Columbia State Historic Park is located in the heart of California Gold Country. It is in Columbia, CA. This park brings the excitement of the 1850s Gold Rush to life. As you stroll its wooden sidewalks, you’ll feel transported back in time—to a bustling mining town preserved in its original glory.
What Makes Columbia State Historic Park Unique
This park holds the largest single collection of Gold Rush–era buildings in the state, many over 150 years old. It’s an accessible, living museum where costumed interpreters run shops, saloons, and trades just as they did in the 1850s. Main Street is closed to cars, welcoming horses, stagecoaches, and pedestrians only. Historic structures include a two‑story brick schoolhouse, firehouses, and an original restored cemetery—offering both ecological charm and cultural richness.
Park Activities & Features
State Park & Historic Buildings
As a National Historic Landmark, Columbia offers a full immersion into 19th‑century life. Historic brick buildings line Main Street, housing museums, a vintage hotel, a Wells Fargo office, and authentic 1850s businesses.
Gold Panning
Try your hand at panning with local guides near Matelot Gulch. You can rent equipment or participate in guided sessions—and keep anything you find for a true prospector’s thrill.
Stagecoach Rides
Hop aboard a real stagecoach to journey down Main Street and out to the town’s outskirts. Weather and season permitting, this is the closest ride to a time machine the park offers.
Blacksmith Demonstrations
Watch the clang of hammer on anvil as skilled smiths shape iron. You can even purchase a handcrafted horseshoe—each customized by the artisan forging it.
Candle Making
At the historic candle‑dipping station, make your own candle just as miners did in the Gold Rush era. It’s a fun, hands‑on craft suitable for all ages.
Museums & Interpretive Exhibits
The Columbia Museum sits in the Knapp Building and features period artifacts, displays, and rotating exhibits. Throughout town, interpretive signs and exhibits explain everything from mining techniques to daily pioneer life.
Gift Shops & Restaurants
Browse era‑themed stores selling homemade candy, dry goods, treats, souvenirs, and old‑time photos. Dining highlights include the Columbia City Hotel Restaurant, What Cheer Saloon, tea at Columbia Kate’s, and ice cream parlors for sweet breaks.
Picnic Areas & Walking Tours
Picnic tables and barbecue grills are scattered along Main Street and near historic buildings. Guided walking tours are free—daily at 11 a.m. on weekends and summer weekdays, led by costumed docents.
Living History Events
Monthly Gold Rush Days (second Saturday), July 4th festivities, Back to School 1861, and seasonal events like Lamplight Tours and paranormal walks bring the past to life with music, crafts, and reenactments.
Ranger‑Led Programs & Town Tours
Rangers and volunteer docents offer town tours and programs, including morning scavenger hunts via app, guided hikes to the schoolhouse and cemetery trails, and special kids’ activities.
Visitor Center, Restrooms & Parking
The welcome center offers brochures, safety tips, EV charging, and water stations. Restrooms are conveniently located throughout the park. Free parking is available near the main lot off Highway 49.
Practical Visitor Tips
- Admission & Parking: Free for park entry, parking, and town tours; special events may have small fees.
- Hours: Most attractions open 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; walking tours at 11 a.m. seasonally and weekends.
- Pets: Dogs welcome on sidewalks but not inside historic buildings or museums.
- Facilities: EV charging, restrooms, drinking water, picnic areas, and a main parking lot available year‑round.
- Accessibility: Wooden sidewalks and dirt streets; portions of town are wheelchair accessible, though some buildings are uneven.
- Weather: Expect summer heat—bring water, sun protection and arrive early. Winter is mild but can be cooler in the evenings.
- Seasonal Events: Check the park’s official calendar for Gold Rush Days (every second Saturday), 4th of July, Back to School 1861, and holiday lamplight tours.
- Tour Scheduling: For group or school tours, reserve ahead via email.
Local Insight & Hidden Gem
For a quieter, atmospheric experience, visit on a weekday morning—especially between June and Labor Day—before the weekend crowds arrive. Don’t miss a short hike past the schoolhouse to the small cemetery overlooking town—the views and sense of history are remarkable. And for the full evening ambiance, book ahead for a stay in one of the charming vacation cottages—once miner homes, now restored, and perfect for a relaxed, unhurried retreat.