Marshall Gold Discovery Park Coloma Day Trip

Marshall Gold Discovery Park, located along California’s historic Highway 49 and straddling the South Fork of the American River, is the birthplace of the Gold Rush.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historical Park, located in Coloma, California, is a significant historic site in the US, preserving the story of “Yellow Fever.”

Appropriately named after James W. Marshall, whose discovery of gold in 1848 while building a sawmill for a fellow named John Sutter led to the most significant mass movement of people in US history, the park represents the period from 1847 through 1852 but also shows the growth of the town of Coloma.

History buffs and outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hikes and picnics under the riparian oak woodlands overlooking the beautiful river canyon. Along with exploring various displays ranging from a gold miners’ cabin to a Chinese general store to a replica of Sutter’s Mill, where the park provides daily interpretive programs.

Visitors can also participate in special events, exhibits, and “Live History Days.”

The best place to start your adventure is at the visitor center and Museum, where you can learn the stories of Sutter and Marshall and how the discovery of gold would change their lives and the lives of hundreds of thousands of people from that day to the present.

Discovery Park Museum

Marshall Gold, Discovery Park Museum, features exhibits on Native Americans, mining equipment, horse-drawn vehicles, a Concord stagecoach, and various period household implements. The outdoor mining exhibits next door comprise about a dozen historic structures along the main street and the hill overlooking it.

Most of the buildings are still usable, and many freestanding interpretive panels are scattered throughout the park to explain the origin and purpose of the building.

Gold Discovery Loop Trail

From there, you’ll want to set off for an easy hike on The Gold Discovery Loop Trail that leads to Marshall’s momentous discovery, his original mill site, and other points of interest, including California’s first historical monument, the statue of Marshall himself pointing at his original gold discovery site.

A small store on the park grounds sells various items, including books, souvenirs, toys, and crafts. They also offer vials of gold flakes, which are popular among children and adults.

American River

Bring your gold pan and reserve a trip with a rafting company in Coloma to try panning for gold in the American River.

Getting to Marshall Gold Discovery Park

While there is no camping in the park, several campgrounds and stores are nearby, and visitors are more than welcome to enjoy a picnic at the Main Picnic Area behind the Museum.

Getting to Marshall Gold Discovery SHP is easy. The park is located in Coloma on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn—approximately 47 miles northeast of downtown Sacramento.

Parking is available for a small fee, and getting into the park, which is open year-round, is free. However, the Museum is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Museum,  and Visitor Center. Coloma California.

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