Sutter's Fort State Park

Learn what life was like back in 1848.

This park is rich in the historical culture of the 1800s. John Sutter created an agricultural establishment here to mimic a new Switzerland. However, the discovery of gold on his land and the mining frenzy nearly destroyed Sutter's property. Sutter's Fort is what is left of John Sutter's legacy. Sutter's Fort State Historical Park offers a variety of learning opportunities. This fort lets you experience firsthand the lifestyle of the residences in California back in 1848.

Visitors of the park can look at Sutter's Fort collections, consisting of artifacts such as diaries, maps, documents, houseware goods, tools, and more. Visitors can also experience the fort via self-guided tours, special events, and educational programs. The park is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm.  Reservations are required for large groups. The museum store offers various gifts and publications about Sutter's history and is open from 10 am to 4:30 pm. This park is physically accessible for all abilities. Dogs are allowed on the grounds; however, only service dogs are allowed inside the buildings.