Calaveras Big Trees State Park Day Tour

Experience Gold Rush History of the Motherload in a driving tour along Tuolumne and Calaveras County. Take in some of California’s amazing natural wonders and the southern Gold Rush towns of Sonora, Angel's Camp, Murphy's, and Arnold.

While traveling through Sonora on this guided driving and walking tour, you’ll hear the stories of some of the era’s most headstrong miners, including some who caught gold rush fever in the wild wild west.

While touring, you will see the New Melones Reservoir and where the old town of Melones was submerged under water after the Stanislaus River was dammed. Learn about the volcanic lava flow that followed the river and solidified which is now a basalt rock formation called Table Mountain.

Pass by Gold Rush Town of Angels Camp and learn about how Mark Twain and Bret Harte's friendship occurred in this area including how the non-native Bull Frog Jump Jubilee began.

Pass through the town of Murphy's, a former gold mining settlement. The main street today is lined with over two dozen wine tasting rooms and surrounded by local vineyards. Nearby attractions include Bear Valley Ski Resort and historic Mercer Caverns.

We will pass through the town of Arnold a mountain sports haven which is surrounded by a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, bicycling, off-road adventures, golf, fishing, and first-rate winter recreation. It is home to fine dining, historic lodging and unique boutique shopping.

The town of Arnold’s biggest claim to fame is Calaveras Big Trees State Park, the place giant sequoia trees were first discovered in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The beautiful park gives up-close views of these majestic trees on easily navigable trail systems. Enjoy the nearly level North Grove year-round, or the more wilderness hiking experience of the South Grove. During this tour we will stop and walk among these majestic trees and visit the Visitor Center.

While touring, you will see the Stanislaus River and learn about Parrott,s Ferry during the Gold Rush.

The tour takes you through well-preserved western streets at Columbia State Historic Park where you can experience the sights and sounds of a working gold rush town and you may come back later try gold panning or take a ride on the stagecoach.