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tourist attraction

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park

310 Back St, Coloma, CA 95613, USA

Introduce

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is a California State Park located in Coloma, California. The park commemorates the historic discovery of gold by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in 1848, an event that triggered the California Gold Rush and forever changed the course of American history.

Key Features and Services:

  • Gold Discovery Museum: Start your visit at the Gold Discovery Museum, where you can learn about the history of the Gold Rush, see exhibits of artifacts from the era, and watch an informative film.
  • Sutter's Mill: Visit the actual site of Sutter's Mill, where James W. Marshall first discovered gold. The mill's reconstructed foundation is still visible today.
  • Historic Buildings: Explore the historic town of Coloma, which has been preserved to reflect its Gold Rush-era appearance. Many original buildings have been restored and are open to the public.
  • Guided Tours: The park offers guided walking tours, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the park's history and significance.
  • Hiking Trails: Enjoy scenic hikes along the American River and through the surrounding hills, offering beautiful views of the park and the surrounding area.
  • Picnic Areas: Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic at one of the park's picnic areas, surrounded by the natural beauty of Coloma.
  • Special Events: The park hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including historical reenactments, demonstrations, and festivals.

Park Highlights:

  • Historical Significance: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is a site of immense historical significance, marking the beginning of the California Gold Rush and its transformative impact on the state and the nation.
  • Natural Beauty: The park is located in a beautiful natural setting, with the American River flowing through it and the Sierra Nevada foothills providing a stunning backdrop.
  • Educational Opportunities: The park offers a variety of educational opportunities for visitors of all ages, allowing them to learn about the history of the Gold Rush and its lasting legacy.

Additional Information:

  • Address: 310 Back St, Coloma, CA 95613, USA
  • Phone: (530) 622-3470
  • Website: (https://www.parks.ca.gov/marshallgold)
  • Park Hours: The park is open daily from 8:00 AM until sunset.
  • Entrance Fee: There is a small entrance fee per vehicle.

Step back in time and experience the excitement of the California Gold Rush at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. Whether you're a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun and educational family outing, this park offers something for everyone.

Gallery

Service options

Onsite services

Highlights

Picnics

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible entrance

Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Activities

Hiking

Amenities

Barbecue grill

Picnic tables

Public restroom

Payments

Credit cards

Debit cards

NFC mobile payments

Credit cards

Children

Good for kids

Kid-friendly hikes

Pets

Dogs allowed

Kyle Haney (Globetrotterkyle) Jan 25
★★★★★5

One of the best outdoor and interactive museums I've ever been to. We learned a lot about Sutter's Mill and where the gold rush began for California. Strolling the grounds was extremely peaceful and offered many places to stop and read or rest. As someone who's not a California native but generally enjoys learning things, this place was perfect to spend an afternoon.

Laura R Nov 12
★★★★★5

Coloma, CA - quaint, historical, and clean. Beautiful views of the South Fork of the American River. Next time we go back will spend more time doing the self guided tour of the gold rush equipment.

Paul K Dec 10
★☆☆☆☆1

Such a disappointment. I have included this attraction to my list during the LA-SF-Tahoe lake trip and did not spent in this area an hour. May be it was a late season in December, but only functioning facility was the museum, which old but still pretty and overall does not worth to stop by on the way to SF or Lake Tahoe.

James Trek Oct 01
★★★☆☆3

On the way to South Tahoe we took a detour to visit Marshall Gold SP. From HW50 we took Lotus rd in and HW49 out. The SP has two parts. First part on the left is the main parking lot for $10. It was a hot Sunday 09/22/24. Most people were for water fun, rafting and fishing. A few, like us, were hiking and biking. The American river brought some cool air and beautiful sparkling. The second part On the right is the Museum with gold panning for extra $6. The hiking trail is ~half mile. The Museum panning are are small. The park is quite limited. However we learned one thing on the trail. I always thought the Chinese labour first came to California to build the railway. Instead the posters indicate they came first for gold, at Marsh Gold SP

Linnea Dec 30
★★★★★5

This was a great stop for me and my family. We brought my toddlers and my parents and it was well suited for all ages. The blacksmith shop was open, we had fun chatting with the two gentlemen heating and working the metal. The whole park was well maintained with clean facilities and great info plaques at each landmark. I would definitely recommend this for a fun outdoor day trip.

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