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Providing Education & Information About The California Trail Providing Education & Information About The California Trail Providing Education & Information About The California Trail
  • Home
  • Plan A Visit
    • The Center
    • Directions & Hours
    • In & Around Elko
    • Group Visits
  • Events
    • Event Calendar
    • Upcoming Events List
    • California Trail Days
    • Program Gallery
  • News
  • Education
    • History & Events
    • Landmarks & Geology
    • People & Culture
    • For Teachers
    • For Kids
    • Mobile App
    • Digital Library
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Resource Links
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Mission Statement
    • Support The Center
    • Job Opportunities
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Videos
  • Shop

The Center

At the California Trail Center in Elko, Nevada you will have the opportunity to experience multimedia exhibits, life size dioramas, original art, and video productions. You can hike the trails, attend interpretive programs, and speak with knowledgeable staff. Upon completion of your visit, we hope you have gained an understanding of one of the most formative events in American history, westward expansion, and how these emigrants contributed to the development of America, the American character, and our American identity. We hope that this will foster a sense of stewardship toward preserving historic and cultural resources for the inspiration of future generations.
Home / The Center /
Pioneer Wagons

Pioneer Wagons

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California Trail Exhibits

Pioneer History Museum

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California Trail Library

Library

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Elephant Feature

The Elephant

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Gift Shop

California Trail Shop

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Original Art

Original Art

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Wagon Encampment

Encampments

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Trail Management

Trail Management

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The Plaza

The Plaza

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Dsc 7961

Exhibits

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California Trail Center

Hike the Trails

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Upcoming Events
Today
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6:00 PM - Wild & Scenic Film Festival
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1:00 PM - Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
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4
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7
1:00 PM - Ghost Town Painting Party
8
1:00 PM - Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
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14
7:30 AM - Solar Eclipse
15
1:00 PM - Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
1:00 PM - Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
16
17
18
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21
6:30 PM - Moonrise over the California Trail
22
1:00 PM - Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
23
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26
27
28
3:00 PM - Spirits of Pioneers Halloween Party
29
1:00 PM - Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
30
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1:00 PM - Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
Saturday 09/30/2023    
6:00 pm-9:30 pm
Northeastern Nevada Museum
  • Evening
  • Special
The California Trail Interpretive Center and Southern Nevada Conservancy are proud to bring The Wild and Scenic Film Festival to Elko. Join us FOR FREE* [...]
More Info
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Sunday 10/01/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Special
Join us for an afternoon of archery and atlatl throwing at the Trail Center. The program is outdoors, so please dress accordingly for the weather [...]
More Info
Ghost Town Painting Party
Ghost Town Painting Party
Saturday 10/07/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Arts & Crafts
In celebration of spooky season, join us at the California Trail Center and dive into Nevada's Ghost Towns. Learn their histories and mysteries, and how [...]
More Info
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
Sunday 10/08/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Special
Join us for axe and Knife Throwing throwing at the Trail Center. For safety, this program is limited to ages 7 and up. The program [...]
More Info
Solar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse
Saturday 10/14/2023    
7:30 am-10:00 am
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Special
The path of the 2023 Annular Solar Eclipse happens to pass right through Northern Nevada! This rare and extraordinary event will take place on Saturday, [...]
More Info
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
15 Oct
Sunday 10/15/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Special
Join us for an afternoon of archery and atlatl throwing at the Trail Center. The program is outdoors, so please dress accordingly for the weather [...]
More Info
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Sunday 10/15/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Special
Join us for an afternoon of archery and atlatl throwing at the Trail Center. The program is outdoors, so please dress accordingly for the weather [...]
More Info
Moonrise over the California Trail
Moonrise over the California Trail
Saturday 10/21/2023    
6:30 pm-8:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Evening
  • Family
The Moon is the brightest and largest object in our night sky. The Moon plays an extraordinary role in life on Earth! Celebrate the Moon [...]
More Info
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
Sunday 10/22/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Special
Join us for axe and Knife Throwing throwing at the Trail Center. For safety, this program is limited to ages 7 and up. The program [...]
More Info
Spirits of Pioneers Halloween Party
Spirits of Pioneers Halloween Party
Saturday 10/28/2023    
3:00 pm-7:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Family
  • Special
Join the California Trail Center Staff in your finest Halloween costumes! Eat spooky snacks, make traditional crafts, and mingle with the spirits of pioneers long [...]
More Info
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Sunday 10/29/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Special
Join us for an afternoon of archery and atlatl throwing at the Trail Center. The program is outdoors, so please dress accordingly for the weather [...]
More Info
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
Sunday 11/05/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Special
Join us for axe and Knife Throwing throwing at the Trail Center. For safety, this program is limited to ages 7 and up. The program [...]
More Info
Events on Saturday 09/30/2023
Wild &Amp; Scenic Film Festival
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
30 Sep 23
Elko
Events on Sunday 10/01/2023
Bows And Throws: Archery And Atlatl
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
1 Oct 23
Elko
Events on Saturday 10/07/2023
Ghost Town Painting Party
Ghost Town Painting Party
7 Oct 23
Elko
Events on Sunday 10/08/2023
Bows And Throws: Axe And Knife Throwing
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
8 Oct 23
Elko
Events on Saturday 10/14/2023
Solar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse
14 Oct 23
Elko
Events on Sunday 10/15/2023
15 Oct
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
15 Oct 23
Elko
Bows And Throws: Archery And Atlatl
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
15 Oct 23
Elko
Events on Saturday 10/21/2023
Moonrise Over The California Trail
Moonrise over the California Trail
21 Oct 23
Elko
Events on Sunday 10/22/2023
Bows And Throws: Axe And Knife Throwing
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
22 Oct 23
Elko
Events on Saturday 10/28/2023
Spirits Of Pioneers Halloween Party
Spirits of Pioneers Halloween Party
28 Oct 23
Elko
Events on Sunday 10/29/2023
Bows And Throws: Archery And Atlatl
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
29 Oct 23
Elko
Events on Sunday 11/05/2023
Bows And Throws: Axe And Knife Throwing
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
5 Nov 23
Elko
View Full Calendar
Who We Are

Southern Nevada Conservancy, a 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Las Vegas, NV, works cooperatively with the Bureau of Land Management through a formal agreement to provide education, informational, and other public services that will add to visitors understanding and enjoyment of the California Trail Interpretive Center. These programs include California Trail Interpretive Center programs, interpretive programming, volunteer management, retail operations, social media outreach, and this website.

Our Mission

Visit the California Trail
  • California Trail Facts
  • Educator Resource Guide
  • Exhibits
  • Group Visits
  • Hike the Trails
Operating Hours

Beginning May 1st The Trail Center will be open 7 days a week, from 8:30am-5:00pm.

The center is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

RV & Bus Parking is available. There is currently no fee to visit our site.

Get In Touch

California Trail Interpretive Center
1 Interpretive Center Way
Hunter Exit 292
Elko, Nevada 89801

General Information
Phone: (775) 738-1849

Contact Us

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