Carriage Rides Gold Country Carriages Gold Panning Bekeart's Gun Shop Two Feathers Trading Post Golf Courses Click here for Golf Courses. RV Parks   Ponderosa RV Resort Ponderosa RV Resort, on the South Fork of the American River in Coloma/Lotus, is one of California's best family RV Campgrounds. Family camping just doesn't get better than this! RV Camping at the edge of one of California's most scenic rivers, family activities and first class facilities make this an excellent choice for your RV camping vacation. 530-642-5830 7291 Hwy 49, Lotus, CA 95613 www.ponderosarv.com Theaters (Live) Olde Coloma Theater Whitewater Rafting Rafting down a river can be an exhilarating adventure. Whitewater rafting can also be very challenging. Please contact a professional rafting company before setting out on any river without a guide. Adventure Connection It's A Journey For The Mind For the best white water river rafting in California, plan a custom whitewater vacation to the South Fork, Middle Fork or North Fork of the American River. Adventure Connection offers one to three-day raft trips, family vacation packages, corporate team building, comfortable wilderness camping, wine tasting, river rafting guide school, and women's trips 800-556-6060 P.O. Box 475 Coloma, CA 95613 www.raftcalifornia.com American Whitewater Expeditions First Class affordable paddle raft adventures since 1980 on the South, Middle and North Forks of the American River for ages 6 to 60 plus! Family Midweek Specials, Group and Corporate rates, superb international staff, Lobster, Seasoned fish, & Barbecue steak and chicken dinners with 2 micro brews on tap (Budweiser too)! April - September 15. Mention Historichwy49.com and receive a discount on your trip, plus free camping and tent rentals. 800-825-3205 P.O. Box 4280 Sunland, CA. 91041-4280 info@americanwhitewater.com www.americanwhitewater.com O.A.R.S. O.A.R.S. has been providing California whitewater rafting and adventure travel vacations for nearly 40 years. We provide rafting trips on nine Northern California rivers, including the popular South Fork American and Middle Fork American rivers, as well as on rivers throughout the western U.S., Alaska, Canada, Latin America and Fiji. Find out for yourself why National Geographic Traveler Magazine named O.A.R.S. as one of the top adventure travel outfitters in the world. 209-736-2407 800-346-6277 PO Box 67 Angels Camp, CA 95222 www.oars.com blog.oars.com Mariah Wilderness Expeditions Since 1982, Mariah has offered exciting, and safe, rafting on the South, Middle, and North Fork of the American River. We specialize in family adventures, corporate team-building, youth groups, deluxe camping, experienced guides, and a passion to share the river. 530-626-6049 800-462-7424 7170 Highway 49 P.O. Box 1160 Lotus, CA 95651 www.mariahrafting.com rafting@mariahwe.com Tributary Whitewater Tours Guiding California whitewater rafting trips since 1978. For all levels, from family vacation trips suitable for kids from 4 years, to wilderness whitewater rafting adventures for the expert. Rivers include the American, Yuba, Carson, Truckee and many more. 1/2 day to 4+ days. Great discounts for youths (10%-50%), seniors, groups, off season, and mention Historichwy49.com for additional savings. (530) 346-6812 Toll Free for clients (800) 672-3846 6400 Hwy 49, Lotus, CA rafting@whitewatertours.com www.whitewatertours.com   Recreational Areas and Information Natural Recreation Areas Marshall Gold Discovery State Historical Park - Located on Hwy 49 in the town of Coloma. We ask that you please keep this historic area free from litter, whatever you bring into the park, please take it out with you or dispose of properly. When you hike, stay on the trails. Shortcuts destroy the ground cover and speed erosion. There is no diving permitted along the river shoreline, there are submerged obstacles and an uneven bottom. Please do not disturb any of the historic sites. Remember take only pictures and leave only footprints! Established in May 1890 as California's First Historic Monument. The purpose is to protect, preserve and interpret California's Gold Discovery Site and it's environs, the discoverer James W. Marshall and the impact of this momentous event on California and the world. About seventy percent of Coloma is included in the park with approximately 200 year round residents. The park covers 273 acres and includes 160 picnic sites, table and barbecue. There are no camp sites available in the park. The park is open year round, daily, from 8am to sunset. The buildings are open from 10am to 5pm daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The museum is open from 10am to 4:30pm. There is a park fee of $5.00 per car and $40.00 per bus. Seniors 62 and over receive a $1.00 discount off the per car fee. Fees include admission to the museum. You can be married in either of the historic churches located in the park. You will need to make arrangements at the park superintendent's office. The park features a number of historic building dating back to the gold rush era. You will see many other reminders of the past through exhibits and scheduled cultural events. A sign at each site and structure gives a brief description and history. Many of the trees you see, Tree-of-Heaven, black locust, catalpa, persimmon and others, were planted by homesick miners as reminders of their former dwellings. Biking Mountain and Road • There are a lot of quiet country roads and back roads to explore. • OLMSTEAD LOOP in nearby Cool: This trail is a 10 mile circle that offers challenging cliffs and exhilarating downhill vistas. Fishing The South Fork of the American River. Contact Fish and Game 916-227-2244 or www.dfg.ca.gov Gold Panning Click the Gold Facts Button for more information. Recreational gold panning is allowed on the east shore of the river. Contact the visitors center for more information. 530-622-3470 • Bekeart's Gun Shop: gold panning demos. and lessons. Hiking • MONUMENT LOOP TRAIL: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historical Park: A difficult 1.5 mile walk which includes a 250 foot climb. You will see an area where Nisenan Indian women ground acorns for food. Look for the mortar holes in the rock. You will pass through forest and chaparral. At the top of the trail is James Marshall's Monument, built over the grave in 1889. You will see Marshall's Cabin, The Noteware-Thomas House and the stone ruins of the old El Dorado County Jail. Pick up a map at the visitor's center. Please stay on the trail. • FREE COLOMA COMMUNITY HIKES: On the first Saturday of every month the American River Conservancy will lead you on nature hikes throughout the community. Info: 530-621-1224 Parks and Public Lands • Marshall Gold Discovery State Historical Park: Hwy 49 in the town of Coloma. The park covers 273 acres and includes 160 picnic sites, table and barbecue. There are no camp sites available in the park. The park is open year round, daily, from 8am to sunset. The buildings are open from 10am to 5pm daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The museum is open from 10am to 4:30pm. There is a park fee of $5.00 per car and $40.00 per bus. Seniors 62 and over receive a $1.00 discount off the per car fee. Fees include admission to the museum. • Henningsen-Lotus County Park: Located 3/4 of a mile from Hwy 49 on Lotus Road. Info: 530-621-5353 For recreational regulations, safety tips, information and phone numbers click here.