Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Calaveras Big Trees State Park was established in 1931 to protect the North Grove of giant sequoias. This special grove includes the famous “Discovery Tree” that Augustus T. Dowd discovered in 1852. It’s a popular tourist attraction and has been welcoming visitors for a long time, making it the oldest continuously operating tourist facility in California. The park has expanded over the years to include more areas of mixed conifer forests.
You can enjoy camping at the two main campgrounds, which offer 129 campsites. There are also six picnic areas and many miles of trails to explore. Activities like cross-country skiing, ranger talks, and educational programs are available. You can hike, go mountain biking, watch birds, and even participate in special school programs during the summer.
Visitors Center & Museum at Calaveras Big Trees State Park
The new visitor’s center at Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a great place to visit. Inside, you’ll find a wonderful gift shop with a comfortable, relaxing seating area while your family or friends explore the shop. The center also has a museum that tells you about how Native Americans used the area and displays information about the plants and animals that live here.
The gift shop is full of fantastic souvenirs, including clothes, items related to science and nature, and plenty of fun and educational toys for kids. It’s a perfect place to find gifts for your whole family.
Camping in North Grove
Campers at the North Grove Campground have easy access to the park’s main attractions, including the North Grove of Giant Sequoias, the Visitor Center, and the Campfire Center, just a short stroll from the park’s main gate. Sites 1-74 may be found at this campground, which surrounds the North Grove Meadow and is stretched out throughout an established conifer forest.
North Grove has two compact group campsites with twice the facilities of a typical site. Campgrounds have flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and on-demand water. The park’s disposal facility is free for campers but $20 for day-trippers.
Oak Hollow Campground
The Oak Hollow Campground may be found approximately 4 miles into the park along the main road that runs through the park. Sites 75–129 are located in an established pine and oak woodland, which offers an abundance of shade. There are flush toilets, showers that require coins, and running water at the campground.
Environmental Campsites
Walk-in campsites located away from the main campgrounds are known as environmental campsites. There are five different sites, three of which are approximately one and a half miles from the park’s entrance, while the other two are nine miles away, close to Beaver Creek. Each destination can be reached through a quick stroll. Each campsite is equipped with a bear locker, picnic table, fire ring, and open-air toilet. These locations do not have any source of running water.
Group Campsites
Two group camping areas can be found directly across and farther up Highway 4 from the primary entrance to the park. In the Upper Group Camp, there is space for forty people and fifteen vehicles; in the Lower Group Camp, there is space for sixty people and twenty vehicles.
Both locations share a single set of toilet facilities equipped with coin-operated showers and running water. The charge for the group camping includes payment for any car levies.
Address: 1170 CA-4, Arnold, CA 95223, United States
Open-Closes: 6 am-10 pm
Phone: +1 209-795-2334
Management: California State Parks
Elevation: 4,560–4,920 ft (1,390–1,500 m)
Established: 1931
Area: 6,498 acres (26.30 km2)
