--- title: "Coloma — Explore Arnold | Arnold Haven" description: "Where the Gold Rush started — the Marshall Gold Discovery park, gold panning and the South Fork American rafting base." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Event", "name": "Pool Paw-ty! 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[Check availability](/cabins)[See the cabins](/cabins) First things first ## First things first In January 1848 James Marshall found gold in the tailrace of a sawmill he was building for John Sutter on the South Fork of the American River. Within two years the world had arrived. Coloma is where that happened, and most of the town is now Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. From Arnold it is a little over two hours north on Highway 49, and it pairs naturally with Placerville twenty minutes away or Apple Hill in autumn. ![A replica wooden Gold Rush sawmill beside a river with oaks on the far bank](/assets/coloma-sawmill-Cv4xvQ-Q.jpg) Geography ## Where Coloma sits ![Illustrated antique-style map of California inside the United States with a gold marker on Coloma on the South Fork of the American River](/assets/coloma-BZRGEFa0.jpg) Illustrated locator map — for orientation, not navigation. Where gold was found in Sutter's Mill tailrace in 1848; most of the town is now Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park. The same stretch of river is the launch base for California's busiest guided whitewater runs. A little over two hours north of both cabins, easily combined with Placerville or Apple Hill. Region Sierra Nevada foothills, the South Fork American canyon County El Dorado County Elevation About 750 ft Nearest town Coloma, with Placerville twenty minutes south Getting there Highway 49 north through the Gold Country to the river crossing at Coloma 02 ## The park The park spreads along both sides of the highway: a working replica of Sutter's Mill, the monument on the hill above Marshall's grave, restored buildings including a Chinese store and an old jail, a museum, and shaded picnic ground under the oaks by the river. It is walkable, flat and easy to spend three hours in without trying. Gold panning is part of the visit — concessionaires run panning and sluicing sessions for children and adults, and the park sells the story with unusual honesty, including what the rush did to the Nisenan people whose land this was. ![A replica wooden Gold Rush sawmill beside a river with oaks on the far bank](/assets/coloma-sawmill-Cv4xvQ-Q.jpg) ![A restored nineteenth-century clapboard building under oaks with interpretive signs](/assets/coloma-historic-park-BejKEELL.jpg) 03 ## The river The South Fork of the American through Coloma is California's most popular whitewater river, and the town is the launch and take-out base for a long list of licensed outfitters. Half-day and full-day trips through Troublemaker and the Gorge run from spring into late summer on dam-supported flows, which is why the season here outlasts most rivers. Outside a raft, the river is also a swimming and picnic river in high summer, with gravel bars and slow pools inside the park. Flows are controlled and can change quickly, so read the posted warnings and ask the park about current conditions before swimming. ![A wide green river running over gravel bars between oak-covered foothill slopes](/assets/coloma-river-mHmdOWaQ.jpg) 04 ## Practical notes There is a day-use parking fee at the state park, and both lots and the picnic ground fill on summer weekends. Opening hours, museum hours and panning availability all vary by season — California State Parks publishes current hours for the Marshall Gold Discovery park. Summer here is hot, well over ninety degrees at midday, with limited shade away from the river. Spring is green and pleasant, autumn is quiet, and winter is cold, empty and rather atmospheric. 05 ## Where to stay for a Gold Rush day Both cabins are around two hours south in Arnold. If rafting the South Fork is the plan, be realistic about a 7am start; many guests instead raft the Stanislaus closer to home and keep Coloma for the history. Either way, the cabins give you a cool pine-forest evening after a hot day in the foothills. - [CHALET BRUIN — 12 guests, 5 bedrooms→ ](/cabins/chalet-bruin) - [KODA LOFT — 4 guests, 2 bedrooms→ ](/cabins/koda-loft) Nearby ## Keep exploring [ ![American River rafting](/assets/coloma-river-mHmdOWaQ.jpg) ### American River rafting The South Fork runs of Coloma: which section suits whom, and when. Discover ↗ ](/explore/american-river-rafting) [ ![Placerville](/assets/placerville-main-street-CWyjj7vC.jpg) ### Placerville Old Hangtown twenty minutes away — lunch, bookshops and a walk-in gold mine. Discover ↗ ](/explore/placerville-ca) [ ![Highway 49 road trip](/assets/coloma-historic-park-BejKEELL.jpg) ### Highway 49 road trip The full Gold Country route from Arnold, with the stops worth making. Discover ↗ ](/guides/road-trips/highway-49-road-trip) What's on ## Upcoming events near Coloma, CA The next three months of local happenings, so you can time your stay around the good stuff. Event details come from public community calendars and can change or sell out. Please confirm times with the organiser before making the drive. ### September 2026 Sat, Sep 12 Event ### Pool Paw-ty! City of Placerville Parks and Rec A fun pool event hosted by the Parks and Rec. 11:00 AM Placerville, Placerville Sat, Sep 12 Event ### 2026 LOCALS’ WEEKEND Celebrating local residents with special discounts at participating farms. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Apple Hill Growers, Camino Sat, Sep 12 Trail ### HARD CIDER TRAIL The Hard Cider Trail opens for the fall season across participating farms. 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Apple Hill Growers, Camino Mon, Sep 14 Festival ### Apple Hill Season 2026 Celebrating the Apple Hill season. Camino Fri, Sep 18 Event ### Handblown Glass Pumpkin Patch @ Bluestone Meadow of Apple Hill An event showcasing handmade glass pumpkins. Camino Sat, Sep 19 Event ### 2026 Across the Canyon Weekend Special weekend with offers celebrating neighboring counties. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Apple Hill Growers, Camino Sun, Sep 20 Event ### 2026 FLOWER TRAIL Experience beautiful flower trails at local farms. 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Apple Hill Growers, Camino Stay nearby ## Cabins for a Gold Rush and rafting trip Coloma is a two-hour drive north, and the Stanislaus rafting runs much closer to the cabins if you would rather not start at dawn. Looking for Arnold, CA vacation rentals? Arnold Haven has two dog-friendly cabins — a five-bedroom A-frame chalet that sleeps 12 and a two-bedroom loft that sleeps 4. Minimum stay is 2 nights, check-in is at 3pm and check-out at 11am. Check-in Self check-in, 3pm Cancellation Full refund 5+ days ahead; holidays 30 days - [CHALET BRUIN — 12 guests, 5 bedrooms→ ](/cabins/chalet-bruin) - [KODA LOFT — 4 guests, 2 bedrooms→ ](/cabins/koda-loft) Check live availability, see your full price, and book securely — ID check and payment are handled by Stripe. Check dates & book Good to know ## Frequently asked questions How far is Coloma from Arnold? + A little over two hours north on Highway 49, via Jackson and Placerville. Can you pan for gold at Coloma? + Yes — concessionaires inside Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park run panning sessions, and there are designated areas along the river. Check current availability with California State Parks. Is Coloma where rafting trips start? + It is the main base for South Fork American River trips. Licensed outfitters put in and take out around the town, with a season that usually runs from spring into late summer on dam-supported flows. How much time do you need? + Two to three hours for the park and museum, a full day if you add panning, a swim and lunch in Placerville. ![](/__l5e/assets-v1/84bf9984-9cf8-406b-aaf5-dbde0a9f8c6a/arnold-haven-mark-white.png) Arnold Haven Cabin stays in Arnold, California — minutes from Calaveras Big Trees State Park, White Pines Lake and Bear Valley. 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