Calaveras Big Trees State Park Reviews

You've been to Yosemite NP in the summer months? Then you'll know what I'm talking about. There are one or two other places in the Sierra Nevada, places where you can still choose your path! You'll find that Calaveras Big Trees StP is one of them. The big trees are there, awesome! The air is clean and fresh, wonderful! And if you happen to show up there on a Saturday at 1.00 p.m., you may join the guided ranger tour, an experience! The nearby Arnold is a place to relax and stock up again. Enjoy.

Though this State Park is quite large with many campgrounds and trails, the trail through the big trees grove is quite pleasant, flat and accessible with useful signs along the way. Whether you have time for a hike and a picnic, or just a short stop to admire the redwoods and sequoias, Calaveras State Park is worth a stop. The entrance is just off Highway 4, and parking is plentiful.

Just do it! We actually did this walk on a rainy day. It was magnificent. About 2 miles round trip on level path with informational guide that has a number of stops where you can read in the guide what you are looking at. The history of this park is wonderful and the tree inspiring. Very tranquil and peaceful. We write audio tours for VoiceMap and this destination is one of the stops on our gold rush tour One the road to gold: A Highway 49 driving tour from Angels Camp to Jamestown.

This was the highlight of our trip. The other sequoia groves near Yosemite were inaccessible unless you were a good hiker, but Big Trees was perfect. It had a free 1.6 mile loop with markers near a lot of trees-a pamphlet, 50 cents, gave you all the information on the park and trees. My husband was amazed and enjoyed all the info about the grove. We spent not quite two hours walking and then re-walking part of the grove. Near the visitors center are some huge pinecones. Restrooms were at the trail head. We came early so we were the only ones in the park...got pictures of a deer looking at us. Since we were so early the gift shop was not open yet.
The drive is winding but enjoyable. If you like wine, Murphy's ( a town nearby) has a whole street of wine tasting cafes. There are a lot of wineries in this area, so research in advance if that is something you enjoy.

We walked the easy 1.6 mile loop through the North Grove early on a Sunday morning. Got there at 8:30am and saw one runner at the start but nobody along route. Spend 50 cents and buy the self-tour guidebook which explains the well marked trail. Look for the box near the trailhead.

The early morning light coming through the trees was gorgeous. The place smelled like cinnamon and cider. Been to many state and national parks but never smelled anything like it before.

The tour is easy, you don't need hiking boots because the path is flat and wide. After our two hour walk, we returned to find a full parking lot.

We had gone up to Murphys, Ca for all the great wine tasting and decided to make the drive up to the Big Trees State Park about 14 miles up the highway above Arnold. The campground has lots of camping spots with a beautiful meadow. It's like a small Yosemite looking area, but the size and scope of the trees will blow you away. The have a very simple flat walking path that is about a mile, but easy to walk the loop even with elderly folks or small kids. They have other more challenging hikes to remote parts of the giant sequoia groves and one that goes up to the ridge and down to the roaring Stanislaus River. $10 per car was a deal and well worth the trip from Murphys up Hwy 4.

This is a very special park because giant Sequoia trees and giant Redwood Trees (Redwood tries are a type of Sequoia) are only found in California (and a small amount in China). Many stop here on their way to or from Yosemite and Lake Tahoe. Admission is $10 per car.

I suggest that you arrive early. The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. The crowds tend to descend on the park around 10-11 in the morning. The crowds can dampen the experience somewhat because many are constantly taking pictures in front of every giant tree rather than taking in the beauty of the experience.

Guided walks are available but a self-guided pamphlet is available at the start of the most popular 1.8 mile North Grove Trail. There are six other well-maintained trails of varying length. Camping, picnicking ad mountain biking is available. Visitor center offers remembrance items and trinkets. A small museum is adjacent the visitor center.

Stop in the visitor center first to pick up the Calaveras Big Trees State Park Activity Guide.

Almost a religious experience.

Mother nature is cruel and knocked down the pioneer cabin tunnel tree before my family & I could see it. Such a beautiful place though. Entrance fee's were not bad. The rangers we dealt with were all very nice an very informative. Bring water & a good pair of hiking shoes.

Nice easy trails for hiking, visitor center is nice, lots of educational info. Check out the "tree footprint" on the sidewalk & the tunnel through the Father of the forest.

A must see, seriously. PS: heads up, bathroom are dirty.

Today, we explored the State Park and marveled at the beautiful fall colors. We hiked the North trail and enjoyed the birds singing, the immense trees, the well laid out walking path, and the beautiful giant sequoias. We also drove to the Stanislaus River and ate lunch on some of the huge rocks along the shore. We read books as we listened to the sound of the water. During the whole day, I think we ran into less than 10 people. We felt it was our special park. If you have never gone here, don't wait another day. It is truly a treasure!!!

Great place to visit. The trees are awesome and the staff are very knowledgeable and very helpful with information about the park.

Got there around 9am not very busy yet. Nice warm day, we did the north grove trail. Very easy trail for anyone to handle. Bring older shoes, trail is gravel, and dusty. Plenty of picture taking spots along the way. Length of time can vary between an hour or 3+ depending on pace and picture taking.

Redwoods are coastal, Sequoias are west slope of the Divide. Unfortunately, the Pioneer Cabin Tree is no longer with us, megastar 491 says mother nature knocked it down prior to his review. Only visited the North Grove. Pet friendly only as to allowing pets on the grounds, on a leash, NOT allowed on the 7 trails through the park. Of the 27 information stops on the North Grove Trail, only 17 were available for view as the trail was closed there, making everyone return the way they had come. Visitor center was well stocked and informative. Although we missed all of them, there were plenty of Ranger led activities available. The day we were there, Mothers Day, both the parking lot and overflow lot were full (maybe 50 car total), by noon. Seemed to be plenty of staff on hand.

My wife and I towed our travel trailer to the park after Labor Day. We were greeted by a friendly staff who explained the park rules and regulations. The roads are well paved and our site was easy to locate. While not having full hook ups, the space was wide and easily accessed.

This is a beautiful park with some of the most beautiful ancient trees we have ever seen. This is as tranquil a setting you will ever find. The trails are well marked and the literature from the Visitors Center is very informative. This park was very clean including the restrooms and showers.

My greatest satisfaction was the park staff. Kind, informed, and interested in our welfare.

We will definitely be back next year.

Hi all. This is DEFINITELY a great place to visit to see sequoia trees. (Not redwoods - they're by the coast. Sequoias are inland!)

We did the SOUTH GROVE verses the NORTH GROVE.

North grove is basically just a paved walk. Perfect for young kids and handicapped. You cannot go up the trees, they are roped off. Only a little over a mile and takes less than an hour.

Which is why we chose SOUTH GROVE. It's 9ish miles from the entrance. Keep
An eye of the odometer cuz the trail pops up quickly! There's no bathrooms on the trail but one in the parking lot, so be sure to visit before you go.

I went with my mom and stepdad. Both in their 50s and NOT hikers at all. Not athletic. They did fine! The trail is well marked and clear. Basically dust with some rocks and roots to look out for. It took us 4 hours and that was with lots of stops for pictures and lunch. We all had about 2 liters of water and that was perfect! As long as you can walk, it's very easy. A slight incline at the beginning and then just twists and turns.

The views were great. Magnificent trees. The biggest one in the world (top 10) is at the end and marked with a placard. The trail lists the sequoias on the map but NOT ALL. Too many to mark all of them, I guess. That got confusing for us!

Overall, I would highly recommend and do again! Not too hard. Visited the snowshoe brewery for a beer afterwards!

$9.00 entrance fee. That's it!!!! Spend 15 minutes or all day. The tallest and widest trees in the world and easily accessible. A photographers dream. Tree huggers need a team to embrace these trees. Great for families with children. An absolute must.

I am sure that this is a great place to visit but the reason I have scored this as poor is as follows....it was only after we had paid entry for the park that we found out that due to the amount of rain fall over the last couple of months that all the trails were closed....so we basically had paid to park the car and use the toilet....we should have been informed about the closed tails before we paid...very disappointed

Spent a little time walking the North Grove trail. Saw many wonderful things that will stay with us for some time. The hike was easy, and did not take that long. There were more trails to hike, but we did not have the time. If you are driving by, it is a great little stop.

The beauty of this place can't really be expressed in words on Trip Advisor.
Just go and visit and see this magnificent forest for yourself.
The place is awe inspiring. The sheer size of the trees is just wonderful. Lots of trails to follow - pick up a map from the visitor centre - and there are lots of picnic places available.
Good visitor centre and gift shop.

Awe inspiring park. The big trees are beautiful and humbling. Various hikes for all abilities. Well marked trails. Went Saturday morning and felt like almost had park to myself. More crowded in afternoon. Bring water if hiking south less developed portion. North end more developed with snack bar, visitor center, accessible trails.

I almost hate to write a review so the place stays the gem that it is. Only a few visitors when we toured the park. It is absolutely incredible here. It's a little off the beaten path so there is not the people here like Yosemite. The size of the trees is the huge draw here. Being among these giants really makes you feel small. By far the most beautiful state park I have ever been to.

Easy parking. Easy to walk - even with strollers. 26 sequoia trees along the trail. Not crowded at all!!
Magical forest!
It was a highlight of our trip to California this year (we did lake Tahoe, Harry Potter park in LA) and Calaveras were the best for us!

Quiet and majestic. Visited in the late afternoon and spent two hour walking the north grove. Words and pictures can't describe the wonder of those huge, old trees. We stopped here on our way to Yosemite after learning that the Maraposa Grove there was closed for restoration. So glad we did! Not crowded and just a short drive from Angels Camp were we spent the night after leaving Nappa.

My family of 4 made the trip to Big Trees State Park in December 2016. There was a nice layer of snow on the ground. If you have small children there is a nice area for sledding or tubing, but you have to bring your own.
The warming hut opens at noon. It is located near the visitor center. They have a fire and free hot chocolate or cider. The Cider was AMAZING!
We opted for the free guided walk through the trees. Since there was snow they provided each of us with Yak Tracs... they fit on your shoes and act like snow chains!
The tour was 90min and was very nice. Our tour guide stopped and pointed out lots of cool things. So many kinds of trees and history!

Very nice place to view and walk. There are two separate groves. The north grove is the smaller and more easily accessible one. The walk is about 1.5 miles on mostly level ground. Our family of 4 did it in less than an hour, with stopping to talk lots of pictures.The south grove is about 1/2 hr drive through the park and the walk is much longer.

This was a family friendly / children / stroller friendly park. The walk was easy and the scenery just stunning.

Even though we we were there in the middle of winter after a storm, the trees are awe inspiring. This park is part of our national heritage. The rangers were knowledgeable and friendly and the trees area absolutely magnificent. This park is a must if you are at all in the area.

We had the misfortune to go after they had experienced storms a few months earlier.. The big tree you could walk or fit a small car through had fallen, and most of the trails were closed. We didn't get to see the whole thing, but what we saw was amazing!

We visited here in Dec 2013 and again 2 years later, in December 2015. Our 2nd visit was on Christmas Day and the place was FULL of fresh powdery snow. Basically, it had snowed from the early hrs of the 24th. All this fresh, lovely snow made for a true winter wonderland! Our 2 young girls loved kicking their way through the lovely, deep snow.
The trees you'll see there are truly amazing and you will find yourself taking many, many photos.
I think there's 2 or 3 different loops or routes around the park, depending on how far you want to walk.
At the end of the walk we went into the 'warming shed' where they have a large fire going and give out free hot chocolate and ingredients for you to make your own s'mores.
The staff who run the place - mostly volunteers were so friendly. The fact they were there on Christmas Day demonstrates their dedication to the place. There was an old chap showing us around the relatively new museum, and he was incredibly helpful and friendly and you could tell he loved being there. I feel bad I can't recall his name, but, he was so helpful and enthusiastic!
The main reception building was amazing. There's an area that looks like someone's living room with amazing views into the park. It's as you want to hide, wait for all the staff to go home, then reappear and chill out in that room as if it was your own! The Chrismas decor was also fantastic.
Look forward to returning again when we're in that area again.

One of the most impressive and beautiful collections of big trees in our Californian trip.
Not too busy, either, which was a bonus.
Well marked routes, the right amount of information on the maps.
Highly recommended.

All year round it is so nice. Best is it is close to the bay area. they just finished many new buildings and other stuff. fun in the winter also

By recommendation of the concierge at the resort we headed to Big Trees State Park instead of driving a long way to Sequoia Nation Park. This was worth it in a big way. We walked along the North orchard path and we saw a lot of huge sequoia trees. It was a great walk and easy for the most part. They also have a small museum and visitor center on site which is worth to check out.

Upon a recommendation we drove out to see the "Big Trees." Wow, we are glad we did.
Very friendly helpful staff and very well kept area. Wished we could have participated in one of the guided tours but we were too late in the afternoon.
The staff did share the self guided little book($0.50). It was great and helped us appreciate even more what we were seeing.

I had a visitor who wanted to see giant redwood trees and Big Trees was an alternative to Yosemite National Park, which would have taken two days from Sacramento. California has some exceptional state parks, and this is one of them.

We hiked the South Grove trail to the end which was great. Five miles. Lots of big Sequoias to enjoy. Plan on three hours or more.

I hadn't visited here in many years and after visiting yesterday,I have missed a special area and it won't be long till we go back.
My son and I decided to drive the 8 miles and hike the 5 mile south grove trail.The hike is fairly flat and the scenery is pretty.The trail is wide and maintained.
Once you start seeing the giant Sequioas you realize how small you are in this world.These trees are enormous and and really get your attention.
Also saw a bobcat on the road on the way back,extra bonus.
The visitors center was closed at the north grove,but that gives me an excuse to come back soon and see that grove.
Can't wait to go back!!!

We didn’t have much time but still wanted to see the trees. We only had about an hour of sun light which was enough to see the north grove. Wish we could’ve seen the south. Others told us that it’s bigger and more impressive.
Anyway, go see it if you can. Worth the drive and the 10 bucks.

If/when traveling between Tahoe and Yosemite be sure to include this en route.

Decided to go here as the giant grove in Yosemite was closed for restoration for two summers. I am guessing this is a bit more peaceful and serene than other major tourist area.

Glad we made it here , even though a bit out of way to do so. Can't have a trip to Northern California without a visit to at least one tree stop.

Did the much smaller grove/hike. pretty easy walk, though some areas along path didn't have much to look at. Not a lot but nice.

Tip : Don't touch the stick pine combs.

Weather was perfect. We went on the 1.5 mile level walk. Talk about recharging your batteries! Just beautiful, peaceful & quiet. Not a lot of people. We all need to visit these prestine, wonderful parks. They need our voices to help protect them from greedy corporations who want to exploit them.

I'm always surprised when people talk about Muir Woods north of San Francisco and the "size" of the redwoods there. People travel from around the world to experience California's Big Trees and for some odd reason they think they're seeing them when they visit Muir Woods. No offense to the forest, but I have redwood trees in my backyard that are nearly as tall as the trees in Muir Woods.
That being said, if your headed to Yosemite like so many tourists are these days and want to see "Big Trees" skip the woods and head up to Calaveras Big Tree's. It's easy to get to and I guarantee your mind will be blown when you come face to face with a Giant Sequoia. I realize the "redwoods' we have in California are "taller" then the Giant Sequoia's but whose kidding who? People come to California to see our nature and there's no better way then a trip to Calaveras Big Trees State Park!

Wow! We are visiting California Gold Rush country and this is a MUST SEE if you are in the area. These 1-2 thousand year old trees are spectacular and the trail that they made thru the forest to see the different trees was grand. The booklet for the self guided tour gave a great explanation of each of the named trees to show how it was special. I would love to come back and take longer hikes in the area. We walked away from this experience with a much greater appreciation for our forests. We brought a lunch which we enjoyed in the picnic area.

Because the Mariposa grove is closed in Yosemite, we headed to Calaveras to see the giant sequoias. It was an absolutely beautiful outing. The visitor center was very clean and informative and the gift shop was great. Make sure to buy a brochure for your hiking adventure. It will give you info on some of the sequoias.

There are two trails: the shorter and easily accessible North Grove and the 5 mile South Grove. We went only a short way into the North Grove because of time. We chose to see the South Grove because it had so many more sequoias. It is about a nine mile drive in the car to the South Grove.

It is incredible to be surrounded by so many majestic trees. We enjoyed a picnic lunch while on the hike. The trail was not nearly as crowded as the North Grove trail. We took our time soaking in this gorgeous scenery and probably spent 4-5 hours on this trail. If you will be hiking for any length of time, bring enough water and snacks

We were so happy to have learned about this park by reading Trip Advisor reports.

We had a lovely stay at Calaveras Big Trees Park in late September. Only 3 other campers in our loop of camping spots, so it was very peaceful after the bus loads of school kids left. We first hiked to the top of the north grove to see the vast forests of the lower Sierra, then we walked the two loops around the most magnificent trees in America. These trees lived when the dinosaurs lived and survived ice ages. They also survived the cruelty of humans who when discovered cut down the largest of them. The stump is still there and you can climb steps to stand on it. The size is enormous and the standing trees are so tall you can't see their tops from the ground.
The campground is well maintained, ice and firewood are available at the entrance but there is nothing but souvenirs in the camp store, so you have to buy groceries in town. The water at each campsite is potable. When we arrived there had just been a mother bear with two cubs crossing the meadow, but we never saw the bears.

An amazing place with lots of history. ~2 mile hike on very nice path to see the big trees- lots of info on the hike about the history of the trees!! A def must see while in Ca!!! ❤️

We've been wanting to take the grandkids to see some Sequoias.
They are city kids, and we want them to see some of natures wonders.
This is the place to go!!
The rain storms have taken their toll on the park.
The tunnel tree is gone, many roads are washed out.
However, there is plenty to see at the visitors entrance.
The park takes you back to a time before cars, cities, heck even humans!
The trees are magnificent, the hikes are short for little kids.
We had lunch at tables among the forest.
We had a group of 7 aged 9 to 72.
Everyone had a blast.

Peaceful one mile hike...level, not strenuous...Giant Sequoias are AMAZING! Good history provided in the brochure. Visitor center is newer and comfortable. Picnic areas and camping available. Also a nice drive to the Stanislaus River. Everyone needs to go here at least once to view nature at it's best

This state park is wonderful! We stopped here to stretch our legs on a road trip and we were surprised by what it had to offer. There is a small visitor’s center with nice exhibits, gift shop and a short movie. The friendly docent answered our questions and suggested that we take the scenic loop trail. We thoroughly enjoyed the 1.6 mile scenic trail and we saw so many magnificent sequoias. It’s an easy hike without the crowds like at the nearby national parks. Stop here for a visit and you won’t be disappointed.

We passed on hiking (or walking shoulder to shoulder) in Muir woods and made the 2.5 hour drive to Calaveras Big Trees State Park from San Francisco hoping for a more peaceful place to hike and see the large trees. Definitely did not disappoint. The visitors center was well stocked with misc gifts as well as water bottles which was very handy. The staff there are fantastic and so friendly. We drove to the parking area near the north trail and took pictures of the giant stump and saw a few large trees and then drove the 9 miles to the south grove hiking trail. Definitely recommend this trail. We saw so many large trees that were almost unreal in size and experienced some of the most peaceful and quiet areas along the trail which was exactly what we were looking for. We did the extra .6 mile trail to see the Agassiz tree which is so worth the extra effort. The hike was not difficult and only had a few areas of slight to moderate incline with dirt trails the entire way with very few rocks, roots or other things that might create trip hazards. You will need to bring in your own water as it was hot at times. There are bathrooms at the visitors center and also at the south grove parking lot but no water. One bit of excitement along the trail. We did stumble into a western rattlesnake six inches off the trail in the tall grass that gave us quite a scare so be cautious of hiking off trail on the rocks or various fallen branches. The snake didn't rattle and didn't seem aggressive, he simply was trying to get away deeper into the forest. Again that is to be expected as we are hiking in their backyard. Just be wise and cautious. I would highly recommend this hike if you are visiting the bay area and want to experience the large trees (20+ feet around) up close. You will not be disappointed.

We were visiting primarily Napa & Sonoma, so we debated for a while whether to drive all the way across the state for the BIG trees. I kept reading about the differences between the Coastal redwoods & Giant Sequoias and ultimately decided that since we were this close we needed to see them both for our selves. We were soooo glad we decided to make the trip over, it turned out to be our absolute favorite thing we did on our 8 day trip!

We stayed the night in Murphy's so that we could get up early & beat the crowds (plus we had a several hour drive to Napa later in the day). This was a great decision, we got there when the park opened and had the place almost to ourselves. We picked up the brochure and read about each spot that was marked & really enjoyed learning the history and stories behind the trees.

My husband & I spent 2 hours wandering and "playing" amongst the giants. These trees had us totally amazed. Just when we thought we had seen the biggest tree, there would be one bigger! It really brought out the kid in us and set a great mood for the rest of our trip and all the beautiful scenery we were able to experience in northern CA.

I cannot recommend this park enough. The walk easy & peaceful. These trees are definitely different than the coastal redwoods, and you really should see both!

I was supposed to take a tour from San Francisco to Yosemite, but due to the fires our tour optioned the Big Trees State Park with a side trip to Mercer Caverns. I am so pleased to have been brought here. The Giant Sequoias are amazing! My group of 4 walked the self guided (info in a pamphlet at the entrance) trail. This is a beautiful area with easy trails to walk. The bathrooms were free and clean and the front visitor center had some affordable wears.

It would be an exaggeration to say I had to drag my husband to this park, but he went in with zero expectations. After we walked the North Grove trail, he couldn't stop talking about how amazing it was to see these magnificent trees. You leave feeling humbled by what nature has produced and saddened by the short-sightedness of early visitors who saw only dollar signs when they looked at the trees. Thank heaven for those who had the foresight to preserve this spot.

I had been here as a child, and I was excited to return with my own children! We did not have much time to explore, but we were able to do the North Grove trail... which is a stroller-friendly, flat, gorgeous 1.7 mile loop. There are a few places to sit and rest, if needed. And I'd imagine wheel-chairs would be just fine as well.

It's a short trail, but it contains my favorite trees! A giant tree stump you can walk on, a tree you can walk through, a fallen giant you can walk through, etc. Amazing stuff.

TIPS: READ THE TRAIL GUIDE! There's a free little brochure you can pick up that will tell you about 24 or so main points along the trail. (There are numbered posts along the trail.) We had a great time reading them aloud and being truly amazed! Also, take lots of pictures! And take your time! We felt like we were in a different world, walking among giants! Even the kids felt a sense of awe and reverence as we explored.

I highly recommend this place! And... if you're in the area, visit the little historic gold-mining town of Columbia, and check out Moaning Cavern. They aren't too far, and they're also some of our favorite places!

I visited Big Trees State Park with a friend while I was visiting her as an alternative to Yosemite due to the fires. We had both really wanted to connect with nature and she wanted me to get to see the giant redwood trees while I was in California. We were definitely not disappointed. This place is stunning and magical in its own right.

I think the park is quite extensive though we only explored quite a small area. As you stop at the booth to pay to get in, the ranger will give you a comprehensive map of the park as well as a newspaper-style article telling you the history of the park. There are three main trails and with so many beautiful trees and so much natural beauty, including a giant tree stump which doubles as a stage, there is plenty there to keep you busy for a full day's worth of walking and exploring.

The trees themselves are stunning, there are huge pine cones (many different types) all over the ground, and we saw other wildlife too, including squirrels and blue jays. It's such a large park it's easy to find yourself completely on your own in parts of the trail and forget there is anybody there. There is definitely a magical atmosphere and you really get a sense of the splendour and majesty of nature.

There are plenty of picnic tables near the main entrance as well as a Visitor Centre and reasonably clean (for an outdoorsy place!) bathrooms.

I definitely want to go back there someday and explore more of the park and I would wholeheartedly recommend a visit to anybody travelling in this area.

There are two groves of sequoias protected in this state park - the only state park in California that protects the world's largest trees. We opted for the north grove loop hike, which is next to the visitor center and the shorter of the two loops (the south grove is more remote, requiring an 8 mile drive once inside the park). It was an easy stroll on a beautiful fall day. Child friendly. No hills. We purchased a map that identifies highlights at over 20 stops along the route (50 cents). Well worth it. This park was where the first sequoia tree was "discovered" by a white person (while chasing a grizzly bear) shortly after gold was discovered. Unfortunately, they chopped that tree down, much to the consternation of conservationists worldwide, which led to preservation of the site. The stump is still there. After a nice morning hike, we headed down to Murphy's for lunch and wine tasting and didn't feel so bad about the calories!

Visited during a trip that included Lake Tahoe. Beautiful scenery, nice walking/hiking paths. Would highly recommend visit.

This is excellent place for adults and kids.The north trail is worth walking with kids takes about 2 hours if you read every thing about trees. you see 3500 year old trees, man made disasters .Carry some water if walking in summer

We decided to detour and stop at Big Trees State Park on the way to Yosemite since the famous Mariposa Grove in Yosemite is close until 2017. The trees and the park were impressive. North Grove is a 1.7 mile flat loop to stroll through at your own pace. Purchase the 50 cent self guided tour book at the Visitor center or download it online as it gives you great information as you stroll the loop. We did both because I forgot I had downloaded it prior to our trip. They even cut out a path through one tree, which is a great photo op but it has just about killed that tree. Relatives that we met in Yosemite went to the Tuolomne Grove in Yosemite since this one was too far out of their way and their response was "steep hike to see one big tree." So go if you can swing it. $10 to enter as this is a state park.

Absolutely loved& easy trail even with small children. What a tranquil, gorgeous place to spend time with nature. They take credit card for the $10 entrance fee in case you don't have any cash on you. I had a stroller & hike was fine the whole way for those with disabilities& in a wheel chair or babies/children in strollers.. Oh, we even saw a deer.

This is such a great park to view the big trees that California is famous for. Pay a small entrance fee and enjoy all that this park has to offer

We visited the park on whim, during a ski trip and we are so glad we did! We only wished we had budgeted more time to explore ! The trees will take your breath away with their beauty and size and make you feel very small; some of them are over 250ft high and 60ft wide! I recommend going early - try to arrive at or before 10:00am in order to find decent parking. There is a park entrance fee of $10 per car for day use, and it's best to have cash for that.

There are two groves of trees in the park, North and South. North grove is where the main entrance and visitor center is and has the more accessible,shorter trails as well as the famous "Discovery Stump", "Pioneer" (now fallen) and "mother of the forest" trees. South grove has a longer trail and the biggest trees in the park , but is less popular than North Grove. As we were short on time however, we only visited North Grove.

We chose to do the 1.6 mile North Grove loop, which is the main trail there. Conditions can change dramatically with seaaons. When there is no snow, there is a boardwalk and maintained path, however if there are been a large amount of snow it will be almost entirely buried. There was a visible path when we went but it looked like it had simply been made by park staff, walking through, and was not cleared. Those with mobility issues would probably be best off not attempting it if there is a lot of snow. The going was a little rough , the snow was knee deep in places, even on the path and it took us 2 hours to navigate the 1.6 mile trail in those conditions, far longer than we had expected! However, the beauty of the forest, the peace and quiet, (we were often the only people on the trail , it was quite empty for most of the time) and opportunity to connect with the ancient Seqouias made it well worth it, It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been!

Some tips:
1)Do get there early! We arrived at about 9:30am and had no problem finding parking, but when we returned to the car at just before 1, the parking lot was full !

2) Do look up the weather in advance and be prepared! Conditions can change drastically overnight. If you go in winter, be prepared for Snow, Ice and sub zero temperatures. Water proof pants, jackets and boots are highly reccomended, and snowshoes if you have them! (Snowshoeing is allowed on the trail and the park runs guided walks some weekends)

3) Bring food and water with you. There are places to get a hot drink and water (visitor center and warming hut) but these are not always open.

4) Stay on the trails! Going off trail can damage the delicate root system of the trees, and in winter can be dangerous as the snow can be very deep and may cover holes and streams. There is very little phone reception in the park, so stick to the path and have a designated meeting spot should you get separated. If you are planning on bringing your dog, please note that they are only allowed on the fireroads , not the trials themselves !

5) Give yourself enough time to enjoy it! I'd reccomended giving yourself at least 3-4 hours to explore, more if you plan on visiting both groves!

Beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Take wonderful drive through the Gold Country to visit Giant Sequoia trees hundreds of years old. There are well maintained trails to walk and enjoy nature in it's finest.

This is such a beautiful awesome place! We came for the Winter Wonderland event they had. It was our first time and usually sells out well in advance. So glad we came. We brought our sled and the kids were able to go sledding in the snow. The staff is nice and knowledgeable about the park. It was neat to have a horse carriage ride through the park in the snow. This was only available with the tickets we purchased in advance for the event. It was so beautiful, I can't wait to come again. Would love to come in spring when the flowers are all in bloom.

This state park is on par with national parks! It’s beautiful and well presented. On the trail - do buy the 50 cent guide - do not rely on park pamphlet. My 70 and 72 year old parents with health issues did great taking their time on the 1.5 north grove trail. Easy walking and stayed cool throughout day. Lots of shade. Amazing trees and fair amount wildlife. Would like see more of this park. Do go in visitor center all way to back past gift shop for the back story before you hit the trail. Do go to the restroom before you hit the trail! Do take a water bottle! Rangers and park volunteers were great! Our reward at the end of trail ? Great and fairly priced ice cream treats!!!

We did th North Grove Trail only, as we were a bit short of time. Really impressive trees and a very nice walk. interesting signs at the varoius stops and an easy walk. Our one complaint is that we would have liked to know how tall the trees were!
The visitor centre had a nice shop, unfortunately closed after our walk.

On our recent visit, we were greeted by a super friendly older gentleman who works in the visitor's center. There was a lot of snow on our visit so the trail was a bit difficult to follow in some spots. Additionally, there were many places with several inches of water and mud. So, if you are visiting, bring your boots! Mine were a foot saver! Because of the conditions, we only went on the mile and a half loop trail which was just extraordinary. We basically had the park to ourselves and we were in awe at the size and beauty of the big trees who were here long before us and will be here long after us!

Even with all the snow and rain saturated grounds, the Giants are mezmorizing! Truly an ethereal experience!

We visited while staying with family in Modesto. We had 12 people in our group with 6 children ranging from 4-17. We had a great little hike and we're really amazed at the forest. The hiking path is kid friendly and looked to be stroller friendly, though we didn't use one. The shade kept us cool enough to withstand the mid-day hike. Only drawback was the restroom facility only had 4 unisex stalls, and the park was packed so....
Highly recommended for a family day trip. We had great Mexican food on the way back in Murphy as well!!

I really enjoyed this visit in the winter I've never had the time to see the snow at Big Trees. It was enjoyable listening to the birds crunching through the snow and making a snow angel. I love the large sequoia trees and the history behind them. We also went into the visitor center watched a movie and learned about the different trees and how they only grow in specific regions I look forward to coming back in the spring

We only went on the north trail that was only 1.5 miles because we had a 2 yr old with us but they had certain areas marked with information. If going back I would do the south trail that is 5 miles and goes into a higher elevation and is a bit more challenging. If you spend a day there they have great picnic areas.

Park is a few miles north of the city of Arthur. It reminds me both of parts of Yosemite, and Sequoia National Park. The visitor center and gift shop was a great starting point.
The rangers and staff were super friendly and helpful. There are a number of nice exhibits and an short informative movie. The gift shop personnel advised me buy the guide for the North Grove Trail and suggested it would be the best 50 cents I ever spent. She was right. There are multiple hikes of varying distance and difficulty. We took the shorter North Grove Trail. The trail was peaceful and awe inspiring by itself but what made it come to life was the guide that chronicled lots of what happened here as well a great deal of information and stories that made the walk come to life. We couldn't wait for the guided tour but this had to be the next best thing. Great walk for peace and tranquility, for teaching kids about nature, to taking a glimpse into our opens lands/parks history. Highly recommend you take your time on this loop walk and really enjoy the forest.

We have been here a few times.
Love the groves of trees, easy paths to the groves and lovely spots along the creek & river. We spent several hours here each time and always learned a lot and were amazed by the awesome trees.
A side note: on one visit there were A LOT of meat bees - quite aggressive as well - made checking out the trees or picnicking less than pleasurable so check with park before you go.

If you have never seen the big trees, this was a perfect place for you to get that experience. My family (two kids under 13) took the shorter hike, which was still about a mile and a half. The kids enjoyed finding the numbered trees and using the guide to learn about what they were seeing. We saw birds, butterflies, and even a snake. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Entrance to the park was $10, but I thought that was very reasonable for the experience. I would definitely recommend to families looking to experience the big, beautiful trees of CA.

What a lovely hike at South Grove. The trees were huge & the dogwood were beautiful . There was a pretty bridge over Beaver Creek. We made a point to see the Agassiz tree, the largest in the park.

Highly recommended!

If you like (or are interested in) Sequoia National Park, but are not a fan of the crowds, you’ll love Calaveras Big Trees.

There aren’t as many stunning mountain views (though there are still some), but you get to see Giant Sequoias in a little less hectic of an environment.

I have to recommend the North Grove trail if it’s your first time here.

The North Grove trail is a fairly easy hike with plenty of redwoods... Perhaps the most remarkable part of it is the giant stump of the Discovery Tree—and it’s close to the parking lot!

A “stump” may not sound interesting, but this thing is seriously HUGE... Easily the biggest tree stump you will ever see. You could probably park your car on top of it, it’s that big (although it would be frowned upon if you tried).

The tree was still standing when it was first discovered. It may have been the single largest living organism on the planet at the time. When it fell in the 1800s, it sparked a conservation movement that led to many of the national parks we have today.

Next to the stump, some of the tree still remains... Decomposing, but you can still get an idea for just how HUGE it was.

I’m rambling a bit about the Discovery Tree, but you get the point: Calaveras Big Trees State Park is awesome.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park in winter is breathtakingly beautiful. The tall redwood trees covered in snow with the green leaves peaking out, the large sequoia trees looking majestic on the white snow carpet, the inviting “Warming Hut” where volunteers serve coffee/hot chocolate and the pleasant park rangers make this park one of my favorites right behind Yosemite.

Lot of hiking trails and some are suitable even for kids. The giant sequoias and redwood trees are one of a kind and the true treasures of California.

The park has $10 entrance fee. There is a visitor center which has a museum /information room. The restrooms inside the building are very clean.

No food is served inside the park. The nearest town is 4-5 miles away. There are picnic tables in the park.

Calaveras Big Trees 🌲 State Park Murphys CA

Eerily enough, the Pioneer Cabin Tree fell as I was flying to Oakland.

I had planned to go see it my 1st day, so I was shocked & disappointed ~ but not a fraction as much as those who loved it for so many years & hold precious memories.

As I revamped my itinerary & decided to wait a few days, it occurred to me that . . . Maybe I wasn't meant to be standing under it . . .

It was a crisp day as I passed through Murphys. As the elevation increased & the temperature decreased outside town, quite a bit of fresh snow was visible.

There was only a handful of vehicles in the park. I was fascinated by the museum, it was excellent.

Finally time to don those 12 lbs. of hiking boots & gear I lugged out here.

The "trail" was more like a narrow footpath in 16" of snow. The forest was so quiet, I crunched every step to The Tree & felt emotional as I approached it.

I was so lucky to be the only person in the North Grove. The silence was euphoric.

It was like saying goodbye to something beautiful & special that I had dreamed of but never met. I could have stayed for hours.

We planned to visit Mariposa but it was "closed for repairs"!! On the advice of a ranger we visited Big Trees, which turned out to be only a few miles from where we were staying in Angles Camp. Cost is $10, very reasonable ($9 for oldies like us), and its an excellent place to visit and see the big trees! There's an excellent visitor's center, the rangers are all friendly and helpful, and the trail is an easy 1 mile walk with plenty of places to rest. (there's another longer and tougher trail available, but we're not hikers) And the trees..... what can you say about the largest living things on earth? We're so glad we found this place. If you want food/gas there is plenty of that in nearby Arnold. And what a drive to get there! Curves, up & down, views and trees. We loved it.

It has been a long time since I visited any Giant Sequoia attraction. This was a really nice stop. We only had time for the South Grove trail but this certainly had everything one could hope for. Magnificent trees, with main points of interest all marked and referenced on the brochure you can pick up at the trailhead. Way back the people responsible for deciding how to run the trail in order to capture these points of interest must have spent a long time working it out. Very well done. Plenty of history to review as well. Definitely a place to visit.

I would like to drive up there this 26th. Wonder to ask anyone has been there recently. We would stay and walk around a little to see the giant trees. Any info will be very appreciated. Thxs

Our goal was to spend one of our vacation days to do some hiking and see some big trees. We didn't want the almost 4 hour drive to Yosemite so I researched and found Big Tree National Park. My husband who wasn't overly excited about this was BLOWN away. We were both very impressed at the number of beautiful trees we got to see, how well the park was maintained and the friendly staff. We did both the North and South Grove since we were at park by 8:30 am on a Friday we had the North Trail all to our self and then we went into the South Trail. Can't wait to come back with the kids.

We completed the North Grove Loop trail. Beautiful and easy walk. Pick up a trail map from the boxes at the beginning of the trail (donation requested) as it will explain the numbered sections on the trail. Really fascinating history and science. You will see the mother, the father, and the brother trees, ginormous stumps and amazingly cool trees that are massive and hundreds of feet tall.

In a four day vacation up in Murphys we chose to visit this park two days in a row--it was so majestic and fun for the children in the family. The ground was covered with snow; and luckily we had sleds and appropriate clothing. The kids sledded on deep and gentle slopes and laughed silly. We all trekked through the snow to see the hugest, most beautiful trees created by God - I had to catch my breath they were so spectacular. There is a Visitors Center and a museum there worth walking through. If you plan to visit this place in the winter, take snow clothes and gloves and sleds with you - and yes, a hat: snow keeps dripping down from the treetops.

Yesterday was all about Murphys, Ironstone Winery and Calaveras Big Trees SP. We had a concert last night at Ironstone ; nice venue but do your homework about parking there. Anyway, we arrived early and hiked the North Grove area of the Park. Maybe four miles + round trip? Took the extra credit stroll to the famous 2000 year old Agassiz Tree. AND, if you are going in the summer, be sure to bring some swim wear for Beaver Creek swimming. The trail was nice dirt, no granite. Mostly in shade, some minor elevation gain. Bring a lunch and spend maybe half a day?

My son and I stayed for two nights at the North Grove campground. The park itself is beautiful. Huuuuge trees everywhere. Nice sites, water in each, flush toilets, many (but not all) with good privacy. Try to get one farther from the road.

The staff and facilities were the best I've seen in a long time. Made me proud to be a Californian.

We went late in the year, so it was a little chilly, but on the plus side: no bugs, and few people either :)

We did two nice hikes down at the South Grove and will come back to do more!

This is a great place to visit if you want to see some giant sequoias. We enjoyed reading the information about the marked trees in the North Grove. Also there is a little trail above the loop which we enjoyed because it had less people. We took lots of panoramic pictures on our iPhones and we able to get a group photo with us and a big tree with a go-pro since it has a wide angle lens. The South Grove is great if you want a little longer hike with less people. It also has a nice picnic area if you bring lunch. We were glad we explored the South Grove as it has a greater density of Giant Sequoias and we got to see a bear cub along the hike. One tip is to get to the North Grove early because it gets much busier later in the day.

We stayed the night in Murphys, CA, and drove 15-minutes to the park on our trip between Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe. They have an excellent Visitors Center which opens at 10. We arrived at 10:00 the first week of May and the parking lot was already half full. When we left at noon the lot was full.

We walked the 2-mile North Loop which is a well-marked clean flat easy beautiful path. The trail was not overcrowded, but we were seldom out of sight or earshot of other visitors. Very informative boards provided excellent narrative. Saw the largest tree stump we’ve ever seen. It is tragic that the tree was felled for profit 100 years ago, but it is the size of a stage large enough for a rock band with gear and is an amazing thing to see. One disappointment. The tree that you often see associated with this park is the one that was hollowed out to allow a small car to pass through. We were looking forward to seeing this tree but learned once we returned to the Visitors Center that it collapsed recently.

We have been through redwood groves before, so we knew what to expect, but walking among these giants never gets old. This park is worth the effort it takes to get there if you are anywhere in the area.

My husband and I stopped here on our vacation so we wandered about this park. The sleet we experienced on that day didn't deter from the awe inspiring beauty of the trees! This is a lovely way to spend an afternoon!

Huge shout to Shannon and Staff! Our car just broke down as we entered the park. They helped with letting us use the phone and a car ride. We experienced the beautiful park a little bit. Wanted more! Must return! We will return with a good car very soon!

This place is incredible. The main trail thru the Giant Sequoia grove of trees is about 2 miles and is a fairly easy walk. The trail is very well maintained and has a number of markers that you will need a book from the visitors center to identify the markers. These trees are absolutely amazing that you have to see to believe. They have nice picnic areas where you can enjoy a picnic lunch. There are no food facilities within the park. We rode thru one of the camping areas and it looked pretty good.

There is a great hiking trail through the North Grove which is filled with giant sequoia trees. The hike was about 1.67 miles with very little elevation change. I would highly recommend this hike to anyone who wants to see these amazing trees!

It brought me so much joy to take my daughter to a place I went when I was in high school when I lived in Arnold and Murphys. Unfortunately it was still winter and the roads were closed so all we could do is go to the gift shop and walk around a little bit near the parking lot. That was good enough for her. She thought the area was beautiful but I was REALLY looking forward to seeing the river. The drive up was gorgeous like I remembered. Just take in consideration what time of year you are traveling up and make sure you bring the necessary equipment.

First time in a RV , we arravied to campground in dark , easy to find our already booked spot for two nights.
The spot was great and level to park , which was good,
There is no hookup or it might have been water, but we did not have any power or things like that at the campground, But they do have several bathrooms facilitys to choose from , where we got a hot shower. We used the generator until 8 pm no later accepted then first at 10 am next morning , since it was rather cold at the time we were there, sort of had wished for the possibility to start the generator earlier in the morning , but since that wasnt possible we went out to explore the beautiful trees, and walked and walked and walked. Loved it . Then visitor center where at least one of my girls did some activity . We were very happy for our time and to be able to live right there with the big trees.

Big trees name says everything, the trees are really big, one tree they cut in diameter that came out as a staging Dias. There are twin trees triplets. We did the north grove trial loop which is the shortest one with nearly 2 miles, so if you don't want to step a bit then don't go there.
There are so many other trails but we didn't do all of them.

We enjoyed a very nice hike on the North Grove Trail. It was an interpretive trail which provide a lot of information about the Giant Sequoias here. The trail was easy to follow and with the guide book a lot of information provided. There are many more trails to hike and a very nice visitor center. We do recommend a visit here.

You can't say awesome, wow, incredible, amazing enough when you visit the park. My wife and I strolled through the 1.6 mile north grove trail. It is an easy walk and there are written guides that cost 50 cents that give you insight into the surroundings. If you are close by, don't miss the opportunity to visit the park

Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a great way to spend a day in Arnold, Follow the stops on the free guide of the 1.6 mile nature trip. The trees are estimated to be up 3000 year old. Fires have damaged some of the trees

What a wonderful place to understand the power of nature. We took our time and walked the trail over 2 hours.

We hiked here on a Saturday morning in July at 10:00 A.M. There were very few people on the trails or in the parking lot. The trails, picnic areas and restrooms were spotless. On a five mile hike I did not see a single piece of trash. You can hike near the creeks/river and listen to the water rushing and the birds sing. The Park Rangers are friendly and helpful.

Fantastic park. Nice junior ranger and docent programs during the week. Much more relaxing than Yosemite, Muir Woods. Unparalleled experience of walking among the "big trees."

Our first visit (we camped for 3 nights) and what an interesting and beautiful park. The campsites, restrooms and showers in the North Grove were immaculately clean. Lots of hiking trails (recommend taking sunscreen and a hat). Some shorter educational hiking trails that were fascinating with explanations for specific trees and historical spots. Lots of small children having fun with razors, bikes and hide-n-seek, but they were quiet at night. Highway 4 is close by and that noise subsided at night too. An easy 4 mile drive back to Arnold and grocery stores if we forgot supplies. The nights were lots colder than we had planned for (significantly colder than in Arnold), so recommend warm sleeping attire. A few mosquitos, but nothing real annoying.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park has a lot of history with their big trees. Many of them are Giant Sequoias and Sweet Pines and other big trees. This area of California is the only place in the world where one can visit and see these giants, which are upwards to 2,000 years old. A visitor can get educated on the history of these trees in the Visitor's Center. The employees and rangers are very knowledgeable about these trees and will answer any questions one has. The nature walk will take upwards to 2 hours to walk the entire trail and there are many places to sit on benches strategically placed around the park. The pathways are boarded in places, otherwise, are dirt. The Discovery Tree is a main attraction and there is a hollow tree and a tree one can walk through at the base. There are over 20 different trees marked and one can read about each tree's history with a printed guide. The entrance fee is $9.00 per car and there is abundant parking. There are toilet facilities, and a gift shop if one is interested in buying souvenirs, books, nature toys, etc. They even sell tiny Sequoia trees ready to plant. I recommend this park to anyone who is a nature enthusiast and loves to hike.

This park has a very nice visitor center and a really pleasant and easy walking loop trail. The ease of access and the relatively short loop trail make this an ideal park for folks that don't want to deal with long or difficult hikes, but do want to get up close to the huge trees.

Incredible secluded spot to see amazing Redwoods and Sequoias. Well kept secret. Lovely park that is very clean and easy to navigate.

Like many other reviewers, we chose to visit Calaveras Big Trees as we could not go to Yosemite because of the Ferguson fire. We did both the North Trail (about 1 hour walk stopping a lot to admire the trees) and the South trail (about 3 hours walk). The Sequoia trees are very impressive, definitely a place worth to visit!

Had a great trip to the park for a camping trip with two families over the Memorial Day weekend. We stayed at north grove site 39 which ended up being a decent site. It was on a slope but flush toilets are right behind the site. Water faucet in the site. Campground was 3/4 full so we ended up with no neighbors next to us. No real issues with yellow jackets which come later in the summer, nor mosquitos. Spent time with the kids down at beaver creek which was perfect for letting them walk in and play in. Visitor center was open. Big grocery store in Arnold made for easy pick up for the things we forgot.

Walk in the Big Trees. They are beautiful and you will never forget the experience. The North Grove is an easy 1.5 mile loop. The South Grove is 3.5 to 5 miles and is more intimate with many more Big Trees.

So exciting to be able to see some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. Sad to know that people had taken the trees as spectacles, instead of respecting nature.
The park is really cool, though, with an easy meandering loop through groves of old growth forest.

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” How can anyone see these majestic trees, and believe there is no higher Power? Whether I'm on Highway 101 walking and driving through the Coastal Redwoods, or here among the majestic Sequoias, my breath is taken from me. Few sites have that effect on me, but Calaveras Big Trees do it for me every time. One cannot describe how big around these beauties are. One tree was so wide, 19th century lumberjacks turned it to a dance floor.

beautiful huge redwoods 1.5 walking trail with self guide easy trail give yourself plenty of time to stare visitors center informative took us about 2 hours to walk the trail very well worth it

We took our friend from Connecticut to see these big trees. It was one of the sights he requested to see. He was in awe of the size..couldn't get enough pictures and really enjoyed his day. The two mile walk laid out around the Redwoods was perfect. Make sure you pick up a guide for 50cents, well worth. The trees are numbered and the guide helps explain about them. There are 26 stops on the trail. It is very easy to walk.

One of my favorite campgrounds in California! Some big shaded campsites (in Oak Hollow), family-friendly hikes, places to swim (some for kids, some for adventurous adults), an educational visitor center (with a food truck nearby), and many beautiful sequoia trees. We also stumbled across an amazing, ranger-led nature program about river insects for kids, which was one of the highlights of the trip for my 7 year old daughter.

We visited before the storm, that caused the fall of tunnel tree.
But even without that famous attraction it's a great place to walk through.
There are a lot of sequoia trees of different age and size and the walkingpath among them just a magical experience to have.

By the time we got there we didn't have a lot of time before sunset but we got a guide for 50 cents, which was very informative - very interesting history and a beautiful path. Could have spent more time here but it was getting dark.

We took a day trip to Calaveras Big Trees State Park and it was just beautiful. It is $10.00 to get in to the State Park and well worth it. You will have great trails to hike, historical facts about the area, a museum that offers great facts about Big Trees pus a beautiful view of the river from the bridge. You are most likely off the grid so if you can't take 5 steps without checking your phone or Facebook or whatever, don't bother going. This will make you be one with nature.

This state park is beautiful! The rangers and volunteers provide great programs for kids and adults. Nice fishing and amazing hiking trails with awesome trees. Definitely a must visit location in the California mountains.

Amazing! This place was recommended to me on here in a forum and we loved it. The trees are amazing! The park rangers are helpful and friendly. The information pamphlet and maps are very helpful. Snacks and concessions affordable. Picnic areas and restrooms are nice and clean

The day we went it was about 100 degrees so a short trail was in order. It was beautiful. So many different trees and fascinating information. Lots of info about the history too. We went because the redwoods at Yosemite were closed for renovation but I'm so glad we did.

Family hiking trip to big tress, it's very beautiful, get there early to be able to see everything because when the sun goes down it gets spooky:) dark. Also don't forget to wear your hiking boots.

While staying in Murphys, we took a short side trip to the Calaveras Big Trees State Park. We were definitely glad that we did! The park is beautiful and the trees are amazing! We started in the visitor center which had plenty of information about the giant trees and the history of the trees and destruction of some of the trees. Very interesting. Since we were only doing a day trip, we enjoyed that we had several hiking options in which to view the big trees, which provided a gentle 1.5 mile stroll or a more strenuous hike to the river overlook. We visited in mid-June and the weather was beautiful. The trail was well-maintained and we were able to see a large variety of the giant trees. It is difficult to convey the size of trees which made the visit all the more worthwhile. I am so glad that we have beautiful state parks that can preserve our natural resources for future generations. Recommend arriving early in the summer because it does get warm in the sun.

this CA State Park was visited by 20 minis....we had a separate place for us to park and enjoy the picnic....just beware of the little bees....we did walk around the paths and enjoyed the trees....great visitor center too.

The visitors center has a very informative film on the park as well as very helpful and knowledgeable staff. If you miss the free guided tour of the North park simply buy a trail guide for fifty cents and enjoy the 1.5 mile trail and the 26 giant trees and points of interest, I promise you will be impressed by these majestic Giants.

Best tour of giant Sequoia trees in California. Well kept and protected. Lots of volunteers. Absolutely loved our visit. What a Gem!! Thank you park for taking such care of those giants!!

Just the place that I like. A nicely maintained trail that is easy to walk. The north trail is an easy 1.7 miles and has some wonderful, Giant Sequoias. The gift shop was also very nice. Had a lot of choices of items in it and the volunteers were very knowledgeable.

We took both north and south trail. North trail is excellent with many big trees within small distance. Due to excitement we went also to south trail. First, it is about 9 miles drive away and 4 miles of the road is scary. You wish that there will be nobody coming in other way. Secondly, you have to hike in mountains 1 mile to get to trail (one way hike in the mountain), trail itself is 3.5 miles (loop) and 1 mile (one way) to get to 2 big trees. Therefore, it is around 7 miles in total and you will see only some big trees - less than in north trail which was only 1.5 miles

Oh my goodness, what an experience! $10/car to get into the state park (includes parking).
Ladies at the Information Center were very helpful. Lots to look at and purchase in their gift shop too.
This place made me tear up! I've never seen anything like these trees and I'm so very glad I did! I want to tell everyone about them! What an experience in such an off the beaten path kind of place!
It was snowing lightly when we got there on 12/16 and it was in the afternoon so the light was lower. The whole forest had a mystic kind of feel to it. The streams were running full as it had just rained for the previous 2 days.
I want to go back!
This park is the best one we visited on our CA trip! And yes, we will be back!

We stopped here in March before going to Yosemite. Although there was a lot of snow melting and it was a bit muddy, it was so gorgeous we just had to forget about our muddy shoes. The trees were amazing and the rangers were so nice. A few of the trails were closed due to flooding, but I think this is only common in the early spring. In the winter and spring, they have a little hut with free cider and hot chocolate staffed by volunteers. The couple we met there volunteering was so sweet. I imagine if you go in the summer, all the trails would be open and good to go. If you're in the area, you must make a trip.

You must stop and take the 90 minute walk through the most spectacular sequoia trees in the central valley. It offers several trails for the most energetic or flatter trails for easy walking. Plenty of parking and in the winter season there is a warming hut to restore you for a pleasant drive home.

Start with the museum movie before taking a stroll through the park to gain a little appreciation. The hikes are more like nice walks - not challenging at all.

In winter - remember there is snow at that elevation, so bring the right shoes and warm enough clothes. We were in wine country and came up on a whim on a sunny January day. 20-minutes from an outdoor garden lunch in the foothills we were in the Sierra snow and not prepared - although we were able to make the walk in our tennis shoes and still see Giant Redwood Trees - really a marvel.

For those of you not from California, here we think snow is something you drive to on a sunny day!

Only had time for the main loop. Would be a great place to camp and see more of the park and surrounding area. Neaby Murphys CA and the Columbia State Historical Park are also special places.

When planning our trip to the area around Livermore, CA, I decided I wanted to see the sequoia trees. Yosemite is the most obvious place, but it was too far for a day trip. I discovered this park online. It's a pretty drive up from the valley into the mountains. The trail to see the trees is right by the park entrance, and it takes about an hour to walk the whole trail. There is an excellent trail guide that tells the history and fun facts about the trees. The parking lot is not large, and we got one of the few remaining spots on a Friday. If it is a weekend, go early.

The trees and grove are outstanding and well worth the trip. You can leisurely stroll through the park and take in the beauty of nature. If the trees could talk, each would have a story I'm sure. Allow a few hours for your walk/hike on paved trails.

This was really one of the best state parks I ever visited. An easy loop trail between giant sequoia trees and more. The kids loved it

This hidden gem of a park made our day! We stumbled upon it and spent hours hiking amongst the giant sequoias in the beautiful cool forest. We explored the campground and would love to spend time there.

So many trails and such beautiful scenery will bring us back to this park again.

This was an amazing experience. Fresh snow on a 1.7mi loop trail that is relatively flat and takes you past countless Sequoias, some of which are 2000 old. Very humbling.

Having just driven the highway 4 it was nice to stop and have a stretch while walking the trails of this park. State park not National so National passes don't work here but not expensive and two trails to walk. Trails are easy to follow and wow the trees are big!

Beautiful place to walk in the nature, the giant redwoods are stunning and its like you are transported back in time. There are many marked trails you can follow and also a visitor center with a small museum, lots of info and nice clean bathrooms.

As one privileged to serve as a docent in the Park, I find this incredibly special place to be on par with many of California's and the Nation's unique and remarkable public spaces. Being in the company of these giants of the forest places me in another world altogether and sharing this adventure with others from around the world (and the USA) brings me special delight!

The Park offers campgrounds, the 1.5-mile North Grove hike, the 5-mile South Grove hike, access to the Stanislaus River and Beaver Creek, and the Lava Bluff and Bradley Trails. And nearby Arnold is the perfect place for lunch or dinner before or after your hike!

This is just off California 4 about 5 miles past Arnold. This is the best 10 bucks we've spent for a long time. Really easy to walk around the North Trail. We took way longer than the 2 hours it says because we enjoyed it so much. Pick up the guide it is really good. The stump is awesome and makes you shake your head in disbelief at the stupidity of the guys who felled it. This place helps you to realise our insignificance against nature. Well worth the visit.

There were people there from all over the world. They were there to see a gigantic tree stump (seriously, a square dance can go down on top of this thing), a tree stump you could drive a car through, and a "brief history of trees" nature hike. Not a long and brutal trail, I saw a guy in a hoveround. I kept wanting to go back to the city, out of all that nature. It was not until I was in SF,CA a few weeks later that I realized that a forest of trees and a forest of buildings are two different things and that they can both be appreciated...I sure could have used a tree around all of those buildings.

Feeling small in the forest, we hiked the North Grove Trail and marveled at the trees. The museum and Visitors Center were interesting and the staff friendly. We picnicked in the parking lot before leaving. The restrooms were very clean. Be sure to buy a trail map to know what is happening at every stop along the loop.

This is a jaw dropping, breath taking place to see. I've always wanted to see the big trees. This park is beautiful and well maintained.

When visiting with friends in mid May there was snow on the ground while the dogwoods were blooming. Last week I visited with my husband. It was warm, dry, and a bit crowded due to the holiday weekend.
Located just off California Highway 4 at a bit over 4000 feet elevation in the Sierra Nevadas, this park is a very easy day trip for us. We often combine this visit with a stop in Columbia for lunch.
We have hiked the beautiful North Grove Trail many times. (My favorite time here is fall, when the dogwood leaves turn red). It’s always a relaxing pleasure. At under 2 miles this loop trail is an easy hike. It’s also wheelchair accessible, not much elevation gain, and boardwalks over tricky spots. There are a number of benches for resting and breathing in the wonderful woodsy scent. This is an interpretive trail. A pamphlet is available at the trail‘s start. (50 Cents).
I very much missed the park‘s iconic Pioneer Cabin Tree, which fell and shattered in a storm 2 years ago.
In this park I feel closer to the redwoods than in Yosemite or King’s Canyon, where many trees are roped off or fenced in. I realize it’s difficult to strike the right balance for optimum tree health. For now I keep enjoying being able to get close enough to touch these trees.
There is plenty of parking and good restrooms in the parking lot.

Absolutely worth the day trip from San Francisco. On a whim my husband and I drove here and it was truly an experience of a lifetime. Highly recommend

It's a great scenic drive to some amazing forests with impressive giant trees. Some of the trails are currently closed, and you need to drive to a couple of locations for the easier hikes; but it is worth the time.

My wife and I recently visited the Calaveras Big Trees State Park just outside of Arnold, CA. We followed a 1.5 mile, easily negotiated, trail, which took us just about 2 hours. The hike was great and afforded us the opportunity to see the diversity of trees in the park, including numerous examples of sequoias. There was an entrance fee (per vehicle) of $9 to get into the park, but, it was well worth it.

We drove by Big Trees a dozen times before we went in. The problem is that they do not allow dogs, and we almost always have ours with us.

But we made the effort to go, and it was great! The trees and the history is great. It's amazing to see these enormous trees and try to imagine what they have seen!

I'm giving a 5 star but I have a word of note as well. We paid our $10 entrance fee thinking we would have access to the entire park. We found out once we entered that ONLY the North Grove trail was open - the road was closed to the larger South Grove. But we enjoyed the North Grove - it was a very nice trail, with lots of educational info and we saw many types of birds as well.

Great place to camp. Stayed at Pine Hollow campgrounds. Beautiful trees- night sky very clear and you could see the Milky Way. Mosquitos were only downside— bring big spray.

We were in Arnold CA for a few days on the way to Sequoia National Park and had time to go visit Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Are we glad we did. We did the short 1 hour hike through the TALL Trees -- Sequoia and Ponderosa Pines. Walking path was natural ground that was soft and level with markers identifying trees, etc. Walking in the shade and took lots of pictures of the trees, brooks, and ferns. Quiet, leisurely walk through the 'forest'.

We visited at the beginning of November and the weather was perfect. An added benefit was that the park was very quiet. There was one school tour group but only a handful of other visitors. That made our time in the park even more enjoyable. We took The North Grove Trail..... it is approximately 1 1/2 miles and if you take your time the entire trip is approximately two hours. That takes into account a very leisurely pace, taking lots of pictures, and soaking in the spectacular surroundings. The visitor center is well with the visit and the staff were very friendly and professional. The entry fee is $10 and, quite frankly, this is a steal for all of the great natural beauty and the mesmerizing scenery. And if you are traveling back down the mountain, be sure to drop in at The Red Apple.. an excellent bakery.

We took the easy 1.6 mile walk on the North Grove - Big Tree Trail, behind the Visitor Center. Pay the 50 cents for the trail map that has 26 stops to describe the trees and surrounding area. You will learn so much more then just walking the beautiful trail. Or join a Ranger guided walking tour offered on most weekends. There are many other trails to explore but this easy 1.6 miles gives you a great look at the Big Trees. Park entrance fee is $10.

The giant sequoias are like nothing you will ever see. Sure, they are just trees and you probably see them around your house all of the time. But this these are massive, amazing trees and to see the groves and the surrounding forests are incredible. The park is located 20 minutes outside of Murphys and a mere 3 miles outside of Arnold. It is very accessible and worth the $10 entry fee (or free with your parks pass). The North loop trail is flat and very accessible and we saw parents pushing strollers for their kids.

Visited the park today and it was amazing. I Did a day trip to check out the big trees. When you first arrive you're near the North Grove trail. Parking is $10 if you're there for the day. I arrived before the visitor center opened and did the 1.6 mile lap. Definitely pick up one of the $.50 trail guides that give some history to the trees. Path is VERY easy and designed for anyone, even wheelchairs (volunteer shared that with me). When finished everything was just opening up. Museum is nice and new and they have a gift shop. They have bathrooms and a water refill station.

After my hike there I drove 8-9 miles to the South Grove Trail. On my way there I crossed a beautiful bridge that you can park at and walk down stairs to the river. I proceeded to South Grove Trail and actually saw a bear run across the road! This trail is much longer and not flat so be prepared. Beautiful trees everywhere but south grove definitely had more big trees and the biggest in the area.

Such a great experience and I look forward to coming back

Since the Mariposa in Yosemite is closed, we decided to to BIG Trees. There are two trails there, one is 1.6 miles and another one 5 miles. The smaller one is stroller friendly and can be easily done with small kids. It was a quick stop before heading to Tioga Pass via Ebbetts Pass.

Beautiful time of year to hike in the park. We hiked the South Grove, which took us about 2.5 hrs. The trail head is 1 mile from the parking lot. Be sure and bring cash, 10 per car or 9 per seniors to deposit at the gate. Use the restrooms at the visitor center parking lot. They were open, clean, and flush toilets. The restrooms at the South Grove were holes in the ground and very smelly. We only encountered 5 other hikers on this trail. We started at 9:30am. The North Grove was an easy 1.6 mile loop with more people , although still not crowded. The trees in the South grove were larger, but there were more of them in the North Grove. We brought our lunch as there is no food in the park. The visitor center was open at 10am. The trails we hiked were easy, to easy-moderate. Very small gradual inclines. Bears are in the area and we were very alert to this. Also mountain lions have been seen. A very nice day for us. Will definitely return.

We wanted to see some "big trees" on this trip and Calaveras was our best option as far as distance. Great spot with great trails! Enjoyed using the map with points of interest marked (so be sure and invest the 50 cents in purchasing that in the gift shop!)

Did the main loop hike. The trees were a good experience as it is and the colors made it so much better! Best thing to do in this area this time of the year.

We day-tripped from South Tahoe and were not disappointed. Left in the morning and arrived around noon, still a wee bit of parking left. We lunched at the picnic area with what we'd brought and took about 2 hours walking the north grove. Absolutely beautiful. Note that the walk-through Pioneer Cabin tree was felled by a storm in 2017, so it's no longer there, but the rest were spectacular.

Travel note from Tahoe, route 4 is the shortest time-wise but it is not for the faint of heart. If mountain pass roads with no divider line and very tight fits if passing a vehicle in the opposite direction aren't your thing, especially if you have a larger vehicle, you're much better off going route 88 around the end. It's a bit longer, but every bit as scenic and far less stressful.

Looking for an alternative to yosemite's Mariposa grove (which is now closed) I stumbled upon this state park. I couldn't find much reviews on the internet and it looked like a place few people go to. This is true, although I don't know why. We hiked the south grove in de morning (5 miles) with some magnificent big trees, not the most dens population of big trees, but some nice specimens. Best thing about it, the soletude here, very few other tourists come here.
In the afternoon we walked the easy and short north grove trail. Here you'll find more big trees, but in general smalles ones.
The combination of both trails is very doable in a day. Also, spend an extra dollar and buy the trail flyers, it gives some extra info.
I can't compare it to the Mariposa grove as I have never been there, but well worth going if you ask me.

We stayed in Oak Hollow. We had absolutely no problems with yellow jackets. Believe the traps they had around detered them. The self guided hike near the visitors center was well worth the time.

We were scheduled for Yosemite, but due to fire, we ended up here to see the big trees. We were certainly impressed. OK, so Sequoia Natl Park's trees were (I think) 5 feet wider. Not sure that would have impressed us anymore. The staff was helpful and parking was a breeze. Stop in.

Decided to take a late afternoon drive and ended up at Big Trees. This was my first time there and it was awesome. So much to see and the views are incredible. Will be going back with more time and not just for a late Sunday afternoon drive. Wow!

We've visited this park a couple of times. This park has great trails that are so lovingly maintained by the park rangers. What a great way to see so many huge original trees. There was a volunteer ranger at the beginning of the trail speaking about the great stump - he had such passion and we really appreciated his expertise - telling us about the history. After our nice pleasant hike around north grove we were hot! So off down to the river - to dip our toes in the lovely cold river flowing off the top of the Sierra.

Love this place! We have a State Park Explorer annual pass - so we'll visit again next chance we get. This park is not crowded like Mariposa (near Yosemite).

We were here on a Saturday afternoon -and so were lots of other people. Yet, the park is spacious and has lots of trails. The crowds do not compete with the grandeur of the big trees.

We came on a warm day and I'd love to return during the Fall or Spring.

We stayed one night in the camp at Calaveras as part of a tour round California. It was an unexpected highlight. The drive in was lovely, through alpine style towns, and the place itself was beautiful. The camp was quiet, and like all brilliant US campsites had a firepit, bench and bear locker. The best part was the North Grove walk: really fun, loads of beautiful redwoods, and walkable from the camp. Everything was much more quiet than the bigger tourist attractions in the area, so it felt like we could really enjoy the trees and the peace.
The ranger that checked us in was also super friendly: thank you!

We have been to Calaveras Big Trees State Park several times. This time we watched the movie at the Visitor Center and saw the exhibits, The animal (cougar, bear, squirrel, etc.) exhibits were fun to see. There is also a gift store at the visitor center.

We took a walk/hike on the North Grove Trail.

We went to see the river area as well.

its a very good state park with lots to do.

Had a great day in Big Trees! The North Grove is great for folks that want an informative yet, easy stroll through the sequoias. The South Grove presents a great hike with BEAUTIFUL stream crossings for cooling a hiker's toes.

I went in November of 2015 with some friends. We hiked one of the trails and I got to walk through one of the sequoia trees. We had a picnic lunch before taking our hike.

The gift shop was nice and the rangers were friendly. I picked up a comfy shirt.

Definitely a bucket list trip as I've always wanted to see a sequoia.

What I like about Calaveras Big Trees the most is that you can hike and explore it's history at the same time. We first visited the South Trail which is a 1.5 easy mile loop with a self-guided tour. Grab a guide and explore stops filled with fascinating information. Right after, we headed to the North Trail which is a 5-mile loop and hiked an extra 1.2 miles to see the Agassiz Tree known to be the largest tree on the trail. It wasn't crowded and filled with so many shades making it a perfect summer hike. Bring mosquito repellent, I went home with so many bites especially at the Agassiz trail. Overall, I had a great thanksgiving! P.S. this is not a dog-friendly trail!

Great place for viewing nature, teaching kids about nature and burning off some energy. Is a beautiful walk with a variety of trails. It’s so much fun to learn about the history of the park. Great info sheet available.

This was my 3rd trip to the Big Trees--have enjoyed it each time. Have gone alone, with a friend, and with family (including small children), and enjoyed it each time.

After purchasing a used trailer we decided we needed to do a short trip to try it out. Calaveras Big Trees State Park is only about two hours from home. The trip and camping were fine and the experience visiting the park OUTSTANDING!
Noted for it's collection of giant Sequoias it was an amazing visit. Beautiful trails led you throughout the North Grove which is near the park entrance. The South Grove was about 9 miles away on a well maintained asphalt road and has a great trail leading you to an area of about 1000 of the magnificent giants which can reach over 250' tall with a diameter of 25' and are estimated to be several thousand years old. The park offers both tent and trailer sites and is well maintained. Their was evidence of wildlife with tracks and scat on the trails of bear, deer, squirrel and other creatures. While leaving the South Grove was saw a mother bear and her cub as they crossed in front of our car. The park offers cabins for visitors without their own accommodations and nearby Arnold has many motels, hotels and bed and breakfast offerings.

BE WARNED: Specific to the SP management of camping sites- do NOT leave your cooler unattended at any time due to bears. Even if you walk to the bathroom. They will confiscate it and fine you (min $250 - max $1000 depending on their mood.)
There’s a team of armed rangers who are not flexible. Signage and messaging isn’t clear. Beautiful nature, terrible SP experience.

One of my missions was to see a giant redwood/sequoia tree and hug it. Mission accomplished! This place was very nice. The trees are amazing! The people in the gift shop were SO NICE and helpful! This was my sons favorite part of our trip so far. I LOVED IT! Just be advised that if you are prone to motion sickness, then YOU DRIVE there (so you don't feel as much of the motion) because the roads are SO CURVY AND UP AND DOWN.

We stayed at the Lower Group Campsite for up to 60 people. It was hard finding reviews so here is mine. Book this campsite. It comes with 5 bear lockers, plenty of bathrooms (handicap bathroom) and showers. $1.25 for 5 minute shower. Rangers clean bathrooms every morning. You are away from other campsites. Away from highway and secluded. There is an Upper Group Campsite but we had no issues sharing sinks and bathrooms. You are the only two campsites in this area. There is a sink with mirror for grooming. Sink for dishes. 2 recycled water spigots, 20 parking spaces, fire ring, lots of tables and a huge area for lots of tents. There is a campsite grounds keeper who visits the site daily to answer any questions and give advice on how to store food sine there are active bears in the area (we didn’t see any). She also keeps an eye on the campsite if you let her know your group will be gone for the day.

Came all the way from NY this past weekend (5/5/16). This park was truly an amazing and unforgettable adventure. My fiance and I did both the North Grove and South Grove trails. Our day was rainy and a bit cold but the forest is so beautiful it didn't even matter. South grove preserve trail was absolutely stunning! To be completely away from civilization is really something we appreciated.

Nature supersized! To walk amongst these giants is such an incredible feeling.

We spent a wonderful day hiking around the area...picked up some good pamphlets and maps that gave us information and description of the amazing sights we saw. The kids loved the open space...there were easy enough walks so that our 4 and 6 year old had no complaints.

Great park full of tall trees and Redwoods to camp and hike in. Chill, not too crowded and just plain gorgeous. North Grove camping on Reserve America (wonky site, hate it) but you can also do walk up camping at Oak Grove a little further in. The visitor center at North Grove has a nice little interpretive museum and video and cute gift shop. Comfy couch and FREE WIFI for the win! Not to big and touristy it is perfect. Nice 1.5 mile hike from there takes you to some amazing Redwoods and very VERY old trees. It is flat on a groomed trail that is appropriate for wheel chairs and strollers too! Granted we went after labor day but only a few people on the trail and it was great. We also drove down to the Stanislaus River picnic area and hiked a short steep trail to the river and zenned out watching the rapids. Put our toes in but too swift for swimming. Rangers we SO nice. As were volunteers in all the facilities. Rest rooms clean. Coin Op showers also looked manageable...bring quarters. The stars were OUTRAGEOUS, milky way and all. Each site has a cool large picnic table, old stone camping oven with grate you could use for charcoal too, and a fire ring. No hookups but there is a dump station in the park. Want to get out in the tall trees in a well maintained but still rustic park? This is your ticket.

When I was doing research for this trip, I had a hard time figuring out the hiking options, even after looking at the state website, so I wanted to list them out here. When you first enter the park, you can get a free activity guide at the visitor's center at the North Grove that has additional details. If you're not planning on spending the whole day at the park, the North Grove trail is definitely sufficient, and you will see a number of Giant Sequoias along that loop.

NORTH GROVE AREA
North Grove Trail: Great for if you're doing a short stop and want to see some of the Giant Sequoias. Gentle 1.7 mile loop behind the visitor's center; they say you can take a stroller along it if it hasn't rained recently. It has some really neat trees including one you can walk inside of for a stretch. Great for kids and for those without a lot of time.

Three Senses Trail: Super short, 20 minute loop with signs in braille and printed, for a sensory forest experience.

Grove Overlook Trail: This trail branches off from the North Grove Trail and goes up the ridge to overlook areas of the park, then goes back down and meets up with the North Grove Trail again. It does go straight uphill, so a bit steep, and said to add 1-2 hours (a generous allowance).

SOUTH GROVE AREA
South Grove Trail: Medium difficulty, 5 miles total with a 3.5 mile loop and a 3/4 mile spur out to the Agassiz Tree, which is the largest tree in the park. If you're here to see the trees and want a longer hike, this is the one you should take. You'll see a lot of the famous trees and get to wander all around them. The trail was very lush and green, and there's a great swimming/picnic area at Beaver Creek right at the start of the trail, for cooling off before or after the hike. The start is about a 9 mile drive from the park entrance and a little confusing to find -- if you park at the South Grove Trailhead, stay to the right (or straight) for all the forks to finally get on the South Grove trail. This trail can be shortened if, once you're on the trail, you take the left trail loop, go out to the Agassiz Tree, and come back along the same way instead of going out to complete the loop. Lots of shade under the trees and you definitely get away from most of the other people at the park. Great hike.

Bradley Grove Trail: 2.5 mile moderate loop that takes off from the South Grove Trail right after the Beaver Creek Bridge. Goes to a grove of young Sequoias planted by the Bradleys, and supposedly has nice wildflowers in spring. We thought it was much cooler to see the larger trees, but can be a nice addition to the South Grove trail if you want a longer hike.

ELSEWHERE
River Canyon Trail: 8 mile round trip strenuous hike that goes down into the Stanislaus River Canyon and back up again, with a 1k ft elevation change. Takes off from the North Grove trail; can get very hot during summer as there isn't much shade.

Lava Bluffs Trail: 2.5 mile loop, medium to strenuous with steep sections. This one is pretty cool with volcanic formations and spring wildflowers. Trail starts 5 miles from the park entrance at the Lava Bluffs parking area.

Dogs and bikes are only allowed on the fire roads and paved roads, and dogs have to be kept on a leash at all times. All the trails aside from the North Grove trail close during the winter. Don't feed the bears. ;)

This is definitely a park you can do sufficiently in a day if you want to, but there is more to explore if you'd prefer to camp for the weekend. It's really difficult to get a campsite -- it looks as though there are open spots, but they're actually handicap spots that require a placard to reserve. Pay attention to when new dates are opening up if you have your heart set on camping. We ended up just staying with friends nearby because we thought there were free sites we could reserve but all the normal sites were actually full.

Overall, it was a beautiful and pretty quiet state park. Great to do if you have some time to explore nature and want to see the sequoias.

I've been to Sequoia National Park and Yosemite National Park, and this state park ranks right up there with the big parks in terms of its Big Trees! Lots of sequoias along well maintained trails, and excellent guide books for the two main trails in the park. The North Grove was busy when we were there on a July Saturday, but the South Grove, which we visited on a Friday, was much less crowded. The South Grove trail is longer but very pleasant, even in the heat of summer. Lots of big trees so be prepared for a lot of looking up! Be sure to stop in the visitor center first and purchase the guide books for $0.50 each. The guided hike on the North Grove trail was excellent, and well worth the time (approximately 2 hours).

We walked the South Trail, including the Overlook Trail. Take one of the interpretive guides to add to your knowledge of the area. (A fifty cent donation is requested.) We were there on a Friday and had the trail almost to ourselves. Masks are required if you cannot social distance. You can spend about 2 hours here. It is a nice walk for both adults as well as kids.

The short walk around the North Grove of trees (about 100) is just amazing. The path is well laid out, even for easy walking and passes close to many Giant Redwoods. The drive up from Angels Camp (40 minutes) is worth the effort to see these majestic living monuments.

this park has more trees than mariposa grove, and in my openion is much nicer, it worth the effort of getting there.

Wanting to beat the heat, today's hike was the South Grove Trail of Calaveras Big Trees at the Calaveras Big Trees State Park. To enter was $10 - they were low on $10 bills but they took credit cards. It was 8 1/2 miles to the parking lot and on the way, I stopped to watch a coyote cross the road. The parking lot was easy to find and I was the first car there. Maybe it was time or the day of the week but I was able to hike in and back most of the way before I saw anyway else. It was so peaceful - you could hear the birds sing. Since I was early, there were still pamplets available for .50 and this was informative and useful. This was not really a hike but a long walk with some hills. I highly recommend this hike and as I started off - don't forget bug spray. I usually never have a problem but today, the mosquitos had my number. The other thing I was happy about was no trash - I hike too much in Los Angeles and so can notice clean trails. Take your time and enjoy this trail

Just returned from a 2 night camping trip in Oak Hollow campsite at Calaveras Big Trees. We were in space #106 & it was great. The campsites are all large & spread apart from each other with partial shade. The bathrooms have flushing toilets & there are also pay showers available. Some of the campsites are on a slightly sloped hill, but there is still enough flat area for 2 tents. There are picnic tables & firepits at each site. The camp hosts are very nice & the place is well maintained. I had read complaints about Yellow Jackets so I brought a trap, but they were just a minor annoyance. Bring bug spray for mosquitoes & benadryl if you get allergies or hives. There are lots of squirrels & chipmunks running around. Keep your food in the bear box or hidden in your vehicle.
The North Grove trail was beautiful & the perfect distance for a nice 1 hour hike. There is access to a swimming hole at the River picnic area, but the stairs to get down are very steep. There is also great stargazing at night.
Nearby, is the option to swim at White Pines Lake, which looked nice but was a little crowded. We chose instead to take about a 35 minute drive up to Lake Alpine to picnic, swim & fish. The drive up Ebbets pass was really beautiful & I recommend going for a half day afternoon trip.
The town of Arnold is 10 minutes away & has groceries & a few restaurants.
I would definitely go camping here again & really enjoyed my experience.

We enjoyed an easy walk among the Sequoias. Great place to picnic and the campgrounds looked inviting. The gift shop was great too.

This is a hidden treasure in the Arnold area
The times I have been here have never been crowded. It is fabulous walk through some of the largest trees in the world!

We stayed in the North Grove campground which is closest to the park entrance. This place is beautiful. If you want to see green in California, this is the place. There is a visitor center and gift shop.

As a group of four on a quick three day road trip to Yosemite and Lake Tahoe this was our favorite. Having worked this in as a stop on our way, I couldn't have been happier. The park staff and volunteers were knowledgeable and and friendly. We felt like we could have talked to them for hours (if not on a short schedule). The park was well kept and facility very nice. We really enjoyed the small gift shop/museum.

The trees were mesmerizing. Indescribable. Just something you HAVE to do. To walk it, feel it, smell it. We did the north trail. We took loads of stops for pictures and quiet amazement. It took almost 3 hours, but I think most do it under 2. I can't wait to go back and do the other trails!

We have been camping at this park for over 25 years now and it never gets boring. It is a large park that is more than 15 miles long with the Stanislaw river running through it. The giant sequoias in both the North and South groves are spectacular and right now (May) the dog woods are in full bloom with lush light green new growth everywhere on the the ground. The contrast between these new plants and the giant sequoias are simply too beautiful to describe. We camped in the Oak Hollow campground and it was relatively empty just prior to the Memorial Day weekend. As such it was extremely quiet and beautiful. Go if you can.

My wife and I were disappointed that the Mariposa Grove of sequoias was closed for redevelopment when we were at Yosemite National Park, so we checked a few guidebooks and websites for another grove that wasn't too far away and Calaveras came highly recommended. We're so happy we visited. We toured only the North Grove but it was amazing and awe-inspiring. It's impossible to describe or even photograph these trees in a way that captures their true scale and beauty. Get a printed guide for only 25 cents from a box at the beginning of the trail or return it for free at the end. Its a great help at 26 numbered stops along the trail The volunteer ranger at the Big Stump near the beginning of the trail is very informative and chatty. The trail is flat and very easy. And we even saw bears at one point in our walk! The gift shop is wonderful as are the staff who work there. This park is well worth visiting if you're ever in the Sacramento, Stockton, Lake Tahoe or Yosemite.areas.

Strolled around the North Trail early in the morning and was in awe. The dogwood were just beginning to bloom and the flowers provided a dappled placement of white below the immense and quiet stillness of the magnificent trees.

The visitor center is quite nice and children will benefit from the displays and short film to give background on the park.

Also spent some time along the Stanislaus River that creates a beautifully moving diversion in the park worth exploring.

We spent 3 unhurried hours at the park and will not forget the spectacular features that have been preserved for all to enjoy.

We knew going in the winter might be a bit tricky, but it was amazing! There was only one other person in the park and it was lightly raining and snowing. You cannot walk around as much as you could during warmer seasons, but the snow covered trees were worth the limited walking. I do recommend waterproof boots or rain boots and lots of wool sock layers because it is cold and wet. It was a photographer's dream!

The most beautiful sights ever! I go here about 4 times a month my daughter loves it!
My entire family loves it. So peaceful. The trees are so big and beautiful very well maintained! Tourist area is so nice. Other parts of the park are so beautiful as well lots of places to see and to explore! We abousetly love big trees! Gift shop is great as well! Staff is very helpful and kind!

My wife wanted to see 2 things in CA- our son and the sequoias. This park and hike was spectacular. We took the ranger-guided hike through the north grove, fantastic array and variety of sequoias. We learned a lot about them, great afternoon. Not to be missed.

SInce we couldn't see the Sequoias at Yosemite, we made a side trip to this state park. So glad we did! It was cooler and way less crowder here. The walk through the grove is very nice, peaceful, quiet, and the 50 cent guide gives lots of interesting information at the stops along the trail. There is a giant stump you can stand on--it's huge! There is an enormous ancient tree that feel over many years ago--you can walk through it. And there is another live tree with an arch you can walk through. Fun for kids and interesting to all ages.

I stopped here yesterday as I had a few hours to myself while in CA on business. The sequoias are spectacular, but much of the trails were closed due to the collapse of the Pioneer Cabin tree and weather. It was a beautiful place to walk but I would have loved to have seen more. In thaw conditions the trails can be very wet and muddy.

Very nice and not to crowded park. Loops of 1,5 mile and 5 miles. Biggest sequoia's around. Very nice and helpfull staff. Relatively cheap!!!

I went here on December 1st, and there was already snow on the ground. It was beautiful to behold.

Beware: The North Grove trail is not shoveled. The trail was mostly covered with ice and snow. The middle of the trail, where the snow had been packed down was quite icy. I walked along the sides of the trail, where I could get better traction, but I often ended up ankle deep in snow. If there is snow on the ground, I suggest using your poles or your walking stick, if you have them. (I left my walking stick in my van, and I regretted it.)

It's $10 to get into the park (as of 12-1-16). They also want 50 cents for the trail guide, which to be fair is a booklet with 14 half pages and a lot of information.

This is the park with the tree stump that was once used as a dance floor. How sad that such an enormous, majestic tree was cut down by short-sited humans.

The trees in this park have ropes in front of them to let people know they are not supposed to cross the line. It's like being in a tree museum. I understand why--these trees have very shallow root systems--but it's kind of sad too.

The visitors center is worth checking out, but be warned: you have to walk through the gift shop to get to the visitors center and the exhibits. There are several stuffed (as in "were once alive, but not anymore") animals in the exhibit area.

The exhibit starts with information about the native people who lived in the area before pioneers and miners moved in. There is also information about the trees that were cut down and had the bark peeled off as money making enterprises, At the back of the visitors center is a small theater with short documentaries playing on a loop.

The restroom is in the building to the right of the gift shop/visitor center, so at least you don't have to drag your kids through the souvenirs to get to the restrooms.

I'm kind of a giant sequoias fanatic, so this adventure was well worth the money and the wet boots.

This was our first time to the park and it did not disappoint!! It rained on and off our first day here, so we basically had the entire park to ourselves. It was awesome!! We drove the 9ish mile road through the park and stopped at every place we could. The park has lots of hiking trails of various levels, each well-marked, including how strenuous each hike is, the mileage, type of elevation, how much time to allow, etc. We hiked the easy North Grove trail which winds through some of the largest trees, as well as a bit of the South Grove trail. There are numerous picnic areas, including handicapped-accessible features. One area even has a wheelchair ramp-mat all the way down to the river. Two beautiful campgrounds are also here, as well as some rental cabins, and lots of vault toilets and parking areas are throughout the park. A visitor center & gift shop are also here. The facilities are excellent, but it’s the giant trees that are the stars of the show. Words can’t even begin to describe their beauty. Best seen in person. We can’t wait to come back!!

Amazing place! the 1.67 hike in the North grove was and fabulous experience! Easy flat hike that really is so inspiring! Great for all ages! The new gift shop and museum is terrific!. This was a highlight of my mini vacation!

Great place to visit that isn't as popular or crowded as Yosemite. Worth a stop or as an alternative if Yosemite is booked.

Every since I was a kid I've wanted to see some "big trees" so this week-end we did it and made sure my kids can say they've seen them as well. While they weren't fully appreciated by the youngsters they were awe-inspiring. We only did the north grove but one day hope to return sans kids to spend more time and do more hikes.

While the kids got restless, the certainly enjoyed the $1 ice cream cones volunteers sell during the week-ends and holidays. Make a point to see the sequoia tree at some point!

We got there in the afternoon on a Saturday. It was difficult to find a place to park. BUT, the trees are wonderful and worth the effort. Both groves are places to go!

Most impressive!! You have the opportunity to walk through a grove of giant sequoia trees, some of which are hundreds of feet tall and up to 2000 years old. You can even walk right up through the center of one of these fallen giants.
Best of all, you get to do it with out experiencing the amusement park size crowds and car traffic you encounter in Yosemite Valley. We arrived mid morning and only a few other families were out on the easy 1.5 mile walk through the grove. Even at noon the parking lot was only half full.

This state park offers an adventure that no other park can offer. The giant Sequoias stand majestically above Dogwood trees that turn orange and red in the fall and are graced with blossoms every spring. The park volunteers will notify visitors when the Dogwoods are at their best. Calaveras State Park is the first place the giant trees were discovered and the only park where visitors can enjoy so many century old trees. Looking up at the tall giants makes visitors appreciate the magnificence that the park offers. Camp grounds allow campers to enjoy the meadow of flowers, wildlife, and giant trees during a short or extended stay.

Went this past summer to visit Yosemite and stopped here the day before. Wonderful place to see these beautiful trees. If you have time make sure you go and hike the South Grove after viewing the north Grove. Side note. There isn't much in terms of eating establishments in the nearby town. Suggest you back lunch for the day.

There are many great trees to look at. My daughter loved to be able to stand on a tree stump that would fit several adults. It was sad to see that the Pioneer Cabin Tree had fallen, the trail is now closed at this point. It is still worth it to see it. That also have a nice gift shop with friendly staff.

We went to visit Calaveras Big Trees State Park over the weekend. We spent the first day exploring the North Grove. It was an eye opening experience walking the the trail and reading the descriptions at the numbered sites. We bought the guide for the trail for extra 50 cents. It was well worth it because it actually answered many of our questions that came up. The second day we hiked the much more remote South Grove. It took us 4 hours. We did not hike fast. We took many stops and lots of photos along the way. It is an amazing feeling walking among those giants near the Agassiz tree. That is when you want to just sit there and soak it in, the presence of the giant trees. It is a very humbling experience. We took our lunch along and sat there eating our sandwiches at the base of the tree.
I would recommend this highly, but don't rush it. Take your time. Wear good shoes, there are roots and occasional large rocks protruding from the ground, but the trail is well traveled. The number of people going to the South Grove is much less than the North Grove, probably because it is a much longer hike.

We were in California on a road trip and had been exploring coastal redwood groves all week (the tallest trees, Sequoia sempervirens). We have visited Sequoia, Yosemite and Kings Canyon National Parks in the past and enjoyed the giant sequoia groves there (the large-diameter trees, Sequoiadendron giganteum). We didn't make to Calaveras on that previous trip, so we decided to make a detour on our way from Sacramento to Modesto and take a walk in the forest. We arrived on a Wednesday a little after 9:00am and paid the admission fee at the entrance kiosk (I think it was $10). The ranger gave us a map of the park and I asked about the location of the 1.7-mile Big Trees Trail at the North Grove because I had read that it was wheelchair accessible. He waved in the general direction of the visitor center and said to follow the driveway to the parking area; we couldn't miss it. We parked at the visitor center which doesn't open until 10:00, so we decided to walk the trail first. We couldn't figure out where to start the trail and ended up walking in a circle around the visitor center, and then somehow found ourselves following the trail in reverse. We knew we were going backward because there were numbers on some of the trees and points-of-interest, but the guide to the numbers was not in the brochure we were given. There were a couple of places where the trail forked and we weren't sure which way to go. The trail is at least 3-4 feet wide in most areas and the surface is hard-packed dirt with a light covering of sand. Unfortunately erosion has left ruts and large exposed stones, so it was a bumpy, jarring ride in a wheelchair. A few sections have wooden boardwalk. As we were returning to the parking area, we realized that our rubber wheelchair tires and shoe soles had been picking up sticky tar-like globs of tree sap. It was particularly bad on the sidewalk and pavement where there was no dirt to coat it. A ranger was outside the visitor center and found me in the parking lot, desperately trying to clean the goo off the tires (while fending off persistently curious bees). I frantically asked him what to use to solvent the sap and he shrugged and said I might be able to buy a product online and walked away. I was very frustrated and upset because: #1 I thought there should be a sign (or even caution tape) to warn about the sap on the ground, #2 we were going to have to put the wheelchair in the car and get the sap on the interior, and #3 I didn't feel like we should go into the visitor center and track that vile stuff everywhere, so we missed out on that. If there is some product that removes the sap, then they should at least sell it at the gift shop. We left the park without trying any other trails because we assumed we'd just collect even more goo. When we stopped for lunch we spent at least 30 minutes trying to scrape and scrub it off the wheelchair tires with rags to get clean enough to duck inside a fast food shop. It took another hour when we arrived at the hotel that evening to get it clean enough to go inside on the carpeting, even after rolling around outside and rubbing some off on asphalt and gravel.

Lovely trails, nice shade, great vistas. Thoroughly enjoyed our hike to South Grove which was nearly 6 Mi round trip.

Great visit, simply incredible to see the large trees. Night easy walking path, to take a 1.5 mile walk through the woods to see multiple trees, and enjoy the area.

Visited Big Trees after seeing our first giant sequoias at the smaller of the two Yosemite groves and the experiences couldn't have been more different. Not only were the trees at Big Trees larger, there were many, many more of them, they were much easier to access, and although there were campers, there were no crowds. We went in the late afternoon and it was almost like having our own private giant sequoia grove. The park is a little out of the way, and you absolutely do not want to trust Google maps to get you there the best way, but it's definitely worth the trip.

So peaceful and an amazing view. Although my son had been here before my stepdaughters haven't, we all had a blast and they were amazed at the size of the trees so was my husband. We had both been in the Redwood National Forest but he has never been here. Beautiful walk through the park, the trails are well kept and get the information guide to gain some knowledge and understanding.

This was one of my favorite sequoia groves I have ever visited, The park opens at sunrise and though the visitor center opens later I recommend getting here early before most people get on the trails. It is so beautiful with the majestic trees and just the birds and squirrels chirping away.

Well maintained beautiful trails with amazing trees. We touched living things that could be over 2,000 years old. Amazing! Would help to have a new trail map with the numbered trees identified.

Last year, we did the north loop. This year we did the south loop and what a view. It is about a 15 minute drive from the entrance booth to the South Grove parking. There is a bathroom. It takes about a 35 minute walk to reach the loop. At a leisurely pace, the loop should take about 60-90 minutes, depending on how many selfies/pics you take. We do recommend the fairly flat walk to the Agassiz tree, about another 45 minutes out/back. There are many more to see on the way. Make sure to go behind it, as it is hollowed out. From the junction of the Agassiz trail and the loop, it is about a 45 minute walk back to the parking. It is very impressive to see so many giant trees.

This park, with samples of the world’s largest trees, is a must-see if you’re in “Gold Country.” We walked part of the trail that leaves from near the parking lot and gift shop. One irritation is that the start of the trail is not marked, and it should be: go to the left of the gift shop/visitors’ center, as you face it from the parking lot, then turn right and go downhill past the building and you’ll find it. The part we walked, maybe about a third of the total loop, was wide, flat, and easy to walk on, probably wheelchair accessible. It includes a giant stump that lots of people climb onto for picture-taking purposes, plus plenty of other sequoias both standing and fallen. My personal favorites are the twisty roots of the fallen ones, but of course the standing ones are extremely impressive to. The forest also includes other kinds of trees, some of which turn lovely colors in the fall. The park also has camping, but we didn’t try that, so I can’t comment on those facilities.

Located about 3 hours outside of San Francisco, this area could be a day trip. But it's worth spending more time in this area, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, gazing upon gorgeous redwoods, near historic gold rush towns. This park has main attractions to see, like the tree trunk you can drive through, but it also has a lot of trails for hiking and exploring. Staying over night in one of the nearby towns like Angel's Camp, Sonora, makes it an especially fun getaway from the hustle of modern life. One of my favorite areas in California!

There are multiple trails to venture out on with a ranging level of difficulty. There is a trail for everyone of different ages and skill levels. This places beauty was insane and the size of the trees were spectacular. A must see if in the Arnold area. Truly embodies the california spirit.

We stopped for a short visit. I'm rarely disappointed with California state parks and this was no exception. These particular groves of trees are stunning.
The drive up is beautiful and the cost is $8 a car. There is a museum with a small movie theatre that shows a short video.
There is only water and a few snacks available for purchase.
The trails are easy with gradual slopes and there is a map and numbered spots so that you can be your own guide. The hike is about a mile and a half and felt more like a leisurely walk. This is the perfect hike for children. They can run and there a few spots for climbing. We saw a lot of children enjoying themselves. This was a great way to spend a few hours among the Giants of the forests.

We heard about this place and glad we came. The hike of the North Grove is not long and the view is amazing, many Giant Sequoia Trees, unbelievable! We also went down to the Stanislaus River and that was beautiful. Check out the overlook, that's special. This park is open 6AM-10PM, Gift Shop has plenty to offer.

This wonderful park visit today took 2hours Bay Area. Nice trees and walk visitor center snd camp go nice hike love it nice quiet

Great place to hike. The North is suitable for everyone, no matter skill level. Great place to see the giant sequoia's. The South is a little more challenging but worth the sweat to get back to the more extensive grove. Enjoyed so much we came back and did both hikes!

This state park is massive, many areas you can go, but start at the center, the gift shop and the museum. Learn the history and soak it in. I went June 2017, it was hot but cooler in the shade because of the trees. The bathroom across from the center is air conditioned and it was clean. Make sure to get a map and a trails map - yellowy beige booklet. The trails have number markers and you need the booklet to tell you the information. Also the trails go on forever, loop around and connect. My family and I were walking and we sat at a bench, there are benches along the trail we went on, and another family was turning back because they had gone as far as they wanted. They let us have their trail map and we could see we had walked barely 5% of the trail, so we turned back too. The park was very busy, the people I encountered were friendly and helpful. If you offer kindness, you will get that in return. There are signs to stay on the trail, because of the fragile species that are growing. The trail was clean, dirt and rocky path, some parts are a wood boardwalk. Look out and listen for the wildlife, woodpeckers and chickarees - squirrels. There are also different flowers blooming. Have a good camera with awesome zoom! What I saw was a very tiny bit of what else there is. I definitely recommend to go and go back.

Nine-day mountain break took us to Bear Valley, 132 miles from Roseville, five hours with breaks. We went the slow way on old Highway 49, the Gold Country road. Our visit to this state park was rewarding. Very pretty area. And there are some giant trees to admire. Visitor center explains much history of the area and park. We saw the exhibits and drove the North Grove. Walked to picnic area where the big tree stump provided a photo op. Tourists climb steps up to get on the platform to have their picture taken. G snapped me. The giant sequoia was felled in 1853, leaving a giant stump which is the only remainder of the tree. It measured 24 feet in diameter at its base and was determined by ring count to be 1,244 years old when felled. We also took pics of one especially giant redwood. Nice visit.

Such a fantastic place to learn about the areas history and amazing BIG trees! This place has numerous trails from easy 1 mile loop strolls to good up down hikes, a lot of the trails are in shade to partial sun. Cost is 10 to get into park but has a great visitor center and lots of things for the kids to enjoy and do. Camping sites look very well maintained and restrooms very clean. Must do if in the area!

We visited Calaveras as a plan B once we got to know that the Mariposa Grove in Yosemite park was closed for restauration. No regrets at all!! Easy trip from Groveland were we were staying, very kind staff, very few other visitors and the majestic sequoias!!
We hiked the North Grove guided by a ranger (short and easy 1 hour with plenty of explanations) and the South one on our own. Wow!!! Amazing trees, lots of them in a peaceful environment. It took us more than 3 hours with plenty of stops for lunch, pictures, etc
Fully recommendable

Very relaxing hike among the Big Trees. Stanislaus River is also worth a visit. Nice restaurants in Murphy.

Cannot describe the awe I felt at this place!!! I have not been to Sequoia or Kings Canyon but this 'out of the way' place was practically devoid of people and awe inspiring. The South Grove was a drive and a long walk to see the trees but worth every minute of time. Plan on 3 hours to see all of it. NEVER have I seen anything as massive as these trees. No one was there to annoy us and the solitude was amazing. MUST SEE.

We, and our two 30 ish “kids” love this State Park. When we had a cabin in the area I used to volunteer there. So it’s always nice to revisit.
When we were there in mid-March, there was still snow on the ground, but the popular North Grove trail was very wet and muddy. There were lots of folks there, and the new-ish Visitors Center was fairly full.
Only one disappointment were the restrooms. With only four available, there was always a line. I’d argue that four is not enough with the volume of traffic this State Park gets.

What a great state park and wonderful place to see the tall sequoia trees. The trail is neatly kept and there are clearly numbered sites that are described in the brochure.

The best. On this trip we had visited Sequoia National Park to see the Giant sequoias, then on a whim stopped in at Calaveras. We were sort of joking that we had already seen the big trees at SNP...then came out agreeing that Calaveras was such a better experience!! This place is stunning. There are so so many truly giant sequoia. And without the crowds! We were alone for most of our walk, only passing two other families. We walked only the north grove loop - a little more than a mile of very easy flat walking - past tons of giants, both living and fallen. The trees are easily as large as the ones in Sequoia national park. The guide pamphlet we purchased in the visitor center was the best 50 cents we've spent - provided so much info and anecdotes about the trees. Truly excellent.

We have visited this park many times and it never disappoints. The accessible trail is great for all ages and offers many impressive and unique sequoias. In the summer, be sure to cool off in the Stanislaus River or in Big Trees Creek. In the winter, park access is more restricted, but still worth a visit.

This park doesn't have the crowds of Mariposa Grove (currently closed for renovation) but that isn't its only advantage. The redwoods here are scattered among thousands of other trees in a natural setting--and unlike other parks, can be closely approached and examined. And: the trees are indeed gigantic. We limited our exploration to the south grove (a 15-20 minute drive from the main entrance, then accessible on an easy five mile loop.). On a weekday morning, we initially felt that we had the grove almost to ourselves, although others arrived later in the morning. This park is well worth a visit.

Redwoods were a must see for us. We had a fantastic visit to both the north and south Groves. Brilliant guided tour through the north grove by volunteer Sanders. He was able to answer any questions and made our visit very special. We then hiked the South Grove which was breathtaking. We all commented that we'd enjoyed this visit more that our trip to Yosemite which was crowded and expensive. At $10 for park entry it was a great value day too. Thank you

We were able to spend a couple of days in the Big Trees. The north is an easier trail but we also enjoyed the solitude and natural setting of the longer South trail walk! For a state park this is a very well organized and maintained park. The visitor center is very nice as well.

This was the highlight of our week's vacation to the area. Having been to Muir Woods in the past, we wanted to see some larger trees, if possible. We were staying in Lodi for the night and the drive up to the park was scenic and fun. Coming from Wisconsin, we don't see mountains so that is a little thrill for us alone. Entrance fee was only $12 per car. There are various walking trails, but I insisted on the basic one as I'm not a hiker. The trees were amazing and many were marked with educational boards and an explanation. Nature really is amazing. Overall we were in the woods a good hour or so. We went on Sunday of Labor Day Weekend and I would say it was rather busy as I would expect it to be. Had a great time!

During this crazy pandemic, there is no more peaceful serene place to walk and enjoy than Big Trees State Park. We have gone 4 times this year and never tire of it. We have taken our grandchildren and have gone by ourselves. The park is so well kept and the trees are so magnificent and grand!! There are a number of trails from very simple and easy in the North Grove (even wheelchair and stroller appropriate) to the Rim trail which is a little longer and rugged and in the spring and summer, the south grove trail. We keep saying we will not take any more pictures but we can't help trying to capture more of the beauty in this lovely place. I advise all who can to come and visit and experience this place.

small but nice place to hand around with your friends & have BBQ. Huge trees good with snowfall. ample of washrooms.

This park is a gem. The nature center is great and well stocked with information and items. The hikes are wonderful and well presented on an informative booklet. The trees are breathtaking. Just a real surprise as to how low key but satisfying this park was.

Loved hiking among the Sequoias! The trees are awesome and the trails are fun to explore. The river was wonderful to wade in, such a gorgeous site. Would definitely recommend a visit here.

This is a lovely State Park with hikes that bring you right up to the Big Trees. Lots of information at the visitors center to help you decide where you want to hike. Loved every minute of being in this park

We decided to head here since it was closer than driving to Yosemite and we are glad we did! There was no wait to enter the park and the ride up was an adventure in itself! We only walked the north portion but it was ABSOLUTELY amazing seeing the trees and being outdoors. Remember to wear cpmfortable shoes and come with great company!

We were camping near by and went to see the big trees. It was an incredible experience to take the kids on. I really loved learning some of the history behind the park and the beautiful trees.

Great state park with wonderful visitor center staffed by super helpful and friendly staff. Variety of hikes from easy walk to challenging. The giant sequoia's are truly a gift from mother nature and should be on everyone's bucket list! Complements to California State Park System for providing such an exceptional state park.

So amazing to step in amongst these big giants. Breathtaking to be standing next to these amazing trees. Great grounds and caretakers. Easy path to enjoy the scenery and vegetation. So beautiful and worth the time. Nice gift shop.

Definately go during a weekday during non peak summer season for the best experience! Well marked trails, informative museum behind the gift shop. Lots of great photo shots. Super easy to walk trails for all ages.

It was a long out of the way drive from Lake Tahoe ( 2 1/2 hours of windy roads)
I was questioning myself if it was worth it when the sun was going down and we were not there yet
Yes - well worth it . Just go - you have no idea how enormous they are until M you actually stand by them

My daughter wanted to go to Yosemite National Park, but that was 3 hours from our current location. I was recommended Calaveras Big Trees State Park. We decided to give it a try and was not disappointed. The park is quite spacious with lots of walkable Trails. Unlike other state parks, here, you can deviate from the trails a little to get a close-up of the sequoias. You are overcome be a sense of tranquility to be surrounded by all those ancient majestic giants and to stand next to one of these behemoths is sublime and humbling. At Muir Woods, you have to remain on the trails and can't really get a closer look at their trees. But here, you can walk around freely, camp, or have a BBQ picnic. Great for naturalist and families.

Was here twice with the wife on a recent trip. The first attempt was to take a hike among the trees on a rainy day. Not a great success as it was too wet! We returned a couple days later, after it had snowed. Totally fantastic! We hiked in the snow and took the overview loop from the main trail in the North Grove. It was amazing!

We enjoyed the park. It was getting crowded when we arrived about 10:30 so the earlier the better to avoid the crowds. We took aloud toddlers on the North Grove trail and it was the perfect length. Not too long - we did it in about an hour and were able to see lots of the big sequoias and there are many good photo ops. Tip- use pano setting on the iPhone to capture the height of the trees!
They were selling ice cream and popcorn at the end of the trail when we finished. Bathroom line was a little long. Trail maps are helpful to know what each marker is about. Great park.

Really great state park, good facilities, great red woods! Nice camping spots!!!! Only thing
Is the trail markers really need accurate mileage markers!!

Born and raised in California. Been to the Redwoods up the coast and been all over this state but never knew about this State Park until about a month ago. Dang, it's a treat, big time.
It's beautiful and packed with history. The trees are awesome. The trails are well maintained and very easy to navigate. Take the family. Take a friend. It's so worth the time.

I'm sure that there are a few of these 'big tree' parks around. Absolutely amazing! So sad, the history of people chopping them down for pleasure and show. Glad that those remaining have been saved.

Trees 10m or so in diameter; walk through one; walk along, inside the trunk of another. Informative plaques as you walk around the mile or so board-walk trail (we did the north one. I believe that the south one is longer).

Thoroughly recommend. Definitely worth the trip.

This park is a great stop. Make sure to stop at visitor center as the workers are well informed. We purchased a guidebook that gave us information & history of each tree on a very well marked trail. Very easy walk and very humbling to find yourself among these wonderful giants.

This park is everything I hoped it would be. The Giant Sequoias are absolutely amazing! The path is well marked, fairly flat, wide enough for several people to navigate together, and well maintained. The information provided on the path is very useful. The information center has lots of displays to help explain common plants and local animals. The gift shop carries some trinkets if you want one. This park is very reasonably priced at $5 per car. Can’t beat it! Just gorgeous! So glad we stopped! Only thing a little alarming was the bear we saw as we were finishing up!

We were unable to get parking at Muir Woods so went here instead and I’m so glad we did! Pictures do not do it justice. It’s so beautiful. I will say, do not take the scenic overlook hike. It’s a very steep incline and the view is not that great. You can drive to it if you really want. They said the north grove trail would take 2 hours and it did with all the pictures we took! Bring snacks so you can take your time and get the $.50 info guide!

Takes your breath away
Great adventure and hike
Loved the hot chocolate and the fire
Would love to live in the area

If you have never been, Big Trees is a must stop on your list!
Having been a few times now, the park still impresses me the same as the first time. One thing, leave yourself plenty of time to get there. Driving in from Sacramento t is kind of a trek, and although not a straight route, it is well worth it! This visit, we took a short afternoon wine stop in Sutter Creek to enjoy some lunch, visit Chaos Glassworks, and do some light window shopping. The park has a couple of grove hiking loops that you can do, and if you have time you should see both of them. I believe the length of the park is around 9 miles, so it is not very huge. What are huge though are the trees...hence the name Big Trees. In January, the Pioneer Cabin Tree (one of the popular tourist destinations) fell during a storm, but the sheer size of it still leaves a big impression. Literally. Do yourself a favor, get outside, take a stroll, and breathe in some of the freshest air.

Whatever your level of fitness, you will be able to appreciate Big Trees. The North Grove, where you enter the park from Hwy 4 east of Arnold, is a 1.5 mile loop through towering trees; it is level and wheelchair accessible when there isn't snow on the ground (might be some tight turns). Although it is short, it is quiet and peaceful and offers plenty of opportunity to commune with some of the worlds oldest and tallest trees. There is also a written guide available for a tiny fee which describes some of the features and trees along the loop. Rangers walk the loop all day long and offer their own insights to inquisitive hikers- the day we were there a ranger excitedly pointed out to us "baby giant sequoia"- saplings about 8 inches tall- which were the first new growth sequoia he had seen in a couple of seasons; he explained how to tell the difference between sequoia saplings and cedar saplings (the flatness of the needles).
Somewhat more ambitious is the South Grove, about a 9 mile drive through the park. It starts with an easy, probably accessible, .5 mile walk down to a very pretty footbridge across Beaver Creek. From there it is a dirt path, not a difficult hike, 5 or so miles, but some elevation changes. Probably do-able for someone using a cane if they are otherwise fit. The reward is that it is far less crowded than the North Grove, and takes you through beautiful stands of cedar, redwood and aspen, as well as growths of wildflowers and fern. A few breathtakingly massive trees as well.
In addition, the road between North Grove and South Grove crosses the Big Trees branch of the Stanislaus River, and there is a pull-off there with several paths down to various little river beaches, mostly not crowded, all very pretty with riffles and small cascades.
At the North Grove parking area there is a visitor center, replete with the requisite tacky gifts, but also some very good quality nature books and outdoor clothing. Best is the back room with an interactive diorama of Sierra wildlife, with taxidermy specimens of all manner of local critters. There is a panel where you can push buttons and a spotlight shines on the specimen and you hear the sound it makes.
Dogs are not permitted in the groves or on dedicated hiking trails, which can be accessed throughout the park (maps available at the visitor center), but they are permitted on various fire trails which are equally nice to hike on.
In winter, the trails are open to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Well-packed easy going in the groves, but great fun to get off the paths and into the woods if you're up for it. My wife and I went through he trees and over a little creek a few years ago when I was close to 60, so it's do-able!
Can you tell we love this place?

What a fabulous national park. We came on the recommendation of staff at the mountain retreat resort. It was great we did the north grove trail which was just a mile and half walk all on the flat. It took us past all of the most amazing sequoia trees. Well worth a visit especially as the Mariposa grove in Yosemite is currently closed. Kids really enjoyed the trees as well.

Definitely worth a visit, getting to see some magnificently large trees that are super old. Very awesome and humbling. Its a little bit of hiking, so definitely be aware of that, but there is also a vehicle loop that is just as amazing.

Hiked the South Redwood Grove, if you do the loop and the trail to the end it's 6 plus mile hike. Several creeks to cool off in. The Redwood trees are space out. Not too many on the route and the temperature is about 20 degrees cooler than Angels camp. The trails are challenging as there has been a lot of changes due to the wet winter. The Stanislaus river is flowing high and swift but has spots to cool off. Creek on the southern grove trail within 500 feet of the parking lot was perfect to cool off with lower flow and easy access to the water. Remember to bring sunscreen and bottled water.

We stopped on the way down to Yosemite NP, because we heard the Mariposa Grove was closed in Yosemite. The hike through the North Grove was definitely worth it. Plenty of giant trees to marvel at. We saw a couple woodpeckers and some deer crossed the trail in front of us. Unfortunately we only had a few hours and couldn't explore any deeper into the park.

We were going to go back to see the Giant Sequoias in Yosemite but were told about Big Trees. What a fabulous park. No crowds ,easy access and great hike options.

We were in Yosemite and had a red-eye out of San Francisco in the evening. We decided we would try to see both these parks on the same day.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park was having a family fun day. I was not thrilled to find this info, but I had found it in advance so I was not surprised. This was our day to do this so we hoped there would be some good points for us...we don't have young children. The fun day really wasn't an issue except we had to be shuttled over from a lot across the road which lost us a few precious minutes. We quickly got our 50 cent guide and headed out to the North Trail. It is FANTASTIC and the guide makes it interesting as well. It would have been nice without all the extra families but it's not like we were shoulder-to-shoulder or anything. We probably spent just under 1.5 hours doing the loop there. We took advantage of the food vendor on site for the event and quickly looked at the interpretive center and shop. Very nice. Admission is $10 a car.

We tried to get info about the best/fastest route to Muir Woods but that was kind of fruitless so we just went with what googlemaps suggested and made it in almost exactly 4 hours.

This was a Saturday so this was actually the best plan to visit Muir Woods, when everyone else was leaving. There were still plenty of people but we got a spot in the second lot and not a mile away. As we walked through the first lot, I noticed the bus spots are open for car parking after a certain time...5:00 maybe. We could have parked there right by the entrance! Oh well.

We also bought a guide for this park but realized it was not about individual specimens for the most part but kind of a generic flora and fauna thing. It is a nice park and the trees are tall and fabulous but we all agreed that Calaveras sequoias were much more interesting. The admission to Muir Woods is also $10 each, four times what admission is at Calaveras. Even on Saturday night just before "closing," Muir was busy and not peaceful. It would be advised to try a weeknight, early morning, or off season time for a more tranquil visit with the redwoods.

The main shop is great and there is a café there. There is also a small bookshop right at the entrance that is also nice.

So an amazing day and an interesting comparison between these two tree parks...the biggest trees and the tallest trees. My gut said we'd enjoy Calaveras more and I was right. Muir Woods is also lovely, but if you have to choose, go for Calaveras.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park is amazing and beautiful. I have visited with my family during every season. There are paths that are accessible and some that will require snowshoes. The creek and river are both amazing. I have stayed many nights in the lower Campground. The visitor center is top notch. Oh, and did I mention Giant Sequoia?

We stopped off here en route to Yosemite from San Francisco....and totally worth it!!! Stopped off first in the visitor centre/gift shop to get some information on where to see the really big trees. Incredibly friendly and helpful staff recommended a short trail that takes in the big old trees (we bought a cheap guide that gave us some information about what we were seeing) including one that has a hole cut out of the base of it and the whole family got to stand in it. A real treat to be able to see trees this huge.

My family and I visited this park for a two day camping trip from our home in the SF Bay Area. This was our first time camping here/seeing the park and although the reviews were excellent, we really had no idea what to expect.
Our campsite was in the North Grove Campground which is one of two main campgrounds in this park (there is also a group campground and a some hike in sites from what I understand). The North Grove Campground is the first campground you get to when you enter the park and nearest to the Visitor Center and the North Grove Trail (a 1.5 mile shaded, easy "hike" through spectacular sequoias). The campsites at this campground are laid out in a loop around a field with a boardwalk that runs through the center. The loop is perfect for kids to ride their bikes, scooter, etc., There are trees galore in this campground which is so nice because they provide so much shade! We had a FANTASTIC campsite at the end of the loop, #43, which was set back away from the loop road. Full disclosure- this campsite backs up to the forest and is supposedly more prone to having black bears visit over night. We took this seriously and always locked up our food and toiletries in the provided bear box, and we never had a problem.
This seemed to be a very family friendly campground, with quiet hours respected. The North Grove Trail is perfect for kids and there are spectacular trees to see, climb on, walk into and of course photograph. We did hike this trail, but also ventured on to the South Grove Trail and Bradley Grove Trail. These trails are in the park, but if you are camping at North Grove, you will need to drive about 8 miles (past the Oak Hollow Campground) to the trail head. The South Grove Trail is a moderate hike and about 5 miles long (a loop). You can continue your hike from there and do the 1.5 mile Bradley Grove Trail, which is a little more strenuous and the trail is not as well maintained. The Bradley Grove Trail ends up at Beaver Creek, which is an outing in itself. It has a beach and is great for picnicing and playing in the water with rafts, etc., You will park in the same lot you park at for the South Grove/Bradley Grove Trail and follow the signs to walk down to Beaver Creek.
We only had two days to enjoy the park but we will DEFINITELY be back!

Calaveras Big Trees is an absolute must visit to this very old growth redwood forest. The trees are so tall, and wide at there base. The walk is easy, and you are able to get so close to these magnificent redwood trees. Will definitely come back and visit this excellent CA State Park. The park is visited by couples, families, tourist from around the world, and Seniors.

Calaveras Big Trees is a fantastic place to spend the day with the family. It has many trails with different fitness levels. The North Grove Trail is awe inspiring with its many Giant Sequoias. Markers along the way coincide with the trail guide and make learning about these giants a fun and enjoyable experience. Stop by the visitors center and talk to the people in there. So much knowledge!

It was a beautiful day to visit the park. The giant redwoods are such a treasure and very few places left to see them. Trails were well marked. Educational programs available and only 10 min from Arnold CA where we were staying.

Our stay was Sunday through Saturday in August. This campground is down a ways from the park entrance so it’s very secluded and quiet. Filtered light throughout the day kept campground fairly cool even though temperatures in town were high 80s and 90s. Yellow jackets were definitely a problem and were persistent when you had food or were cooking. My friend made a trap using tuna water and that worked extremely well. I think she may have trapped the entire hive which was located at site 94. Bring a splatter screen or lid when cooking to avoid getting them in your food. We had a screen room without a floor (Walmart) that we popped over the picnic table. That helped too. You are camping under a canopy of trees so sap gets everywhere, including stuck to your shoes. There are two Showers/Bathrooms in this loop. The lower ones are newer and are single rooms for toilets and quarter operated showers. The plus side is privacy, the downside is you can’t adjust the temperature of showers. On/Off are the only options. I was also attacked by bees there. The upper bathrooms are dorm style with several toilets and showers at the end. One was broken, but the other worked well and I could control temperature. I actually preferred that shower. Tip: you can get quarters from the welcome center! Our two sites (93/94) were perfect for families traveling together because they are separated significantly from other sites and are flat and open in between. If you need a third site, I’d go with 92. There is a water spicket with threads right in front of #93 so you can easily hook up your hose and fill up your RV/Trailer. Short drive down to the Stanislaus River. Beautiful rapids but water was very cold. Water moves too fast to swim but there are are spots to wade.Tried to fish, no nibbles there. For swimming go down further to the South Grove parking lot and take the very short and easy walk to Beaver Creek. We took the guided ranger tour of North Grove because we wanted a little more information on the different flora and fauna in the park. Shout out to Vaughn!! Otherwise you can grab a brochure at the welcome center which will tell you about the different trees. Lake Alpine is 30 minutes from the park. Great excursion for boating, fishing, and swimming. It’s beautiful up there. We hiked the South Grove to see the largest tree in the park, the Agassiz Tree. The tree is immense and worth the hike. It’s just under 5 miles total (out/back hike) but is fairly easy. There is a bit of elevation at the beginning but flattens out. It’s very shady but don’t forget lots of water. We were lucky enough to be there for Astronomy night. Definitely check that out if you're around. Very knowledgeable and friendly people happy to share the sky with you. Tip: You can buy ice at the park entrance.

My boyfriend and I are flatlander ohioans and laughed at ourselves all the way to the snow shoe and equipment renting shop after we thought we could handle hiking in the snow in March on these mountain trails in our boots haha. Had great fun and took the easy trails, cant wait to go back some day with our sun when its nicer.

The very very few bad reviews had one thing in common. No planning. Get the book for fifty cents. You can even borrow one for free (give it back later). The numbered posts are clearly explained in the book. Another asked "where are the sequoias?" Yikes! If you drop by the gift shop you can see photos of them. Outside is a clear presentation of the various trees in the forest.

Follow the trail. Get an insight of the history of the area, how 19th century settlers took advantage of the trees, learn about the Miwok and other Native American tribes that once knew the area.

The little book was quite handy. I ran into more Sequoia redwoods than I care to recall right now. But those are big honking trees! Nice trail, about half of it is a wooden, boarded path. There are the occasional panels but the book is your friend. Read it and learn.

The path leads on about one mile, slow and steady takes about an hour. Fascinating trip into the history of the area as we look at some of the longest living things on this earth, over 3000 years old in some cases.

Recommended, but listen -- go in the Fall when it's cooler and read your blessed little booklet! Check out the mini museum back of the visitor center. Enjoy!

I spent the day at Claveras Big Trees State Park yesterday - hiked both the South and North Grove trails - absolutely fabulous! Loves the South Grove trail better as is feels more like a natural forest - the North Grove's sequoias are very evident and majestic for sure, but the surprises around each corner were stunning!

This is one of our favorite places to view Giant Sequoias in California. There are more Sequoias here than Yosemite National Park, and the Mariposa grove there has been closed for over a year. Highly recommend hiking the 5 mile trail in the south grove, in which there is only a 68 foot elevation gain. Really beautiful in early May when the dogwoods are blooming, or the middle of October when the dogwoods are brilliant red and gold. Not crowded like the groves south of the Kings River.

Really enjoyed our walk amongst the big trees. We learned so much that day. What a true natural beauty.

I've been going here for about 40 years and it never gets old. A simple mile plus hike shows you things your can't believe. Majestic and clean with a fun NA beverage at the end!

Amazing trees so wide photos do not do them justice. Trees are 800 to 3,000 years old. ALL ages would love this place, easy walk among the forest or a longer one for the more fit. Don't come to this area without seeing these trees.

My teenage son and I visited the park this Memorial weekend ( Saturday). The drive from Elk Grove to the park entrance was quite easy and pleasant as the traffic was light. It took a little less than 2 hrs.

We hiked around the North Grove for an hour plus, just long enough to see all the major points/ trees. Unfortunately the Pioneer Cabin tree was no longer standing. We paid our tribute to the iconic tree by snapping a few photos of what is left of it. The visitor was clean and nice. Lots of souvenirs to buy if you are into that. After the hike we found a bench and ate our sandwiches and snacks.

The North Grove is quite family friendly and easy to get around for families with older folks and toddlers and even strollers.

After a few minutes of rest we drove to the South Grove. It is about 9 miles from the North Grove. It is not easy to spot the sign that points to the South Grove trail head. Pay Attention to the odometer and when it gets close to 9 miles you have to make a slight right turn into the trail head parking lot.

The South Grove trail is more challenging, more ups and down. The trail loop from the parking lot to the Agassiz Tree and back to the lot is about 5 miles or so as I was told. Our intention was to see the Agassiz tree. The trail was way less crowded than the North Grove trail. We were able to walk pretty fast. The Agassiz tree is impressive and huge. What a beautiful tree indeed. We spent a few minutes there to soak in the view and admire its majestic beauty. Then it was time to hike back. The total time we spent at the South Grove was about 2.5 hours. If you prefer to walk or hike more leisurely it might take you a bit longer.

All in all we had a wonderful time. The forest was so majestic. The feeling of being surrounded by huge sequioa trees was indescribable. Since the trail was not crowded, my son and I were literally there by ourselves in the forest most of the time, that was awesome.

If you are wondering about this park, don't. Just get in your car and go. You will enjoy the park for sure.

Excellent way to view these special trees if you have mobility problems as it is a flat pathway all the way round. Good way to see these trees especially whilst the Mariposa grove at Yosemite is closed. We arrived in time for the free 1pm tour of the North Grove. I would recommend this or download the self guided tour as the stories behind the trees are fascinating. Nice souvenir shop but no cafe or restaurant so take a picnic.

We visited this past weekend for a day trip to get some fresh air. I can't believe this place is only 1hr 45minutes from my home and I had not been here before? The sequoia's were so beautiful, follow the trail to find one beautiful tree after another :) There were nice bathrooms throughout the park, numerous trails, picnic tables surrounding and a gorgeous meadow the sun beamed over. I will be back!

Wonderful place that isn't as popular during summer as Yosemite but equally nice. Some great trees gives this place more shade from the summer heat.

Our second tent camping trip with kids (ages 12 and 15) to the North Grove campground. Great camp site (#66). Not much shade during mid-day, but great view of stars at night! The campsites on either side of us were handicap-friendly, relatively flat and shady, with fresh water taps. Easy access to clean bathrooms and boardwalk over a lovely meadow. Lots of family-friendly hiking paths and gorgeous sequoias. Watch out for crows, blue jays and squirrels stealing food off your picnic tables during the day--store everything that smells inside the bear boxes! There's a major highway nearby with construction during the day, but the campground was very quiet at night. Junior ranger program for younger kids, but still plenty to do for older kids (hiking, bicycling, exploring, etc.)

We visited Calaveras Big Trees during our stay in the Sierra Nevadas. It was fun to walk around on the trails and view the enormous trees! It was very peaceful. You could spend a full day here to see all parts of the park. We spent a half day and only stayed in the North Grove. It was a great time!

We hiked the North Grove Trail through the majestic giants of both Redwoods and Sequoia trees. It was about a 1.67 mile hike but mostly flat and lots of shade provided by the trees. It was lovely. At one point they even had a reclining bench which you could sit on to gaze up at the “big trees”. Loved it.

To see these majestic trees is to have mixed emotions...they’ve taken hundreds of years to reach this size, and although these ones are now safe they’re a precious few of what was and man has destroyed. While you walk and admire make a silent promise to make your own footsteps on the earth as light and loving as you can, for the sake of future generations

Easy walk among true giants. Relaxing. Beautiful. The paths are wide, well kept, and well marked. The self-guide pamphlet is excellent. The rangers on site are a great source of information. If you are lucky, you will meet ranger Teddie! Restrooms, snacks, and gift shop near the parking area.

Famous old park that remains in good condition with a lot of space, places to go and see, and filled with wildlife. The road construction is basically done, and it is easy to get to this park which sits four miles East of Arnold where you can stop at the Big Tree market and get great sandwiches and drinks for your hike. The main road goes almost straight down toward the river, and it is possible to get off the road, park and start hiking. Take a hat or coat as it can get cold. Beautiful trees.

The sequoia's at Calaveras are actually a bigger grove than the trees in Yosemite at Mariposa. Its well worth the drive to see them in all there glory. We visited the north grove and had a lovely walk around the 1.5 mile loop. To get up close to the huge stately trees is a very humbling experience. its hard to explain but they seem to calm the nerves and give you peace. As John Muir said about the sequoia's - i know none better than those at Calaveras. Thats says it all.

This park is awesome! The North Grove Trail is very relaxing and scenic with groomed walkways. It can get fairly busy in the summer time. The South Grove Trail is more of a hiking trail with outstanding scenery. It is more strenuous, but worth the effort. The park has a nice
interpretive center and gift shop. You can even buy starter Giant Sequoias trees! In the winter, guests can enjoy hot chocolate and cider in front of a blazing fire in the warming hut! Trails may close during the snowy season. It’s truly an amazing place!

Did just under 3 miles w clamps ons , the trees were fantastic …nicely groomed, good bathrooms , gentle little streams/ boardwalks and bridges … mostly flat w some more elevation on the longer trials . but get there before 11am cause it got so busy w sledding families .. line to pay the ranger station..an cars lined up waiting for us to leave . Love to go back in summer .

The trees are majestic and wonderful. Be aware the park is crowded, at least on popular trails. We were surprised to find the park rangers indifferent and not engaging with guests.

We had gone to Angels Camp for the County Fair and Frog Jumping Jubilee in May. We asked what else was in Calaveras County to see beside the Fair, the town and the caverns nearby. It was suggested we drive out to the Big Tree State Park as it was well worth the drive and the fee. We were surprised to see this gem of a tourist attraction that is often overlooked by visitors to the Yosemite area. The trees are magnificent, the trails well maintained and the scenery extremely beautiful. The highlight of the Park is the Discovery Tree stump. The tree was cut down in 1852 and sent off to be exhibited as "The World's Largest Tree". After being displayed in San Francisco and New York it was destroyed in a dock fire while awaiting shipment to Europe. The stump could easily seat a dinner party of 24 and is all that remains of a 2000 year old giant sequoia. Biut many other trees are still there to be viewed and enjoyed. There also is a well kept campgrounds for people who are into that activity.

Wonderful for all ages. East access with well maintained path. Truly a natural spectacular! Oldest living types of living organisms on the planet. Kids had a blast. Parents did to! Lots of pictures. Well marked map with descriptions of each tree in the grove. An easy 1.5 mile hike that you should not miss!

Enjoyed a beautiful Fall walk through Big Trees State Park. Trails are easy to navigate, plenty of rest facilities, and incredible Sequoia and Pine trees. This weekend s a great place to experience the beauty of nature.

Beautiful park.

If you are into hiking and able to do a bit of walking I recommend the South Grove. It is 8.2 miles from the visitor center, not crowded, and a relatively easy 5 miles hike.

Make sure you have water, snacks and dress in layers for changing temperatures.

Long drive but well worth it.

Great trails leading thru the groves of Giant Sequoia trees. Numerous trees, some in groupings and others standing by themselves and some of the giant trees have fallen. Wonderful place,