Marble Quarry RV Park is located in Columbia, California. We are located near some great places to visit and some great activities as well. We are near Yosemite National Park and next door to Columbia State Historic Park, some of our more famous relatives. When asked “What do you suggest we do around here?” Here are our answers:

Columbia State Historic Park ¼ mile (10 minute trail to town)

On March 27, 1850, Dr. Thaddeus Hildreth and his brother George found gold here while working with a few other prospectors.  A huge migration began crossing the continent in covered wagons and a diversity of cultures settled in the tent-town of “Hildreth’s Diggins”.  In the early 1850’s Hildreth’s Diggins, later to be named American Camp and finally called Columbia, was the richest, wildest, and largest mining town in the world.  At one time it housed more than fifteen thousand residents, who dug up, washed out of the earth, and labored for $87 million worth of gold.

In its heyday, the town boasted more than 150 places of business, including some 21 produce stores, 30 saloons and restaurants, 17 dry goods stores, 12 hotels, 9 fruit and confectionery shops, 8 carpenters, 7 bankers, 5 doctors, 5 law offices, 4 Mexican fandango dance halls, 4 liveries, 3 blacksmiths, 2 wagon makers, and a brewery.

As in other gold rush towns,Columbia’s fires were devastating and being rebuilt with more brick as well as the iron window and door shutters that were a standard protective device in the Mother Lode.

After years of hydraulic mining, which laid waste to the land around Columbia, the supply of gold diminished.  Finally what remained was far too difficult to obtain and, as happened with other gold towns, Columbia was nearly abandoned.

Since 1945 the original town of Columbia has been the center of Columbia State Historic Park, the only remaining preserved gold town in the United States.

Columbia sits on a high plateau about 1,300 feet higher than the Stanislaus River and 400 feet higher than Sonora.  The Columbia Area is a unique remnant of an ancient river that flowed here.  The river was more like the Amazon than today’s local rivers.

It is hard to believe that over 5,000 feet of sedimentary rock on the mountain’s crest was washed away.  That ancient Amazon-like river washed the gold down from the top of the eroding Sierra Nevada Mountains.

 

Yosemite National Park Entrance 60 miles

Yosemite is full of opportunity! Explore Yosemite by hiking or biking. Spend some time with a park ranger learning about Yosemite or get a broad overview by taking a bus tour. One of the first wilderness parks in the United States, Yosemite is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.

 

Gold Country Wineries

Get a taste of California’s historic, picturesque wine country, where tasting is intimate and casual with old country ambience.  Wineries first flourished here during the Gold Rush era, and then a century later in the 1970’s, developing a reputation for high quality wine grapes that yield deeply flavorful, award-winning wines.

Mt. Brow Winery, being in the closest Columbia vicinity, is a family winery featuring local grapes and wines.  With a friendly atmosphere, lots of parking, a picnic area and being open 12:00 to 5:00 P.M. every Saturday (or by appointment for a group), is an enticing afternoon outing.

 

Railtown 1897 State Historic Park 8 miles

Fancy a six mile, 40 minute roundtrip ride through the rolling Sierra Nevada foothills, pulled by a vintage steam locomotive or take a roundhouse tour to learn about the rich heritage of California’s Sierra Railway. Since 1919, Railtown and its historic locomotives and railroad cars have appeared in over 200 movies and TV productions, including High Noon, Back to the Future III, and Little House on the Prairie.

 

New Melones Reservoir 7 miles

New Melones Reservoir is California’s 5th largest reservoir holding 2.4 million acre-feet of water. The reservoir provides 12,500 surface-acres of water and is surrounded by 100 miles of shoreline. Outdoor adventure opportunities abound at New Melones.

• Boating, Swimming, Water Sports
• Hiking, Ranger Hikes& Programs, Visitors Center
• Picnicking, Biking, Horseback Riding
• Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife Viewing

 

Moaning Cavern Adventure Park 10 miles

With a guided tour, adventure through Moaning Cavern, the largest vertical chamber in a public cavern that you can see in California. Or, energetic cave explorers can descend by rope 165 feet into the huge main chamber. Experience Moaning Cavern’s thrilling new above ground activities, the new Zip Lines or the Custom Climbing Tower.

 

Sierra Repertory Theatre

Delight in one of Sierra Repertory Theatre’s productions, in East Sonora or Columbia’s Historic Fallon House. Since 1980, Sierra Rep has presented audiences with a broad range of theatrical literature at the highest production quality possible with culture and spirit, such as Cinderella, Carousel, Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash. Sierra Repertory Theatre now presents ten main stage shows per year at its two locations.

 

Dodge Ridge Ski Resort 37 miles

Spend a day on the slopes, then come down the hill and enjoy the warmth and convenience of staying just below the snowline. An easy drive, Dodge Ridge offers 852 skiable acres, 67 runs, and 1600 feet of vertical. Skip the driving, catch a ride in Sonora on the Dodge Ski Bus and get dropped off right at the lifts.

 

Calaveras Big Trees State Park 35 miles

Few natural wonders rival the majestic beauty of the two magnificent groves of Giant Sequoias at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Picnic areas and miles of hiking, biking. snowshoe and cross country trails make Calaveras Big Trees one of the area’s most popular year around destinations. Interpretive center includes visual and hands-on exhibits about the Park’s history and natural environment. Staff and trained docents conduct a variety of summer interpretive programs for all ages.

 

Rafting Adventures

Sunshine Rafting has been offering family-friendly affordable rafting trips on the Stanislaus River for over 25 years.  These self-guided rafting trips are perfect for children (5 and up) and adults, and include beautiful scenery and wildlife, as well as access to a handful of beautiful public parks.  Trips run seven days a week, and can be booked by advanced reservation by calling 209-848-4800 or going to RaftAdventure.com.

 

Local Activities:

 

Antiquing	Historic Gold Rush Towns	Shopping
Boating	Horseback Riding	Snow Play
Caving	Hunting/Fishing	Snow Skiing
Concerts	Ice Skating	Theatre
Gold Panning	Mountain Biking	Variety of Special Events
Golfing	Museums	Wine Tasting
Hiking	River Rafting