Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Location/Directions
The park is northeast of Stockton, four miles northeast of Arnold on Highway 4.
Latitude/Longitude: 38.2719 / -120.2867

From SF Bay Area
Take I-580 eastbound over Altamont Pass to I-205 toward Manteca, to US 99 North. Take the exit for State Hwy 4 Eastbound (Angel's Camp) to the Park Entrance. Calaveras Big Trees is about 35 minutes driving from Angel's Camp.

From Southern California
Take either I-5 or US 99 North. From I-5 you can cross to the other side of Stockton on State Hwy 4 to 99/4 South a few miles, then follow Hwy 4 towards and beyond Farmington to the Park. Calaveras Big Trees is about 35 minutes driving time from Angel's Camp.

From Sacramento
Take U.S. 99 South to Stockton. Turn East on State Hwy 4. Driving time to the park from here is approx 1 hour and 30 minutes. Pass through Farmington and Copperopolis to the Park. An alternate route from Sacramento is to take State Hwy 16 to State Hwy 49 South through Jackson, San Andreas, and Angels Camp.

From Nevada
Take US 395 to State Hwy 89 West to the terminus of State Hwy 4, up over Ebbett's Pass to the Park. The road is closed in Winter.

There are many things one can do at Calveras Big Trees. We are close enough that we can go up for a day hike. Many people enjoy camping during the summer and cross country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter.

Hiking
The very popular North Grove that loops around the park with an interprerative guide.

The South Grove which requires an additional drive. This offers a five mile hiking trip through a spectacular grove of giant sequoias in their natural setting.

There are many other established trails in between.

Picnic Areas
There are six different picnic areas scattered throughout the park.

Camping
Calaveras State Park includes two main campgrounds with a total of 129 campsites. You can book your reservation online at the main page for Big Trees.

Other Activities

Winter
Cross-country skiing
Snowshoeing

Other Seasons
Hiking
Camping
Mountain Biking
Bird watching
Evening ranger talks - summer
Interpretive programs - summer
Environmental educational programs
Junior ranger programs
Activities for school children

Source: Calaveras Big Trees Website

A flowering glade in the very heart of the woods, forming a fine center for the student, and a delicious resting place for the weary.

John Muir

This quote is a description of the forest of giant sequoia now protected by Calaveras Big Trees State Park by John Muir.

Author Kimberly A. Jarvis also documents the efforts of women to get the Big Trees preserved, in her book Franconia Notch and the Women Who Saved It.

Women played a key role in one of the first campaigns to preserve forests and trees. In January 1900, it was discovered that the Calaveras Grove of Big Trees, Sequoia Gigantea located on the western slopes of the Sierras...were in danger of being logged. Once it learned of the situation, the California Federation of Women's Clubs offered their assistance in preserving these big trees.

In March of 1900, a Congressional bill in favor of acquiring the Big Trees was passed and signed by President William McKinley. This bill lead to the eventual creation of Calaveras Grove State Park in California (1900 - 1954).

Image: Giant sequoia exhibitionism. Public Domain.

California State Parks Federation continues to work toward a long-term, sustainable funding mechanism to keep state parks open and accessible for Californians.

They helped to stave off the closure of 80% of the system as originally proposed by the Governor to reduce the State Budget for 2009-2010. They also helped eliminate of all core state funding for state parks.

You can find out more ways to help save our state parks and keep parks like Calaveras Big Trees open for everyone to enjoy by visiting the Save our State Parks website or the California State Parks Foundation site.

Proceeds from sales on this lens are donated by the lensmaster to the California State Parks Foundation, a statewide independent nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for California's magnificent state parks.