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California is full of national and state parks that take your breath away. The state abounds in natural beauty, from the giant redwoods in the north to the unique Joshua trees in the south. But it’s not just nature that lures us. There is also an abundance of history in the Golden State with the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park.
We recently visited this historic park near Sacramento and learned much about life in the mid-1800s. We even panned for gold ourselves! Today, we want to share about this historic state park so you can plan to visit the next time you’re in California. Let’s dive in!
Where Is the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park?
The park is just outside Sacramento on Highway 49. It’s less than an hour’s drive from the city center. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is to the west, and the Eldorado National Forest is to the east. From I-80, take the exit toward Grass Valley/Placerville. It’s about 18 miles from the interstate.
What’s the History Behind the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park?
In 1848, James W. Marshall discovered gold on the South Fork of the American River. He found gold flecks in the tailrace of a sawmill. Like most gold discoveries, this resulted in a mass movement of people to the West. Present-day Coloma, California is the home to the gold discovery site.
Today, visitors can see a replica of the original sawmill and over 20 historic buildings. You can try panning for gold in the American River, hike, or enjoy a picnic on the grounds. You can also see the Marshall Monument and the final resting place of James Marshall. It overlooks the river and points to the site of the gold discovery.
Pro Tip: Check out Tried and Tested: Our Favorite Gold Panning Kit before visiting the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park!
Things To Do At the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
You don’t need more than a few hours to enjoy the park. It’s a perfect day trip from Sacramento. You could also make the trip from South Lake Tahoe, which is less than 90 minutes east of the state historic park.
Begin At the Visitor Center
Like any state or national park site, always start at the visitor center. Here, you can grab maps, ask rangers questions, get the most up-to-date information on closures, and learn more about the park’s history. Interpretive exhibits tell the story of Marshall’s gold discovery.
Take the Gold Discovery Tour
The Gold Discovery Tour is a 45-minute walking tour of the park. You’ll visit some historical sites, learn about the events leading up to the gold discovery, and learn more about the history of the California Gold Rush and the town of Coloma. These tours are offered year-round but weather permitting. Adults are $3 and children are $2.
Book A Gold Panning Lesson
Another fun activity for the whole family is panning for gold at the park. Staff provides a 15-minute lesson, and then you have 30 minutes to pan the troughs for garnets, fools gold, and real gold flakes. Because this takes place outside, the lessons are also weather permitting. Generally, there are five lessons offered each day.
Earn A Junior Ranger Badge
If you’re familiar with the Junior Ranger program with the National Park Service, you know how fun and informative these booklets with activities are. The park has a Junior Ranger pamphlet your kids can pick up at the visitor center.
They’ll earn a badge by completing various activities and learning more about the plants and animals of the area, the Native peoples who once lived here, the people of Coloma, and so much more.
Walk the Gam Saan Trail
In 2022, California State Parks, the Locke Foundation, and members of the Chinese-American community celebrated the opening of the Gam Saan Trail. It connects the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park with Hennigsen Lotus Park in Lotus, California.
“Gam saan” means “gold mountain” in Cantonese. When Chinese forty-niners and miners arrived during the gold rush, this is what they named the gold fields. The 2.5-mile trail provides guests with another way to experience nature and history and honors the rich Chinese history of this area.
How Much Does It Cost To Visit the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park?
The Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is open year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The visitor center and museum hours change from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the peak season to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November 1st to February 28th.
But the day-use areas are open later in the day. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, guests can visit from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
It’s $10 per vehicle to enter the park. Seniors aged 62 and older receive a $1 discount. The Gold Discovery Tour is an additional cost.
Is A Visit To the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park Worth It?
The Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is an excellent option for a day trip. You’ll learn about this area’s rich history, including the discovery of gold and the diverse cultural heritage. Through the museum’s interpretive exhibits and walking along the Gold Discovery Tour, you’ll have a new appreciation for the hard work of these early settlers.
And who knows? Maybe you’ll go home with your own gold flakes from the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park! Have you ever visited this historic Coloma area?
