Calaveras Big Trees State Park
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Location: County: Calaveras. Nearest City: Arnold. See map 4.
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 95223Operating 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.
Where to go Camping -C-1-
Miwok Lodge 439