Dorrington CA Area Overview

Dorrington was named for Dora Connell (Meyers), wife of John Connell of Camp Connell.

Originally known as Cold Spring Ranch due to an ice cold spring, the named changed in 1902 after the post office was established. Dorrington sits on State Route 4 and was a historic stopping place on the Big Tree-Carson Valley road and was a toll road between Murphys and Ebbetts Pass, often serving as a resort for visitors to what is now Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Dorrington is also home to the second largest Sugar Pine in the world, measuring 32 ft round and 220 ft. tall.

The Dorrington Hotel was built in the late 1880s for stockmen and guests visiting the Giant Sequoias at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Today visitors enjoy their beautifully restored and historic rooms and fine dining downstairs. The Lube Room Saloon is just steps away with live music, great food, games, and more.

Outdoor activities is also a short 5 miles away to the Stanislaus River for camping, fishing and swimming.

Dorrington Communities

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Big Trees Village

Big Trees Village is a beautiful residential subdivision just off the scenic Byway of California state route 4. Located at 5000 feet elevation this area lends itself to the outdoor activities for both Wintertime and Summertime adventures.

Big Trees Village has an optional Properties Owners Association with varying levels of membership. If you choose to join you will have access to the Recreation Center which hosts many activities in the Summer. There are two pools, tennis and game courts, playground, picnic areas, game Pavilion, and a frisbee golf course.

With many activities like bingo, swim lessons, potlucks, inner tube water polo and water aerobics; there is no doubt why Big Trees village is one of the most popular areas for full-time and second home owners alike.

For more information, visit the Big Trees Village Property Owners Association.

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Camp Connell

Jack and Noreen Connell, who had purchased the Dorrington Hotel property in the mid-1920s, established Camp Connell in 1928. Camp Connell was first used by Native Americans thousands of years ago. Its location on San Antonio Creek was along a trading route between bands of Miwok, Piute, and Washoe.

The discovery of gold in the Mokelumne and Stanislaus River basins in 1848 led to large numbers of prospectors and adventurers. The famous route – Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway or Hwy 4 – between Murphys and Carson City became famous when the Calaveras North Grove of Big Trees was discovered in 1852. Not long after that, the area of Camp Connell became a junction of roads between Sheep Ranch and San Andreas and was a favorite stopping point and rest area on the route.

In 1929, Jack Connell built the Camp Connell Store to cater to high country vacationers, complete with gasoline station, general merchandise store, rental cabins, and a campground. Camp Connell quickly became a stopping place for travelers along the Ebbetts Pass Highway, as well as a gathering place for local residents and cattlemen. The Camp Connell General Store remains a popular stop for visitors and the heart of the Camp Connell community — serving as a cherished gathering place for locals. It is one of the oldest Chevron stations in California as well as the longest continuously operated retail business between Murphys and Markleeville.

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Snowshoe Springs

Snowshoe Springs is a private community located in Dorrington, California, 5000 feet above sea level. It is a quaint community with approximately 300 homes and its own Snowshoe Lake, where families have enjoyed outdoor fun for generations.

Named for John “Snowshoe” Thompson, the “mailman of the Sierra.” John was disillusioned with gold prospecting so he responded to an article in the Sacramento Union, asking for a mail carrier since people living east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and west of Salt Lake would lose contact with the outside world as the winter snows would cut off all communications. Despite his nickname, he didn’t use the snowshoes that were used by the indigenous people of the area, but rather would travel with the 10’ skis and pole, generally held with both hands at once. He knew this form of cross-country skiing from his native Norway.

For more information, visit the Snowshoe Springs Homeowners Association.