california trail historic interpretive center

MRAlvey

Clean, well laid out displays appeal to adults and children. This was th second time we have been there and found thingg thatvwe had not taken note of on our first visit.

bondslave

The displays are well done, the information is clear, and the no pressure self guided tour takes all the pressure off of the visit. I'm amazed that it is free. It is well worth seeing and watching the documentary on the the Donner party. This is an attraction I make a point to take guests to.

JerryQuill

It's well worth your time to make a visit to the center as they have many interesting items on display and interesting information aas well.

Gena424

This free (!) center does quite an amazing job of bringing to life the 2000 mile journey of the pioneers setting off for California. Although I live near Donner Pass and knew some of the history, this center brought out the tragic Donner Party with a clarity I have not experienced before. Many other groups are also documented with details like the "odometers" they made to put on the wheels of the covered wagons to keep track of the mileage. The whole center is beautifully done.

phils834

My grandson loves to come here. They have many hands on exhibits that kids can do. Very interesting historical facts.

SE_Florida

Easy on/off isolated I-80 exit just west of Elko, this NPS museum has excellent free exhibits explaining the pioneer wagon trains of 1840's-60's to California and Oregon. Gets into the emotions of those who risked everything to move West. Inspiring and informative.

721leww

Very nice place to stop and spend a few hours. Great exhibits indoors and out. No way can you watch all videos and demonstrations without staying most of the day. So we'll come again. Plenty of parking, nice clean bathrooms. Beats stopping at a rest area.

Mr_PeteBurnsville

On a trip from Minnesota to Washington to California to Nevada and back to Minnesota, we often found ourselves discussing how in the world the early California and Oregon pioneers could travel via covered wagon all the way to the west coast over mountains, across deserts, through forests, etc. By chance, on our way to Elko, Nevada we saw and stopped at the California Trail Historic Interpretive Center. What a fabulous job they are doing in explaining the trials and tribulations of living in a covered wagon and making the trip to the west coast. My thanks and congratulations to the developers and staff of the Interpretive Center. What a thrill to learn about and then find actual wagon tracks from those incredible pioneers.

Janrey642

This Center was a most pleasant break while driving across I-80. It was a spur of the moment stop that turned into several hours exploring the small museum and walking the trails. We enjoyed learning about the different trails used during the mid-1800s by thousands of people traveling west through the mountains and desert. It was wonderful reading about their trials and tribulations while looking out the windows and experiencing the majestic bleakness of the landscape then walking through the brush and tumbleweeds ourselves. Very appropriate for the entire family, I strongly recommend it.

HarveyL209

The California Trail Interpretive Center eight miles west of Elko, NV on I-80 is a really worthwhile stop. And don't plan for a five-minute quick view. It is really worth an hour or two to view the dioramas, the artifacts, the gorgeous bronze statues, the wall-size painting that depict the incredible journeys of the 1800 adventurers who made their way to the west. It is entertaining and educational. This is not a museum; this is an experience. Don't pass this one by. It is well worth the stop.

KarenG404

Amazing that we have such an informative and impressive center located just a few miles west of Elko. The displays show what life was like on the Immigrant trail, covering the Donner Party, the Native tribes, and paying tribute to both cultures.

Modestotrekkerl

The exhibits were fascinating and educational. Take the kids here for sure. The location of the center is of historical significance, documenting western migration of the 1840's. Looking out from the visitor center at the route the settlers took was a stirring feeling. One could picture the wagon trains traversing the plain. There was excellent information about the route traversed and the hardships suffered. Allow an hour for a short movie and examination of the exhibits. You need a rest stop, so why not stop here?

bintraveling2

We found this place by accident while heading East on Hwy 80, about 8 miles before getting into Elko, NV. We noticed the covered wagons on the opposite side of highway and took the next exit #292 off I- 80 and went over the overpass to find the California Trail Interpretive Center. It's a history museum showcasing the travels of the emigrants westward in the 1800s. A lovely museum and surrounding grounds. It's FREE. We spent over an hour there checking out everything. They do have a couple of shaded picnic tables that I saw and of course a nice bathroom. The museum is only a couple of years old. Check it out. http://www.californiatrailcenter.org/

Carrie_clb_111

This museum is superb. The Donner Party story is captivating and well described here. The movies throughout museum engaging. I had to drag my twelve year old in after 7 days on the road but then he did not want to leave.The outdoor space had live demonstrations of lighting fire with steel and rock.

mgaff

This place is fantastic! A must see for anyone wanting to know more about the westward expansion of the 1800's. It easy to breeze thru the high desert and not realize just how difficult is was to make the passage by wagon. The Center is very well done, air conditioned and a nice place to stop for a bit, get off the road, and learn some history.