The El Dorado Western Railroad operates excursion rides on the El Dorado County railroad tracks between Placerville and Shingle Springs. Along with the history of the freight depot, the railroad offers a special topic for trip planning: you can distinguish current excursion rides from a historic event in 1896 without conflating the two.
Railroad Rides and History
The El Dorado Western Railroad's public rides take place in historic gang cars. If you’re planning a ride, check the current schedule; dates may change. The historic cars give the rides their distinctive railroad connection, while the route along the tracks between Placerville and Shingle Springs provides the regional context.
Shingle Springs’ existing freight depot also tells the story of the town’s railroad history. It was built after a fire destroyed the train station in 1896. The sequence of events is clear: the fire destroyed the station, and the freight depot was built afterward. This offers a different perspective on railroad heritage than an excursion ride: here, the focus is on local history, while the rides offer a trip in historic gang cars.
A Trail Section at Bradford Park
A natural section of the El Dorado Trail is accessible across from Bradford Park. This part of the trail runs along the Sacramento-Placerville Transit Corridor.
From Bradford Park, the El Dorado Trail provides eastbound access to El Dorado Station at Historical Railroad Park. Two details are therefore helpful for orientation: the accessible natural section across from the park and the direction to the station. If you’re including the trail in your plans, check current conditions before your visit.
Recreational Activities with Different Highlights
The Apex offers an interactive bowling center with 18 lanes, a multi-level go-kart track, and four modern golf simulator bays. The activities differ: bowling, go-karting, and golf simulation are offered side by side, without implying a particular order or shared itinerary. You can choose based on which of these activities interests you.
Red Hawk Casino has an 88,000-square-foot gaming floor, 2,100 slot machines, and six restaurants. Its offerings include both gaming and several dining options. Because details such as floor space and the number of machines, as well as restaurant offerings, may change, it’s worth checking the casino’s current information before planning your visit.
Red Hawk Casino also has ten active Level 2 charging stations, located in the parking garage and the valet parking area. If you’re planning to use these charging facilities, check availability in advance. The number of stations and the two locations listed here give you a specific indication of where to find the charging points.
Choose Based on Your Interests
The topics described here can be distinguished by their focus: the railroad offers excursion rides in historic gang cars; the freight depot represents local history; and the trail section offers a natural stretch of path and eastbound access to the station. Other options include bowling, a go-kart track, and golf simulation, as well as the casino’s restaurants and charging stations. This can help you decide which of these things matter for your stay and guide your search for accommodation. For current ride dates and offerings that may change, check the relevant information before making plans.
Discover more destinations: Kyburz, Pilot Hill, Pollock Pines, South Lake Tahoe, Camino, Upper Forni, Somerset, Echo Lake
Return to the overview of the region: El Dorado.
