Can you reserve a site at California Trail Center?

No. California Trail Center is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

California Trail Center

Facility · Nevada ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

5,011 ft
Elevation

The California Trail Visitor Center, Grounds and Trails are now open Wednesday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting October 6, 2024. Consider downloading our FREE app available in most app stores: California Trail Center. Experience the Trail Center from your home!

The California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko, Nevada, is a pioneer history museum that takes visitors through a historical immersion like no other. Experience first-hand what is was like to be one of the brave American pioneers who first settled throughout Nevada and California by visiting the living-history events and lifelike exhibits at our museum. This is a opportunity to engage in pioneer life is fun for the entire family. A variety of interesting and fun Interpretive programs are offered on a regular basis.

For more information about the California Trail Center, go to http://www.californiatrailcenter.org/.

Getting there

The California Trail Interpretive Center is located off I-80, at Hunter Exit 292, 8 miles west of Elko, Nevada. Take Exit 292 off I- 80. Drive past the kiosk through the entrance gate. The Trail Center is 0.5 miles down the road. The Center has plenty of RV/bus parking.

40.76323, -115.93160 · 40°45'47.6"N 115°55'53.8"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 92°F in Jul, down to 38°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	38	43	53	60	70	82	92	90	80	66	50	38
Low °F	16	21	27	32	39	45	52	49	41	29	22	15
Precip in	1.2	0.9	1.0	1.1	1.2	0.6	0.4	0.3	0.6	0.7	0.9	1.2

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 8.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

No charge

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Member photos

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Common questions about California Trail Center

Can you reserve a site at California Trail Center?: No. California Trail Center is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near California Trail Center

Powerhouse Group Picnic Area 24.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Thomas Canyon 28.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Terraces Campground - Picnic Area 30.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
South Ruby Campground 46.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Angel Lake (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV) 47.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Angel Creek (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, NV) 49.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
The California Trail Interpretive Center less than 0.1 mi · Visitor Center
Angel Lake Campground 47.8 mi · Campground
Jack Creek Campground 52.6 mi · Campground

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Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-01.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.