Calaveras Big Trees Posts South Grove Closure and October Power-Outage Advisory

MURPHYS, Calaveras County — Visitors planning an October trip to Calaveras Big Trees State Park should check access conditions carefully. The park’s official status page currently identifies the South Grove area as closed and warns of a potential public safety power outage October 15–17.

California State Parks says the park itself will remain open during the potential outage period. This does not guarantee that every visitor facility, campground amenity or trail will operate without interruption. Review the park’s live advisories immediately before arriving.

What is open for visiting?

The park preserves two famous groves of giant sequoias, the North and South groves, along Highway 4 northeast of Arnold. While the South Grove closure is posted, the park’s events calendar advertises North Grove guided hikes on October 17, 24 and 31. A listed event should be reconfirmed because conditions or staffing can change.

State Parks lists general day-use access as sunrise to sunset and a standard vehicle day-use charge of $10, with a possible $12 special holiday, weekend or seasonal rate. Pass discounts and camping fees follow separate rules.

Fall also brings prescribed-fire planning

California State Parks and CAL FIRE announced planned prescribed burning at Calaveras Big Trees with work potentially beginning as early as September 30. Prescribed-fire operations are weather-dependent. Smoke or additional temporary restrictions could affect a visit, but a published plan does not prove that a specific burn is occurring on the day someone travels.

Before heading up Highway 4

Check the state park advisories, especially the South Grove notice and power-related service updates.
Review Caltrans QuickMap for Highway 4 conditions and any traffic restrictions.
Confirm the status of guided hikes and campground services before departure.
Keep in mind that State Parks restricts dogs to campgrounds and fire roads rather than grove trails.

The park lists its phone number as 209-795-2334. This report describes posted notices as of October 15; closures and operating conditions may change.

Sources: California State Parks Calaveras Big Trees park advisories, visitor information and event listings, reviewed October 15, 2026.

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