Major city · United States
ColfaxColfax, California
Skip Colfax as a destination unless you need a quiet stop on I-80 or a short hike; half a day is enough for the museum and a trail.
Colfax is a small Gold Country town on I-80, best known as a stop for the California Zephyr train and a trailhead for the Stevens Trail. Its historic downtown and free heritage museum fill a couple of hours, but most travellers drive through on the way to Truckee or Lake Tahoe.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, fire risk), Dec–Feb (snow possible on I-80)
- Airport
- SMF
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Colfax911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Colfax, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyColfax is a safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSMF Sacramento International Airport (About 1 hour 15 min drive west on I-80; no direct transit.).
- Getting aroundColfax is walkable downtown; a car is needed for the Stevens Trail trailhead (about 1 km (0.6 mi) east).Colfax is walkable downtown; a car is needed for the Stevens Trail trailhead (about 0.6 mi (1 km) east).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- BeerBeer (draft)$5–7
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$100 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SMF Sacramento International Airport (About 1 hour 15 min drive west on I-80; no direct transit.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Colfax: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Feb
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Colfax is walkable downtown; a car is needed for the Stevens Trail trailhead (about 1 km east). I-80 runs through town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 15 min
I-80 west, about 15 min drive
Larger Gold Country town with a historic courthouse and river canyons.
Door to door: About 30 min
I-80 west, about 30 min drive
Shopping and dining hub; also a stop on the California Zephyr.
Lake Tahoe
goDoor to door: About 1.25 h
I-80 east, about 1 hour 15 min drive
Full-day trip; check I-80 conditions in winter.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Colfax
A couple of hotels and the Mineral Bar Campground (reservations required May 15–Sep 15).
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100 | US$200 |
| Amtrak California Zephyr, Sacramento to Colfax (one way)2 × US$25 · check | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$37 |
| Trip total≈ US$204 per person per day, bed included | US$407 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Burger at a diner | $10–15 |
| Beer (draft) | $5–7 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $4–5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Amtrak California Zephyr stops once daily each direction; delays are common.
- Mineral Bar Campground requires reservations mid-May to mid-September.
- I-80 can close in winter due to snow; check Caltrans conditions.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ColfaxColfax, California
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
The nearest US embassy is in Sacramento (check address); most foreign consulates are in San Francisco.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Amtrak California Zephyr, Sacramento to Colfax: about $25, once daily westbound at 12:50pm (check)about $25, once daily westbound at 12:50 PMpm (check)
- Taxi from Colfax to Auburn: $25–35
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how much is it)
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead? (where is the trailhead)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Colfax. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, fire risk), Dec–Feb (snow possible on I-80) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place page for Stevens Trail with trailhead coordinates and difficulty.
- Place page for Colfax Heritage Museum with hours and seasonal closures.
- Eat page for downtown diners and cafes with last-order times.
Sources
Ask about Colfax
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