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Giant Sequoia Tree at Calaveras Big Trees State Park

Plan a Big Trees Campout

Information about Calaveras Big Trees State Park and area events...

View Calaveras & Tuolumne Area Events for 2008

Calaveras Big Trees State Park is open for camping beginning March 1, 2008. As of 2-27-08, there is about three feet of snow on the ground. Drinking water is not available in the campground. [Visit website for current conditions.]

Calaveras Big Trees State Park, is located northeast of Stockton, California on the Highway 4 corridor. The giant sequoias are a not-to-be-missed experience — these are the biggest trees on earth! You'll also be able to swim, raft, go birdwatching, hike, ride your bike, or just sit back and enjoy the incredible beauty of this park.

Bear-proof lockers are provided and all regulations are strictly enforced by the park service for the safety of all. Detailed information on ways to minimize wildlife contact will be distributed to all campers by the forest rangers.

You can travel the world over and find few natural wonders to rival the majestic beauty of the Giant Sequoias located in Calaveras Big Trees State Park, approximately four miles above Arnold on Highway 4. These magnificent trees range in size to 325 feet in height, 24 feet in diameter and are believed to be up to 2,000 years old.

The Park is comprised of over 6,000 acres, which includes both the North and South Groves of Big Trees as well as the Stanislaus River. The North Grove's 1½ mile loop trail, is a moderate walk which leads you through a these gentle giants in a forested maze of beauty and tranquility. Those interested in viewing these giants in a more primitive setting can choose to visit the larger South Grove. The self-guided four-mile trail winds through this virtually untouched grove of Giant Sequoias.

The Park is open year-round and offers a multitude of picnic areas, over 120 campsites, miles of hiking trails and a visitor center. Nightly campfires are offered daily during the summer months. Other activities consist of guided nature walks, stream ecology, Junior Ranger Program sand many other events.

Many of the programs are lead by trained volunteers or docents. Most of these docents live in the surrounding area and are very knowledgeable about the natural and cultural history of the area, as well as events which take place along the Highway 4 corridor. Be sure to stop at the local Ranger Station and pick up a copy of the Stanislaus Traveler, a visitor's guide to the Stanislaus National Forest.

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Mother Lode & Big Trees Area Calendar of Events and Attractions:

Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee

May 14th - 18th, 2008 — The Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee has a rich heritage dating back to the 1800's. In the early Gold Mining Days, the Mother Lode Country was very prosperous. Samuel Clemens regularly made the trip from San Francisco to a small mountain cabin near Angels Camp. It was during one of Mr. Clemens' trips that he heard a tale that inspired his first published work, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," written in 1865 using his pen name, "Mark Twain."

Come for the fun at the 80th Annual Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee! This "Old-Fashion County Fair" features exhibits, entertainment, rodeo, horse events, livestock exhibits, the best little carnival in the west and of course, the famous frog jumping contest. Call (209) 736-2561 for details.

Fifth Annual Happy Paws Dog Walk

Saturday, May 17, 2008 - Held in Tuolumne City, CA. Sponsored by Therapy Dogs of the Sierra with proceeds going to Humane Society of Tuolumne County, Friends of Animal Control (FOAC) & Rose Wolf Wildlife and Rehab Center. Have some fun and support your local animal centers.

Movies & Concert In The Pines 2008

June - August, 2008 - Movies & Concerts are held each weekend during the summer months "In The Pines," a local tradition, providing the best of local entertainment fun for the entire family. Free Admission for everyone.

Mountain Growers Farmers Market

June - October, 2006 - Sundays May to October from 10 a.m until 2:00 p.m. at Cedar Center in Arnold. The Mountain Growers Farmers Market is the only Farmers Market in Calaveras County. It started 13 years ago with the vision to create a local venue for local farmers practicing sustainable agriculture to sell their products. You will find a vast array of in-season produce, including heirloom tomatoes, melons, salad greens, potatoes, green beans, squash, basil, cucumbers, blueberries, peaches, apples, honey and many more!

The Mirror Project

The "Mirror Project" is an intensive Shakespearean training and performance experience for students ages 9-16. The program takes place each year during the month of July, concurrent with the run of MCT's summer Theatre Under the Stars festival. Core classes include Acting, Shakespeare, Voice and Movement, and Audition Techniques.

17th Annual Music in the Parks

June 18 - August 20, 2008 - Every consecutive Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Free "Music in the Parks", presented by the Calaveras County Arts Council. Bring your picnic basket and enjoy the open air concerts held throughout the county. Call (209) 754-1774 to find out the town park and the performers at each concert.

40th Anniversary Bear Valley Music Festival

July 26 - August 10, 2008 - The Bear Valley Music Festival offers a full symphony orchestra, international soloists, legendary entertainers, and renowned opera stars in a unique mountain setting. The Festival offers an outdoor musical experience while under the shade of a large 1250 seat tent. For additional information and tickets, contact (209) 753-2574.

Young Musicians Camp 2008

August 3rd - 9th, 2008 - Aspiring musicians can participate in the Festival, broaden their skills, and work with professional musicians while forming new friendships. The Bear Valley Young Musicians Camp is held at Lake Alpine, just four miles from Bear Valley. It is a unique opportunity for music students, ages 11-17. Members of the Symphony and festival performers mentor, teach and play with the young musicians in a week long camp experience.

Meals, accommodations, lessons, and plenty of fun activities are included. Cost is $995 ($100 deposit due at time of registration) which includes the reservation fee. Contact the Festival office for more information at (209) 753-2574 or (925) 672-8734 or toll free at (800) 458-1618 or E-mail Bear Valley Music. Scholarships are available.

Family Day at Calaveras Big Trees State Park

August 16, 2008 - From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm enjoy family activities. This is a day of celebration and fun-filled activities amongst the Giant Sequoias. The eventful day includes nature crafts, live birds of prey, butterfly talks, Miwok demonstrations, story-telling, Smokey the Bear, fly fishing demonstrations, carriage rides, music, "Cocked Hat Bowling" and much more!

Arts of Bear Valley will present their annual Art Show from Family Day through September 5th. Family Day is sponsored by the Calaveras Big Trees Association and Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Plan to be there for a day of fun and learning. Free with park entrance admission fee of $6 per car or ride the free shuttle from Chapel in the Pines in Arnold to the Park and back from 10am-4:30pm. For more information, please call (209) 795-3840.

Sierra Nevada Logging Museum

13th Annual Logging Jamboree — Labor Day Weekend. Two-days of fun filled festivities; watch working loggers tossing axes, wrestling two-man saws, and ripping through logs with roaring chainsaws. Tours of the museum and the 1920 Shay steam locomotive are on tap as well as new events that may involve you in the jamboree's logging competition. [More Events]

Cedar Center Arts & Crafts Festival

August 30, 2008 - Come join the fun at the annual Cedar Center Arts & Crafts Festival. Food, beverages and entertainment throghout the day. For more information, contact Kim at (925) 372-8961.
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Local Event Calendars

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More Local Attractions

Calaveras Big Trees Association

Calaveras Big Trees Association is a non-profit organization, created in 1974 to assist and support the interpretation and environmental education programs at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. For additional information contact docent coordinator at (209) 795-7980.

Calaveras Big Trees Association Gift Shop

The following items are available at the gift shop.

Item Price
Park Brochure $1.00
North Grove Trail Guide $0.50
South Grove Trail Guide $0.50
California State Park Map $3.00
Bicycling Guide $1.00
Lava Bluffs Trail Guide $0.50
Birds of CB & SP $0.25
Map & Story of the South Grove $5.00
Bradley Trail Guide Free
Enduring Giants (Book) $11.75

This shop makes available a variety of educational items as well as other high quality items designed for you to remember your trip to the park. Items such as books, postcards, identification guides, walking sticks, hats, sweaters, trail guides and maps can be acquired at the Visitor center Gift Shop.

Sierra Nevada Logging Museum

The Sierra Nevada Logging Museum on Dunbar Road, located in White Pines on the historic site of the Blagen Sawmill's workers homes, is a high-quality, regional facility totally devoted to displaying and interpreting the history of logging and lumbering throughout the entire Sierra Nevada region. Construction of the 2,750 square foortexhibit building began in fall 2000. Other amenities include a picnic area by the lake and interpretive trails highlighting large outdoor equipment. Visit the temporary museum across the street, on the campus of Hazel Fischer Elementary School, open Saturdays.

Mercer Caverns - Murphy's, CA

October 1 to Memorial Day weekend
Open every day from 10:00 a.m. to last tour 4:30 p.m.

Memorial Day Weekend through September
Sunday through Thursday Open 9:00 am to last tour at 5:00 pm
Friday & Saturday Open 9:00 am to last tour at 6:00 pm
Mercer Caverns is located in Calaveras County just outside Murphys, California.
Regular admission is $12.00 for adults and $7.00 for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years.
Group rates available for groups of 10 or more people.
Photo's taken at Mercer Caverns

Angels Camp Museum & Carriage House

753 South Main Street
Angels Camp, CA 95222
Phone: (209)736-2963
Three Acres of History - There are artifacts placed all around the museum grounds, for your outdoor viewing pleasure, such as two steam traction engines, and a Pelton water wheel with its associated generator. March through December - 7 Days a week 10 am to 3 pm. School Rates Available

Historic Landmarks

Updated: March 2, 2008