Arnold is a census-designated place (CDP) in Calaveras County, California, United States.

The inn served as a stop for people traveling along the Ebbetts Pass route as well as lodging for those visiting nearby Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

In 2015 power lines sparked the Butte Fire, which destroyed 549 homes in nearby communities.

Arnold is considered at high risk of wildfire by CalFire due to its forested ridgetop location with powerful wind gusts up brushy canyons.

[4] As many as 45% of the dwellings are vacation homes, a factor in fire safety efforts, as absent owners do not always clear the brush from their properties.

There were 4,897 housing units at an average density of 329.8 per square mile (127.3/km2),of which 1,761 were occupied, 1,422 (80.7%) by the owners and 339 (19.3%) by renters.

[28] Federally, Arnold is in California's 4th congressional district, represented by Democrat Mike Thompson.