Colfax: Railroad History and Excursions

Colfax is a place where railroad history is not confined to a single building: the station, depot, marker, and theater tell different chapters of the town’s story. There are also walks through the level downtown and natural destinations in the surrounding area. You can combine culture with your stay or focus more on trails, water, and scenery.

Railroad History at Several Stops

Colfax is home to an early station on America’s transcontinental railroad. The First Transcontinental Railroad Marker records that the first train arrived in Colfax in September 1865. This precise date gives the railroad history a concrete connection to the town. The Colfax Freight Depot is the only surviving freight depot of its type in Placer County; the Central Pacific Railroad built the still-standing structure around 1880. The Colfax Passenger Depot was built in 1905 by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. The Colfax Chamber of Commerce, a visitor center, and the Heritage Museum are located at 99 Railroad Street. The Colfax Heritage Museum is housed in the restored Southern Pacific Passenger Depot. Admission is free; the museum shop offers books on local history and railroad memorabilia. The Colfax Theatre is another dated landmark in the town’s history: it opened in 1939 with 394 seats.

Walk, Trail, and Destinations in the Surrounding Area

The tour of the historic markers can be taken as an easy walk through the level downtown. For a different outing, Stevens Trail starts at the trailhead in Colfax and ends at the confluence of Secret Ravine and the North Fork of the American River. The trail is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Auburn State Recreation Area extends from Auburn to Colfax. Pennyweight is in the wider Colfax area; it is a family-friendly, approximately 1.7-mile out-and-back hike in the Auburn State Recreation Area. There are opportunities for gold panning and, in summer, swimming. Rollins Lake in the Colfax area is open to boats year-round; it also has a beach and seasonal camping options.

In town, Colfax Splash Pad is across from Lions Children’s Playground and next to the ballfield. The location of these three recreational facilities offers another focus alongside the historic walk and outings into the surrounding area.

Choose the Right Focus

Colfax sits at an elevation of 2,400 feet; the weather is highly changeable and consistently cooler than in the valley. Plan for variable conditions rather than assuming just one type of weather.

When searching for a vacation rental in Colfax, the kind of day you want can help you decide: Would you rather focus on railroad history and the level walking route, or on trails, water, and outings in the wider area? First consider whether Colfax itself or the surrounding destinations will be the main focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Auburn, Lake Forest, Roseville, Squaw Valley, Tahoe Vista, Lincoln, Carnelian Bay, Homewood

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