Entire home·Private host

Happy Lake Chalet Near Big Trees & Skiing, Dogs OK!

Choose dates to view prices

your current months are January, 2025 and February, 2025.
January 2025
February 2025

Photo gallery for Happy Lake Chalet Near Big Trees & Skiing, Dogs OK!

Smart TV
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Games room
4 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, WiFi, bed sheets
Outdoor dining

Reviews

8.4 out of 10

Very good

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer

Explore the area

Map
ARNOLD, CA
  • Stanislaus National Forest
    1 min walk
  • Arnold Rim Trail
    5 min walk
  • Sequoia Woods Country Club and Golf Course
    4 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Happy Lake Chalet Near Big Trees & Skiing, Dogs OK!

Welcome to Happy Lake Chalet! This happy retreat is ideally located for exploring the Sierras. Take a short stroll to a private lake or a short drive to Bear Valley Ski Resort, the Stanislaus River, the Calaveras wine trail, Big Trees, Murphys, or Columbia State Park. With 3 bedrooms, a loft, and 2 full bathrooms, you'll have plenty of room to unwind and reconnect with loved ones. Make meals in the open kitchen, relax around the woodstove, or dine on the deck in the fresh mountain air. We welcome families, kids and pets.

Our joyful family cabin was inspired by our grandparents who could make even the humblest adventure memorable, magical and fun. Nestled in wine country, gold country, and the majestic Sierras, there is no better place to experience the magic of old California.

Enter into a casually stylish, open-concept living/dining/kitchen area with high ceilings and filtered, forest light. A cozy living room with wood-burning stove has a Smart TV for movie nights, a chess table for games and a reading nook for cuddling. The upgraded kitchen with stainless appliances and a wrap-around bar has everything you’ll need to whip up a meal for your favorite people. Dine indoors or outdoors on our spacious dining tables with extra bar seating, or venture into historic Murphys for fine food and local wine. Watch the stars come out from the deck before playing board games, spinning records, or swapping tales around the fire.

During the daytime, adventure calls. Happy Lake Chalet is in Blue Lake Springs, a vacation destination with a resort-style recreation center that is just a short stroll away. Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, you’ll be able to use the resort’s swimming pool, tennis, basketball, badminton and pickleball courts, shuffleboard, and a snack bar. Enjoy family-friendly activities like outdoor movies, theme bingo and campfires. We also have two private lakes for fishing and swimming and the beautiful Sequoia Woods Golf Course and Country Club. One of the lakes, the recreation center, and the golf course are within walking distance, making it easy to take a quick dip or paddle, enjoy lawn games, or play a round of golf. (Resort fees apply.) Minutes away are world-class attractions that draw visitors from all over the world, like Calaveras Big Trees, the Arnold Rim Trail, Bear Valley Ski Resort, Lake Alpine, the Calaveras wine trail, historic Murphys, the restored gold rush town at Columbia State Park, New Melones Reservoir, caverns, ziplining, mountain biking and hiking trails, pristine mountain lakes for kayaking and paddling, fishing and swimming holes on the Stanislaus River, white-water rafting, and winter playgrounds for snow play and sledding. If you're in the mood for a road trip, you can even take a longer day trip to Yosemite National Park.

When it’s time to rest, you’ll find comfortable beds with quality mattresses and linens. Downstairs, there are three bedrooms, with 2 kings and 1 queen, and a large master bath with a shower/tub combo. Upstairs is the kids’ loft, with 4 twins, another bathroom with a shower, and a fun zone with a Smart TV, PlayStation, and a convertible sofa for lounging. While this is our family home and not a fancy hotel, we’ve added the special touches that we love when we travel, like board games, extra blankets and plenty of pillows.

Happy Lake Chalet is perfect for families—up to 8 people. One well-behaved dog is also welcome, though you should consider that we have only a small fenced run outdoors, unattended pets are not permitted indoors, and our private lakes do not allow dogs. Nearby White Pines Lake is a good alternative if you’d like to swim, hike, or boat with your pet.

If you’re looking for a comfortable, family cabin, near everything but with a “miles away from it all” feel, you've found it. Families are especially welcome, and we offer discounts to repeat guests. Our grandparents would have loved it here! We’re looking forward to sharing Happy Lake Chalet with you.

GOOD TO KNOW:

1. NO ROWDY GATHERINGS/PARTIES. Quiet hours are from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. During these hours, please don't make any noise that can be heard from the property line or adjacent properties. Do not socialize on the decks during these hours, please. Our HOA fines for noise complaints, and we have a local cohost who drives by to check on noise and occupancy as needed. We also monitor noise using smart technology. We have video and noise monitoring in outdoor areas.

2. 4WD/CHAINS. It snows here. Bring a vehicle equipped for snow between November and May.

3. RECREATION FEES. Our HOA charges fees for the recreation center and private lakes, open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. See Blue Lake Springs HOA website for details.

4. PETS. One dog allowed. Pet rules apply. No dangerous breeds, pets must remain on leash at all times, no excessive barking, keep pets off the furniture, do not leave pets unattended inside or outside. You assume the risk of pet damage or harm. Our insurance does not cover your pet.

5. CHILDREN. Our cabin is not childproof. Bring everything you need to keep your kids happy and safe.

We comply with all local rules and regulations regarding short-term rentals:
Business License #BL-0019481
TOT-0342
During your stay at this holiday home, you're just a quick walk from Stanislaus National Forest. Enjoy your stay with amenities like a kitchen and 2 bathrooms in the holiday home.
  • The holiday home offers a kitchen, a washing machine and 2 bathrooms
  • Steps from Stanislaus National Forest and 5 minutes on foot from Arnold Rim Trail
Happy Lake Chalet Near Big Trees & Skiing, Dogs OK! offers its guests barbecue grills. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property manager

Heather Rogers

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Communal pool

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • One pet total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In the mountains
  • Next to a golf course
  • On a lake
  • On a river

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 1 pets
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees.
  • Note from host: No dangerous breeds; clean up & use leash.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: Cabin is not child-proof. Steep stairs, open loft.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking. An adult age 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

House
Happy Lake Chalet Near Big Trees & Skiing, Dogs OK! Arnold

Happy Lake Chalet Near Big Trees & Skiing, Dogs OK! Reviews

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 5 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 5 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 5 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 5 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 5 reviews" "

7.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

james w., Sacramento

Liked: Cleanliness
23 Christmas trip
We had a really great time. The owners were really friendly. The place was very comfortable, and close enough to everything.
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Laura P., Santa Cruz, USA

Disliked: Cleanliness
Cute little cabin
We stayed here with our 3 kids and my parents for my sons 5th bday, all he wanted was to go to the snow! The house was cute and the beds were very comfortable but the house was in desperate need of a deep cleaning. The floor was filthy and the kitchen was super disorganized so finding things was a challenge. Also the gutters on the outside of the house needed repair, water was overflowing in a steady stream onto the front porch rug so we were dodging that every time we came in and out the front door… The homeowner was very kind and responsive to my feedback on the floor issues and offered to have someone out to clean them but we were in the cabin so we didn’t take that offer as it would have either displaced us or been disruptive to our vacation. So with a very deep clean and a kitchen organizing day and just a little more attention to detail this house would have made the mark but it just didn’t quite cut it on our trip for those reasons.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022

6/10 Okay

Whitney F., Napa, CA

Disliked: Cleanliness
We won't stay here again.
Unfortunately there were so many issues, cleanliness being the biggest, that we will not be recommending this place. The house is dog friendly, which is nice if you have a dog, but we didn't bring a dog, and there is dog hair everywhere (throw pillows, rugs, clumps of hair on floors). We also noticed that the stairs leading to the front door need immediate repairs, along with a huge broken branch which was just dangling overhead near the driveway and could be deadly if it fell on someone. We ended up having to take most of our garbage home with us because when we arrived, the bins were already full. Some positives include the comfortable beds, and beautiful decor.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful vacation at Happy Lake Chalet!
The home is very comfortable and well-stocked; it is evident that a lot of thought and care into furnishing and decorating the cottage. Check in was simple and the owners were very responsive and committed to making our stay enjoyable. The chalet is small and cozy, but had plenty of room for our party of 7 adults. There is lots of seating for indoor or outdoor dining and well as in the living room for conversing around the warm wood stove . The cottage is located in a quiet neighborhood close to Big Trees SP and Arnold. Our family enjoyed a rare Nov. hike on the PCT at Ebbets Pass, located about an hour away. Based upon both location and comfort, I would highly recommend staying at the Happy Lake Chalet.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Siddharth S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy Cabin with all the amenities
Our group of two families enjoyed a very nice weekend in Heather's cabin. It had everything we could possibly need for a comfortable stay. The kids particularly enjoyed the loft.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021