Stanislaus National Forest, CA

Travel Guide

Leaving Yosemite and headed for Highway 1! We kept seeing these beautiful vista's and we were near Buck Meadows, so we pulled in there in time to see a small herd of elk! Yosemite Valley, California, USA An awesome road trip in 2016! #America #nature #park #outdoors #California #roadtrip #travel #blue #sky #landscape #mountains #valley #vista
Leaving Yosemite and headed for Highway 1! We kept seeing these beautiful vista's and we were near Buck Meadows, so we pulled in there in time to see a small herd of elk! Yosemite Valley, California, USA An awesome road trip in 2016! #America #nature #park #outdoors #California #roadtrip #travel #blue #sky #landscape #mountains #valley #vista
Yosemite Valley, California, USA An awesome road trip in 2016! #america #nature #park #California #roadtrip #bluesky #landscape #mountains #valley
Calaveras Big Trees CA State Park protects 2 groves of giant sequoia trees that are 300 ft tall with 25 foot diameter trunks. The giant trees were discovered in 1852. The location first gained notoriety from a sequoia called the Discovery Tree that was cut down in 1853 and 24 foot diameter sections were shipped and exhibited in San Francisco, Cape Horn, and New York City. It was originally 363 feet tall, but now is only a 3' platform base where it originally stood. The posted picture was our hike through the South Grove area (a 3 mile hike with scattered Giant Trees). The colors and spring undergrowth of the forest was so green and vibrant. The beauty was unexpected and we plan to return in the Autumn when the undergrowth is changing colors. #GreatOutdoors #Nature
The Stump is what once was a Giant Sequoia tree that gained publicity in 1852 when mentioned by Augustus Dowd. The Discovery Tree fell on June 27, 1853. It took 3 weeks to cut down the Discovery Tree. Pump augers and chisels were used to cut it down, as no saw was large enough for the project. Discovery Tree measured 24 feet in diameter at its base, was 363 feet tall, and was determined by ring count to be 1,244 years old when felled. #LikeALocal

After you've finished checking out this Central Interior California dense growth of trees, there are plenty of other things to keep you on the go in this area. Many visitors head to Calaveras South Grove Nature Preserve next. It's easy to get to from Stanislaus National Forest.

The Annual Vacation Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.
Book now

Where to stay in Stanislaus National Forest

Default Image

Tamarack

While there might not be top attractions in Tamarack, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Bear Valley Cross Country and Adventure Company and Bear Valley Ski.

Tamarack
See our Where To Stay guide
Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite

Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite

4 out of 5
34001 Highway 120 Groveland CA
$221 nightly
The price is $248 total per night from Mar 12 to Mar 13
$248 total
Mar 12 - Mar 13
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Groveland. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,000 reviews)
Everything about this place is perfect. Staff was great. Clean rooms. Easily accessible facilities. On site restaurant was delicious.

Reviewed on Mar 2, 2026

Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite
Evergreen Lodge Yosemite

Evergreen Lodge Yosemite

3.5 out of 5
33160 Evergreen Rd Groveland CA
$157 nightly
The price is $177 total per night from Mar 26 to Mar 27
$177 total
Mar 26 - Mar 27
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this family-friendly hotel in Groveland. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,008 reviews)
The property was great definitely going to come back

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2026

Evergreen Lodge Yosemite
Yosemite Westgate Lodge

Yosemite Westgate Lodge

3 out of 5
7633 State Highway 120 Groveland CA
$115 nightly
The price is $131 total per night from Mar 22 to Mar 23
$131 total
Mar 22 - Mar 23
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Groveland. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an area shuttle (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
Everything was exactly as described. Staff was friendly.

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2026

Yosemite Westgate Lodge
See all 756 properties in Stanislaus National Forest
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Double Decker Cabin Retreat – Peaceful Getaway in Arnold

Double Decker Cabin Retreat – Peaceful Getaway in Arnold

Arnold CA
Stay at this cabin in Arnold. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Sequoia Woods Country Club and Golf Course and Arnold Rim ...
10/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
Post were excellent communicators very nice house was beautiful. Plenty of wood to last us during the trip no issues at all very clean. I love it. It’s stocked with coffee, coffee maker air fryer. And a few seasonings tinfoil. Very happy for a trip and I love how the bedroom downstairs have bunkbeds ...

Reviewed on Feb 14, 2026

Double Decker Cabin Retreat – Peaceful Getaway in Arnold
Riverfront House 5 miles to Yosemite! THE closest to the Hwy 120 gate. 3 bdrm AC

Riverfront House 5 miles to Yosemite! THE closest to the Hwy 120 gate. 3 bdrm AC

Groveland CA
Stay at this vacation home in Groveland. Enjoy a fitness center, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Big Oak Flat Information Center and Yosemite ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
Yes, good wi-fi service. The riverfront is easily accessible. Nice hikes around the area. Close to Hetch-Hetchy Reservoir and Yosemite.

Reviewed on Oct 22, 2025

Riverfront House 5 miles to Yosemite! THE closest to the Hwy 120 gate. 3 bdrm AC
Red Viking in Arnold Blue Lake Springs facilities access no contact check in

Red Viking in Arnold Blue Lake Springs facilities access no contact check in

Arnold CA
Stay at this vacation home in Arnold. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and patios. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
10/10 Exceptional! (155 reviews)
The host was accommodating and the place was clean and adorable.

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2026

Red Viking in Arnold Blue Lake Springs facilities access no contact check in
See all properties in Stanislaus National Forest
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Yosemite valley and Merced river view from Big Oak Flat road Yosemite National Park, Mariposa county, California, USA

Yosemite Big Oak Flat Entrance

Enjoy the mountain views and explore Yosemite Big Oak Flat Entrance, a lovely green space in Groveland. Amble around the area's riverfront or seek out the hiking trails.

Yosemite Big Oak Flat Entrance
Beauty in the trees! Just look around it's everywhere, you just need to look for it.

Dodge Ridge Ski Resort

Hit the slopes in Pinecrest with a visit to Dodge Ridge Ski Resort. Wander the riverfront in this family-friendly area.

Dodge Ridge Ski Resort
Pinecrest Lake Panorama, Pinecrest, CA - Stanislaus National Forest

Pinecrest Lake

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Pinecrest Lake during your travels in Pinecrest. Wander the riverfront in this family-friendly area.

Pinecrest Lake
Beautiful winter mountain landscape, Bear Valley, California

Bear Valley Ski

Hit the slopes at Bear Valley Ski during your trip to Arnold. Discover the mountain views while you're in the area.

Bear Valley Ski
Early Morning View of Lake Alpine, Arnold, California

Lake Alpine

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Lake Alpine during your travels in Arnold. Experience the area's musical theater and festivals.

Lake Alpine
0_E007745

Sierra Nevada Logging Museum

You can spend time studying the exhibits at Sierra Nevada Logging Museum during your travels in Arnold. You can seek out the golf courses and ski slopes in this relaxing area.

Sierra Nevada Logging Museum

Cities near Stanislaus National Forest

Beautiful waterfall seen off the Sonora Pass, California State Route 108, Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Sonora

Mariposa which includes tranquil scenes and mountains

Mariposa

Arnold, California A perfect winter day

Arnold

Beautiful Saint Annes Catholic Church building of Columbia State Historic Park

Columbia