Angels Camp, CA…Calaveras, where we can still play outside in the winter because of our moderate temperatures and central California Gold Rush location! Within an hour of everything, you can ski, hike around a lake, stroll a historic downtown, and take in a round of golf – 18 holes, mini, or disc…the choice is yours! Start the year off right with some really fun and accessible activities for all levels. There is so much to do throughout Calaveras county you can keep playing through January and beyond.

Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your pets! Calaveras welcomes everyone to enjoy all of its natural beauty and incredible outdoor adventure.  Read on for some ideas to get outside and play, plus some important safety tips to remember:

SAFETY FIRST

When heading into the great outdoors, it is really important you follow smart safety protocols as well as bring along appropriate equipment. Winter in the Sierras is a beautiful time, but comes with a different set of rules when enjoying the outdoors. Please follow all these rules provided by State and Federal forest services, Bureau of Land Management, and all law enforcement agencies. They don’t want to have to go looking for you if you get lost in the middle of nowhere.  Check out the US Forest Service’s Know Before You Go page for their recommendations on how to prepare for your wilderness trip. Here’s a partial list of their safety recommendations:

• Before you leave for your wilderness experience, let friends/family know where you’re going and when to expect you back. In case you get lost in the middle of nowhere.
• Check road conditions at https://roads.dot.ca.gov/roadscell.php. Yes, you MUST carry chains in the mountains.
• Park only in designated parking areas.  Snowplows do not stop for parked cars – they just plow right through.
• Bring water and a water container
• Dress in layers for unexpected weather changes – bring head covering, jacket and gloves even in warm weather. Temps drop at night in the mountains.
• Bring a first aid kit and sunscreen
• Keep matches in a waterproof container.
• No internet in the wilderness, so bring a compass and a (paper) map as well as your GPS.
• Bring extra energy food & snacks. But don’t share with the forest residents.
• Pack flashlights and spare batteries
• Having a knife on hand can be a good addition to your safety/emergency kit
• Stay on the trail to avoid getting lost

Now for the fun stuff….

Take a Hike

Calaveras County offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide variety of  hiking trails from gentle rolling foothills strolls to strenuous up country alpine hikes.  Below are some trail maps and/or website links to local hiking and biking. See spectacular mountain vistas, beautiful lakeside views, impressive giant sequoia trees, and incredible varieties of wildlife. Get energized and a fresh perspective by getting outside to play in all the natural beauty around us!

• Find a lakeside trail year round with our Calaveras Lakes Round-Up guide.
• Walk among the giants and visit Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
• Want snow? Look anywhere between Arnold to Bear Valley Mountain. Contact the US Forest Service in Hathaway Pines at 209-795-1381 or call us 7 days a week 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM to find the best destination for your next snowy getaway 209-736-0049.

Arnold Rim Trail: Arnold Rim Trail

Calaveras Big Trees State Park: Calaveras Big Trees State Park: Hiking Trails Overview, North Grove Trail Guide and South Grove Trail Guide

Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail: Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail

Natural Bridges: Natural Bridges

New Melones: United States Bureau of Reclamation’s list and map of 19 trails around New Melones can be found here: New Melones Trail map This map shows Angels Creek Trail, Buck Brush Loop, Carson Creek Trail, Frontier Trail, Gold Rush Trail and Tower Climb, among others.

Sierra Foothills Trails: East Bay Municipal Utility District’s list of trails, permits and other helpful information including details on Cosa Mesa Trails access point, Patti’s Point, Rich Gulch Trail, Middle Bar through Independence Flat: Sierra Foothills Trails | Mokelumne Area Trails

Get in a Game of Golf

Winter is a great time to play golf in Calaveras because of the cooler temperatures, and the crowds are smaller during this time of year. Plus, there are so many levels and golf experiences to be had right here in Calaveras. Choose from The Robert Trent Jones Championship golf course in Angels Camp at the Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort, Copperopolis’ award-winning Golf Club at Copper Valley (one of Golf Week Magazine’s regular top picks), the stunningly beautiful Sequoia Woods Country Club in Arnold, Forest Meadows Golf Course’s beautiful 9-hole course just above Murphys, or Golf Digest darling La Contenta Golf Resort in Valley Springs

And Mini or Disc Golf:

In case you haven’t heard, disc golf is kind of a big deal around here, and we LOVE playing outside at all of our local parks! If you’ve never tried it, give it a shot – it’s harder than it looks and you get a good walk out of it! Plus, most courses are either free or have small park entrance fees. SNAC in Arnold and Murphys are your source for golf discs. Disc Golf is also well represented throughout the county, with courses at Lake Hogan (near Valley Springs), Plug Ugly Disc Golf Course (in San Andreas) and Feeney Park (in Murphys), we have more than a few disc golf courses to choose from. Check our various disc golf courses out side by side and learn more about our higher elevation disc golf courses available in warmer months here.

Did you know Calaveras has its very own mini golf course? Located in Murphys on Tom Bell Road next to El Dorado bank, this fun, 9-holes of mini-golf course is open daily from dawn to dusk.  Just $7 per person for unlimited play. Paying is on an honor system, and note that a portion of all the proceeds go back to local communities, organizations and families in need.  Pay via cash or through one of the various pay apps.  Self-serve equipment is located in the shed on the premises.  For more information check them out on Facebook @murphysminiaturegolf.

Try Going on Horseback!

Trails of 49 Nestled in the historic heart of San Andreas’s Gold Country, this ranch invites you to discover the joy of horseback riding – whether it’s your first time or you’re well-trained, they have a horse and trail for you.

Snowshoe Among the Giants

Snowshoeing through the Calaveras Big Trees is a winter wonderland experience like no other. With gigantic sequoias towering above you and the peaceful forest surrounding you, you won’t even realize the calories melting right off! The park has first come, first serve snowshoes to borrow, or you can easily rent some at Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods or SNAC right in Arnold on your way to the Big Trees.

Ride Your Bike

We all know the health benefits of getting out and riding a bike – strengthen the heart and lungs, reduces stress, and boosts brain power. Calaveras is all about biking whether it’s mountain biking, lakeside biking trails, or just a leisurely tour around town.

Lower elevation Calaveras lake trails are a great spot to sample local mountain biking. Try the easier Angels Creek Trail at New Melones Reservoir, and if you’re in the mood for something more challenging, attempt the 1.2 mile intermediate/difficult The Tower Climb Trail. Download a New Melones trail map here. At New Hogan Lake in Valley Springs, you have miles of bike trails along the lake and Cameron Trail.  Download the biking map here.

The Arnold Rim Trail can be covered in snow on part of the trail this time of year, but watch the weather because it can be an excellent place to ride during a spell of dry weather.  Also, check out mtbproject.com, a site created by mountain biking enthusiasts who have experienced the best trails throughout Calaveras.

When there are mild daytime temps in the foothills, it makes for a great day of road cycling as well.  Looking to connect with other cycling enthusiasts in the area? Contact the Motherlode Bicycle Coalition or check in with Mountain Aloha Mountain Biking Co, Bear Valley Bicycles, Bear Valley Adventure Company, or Mountain Peddler for top notch biking expertise.  Also, check out Ebbetts Pass Roads: Cycling Ebbetts Pass for lots of information about biking in the higher elevations.

Come Back in the Spring & Summer

Rock Climbing & Bouldering

Bear Valley (Calaveras’ neighbor to the east) is home to vast amounts of granite outcroppings perfect for climbing and bouldering.  Check in with California Rock Guides who will be happy to give you a half-day, full-day, or private group training of all the basics.

River Rafting

Raft the North Fork of the Stanislaus with world-renowned OARS based right here in Angels Camp, Calaveras County. This is a local, spring-run, making the timing available only between April and June.  This is a six-mile, 13 named rapid, jaunt that puts in at Sourgrass Recreation Area at Boards Crossing and take out at Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Need a place to stay? Check out our lodging options here! Let us know if you need help planning your next vacation in Calaveras – 209-736-0049 info@gocalaveras.com.

With all of these inspiring ways to get a move on it, what are you waiting for? Let’s get outside and PLAY! And remember to tag us in your photos of moving more! #gocalaveras @gocalaveras.