Forest a-frames near Plymouth

Gold panning, bark houses, and marbleized limestone brings history to campers around Plymouth.

100% (45 reviews)

United States
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California
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Plymouth

100% (45 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Plymouth

Top forest a frames sites near plymouth

99%

(61)

Little Arnold A-Frame

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Arnold, CA

Arnold is well-located for a weekend getaway (~2.5 hours from the East Bay and ~3 hours from SF) and as a convenient base for your adventures in the Sierras. If you haven't been to Arnold and Gold Country, there is so much to explore! The cabin is on a small parcel in a quiet neighborhood, removed but close to town. We're just a 5-minute walk to the Arnold Rim Trail (with 30+ miles of hiking), 10-minute drive to Big Trees State Park, 15 minutes to the town of Murphys (great wineries, pubs and dining), 40 minutes to Bear Valley Ski Resort, 10 minutes to White Pines Lake, 45 minutes to Lake Alpine. We’re happy to recommend our favorite spots for hiking and swimming. If your trip is taking you farther afield, we’re 2 hours from Yosemite, and 2.5 hours from Lake Tahoe via the less-traveled Highway 4 in warmer months. Or you can can always just relax with a view in the cabin. Learn more about this land: Our classic 1970s A-frame cabin offers a simple space of retreat with lovely light, view of the trees and uncluttered decor. Great for couples and also solo travelers! Please note there is a 2 night minimum on weekends (if overlaps with a Fri or Sat) and a 3 night minimum for holiday weekends. We're well-located for a weekend getaway (~2.5 hours from the East Bay and ~3 hours from SF) and as a base for your adventures in the Sierras. There's lots to explore nearby with Big Trees State Park and Stanislaus National Forest within minutes, lakes, skiing, mountain towns and wine-tasting, or just relax at the cabin and take in the view. The cabin is on a small parcel in a quiet neighborhood, removed but close to town. We're a 5-minute walk to the Stanislaus National Forest/Arnold Rim Trail (we provide a custom map for nearby hikes), 10-minute drive to Big Trees State Park, 15 minutes to the town of Murphys (great wineries, pubs and dining), 40 minutes to Bear Valley Ski Resort, 10 minutes to White Pines Lake, 45 minutes to Lake Alpine and Utica and Union lakes. We’re happy to recommend our favorite spots for hiking and swimming. If your trip is taking you farther afield, we’re ~2 hours from Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance, and 2.5 hours from Lake Tahoe via the less-traveled Highway 4 in warmer months. We do our best here to strike a balance between simple amenities and comfort. A reminder that we are in the country, so the cabin is best suited to those who like a more rustic getaway. There is no AC, television, or microwave. We've gone without a TV and landline, but WiFi means you can stream to your own devices and make WiFi calls on your cell. We have loads of board games and puzzles. The kitchen has pots/pans/kettle, toaster, mini waffle iron, Brita pitcher, and rice cooker. For coffee drinkers, we have a coffee grinder, french press and pour over dripper. Help yourself to organic coffee and tea! The cabin is mainly heated by a gas fireplace (looks like a wood stove, but does not need wood). We recommend bringing layers and slippers in the winter while the cabin warms up. Like most cabins in the area, there is no AC, but we provide room fans. Cell reception is unreliable throughout the Sierras except for Verizon, however at the cabin, WiFi calls are available through all carriers --to make calls, enable the setting on your cell phone. The cabin comfortably fits 4 people, with 1 bedroom, a sleeping loft (no door) and 1.5 bathrooms. The downstairs bedroom has a queen bed, and the loft has a full-size mattress and its own half bathroom. We have a flat parking pad instead of a driveway, which makes things easier in the winter months. The rental rate covers a professional cleaning fee and linens and towels! Guests will need to take their garbage and recycling with them to the local refuse center which is on the way out.

Forest a-frames near Plymouth guide

Overview

Settled during the Gold Rush, Plymouth is full of history with a Sierra Nevada Mountain backdrop. Campers can explore the town’s rich past or venture into nearby nature at Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park. Rent a primitive bark house modeled after Miwok tribe domiciles. Or spend the night in Stanislaus National Forest at a campsite with full hookups or a more primitive option right in the woods. For a unique activity, pan for actual gold at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park while exploring and learning about the area’s connection to America at large.

Where to go

Stanislaus National Forest

Named after the river running through it, Stanislaus National Forest has three wilderness areas—Carson-Iceberg, Emigrant, Mokelumne Wilderness Area. Hike, backpack, and fish in the Sierra Nevada mountains and spend the night to enjoy the area for a couple of days. Campers who are staying in the forest will need a free pass from the visitor center. Bring the tent or RV to campsites with full hookups, or grab a backpack and hike in to dispersed camping all around the forest. In winter, rent one of the stocked cabins to serve as a homebase for backcountry skiing. Most wilderness trailheads are inaccessible for hiking during snowier months though.

Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park

In the Sierra Nevada foothills west of Plymouth is Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park. It’s named for the bedrock mortar holes carved into marbleized limestone used by indigenous peoples to grind acorns from the surrounding oak forest. Campers can reserve traditional bark houses in the park for a primitive camping experience with a historical connection. Indian Grinding Rock also has overnight campsites for tents and RVs with firepits, picnic tables, and token-operated hot showers for a refresh after a day of exploring Chaw’se Regional Indian Museum.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

After gold was discovered by James W. Marshall in 1848, people flocked to the region resulting in the historic Gold Rush. Memorializing the site on Nisenan peoples’ land, campers at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park can pan for American River gold and see important Gold Rush sites on ranger-led Gold Discovery Tours. Hike and picnic on the park grounds while staying at tent or RV campsites with full hookups at privately owned campgrounds nearby. Or check out the area’s cabin and glamping rentals, some fully furnished with queen-sized beds.

When to go

Plymouth’s elevation gives it warm summers and cold winters with rare snowfall. The higher latitudes and cool ocean currents result in a Mediterranean-like climate, with lots of clear, sunny days year-round. Summer highs can exceed 90°F, but most summer days average 72°F at their warmest. Winter temperatures usually range from 32°F to 64°F.