Gilman Ranch Historic Park

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Parks

California

Nearby: Repplier Park Richard Sanchez Park

Last Updated: December 26, 2025

Gilman Ranch Historic Park is a 30-acre park located in the state of California, in the city of Banning, Riverside County.

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Summary

It is a popular attraction for visitors who want to experience the rich history of the region and learn about the life and times of early Southern California settlers.

Visitors can explore the ranch house and various outbuildings, which have been preserved and restored to their original 19th-century condition. The ranch house was built in 1869 and features original furnishings, photographs, and artifacts from the Gilman family, who were prominent citrus growers in the area.

Other points of interest at Gilman Ranch Historic Park include a working blacksmith shop, a carriage museum, and a one-room schoolhouse. The park also includes walking trails, picnic areas, and a playground for children.

Interesting facts about the area include that the Gilman family was one of the first families to settle in the Banning area and that the ranch has been used as a filming location for several movies and TV shows, including "Little House on the Prairie".

The best time of year to visit Gilman Ranch Historic Park is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the park is not too crowded. The park is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and admission is free.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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