Driving Directions Upcoming Events
  • 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
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

Read More
California Trail Exhibits

Pioneer History Museum

Read More
California Trail Library

Library

Read More
Elephant Feature

The Elephant

Read More
Gift Shop

California Trail Shop

Read More
Original Art

Original Art

Read More
Wagon Encampment

Encampments

Read More
Trail Management

Trail Management

Read More
Dsc 7961

Exhibits

Read More
California Trail Center

Hike the Trails

Read More
The Plaza

The Plaza

Read More
Upcoming Events
Today
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
M
T
W
T
F
S
S
31
1
2
3
4
1:00 PM - Story & Craft Fridays: Pony Express
5
6
11:00 AM - Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
7
8
9
10
7:30 PM - S'more Than a Meteor Shower
11
1:00 PM - Story & Craft Fridays: Gold
12
1:00 PM - Pioneer Ice Cream
13
11:00 AM - Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
14
15
16
17
18
1:00 PM - Storytime & Craft Fridays: Corn Husk Dolls
19
6:00 PM - Cool Canyon Evenings in Lamoille: Gold Fever
20
11:00 AM - Canceled: Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
21
22
23
24
25
1:00 PM - Story & Craft Fridays: The Elephant Quilt
26
8:00 PM - Full-ish Moon Walk - Southfork Meadows
27
11:00 AM - Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
11:00 AM - Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Story & Craft Fridays: Pony Express
Story & Craft Fridays: Pony Express
Friday 08/04/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Childrens
  • Family
Giddy up and come on down to hear Whatever Happened to the Pony Express? by Verla Kay. Followed by making your very own pony and [...]
More Info
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Sunday 08/06/2023    
11:00 am-12:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
Join us for archery and atlatl throwing at the Trail Center. The program is outdoors, so please dress accordingly for the weather and make sure [...]
More Info
S'more Than a Meteor Shower
S'more Than a Meteor Shower
Thursday 08/10/2023    
7:30 pm-10:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Evening
  • Special
Celebrate national s'mores day with us under the Perseids meteor shower! In order to ensure that we have enough supplies, please RSVP for this event [...]
More Info
Story & Craft Fridays: Gold
Story & Craft Fridays: Gold
Friday 08/11/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Childrens
  • Family
Gold! Gold from the American River! Join and enjoy a story about pioneers making their journey, to strike gold! After the story participate in a [...]
More Info
Pioneer Ice Cream
Pioneer Ice Cream
Saturday 08/12/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Childrens
  • Family
  • Special
Milk is a complicated mixture of many different molecules including fats, proteins, and water. Freezing will cause milk to separate into its various parts, however, [...]
More Info
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
Sunday 08/13/2023    
11:00 am-12:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
Join us for axe and Knife Throwing throwing at the Trail Center. For safety, this program is limited to ages 8 and up. The program [...]
More Info
Storytime & Craft Fridays: Corn Husk Dolls
Storytime & Craft Fridays: Corn Husk Dolls
Friday 08/18/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Arts & Crafts
Children’s toys have changed a lot over the years. Corn husk dolls were first made by Native Americans and later adopted by the settlers. Join [...]
More Info
Cool Canyon Evenings in Lamoille: Gold Fever
Cool Canyon Evenings in Lamoille: Gold Fever
Saturday 08/19/2023    
6:00 pm-7:30 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Evening
  • Special
Join the California Trail Interpretive Center at the Lamoille Canyon Powerhouse Picnic Area for an exploration into the gold rush of 1849 where participants will [...]
More Info
Canceled: Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Canceled: Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Sunday 08/20/2023    
11:00 am-1:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
This event has been canceled due to rainy conditions. Join us for archery and atlatl throwing at the Trail Center. The program is outdoors, so [...]
More Info
Story & Craft Fridays: The Elephant Quilt
Story & Craft Fridays: The Elephant Quilt
Friday 08/25/2023    
1:00 pm-2:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Childrens
  • Family
Join us in reading The Elephant Quilt by Susan Lowell. This will be followed by an embroidery project! In order to ensure that we have [...]
More Info
Full-ish Moon Walk - Southfork Meadows
Full-ish Moon Walk - Southfork Meadows
Saturday 08/26/2023    
8:00 pm-10:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
  • Evening
  • Hiking
Enjoy an easy, 3 mile round-trip full-moon walk through South Fork Meadows while learning about the emigrant stories of those who traveled through the area. [...]
More Info
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
Sunday 08/27/2023    
11:00 am-12:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
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
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
Sunday 09/03/2023    
11:00 am-12:00 pm
California Trail Interpretive Center
Join us for archery and atlatl throwing at the Trail Center. This program is limited to ages 8 and up. The program is outdoors, so [...]
More Info
Events on Friday 08/04/2023
Story &Amp; Craft Fridays: Pony Express
Story & Craft Fridays: Pony Express
4 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Sunday 08/06/2023
Bows And Throws: Archery And Atlatl
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
6 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Thursday 08/10/2023
S'More Than A Meteor Shower
S'more Than a Meteor Shower
10 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Friday 08/11/2023
Story &Amp; Craft Fridays: Gold
Story & Craft Fridays: Gold
11 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Saturday 08/12/2023
Pioneer Ice Cream
Pioneer Ice Cream
12 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Sunday 08/13/2023
Bows And Throws: Axe And Knife Throwing
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
13 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Friday 08/18/2023
Storytime &Amp; Craft Fridays: Corn Husk Dolls
Storytime & Craft Fridays: Corn Husk Dolls
18 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Saturday 08/19/2023
Cool Canyon Evenings In Lamoille: Gold Fever
Cool Canyon Evenings in Lamoille: Gold Fever
19 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Sunday 08/20/2023
Canceled: Bows And Throws: Archery And Atlatl
Canceled: Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
20 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Friday 08/25/2023
Story &Amp; Craft Fridays: The Elephant Quilt
Story & Craft Fridays: The Elephant Quilt
25 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Saturday 08/26/2023
Full-Ish Moon Walk - Southfork Meadows
Full-ish Moon Walk - Southfork Meadows
26 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Sunday 08/27/2023
Bows And Throws: Axe And Knife Throwing
Bows and Throws: Axe and Knife Throwing
27 Aug 23
Elko
Events on Sunday 09/03/2023
Bows And Throws: Archery And Atlatl
Bows and Throws: Archery and Atlatl
3 Sep 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

© Copyright 2018 - Southern Nevada Conservancy | All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Website by: Site Smart Marketing

Start typing and press Enter to search