showers are available. Supplies can be purchased in Dorrington.
A nature trail and exhibits are wheelchair accessible. Leashed
pets are permitted, except on trails.
Reservations, fees: North Grove: Reserve by
phoning 1-800-444-PARK/7275 ($7.50 reservation fee); $16 per
night, $150 group fee, $1 pet fee. Open year-round. Oak Hollow:
Reserve by phoning 1-800-444-PARK/7275 ($7.50 reservation fee);
$15-$17 per night, $1 pet fee. Open May through September.
Contact: Phone Calaveras Big Trees State Park at 1-209-795-2334
or 1-209-532-0150.
Calaveras Big Trees SP
1170 East Hwy 4
Arnold CA 95223
Operating hours, seasons: Call park for information;
open all year round.
Park Kiosk Hours:
- Hi Season: 8am-10pm
- Lo Season: 8am-4pm
Directions: From Angels Camp, drive east on Highway
4 for 22 miles to Arnold, then continue another three miles to
the park entrance.
Weather, clothing: The weather can be changeable; layered
clothing is recommended.
Trip notes: These are the two campgrounds at Calaveras
Big Trees State Park, the state park known for its two groves
of giant sequoias (mountain redwoods), the oldest living redwoods
in California. The two groves of Big Trees survived heavy 19th
century logging. The trailhead for a hike on the North Grove
Loop is available here, an easy one-mile walk that is routed
among 150 sequoias, where the sweet fragrance of the huge trees
fills the air. These trees are known for their massive diameter,
not for their height, as is the case with coastal redwoods. Another
hike, a five-miler, is available in the South Grove, where the
park's two largest sequoias (the Agassiz Tree and the Palace
Hotel Tree) can be seen on a spur trail. A visitor center is
open during peak periods, offering exhibits on the giant sequoia
and natural history. The North Fork Stanislaus River runs near
Highway 4, providing trout fishing access. In the winter, this
is a popular spot for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Other
areas of the park provide places for picnicking, fishing and
hiking - including a magnificent view of the Sierra Nevada. The
elevation is 4,800 feet.
© 2001, Miwok Lodge 439, Order of the
Arrow, Santa Clara County Council Inc., BSA
Revision 1.2
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