Railtown 1897 State Historic Park - Jamestown, CA
Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California, is a beloved destination not just for train enthusiasts but also for families seeking a scenic and pet-friendly outing. Nestled in California’s Gold Country, this historic railroad park features preserved steam locomotives, beautiful picnic areas, and spacious park grounds where visitors of all ages—two-legged and four-legged—can enjoy some time outdoors. While the park primarily appeals to history buffs and train lovers with its unique roundhouse tours and iconic film-featured engines, it also offers open green spaces and shaded areas perfect for stretching your legs with your furry friends.
There are numerous picnic tables where guests can relax after a stroll or train ride, making it easy to enjoy a lunch break with your dog. The park’s grounds are clean and well-maintained, offering a safe environment for kids and dogs alike. Although there isn’t a formal fenced dog park or designated off-leash area, Railtown 1897 makes a wonderful stop for dog owners looking for a dog-friendly park experience in Jamestown, especially when paired with scenic walks and plenty of shade to rest under during sunny afternoons.
FAQ
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there are shaded areas and picnic tables where you and your pet can relax.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Yes, there are picnic tables available, and guests are encouraged to bring snacks or lunch.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there is ample picnic table seating throughout the park.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, visitors report that the park grounds are clean and well looked after.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, there is a small park area where kids can run and play, plus activities like train rides and exploring old train equipment.
- Is parking available? Yes, there is parking available on-site.
- Is the park open year-round? Yes, the park is open for visitors year-round (check for current seasonal train schedules).
Reviews
Such a hidden gem! If you’re anywhere near Yosemite/Groveland or passing through Oakdale, Railtown 1897 is totally worth the stop.
The big highlight here is the 45-minute round-trip train ride on a real historic steam engine. It’s NULL for adults, NULL for kids 5 and up, and free for the littlest ones (under 5), which is awesome. The ride itself is slow and scenic — lots of open fields, old bridges, and foothill charm. The kids in our family group loved it.
Around the depot, there’s a nice little park area where kids can run around, plus some old trains and cool railroad equipment to check out. It’s not huge, but it’s enough to stretch your legs and keep the little ones happy while waiting for your train time.
The whole place has this cool “time capsule” feel, like stepping into an old western movie (not surprising, since a bunch have been filmed here). The staff and volunteers are super friendly and seem genuinely excited to share the history.
Pro tips:
*Check train times before you go — they don’t run all day.
*Bring snacks or lunch. There are picnic tables and some shade, but not a ton of food options nearby.
Overall, it’s a relaxed, affordable day trip with just enough magic to keep everyone smiling. Highly recommend for families, history buffs, or anyone needing a little nostalgia fix.
My son is obsessed with trains and absolutely loved this place. It is a historical landmark that really makes you feel like you stepped back in time. We loved learning all of the history of the iconic locomotives! My boys loved pushing the button to start the train in the little shop. We will definitely be back!
A Must-Visit Historic Railroad Site
A fantastic historical site dedicated to the legacy of railroads. The display of locomotives—all are over 100 years old—is truly impressive and a step back in time. We were lucky enough to take the tour with Walt, an 87-year-young volunteer whose passion and knowledge brought the entire experience to life. He made our visit unforgettable. I highly recommend making this a stop while in town
May 2025
After many years of trying, we finally were able to visit and ride the train.
It was a glorious day all the way around. The staff and volunteers were great. The grounds are nice and well taken care of. We purchased hotdog lunches there after the ride and ate at one of the many picnic tables.
Had a great roundhouse tour. Excellent book and gift store.
My son and me are big train fans. On the way from Lake Tahoe we stopped here. It was amazing. We got a private tour through the roundhouse and the workshop and could see amazing steam locomotives. As a matter of fact, they have the original locomotives from the movie Back to the Future III which is also a star in a lot of other movies.
We definitely recommend going here if you are train lovers as we are.