North Fork Stanislaus

Accommodations

Hotels and B&B's

Dunbar House B&B:
Murphys, (209) 728-2897

Set in historic Gold Rush countryside, the Dunbar House 1880 offers 5 guest rooms each adorned with French and English antiques. Each room also contains a Norwegian fireplace for additional warmth, luxurious bed linens, and down comforters and pillows. Other amenities include TV, telephone, hair dryer, and herbal toiletries. Guests can also enjoy a candlelight gourmet breakfast in the dining room or outside in the century-old garden. About 25 minutes from AO meet place.

Murphys Historic Hotel:
Murphys, (209) 728-3444 or (800) 532-7684

Originally built in the summer of 1856, this registered National Historic Landmark offers guests a chance to take a step back in time. It has 9 guest rooms located in the original historic building, and 20 rooms located in its modern lodge adjacent to the hotel. The historic hotel rooms are furnished with authentic period antiques, and to keep with the historic ambience they do not contain televisions or phones. The modern rooms still maintain the historic theme and amenities include television, phone, alarm clock, and coffeemaker. Guests can also enjoy the historic restaurant and saloon on the grounds and close proximity to the downtown theater and shops. 25 minutes from the AO meet place.

Timberline Lodge:
Arnold, (209) 795-1053

Only 5 minutes from the AO meet place, this lodge offers affordable quality and rustic charm. Each room is uniquely different and includes a private bathroom, phone, television, and air conditioning. Some rooms also include a freestanding gas fireplace. This lodge is centrally located in Arnold and close to nearby restaurants, wine tasting, caverns, or hiking and biking trails.

The Victoria Inn:
Murphys, (209) 728-8933

Located in the historic downtown Murphys and about 25 minutes from the AO meet place, the Victoria Inn’s 13 rooms and suites blend historic charm with luxurious amenities including spa tubs, fireplaces, and balconies. Many local restaurants are within walking distance.

Campgrounds

Calaveras Big Trees State Park:
(209) 795-2334, reservations (800) 444-7275

This beautiful park not only boasts some of the largest trees in the world, the Sierra redwoods, but it also serves as the meet place for our North Stanislaus trips. It offers 129 campsites, 6 picnic areas, and hundreds of miles of established trails.

Golden Pines RV Resort:
Arnold, (209) 795-2820

Located about two miles east of Calaveras Big Trees State Park, this resort offers RV, tent and rental sites. Amenities include restrooms, showers, laundry, swimming pool, playground, recreation hall, and nature trail.

Local Information

Surrounding Attractions

Calaveras Big Trees State Park

The North Fork of the Stanislaus runs through the heart of Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Many of our guests choose to spend an extra day visiting the Park to go hiking on the hundreds of trails it has to offer, and to see the giant sequoias and redwoods in their natural setting. Other activities include cross-country skiing, evening ranger talks, numerous interpretive programs, mountain biking, and bird watching.

Bear Valley

This four-season destination mountain resort area offers unlimited adventure after the snow melts. Located on scenic Hwy 4 at 7,000' on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada, Bear Valley is easy to get to and worth the trip to this beautiful part of the mountains of Central California. Bear Valley's world class winter sports are followed by sensational summers, offering all types of outdoor recreation and adventure, annual music festivals and exciting special events.

Mercer Caverns

Take a tour through this geologic wonder that was discovered in 1885 in Murphys. Located just 30 minutes from the AO meet place the limestone caverns offer 45-minute guided tours on select days of the week.

Ironstone Vineyards

This family owned and operated winery located 25 minutes away from the AO meet place is a beautiful location for wine tasting and a quick bite at their bistro. Look for events and concerts hosted at their amphitheater.

There are many historically interesting sites, quaint towns, beautiful Sierra scenery, and recreational opportunities to be found in this section of Gold Rush Country that you will be visiting for your river trip. Visit Calaveras Visitors Bureau and Visit Tuolumne County for more information.

River Conditions
(Real Time)

Real-time, up to the hour flow information is available for the North Fork Stanislaus on our Updated River Conditions page.

Local Weather

The important thing to remember about the weather in the Sierra Foothills is that it can change on short notice. It is always best to be prepared for any kind of weather situation.

Seasonal patterns do exist. In April and May, days are generally breezy and warm (60-70 degrees). Nights can be in the 50's; generally cooler during the earlier spring trips. The summer months are usually hot and dry (85-100 degrees). Night temperatures can range from the low 60's to the low 70's.

Even though these patterns exist, it is not uncommon to get a 90 degree day in May and a breezy, rainy day in June or July. It is always important to bring sun protection and cold weather gear to the river. You can decide which is most appropriate once you have arrived

For specific questions, contact our Reservations office at (800) 247-2387.