Sutter's Fort State Historic Park

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park is a reconstructed 19th-century trading post in Sacramento County that served as a crucial outpost during California's early settlement period. The fort displays the layout of living quarters, workshops, and storage buildings that were typical of an early American settlement.

The fort was founded in 1839 by John Sutter and quickly became a center of trade and settlement in Northern California. Its story is tied to the 1848 Gold Rush and California's rapid expansion.

The reconstructed fort is open to visitors and offers guided tours through its buildings and displays. It works best to visit during daytime when rangers are present to provide explanations and demonstrations of 19th-century life.

The fort served as an information center and supply depot for Gold Rush prospectors in 1848 before later being repurposed as a school and storage facility. Many of the structures visible today are reconstructions showing what the original looked like more than 150 years ago.

Location: Sacramento County

Website: https://parks.ca.gov/?page_id=485

GPS coordinates: 38.57222,-121.47083

Latest update: December 8, 2025 14:59