Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Gatekeepers Museum

    4.2 (26 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Gatekeepers Museum Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Gatekeepers Museum

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Anthony Q.

    Very nice place to visit . Walking around the vicinity is free . I like that fact that my kids and I were able to enjoy the nature of Lake Tahoe . The small Dam on the website looks enormous and once you see it in person it's cute .

    06.25.17
    May A.

    Cool 2-story museum in Tahoe City Passed through the town of Tahoe City many times but only this last time was when we actually took a moment to tour inside the museum, a small house right by the water of Lake Tahoe. Immediately, as you enter the museum is a small shop and this is also where you pay admission. Admission is $5 (take $1 off at Yelp check-in). The ground floor featured the Indian Basket Exhibit. These are Indian basket collection exhibits dedicated to the native peoples of western North America. These baskets were well crafted, detailed and are beautiful, after taking a few photos we entered the next room. The next room is actually a replica of the Gatekeepers cabin. It was recreated to have the same features as the cabin that was destroyed in the fire of 1980 and it is beautiful. Inside there are lots of different exhibits dedicated to the cabins history as well as the Tahoe region's history. There was also the Black Bear Exhibit. It featured the different bears of the area. Black bears can range from white (rare) to blue-black to brown. They can be six feet long and grow up to 600 pounds There is even a stuffed bear on display. There is a short educational film that you could also watch if you have time. We proceeded to head upstairs and there they had the 1960 Winter Olympic Display and Sierra Ski History exhibit. There were lots of artifacts and pictures telling the story of our wonderful ski history from ancient times to the present. It also had memorabilia from the 1960 Winter Olympics which was held nearby at Squaw Valley. It was cool to see especially seeing the old ski lift chair they had as well as the different skis used and how they evolved through time. Frankly, I'm not sure how they attached those early skis on to their snow boots without them coming off downhill at some point. The museum is open everyday from 10:00a-5:00p and parking is free. Outside is peaceful and there are some picnic tables scattered about. Enjoy a relaxing stroll under a woodsy area and check out the resident Canadian geese by the lake. You can also walk over to see the Lake Tahoe Dam from here. Review #1396 (17th business review)

    Wendy B.

    Update, just one day later! We came back after disappointment at finding the museum closed. Tahoe City had a certain draw that made us want to return, for this and other reasons. Glad we did. The museum was, oh joy, open. While there are two levels to this small museum, the downstairs displays are by far the most interesting, and thankfully accessible to all. They have a large room filled with fine baskets and Indian artifacts from tribes all over the western states. The basketry is stunning and each tribe contributes its own character, designs and colors, some incorporating beads or shells or feathers into their design. Below some of the display cabinets are drawers filled with more collections of tools, jewelry, etc. This is a wonderful experience. Thank You Marion Steinbeck for bequeathing this collection for posterity. The other section of the downstairs is dedicated in part to the mid 19th to 20th turn of the century pioneers to this area. While the collection is more sparse, the pictures and stories are interesting. There is a small library collection that is available for those doing research. Upstairs is all about the bears that inhabit(ed) this region. The kids will get a kick out of seeing a life sized stuffed black bear, and watch videos, including one of twin cubs having a 17 minute banter in the forest. The gift shop features some educational books, geodes, jewelry, kids' toys, etc. I loved the little fuzzy finger puppets (small critters and birds) I picked up there. The grounds surrounding this museum are great for a nice stroll and maybe a picnic. The view of the lake and Truckee River Dam make this a special place.

    Neal E.

    The Gatekeeper's Museum located on the banks of the Truckee River where it exits Lake Tahoe. The museum is a fascinating look into the history of the Lake Tahoe Basin. Some of the exhibits were very compelling - I love history and learning about how things were back in days of ancient yore. A couple of the exhibits left me wanting a whole book on the subject at hand! Admission to the museum is $3.00 - and gets you into both the Gatekeeper's Museum and the Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum. There is also a gift shop - sells post cards, books, trinkets, and other stuff.

    The Sophisticated S.

    We visited here to learn more about the town itself. We met and talked to the lady who works at the front. She was very nice and knowledgeable. There is a $5 entrance fee. I believe there is a discount for military folks. We learned about the Native American baskets. They have a bear on exhibition. No, the bear is not alive. We watched a video about the formation of the lake. We heard several stories of how the lake was formed, so I am unsure which is true. They have ski equipment and artifacts on the 2nd floor. We learned about the gatekeeper who monitors the lake water level daily. I really enjoyed my visit here. Something out of the ordinary, but I highly recommend stopping by when in town.

    Native American basket exhibit

    Visited the museum today. Beautiful! Friendly staff, wonderful exhibits. The Native American baskets are incredible!

    Lovely view from the museum grounds of Lake Tahoe
    Robbie R.

    The museum was closed when we came on a Monday, but the grounds we toured around sure were nice. I'd come back with a big picnic basket!

    Fer R.

    There are 2 places to see here. Admission is $5, $4 seniors, kids under 12 are free. #1: Gatekeepers Museum. Cabin that was made to resemble the original one from 1909. The Gatekeeper dude who controlled the flow of H2O into the Truckee River. Big serious business! Old historic items to look at. If your into Tahoe history you'll like this place! #2: Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum. 2-3 minute walk from cabin. Tons of baskets made by Native people from 1890's to 1940's. Other artifacts and jewlery too. There was a wedding the day we visited near the "backyard", if you will....so we couldn't go down far to see Cabin as it was roped off for the wedding. Flip flops are good, although ground is not level. Anyway, a great place to visit with kids and discover wonderful Tahoe history. Beautiful area to picnic. Water faucets. Tables surrounded by blooming columbine flowers of all colors! Limited free parking.

    Irina V.

    This museum is small and has a little bit of everything. We enjoyed learning about bears and the hands on activities they offered were fun. They also had a nice section on basket making and history of baskets of the native people. Also a small section on the history of bikes. If you have an hour or two to kill and your interested in local history then this can be a fun and educational experience.

    See all

    Photo of Matt K.
    427
    900
    2020

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Oscar B.
    12
    51
    29

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Anthony Q.
    68
    142
    1176

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 59
    Thanks 0
    Love this 57
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of M. P.
    1
    187
    74

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Fer R.
    261
    428
    2525

    9 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Irina V.
    4919
    566
    2628

    10 years ago

    Helpful 23
    Thanks 0
    Love this 21
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Cort C.
    2
    149
    2

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ashley M.
    143
    16
    2

    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tara T.
    53
    297
    16

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joel M.
    17
    41
    0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tom K.
    6
    21
    4

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rain W.
    163
    1316
    1372

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Johnson H.
    484
    486
    401

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Gatekeepers Museum

    Review Highlights - Gatekeepers Museum

    The Gatekeeper's Museum located on the banks of the Truckee River where it exits Lake Tahoe.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Truckee-Donner Historical Society and Old Jail - exterior

    Truckee-Donner Historical Society and Old Jail

    4.0(7 reviews)
    11.4 mi

    Open house today at the old Truckee jail museum. This is located in one of many original Chinatowns…read morein the Truckee area. I was made aware from one of the historians that there was as many as six or more Chinatowns in the Truckee area from the Chinese laborers that built the transcontinental railway. The jail itself was originally a one story building with two cells for law breakers housing two persons per cell. The constable had the office outside of the cells in a separate room. Heating was made available by holes through the walls above where the constables office was. They found out the need for additional cells for women and children offenders were needed and added an addition upstairs, so there were two additional cells added to a upper level. The historical group is in the process of getting a landmark designation for this site. Quite a bit of relics is being housed and displayed here. Worth a visit to see a bit of Truckee's past

    During our visit to Truckee, we were winging a lot of it. We didn't really research the place and…read morewhat it had to offer. We saw the signs pointing to the jail on our way to lunch and decided we would check it out afterwards. I'm glad we did. In short, it ended up being the highlight of our visit. It's a small, cramp building on the ground level with a slightly larger upstairs. I cannot remember his name, but there was a volunteer there (docent, I believe they're called) and he happily walked my Wife and I around and told us all about the history and even a few stories about some of the "inmates" and how their stays went. I highly recommend you check this out and take the time to speak to the volunteers. They all seem happy and eager to tell you everything you'll ever want to know about it. If you can, drop a few bucks in the donation box. It helps keep the place going.

    Photos
    Truckee-Donner Historical Society and Old Jail - Interior of the upstairs cell

    Interior of the upstairs cell

    Truckee-Donner Historical Society and Old Jail - Relics

    Relics

    Truckee-Donner Historical Society and Old Jail - Entrance

    See all

    Entrance

    Gatekeepers Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...