Skip to content
Calaveras Big Trees State Park, Arnold, CA

Photo: John J. O'Brien ( talk · contribs ), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Sports & Outdoors

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

A California state park in the Sierra Nevada protecting two groves of giant sequoias and a mixed conifer forest.

Arnold, CA

About Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Calaveras Big Trees State Park lies in the middle Sierra Nevada, about four miles northeast of Arnold. It protects a mixed conifer forest along with two giant sequoia groves, the North Grove and the South Grove. Visitors can also find the Stanislaus River, Beaver Creek, old volcanic formations, meadows, and a network of trails. The park has drawn tourists since 1852, when word of the trees first spread widely, and Wikipedia describes it as the longest continuously operated tourist attraction in California. Some seasonal roads close during snowy winters, so check conditions before driving in.

  • #giant sequoia
  • #old-growth forest
  • #hiking
  • #camping
  • #Stanislaus River

What's around here?

The closest stops to Calaveras Big Trees State Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing

    Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park

    Under $25

    A Sierra Nevada foothills state park known for its huge collection of bedrock mortars and a regional Native American museum.

    30 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Grover Hot Springs State Park

    Under $25

    Alpine state park near Markleeville with a mineral soaking pool, a cool swimming pool, meadow trails, and a campground on the east side of the Sierra.

    38 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Camp Richardson Corral

    $50+

    Family-run South Lake Tahoe stable offering guided horseback trail rides since 1934.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    46 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    Outdoor Adventure

    Tahoe Snowmobiles & Tubing

    $50+

    Guided snowmobile rides and snow tubing hills at two South Lake Tahoe area locations.

    Transit: reachable by public transit

    46 mi awayMore like this

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Cruise Tahoe

    $50+

    Small-group sailing cruises to Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm Castle on a classic wooden boat.

    48 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Boat Tahoe

    $50+

    Private, captain-included boat charters out of South Lake Tahoe for sightseeing and watersports.

    48 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

Near Calaveras Big Trees State Park

More of the same kind

Keep exploring