South Fork American River — Local services in Placerville

The South Fork American River is indeed an awesome place but the map here points to the end of a private road with some people's houses at the bottom. There is nowhere to park and there is a vicious dog. Just up the road on Highway 49 there is Marshall Gold State Park. A great place to hike, swim and check out Sutter's Mill, where gold was discovered!

None of the photos posted here are from the location of this link. They are all taken from different places on the river.

Google should fix the location...

This is not the marker you are looking for. As others have pointed out, the location has no public access by land. There is public access to river in Coloma at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, in Lotus at Henningsen Lotus Park, and at a number of BLM access points between Coloma and Pilot Hill off of Hwy 49. There are duplicate markers if you add Coloma or Folsom to name. Attempts have been made to fix this marker but Google makes it difficult even if you are a Google...

Google Maps is MISLEADING. The directions they are giving here are for a PRIVATE ROAD, RESIDENTS ONLY. Do not waste your time - aside from the wonderful State Park in the town of Coloma, there are plenty of trail heads along highway 49 between Placerville and Cool. Google Directions to Red Shack, Dave Moore Nature Area, Greenwood, Magnolia or Cronan Ranch just to name a few. All are great areas for singles, families and pets, hiking, biking and swimming. Enjoy...