Spectacular giant sequoias

As the story goes, in 1852 a hunter named Augustus T. Dowd wounded a grizzly and chased him into this forest, only to find trees that were three times bigger than any he'd ever seen before. When he returned to civilization, he began spreading the word about the tall, red-barked giants. Today, at 4,800 feet in the central Sierra, Calaveras Big Trees State Park still surprises visitors with its spectacular giant sequoias (also called "Sierra redwoods" or Sequoiadendron giganteum), as well as stately stands of sugar pines, white firs, incense cedars and ponderosa pines. Save the Redwoods League helped establish this park in 1931, and has helped save 2,031 of the approximately 6,500 acres that make up the park.

ACTIVITIES: Hiking, bicycling, bird-watching, picnicking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Trout fishing in the Stanislaus River. Swimming in Beaver Creek. The park also offers interpretive programs for adults and children. Every Saturday, there's a guided hike of the North Grove at 1 p.m. In January, February and March, try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

ACCESSIBLE FEATURES: Visitor center, Jack Knight Hall, campfire center, some picnic areas and restrooms, campsites at North Grove and Oak Hollow, 1 hike-in environmental site and four trails: Three Senses (Braille text), North Grove, Beaver Creek and Stanislaus River.

DOGS: Dogs are not allowed on any of the parks designated trails; near the river or creeks; in the open forest and meadows; or in the environmental campsites. Dogs are allowed on the fire roads, the paved roads, in the regular campgrounds and the day use picnic areas. Dogs must be on a six foot, or shorter, leash at all times and physically under your control. Dogs are not allowed in the cabins.

Comfort dogs are not considered service dogs under current federal guidelines; therefore, comfort dogs are subject to the above information. Service dogs are permitted on the trails, at the river and creeks; in the cabins and environmental sites; and can enjoy the entire park along with their owner.