Railtown 1897 State Historic Park
Also known as Railtown 1897 SHP
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Apr 1 – Oct 31)
- Entrance fee
- $5 per adultAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- parks.ca.gov(209) 984-3953
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 21 acres, Railtown 1897 State Historic Park lies in Tuolumne County, about 3 miles southwest of Sonora.
Things to do include historic sites, ranger programs, picnicking, and hiking.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Apr 1 – Oct 31 |
| Daily | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Nov 1 – Mar 31 |
Official wording
April through October, open daily 9:30am to 4:30pm; November through March, open daily 10:00am to 3:00pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult Museum Entry Fee | $5 |
| Youth Museum Entry Fee | $3 · child |
| Child (5 & Under) Museum Entry Fee | Free |
Official wording
Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods, and during weekends. Prices are subject to change without notice. • Adult Museum Entry Fee: $5.00 • Youth Museum Entry Fee: $3.00 • Child (5 & Under) Museum Entry Fee: Free
California park passes
- California Explorer Annual Pass — $195. Vehicle day-use entry to 134 state parks incl. high-demand Southern California beaches Details
- Golden Poppy Annual Pass — $125. Vehicle day-use entry to 112 state parks Details
- Historian Passport — $50. Admission for up to four people at per-person-fee State Historic Parks Details
- Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Annual Pass — $50. Entry to State Vehicular Recreation Areas that collect day-use fees Details
- SNO-Park Pass — $40 season / $15 day. 18 SNO-PARK winter recreation areas Details
From the California state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveCalifornia
- Phone
- (800) 444-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Are dogs allowed? Yes: Dogs are allowed outdoors and must be on a leash at all times.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Things to do
Historic sites and toursPicnickingRanger and interpretive programsHiking
Amenities
Facilities
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Parking
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Overview
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is the place where the Sierra Railway Company began its short-line operation in 1897. The park features a number of old steam locomotives, weekend tours of the roundhouse and blacksmith shop, and a slide program and gift shop. The park is located in Jamestown, 3-miles south of Sonora, at 5th and Reservoir Road. Phone 209-984-3953.
Exhibits/Programs
This park includes a historic train depot and other exhibit areas that are generally accessible. Some assistance may be required with occasionally steep ramps, and with unusual raised flooring details in the depot. Parking: A small parking area includes two spaces designated accessible. Restrooms: One portable restroom is accessible. Call the park for more information.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
Know Before You Go
Hours of Operation
April through October, open 9:30am to 4:30pm.
November through March, open 10:00am to 3:00pm.
Railtown 1897 SHP is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Park Admission
Adults $5
Youth $3 (ages 6 to 17)
Children Free (5 and under)
Park admission is included in the price of a train ticket. Visit www.Railtown1897.org to purchase train tickets.
Accepted Park Passes
Railtown accepts the California State Parks "Free Fourth Grade Pass" for California fourth graders and the "Historian Passport" for day use admission. For information on these passes please see:
store.parks.ca.gov/product/historian-passport-day-use-admission-annual-pass
Read more from the park
Location-Directions
The park is located in Jamestown, 3 miles south of Sonora, at 5th Avenue and Reservoir Road.
Where to Eat
Visit Tuolumne County offers this list: visittuolumne.com/places-to-eat
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Spring and summer are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Film and Photography - Personal use photography is permitted. For ANY photography beyond personal use photography, learn more on the Film and Photography page.
Venue Rental - For large groups or parties, learn more about hosting a gathering at the park on the Venue Rental page.
Getting there
- Address
- Sierra Av & 9th St
Jamestown, CA 95327 - Nearest town
- Sonora — about 3 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.9512, -120.4181
- Phone
- (209) 984-3953
Entrances
- Directions point
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
The park is located in Jamestown, 3-miles south of Sonora, at Sierra Av & 9th St.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- California State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- California State Parks Listing page (one link per unit, page_id = officialId), unioned with the CSP Enterprise GIS 'ParkEntryPoints' ArcGIS layer (coords, address, county, unit number, management status) and the 'CSPParkUnit_CurrentStatus' layer (open/partial/full closure)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology