Calaveras Giants
Hike Among Giant Sequoia Redwoods in Calaveras Big Trees State Park
Contending as some of the tallest, mightiest, and most muscular spectacles in the state are the hulking (and beautiful) trees just twenty minutes up the road from the gold country town of Murphys in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Grab your fleece, a snack, and a bottle of water, then hit the trail for spectacular groves of giant sequoia redwoods.
The most popular trail here is the North Grove, where you can wax wondrous among the trees. To escape the crowded North Grove, go eight miles deeper into the park on Memorial Parkway Road to the South Grove.
It’s a 3.5- to 5-mile round trip (depending on your route; pick up a map on-site in the visitors center or the front building). We recommend a loop hike out to the Agassiz Tree—at 25 feet in diameter and 250 feet tall, it’s the grand giant of these grand giants.
TIP: There are plenty of fire roads in this park as well, ideal for mountain bikers and dog-walking.
BONUS: For California State Parks Week (June 14 - 18, 2023), Calaveras Big Trees State Park is hosting the Fire and the Forest Community Guided Hike (June 16), among other events.
Calaveras Big Trees State Park is about twenty minutes east of Murphys on Highway 4.
