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Along California’s historic Highway 49, tucked neatly into a beautifully forested valley in the Sierra foothills, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park straddles the South Fork of the American River.
James W. Marshall discovered gold in 1848 on the South Fork of the American River in the valley the Nisenan Indians knew as Cullumah. This event led to the greatest mass movement of people in the Western Hemisphere and was the spark that ignited the spectacular growth of the West during the ensuing decades. The gold discovery site, located in the still visible tailrace of Sutter's sawmill, in present day Coloma California, is one of the most significant historic sites in the nation.
The purpose of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is to secure for the people and to make available for their observation, inspiration, and enjoyment, the gold discovery site and its environs as an accurate portrayal of the story that unfolded at the time of the discovery and Gold Rush. The park's interpretive program primarily embraces the period from 1847 through 1852, but also shows the town of Coloma as it developed.
Visitors have the opportunity to try panning for gold in the American River and enjoy hikes and picnics under the riparian oak woodlands. Overlooking the beautiful river canyon, where the gold discoverer rests today, see California's first historic monument, the statue of James Marshall pointing at his gold discovery site.
Throughout the year the park provides daily interpretive programs at the sawmill replica. Participate in special events, exhibits and "Live History Days" planned regularly throughout the year; contact the Gold Discovery Museum and Visitor Center for details.
Getting There
The park is located in Coloma on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
The park is located in Coloma on Highway 49 between Placerville and Auburn.
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Operating Hours & Contact
Day-use areas are open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, 8am -7pm, and from Labor Day to the beginning of Memorial Day Weekend from 8am - 5pm.
The Museum is closed Mondays and open as follows:
November 1 - March 1: 10am- 3pm
March 1- November 1: 10am - 4pm
The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
North Beach and Monument Picnic Area are closed November 1- March 1.
Gold Discovery Museum & Visitor Center: 530-622-3470; Gold Rush Mercantile: 530-344-1895
Day-use areas are open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, 8am -7pm, and from Labor Day to the beginning of Memorial Day Weekend from 8am - 5pm.
The Museum is closed Mondays and open as follows:
November 1 - March 1: 10am- 3pm
March 1- November 1: 10am - 4pm
The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
North Beach and Monument Picnic Area are closed November 1- March 1.
Gold Discovery Museum & Visitor Center: 530-622-3470; Gold Rush Mercantile: 530-344-1895
Visitor Information
The best place to start your tour of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is at the visitor center and museum. Interpretive exhibits and programs tell the story of the gold discovery and help make it come alive. Publications about the park can be found in the visitor center.
About seventy percent of Coloma is included in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and subject to use fees. Since there are only about two hundred year-round residents in the town, the tree-lined streets of the park are memorably quiet and serene throughout much of the year. Most visitors come during the summer or for special events including the annual celebration of the gold discovery.
The park features a number of buildings that have survived from the gold rush, as well as many other reminders of that tumultuous period.
The best place to start your tour of Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park is at the visitor center and museum. Interpretive exhibits and programs tell the story of the gold discovery and help make it come alive. Publications about the park can be found in the visitor center.
About seventy percent of Coloma is included in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park and subject to use fees. Since there are only about two hundred year-round residents in the town, the tree-lined streets of the park are memorably quiet and serene throughout much of the year. Most visitors come during the summer or for special events including the annual celebration of the gold discovery.
The park features a number of buildings that have survived from the gold rush, as well as many other reminders of that tumultuous period.
Gold Discovery Museum & Other Exhibits
Exhibits in the Gold Discovery Museum tell the story of John Sutter and James Marshall, and how drastically the simple act of noticing a small fleck of gold would alter the lives of hundreds of thousands of people from that day to the present. The museum also has Indian and Gold Rush-era exhibits, including mining equipment, horse-drawn vehicles, household implements and other memorabilia, as well as films about the gold discovery and early mining techniques. Next door to the museum are an outdoor mining exhibit and two original buildings used by the Chinese. Throughout the park, the exhibits show the various standards of living as Coloma developed through time. The Gold Discovery Loop Trail makes it easy to visit the site of Marshall’s momentous discovery, his original mill site, and points of interest.
You can walk under native California trees, as well as the Chinese Tree of Heaven, black locust, Texas mesquite, southern pecan, Osage orange, persimmon and others planted by homesick miners as reminders of their former dwellings. Exhibits in the Gold Discovery Museum tell the story of John Sutter and James Marshall, and how drastically the simple act of noticing a small fleck of gold would alter the lives of hundreds of thousands of people from that day to the present.
The museum also has Indian and Gold Rush-era exhibits, including mining equipment, horse-drawn vehicles, household implements and other memorabilia, as well as films about the gold discovery and early mining techniques. Next door to the museum are an outdoor mining exhibit and two original buildings used by the Chinese. Throughout the park, the exhibits show the various standards of living as Coloma developed through time. The Gold Discovery Loop Trail makes it easy to visit the site of Marshall’s momentous discovery, his original mill site, and points of interest. You can walk under native California trees, as well as the Chinese Tree of Heaven, black locust, Texas mesquite, southern pecan, Osage orange, persimmon and others planted by homesick miners as reminders of their former dwellings.
Exhibits in the Gold Discovery Museum tell the story of John Sutter and James Marshall, and how drastically the simple act of noticing a small fleck of gold would alter the lives of hundreds of thousands of people from that day to the present. The museum also has Indian and Gold Rush-era exhibits, including mining equipment, horse-drawn vehicles, household implements and other memorabilia, as well as films about the gold discovery and early mining techniques. Next door to the museum are an outdoor mining exhibit and two original buildings used by the Chinese. Throughout the park, the exhibits show the various standards of living as Coloma developed through time. The Gold Discovery Loop Trail makes it easy to visit the site of Marshall’s momentous discovery, his original mill site, and points of interest.
You can walk under native California trees, as well as the Chinese Tree of Heaven, black locust, Texas mesquite, southern pecan, Osage orange, persimmon and others planted by homesick miners as reminders of their former dwellings. Exhibits in the Gold Discovery Museum tell the story of John Sutter and James Marshall, and how drastically the simple act of noticing a small fleck of gold would alter the lives of hundreds of thousands of people from that day to the present.
The museum also has Indian and Gold Rush-era exhibits, including mining equipment, horse-drawn vehicles, household implements and other memorabilia, as well as films about the gold discovery and early mining techniques. Next door to the museum are an outdoor mining exhibit and two original buildings used by the Chinese. Throughout the park, the exhibits show the various standards of living as Coloma developed through time. The Gold Discovery Loop Trail makes it easy to visit the site of Marshall’s momentous discovery, his original mill site, and points of interest. You can walk under native California trees, as well as the Chinese Tree of Heaven, black locust, Texas mesquite, southern pecan, Osage orange, persimmon and others planted by homesick miners as reminders of their former dwellings.
Tips & Rules
• There is no camping in the park, but the Coloma and Lotus communities have several private campgrounds and stores. Recreational gold panning (hands and pan only), is allowed in designated areas.
• Help keep the park clean. The park has limited trash facilities. Whatever you bring in, please take out with you.
• Stay on the trails— shortcuts destroy ground cover and speed erosion. The river shoreline has submerged obstacles and an uneven bottom, and the water level and flow change quickly and often. Diving is not permitted.
• Dogs must be on a leash and are not permitted in historic buildings, on trails, outside of developed areas or on beaches.
• To guarantee access to the park, groups of ten or more must make advance reservations. For more information call (866) 240-4655, or visit the website at www.parks.ca.gov.
• There is no camping in the park, but the Coloma and Lotus communities have several private campgrounds and stores. Recreational gold panning (hands and pan only), is allowed in designated areas.
• Help keep the park clean. The park has limited trash facilities. Whatever you bring in, please take out with you.
• Stay on the trails— shortcuts destroy ground cover and speed erosion. The river shoreline has submerged obstacles and an uneven bottom, and the water level and flow change quickly and often. Diving is not permitted.
• Dogs must be on a leash and are not permitted in historic buildings, on trails, outside of developed areas or on beaches.
• To guarantee access to the park, groups of ten or more must make advance reservations. For more information call (866) 240-4655, or visit the website at www.parks.ca.gov.
Accessible Features
Picnic Area
The North Beach Group Picnic Area has accessible parking and two accessibly designed and located picnic tables. Restroom complex #4 includes 2 unisex restrooms that are generally accessible.
The Main Picnic Area behind the museum has accessible tables and may be usable in dry weather with some assistance. Parking: There is designated accessible parking at one lot that requires crossing route 49, and additional accessible parking on the other side of the museum. Restrooms: Each lot has restrooms that are generally accessible.
Exhibits/Programs
Approximately a dozen historic structures are located along the main street or on a hill overlooking the street. Most buildings are usable. Many freestanding interpretive panels are scattered throughout the park and are accessible.
Visitor center/museum: This is under renovation and will be accessible when it is complete. Restrooms: Usable restrooms have stalls that permit front transfers only. Parking: The adjacent lot has accessible spaces. Call the park for more information.
Picnic Area
The North Beach Group Picnic Area has accessible parking and two accessibly designed and located picnic tables. Restroom complex #4 includes 2 unisex restrooms that are generally accessible.
The Main Picnic Area behind the museum has accessible tables and may be usable in dry weather with some assistance. Parking: There is designated accessible parking at one lot that requires crossing route 49, and additional accessible parking on the other side of the museum. Restrooms: Each lot has restrooms that are generally accessible.
Exhibits/Programs
Approximately a dozen historic structures are located along the main street or on a hill overlooking the street. Most buildings are usable. Many freestanding interpretive panels are scattered throughout the park and are accessible.
Visitor center/museum: This is under renovation and will be accessible when it is complete. Restrooms: Usable restrooms have stalls that permit front transfers only. Parking: The adjacent lot has accessible spaces. Call the park for more information.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
The Monroe Ridge Trail
Enjoy a 2.3-mile hike in the hills above historical Coloma in Marshall Gold Discovery Historical State Park
Enjoy a 2.3-mile hike in the hills above historical Coloma in Marshall Gold Discovery Historical State Park
Moderate
2.3 mi/
3.7 km
3.7 km
Guides
Enjoy a 2.3-mile hike in the hills above historical Coloma in Marshall Gold Discovery Historical State Park
Community Trips
The parking lot at Gold Discovery State Park was completely vacant, and there were no trail signs, which made getting started a bit difficult. After ending up at a junkyard and a dead end we finally managed to find the trailhead (it was well marked, a little further up the road).The 2.3-mile Monroe Trail was delightful and sprinkled with several nice picnic areas with some great views. Before we knew it we...
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, California, United States
2.5 miles
2.5 miles
After we finished the Monroe Ridge Trail we decided to walk through the historical Coloma town. We started at the Marshall Monument and continued downhill past Marshall's cabin, church, and cemetery before reaching the main road. There must have been over 50 historical houses and buildings each with descriptions of their significance.We ended by walking to the site of Sutter Mill and the Gold Discovery Site (which wasn't very impressive considering all that happened...
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