A visit to Columbia State Park is a visit to the 1850s. The town, once know as the "Gem of the Southern Mines", was acquired by the state park system in 1945 and restored to its original glory. Visitors can come for the day or stay in one of the two hotels or campground. While there, they can ride a stagecoach, gold pan, and experience the history of the time firsthand.
Guided school field trips are available with details here. Topics include Town and Schoolhouse Tours, Gold Trek, and Diggins Tent Town Education Days (See descriptions here). They book annually in September for upcoming school year. The park's independent concessionaires offer activities for school groups too. The Park Service also has a self guided "passport" (for a cost), a pre visit, and Gold Rush curriculum.
Although Columbia State Historic Park is open most days by 10 am, it gets pretty quiet there after dark. Most stores literally shutter up at end of the day so be prepared if staying overnight.
The park as many seasonal special event days, including a reenactment weekend in the Spring . Check here for details. The park has plenty of space for parking, lunch, and running around with public restrooms all around. |
This location's web site can be found by clicking on the title of the page.
revised 10-12-15