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Taylor Creek Visitor Center
Taylor Creek Visitor Center
South Lake Tahoe
view website870 Emerald Bay Road
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96510
530-543-2674
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age Kids
Pre-Teens & Teens
Visitors Center
Science & Nature Museum
Scenic Landmark
Taylor Creek Visitor Center Description
Four family-friendly self-guided hikes start from the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, but be sure to visit the Stream Profile Chamber, located a quick 1/4 mile walk from the main entrance (take the Rainbow Trail). The Chamber is a section of Taylor Creek that has been diverted and then "walled off" with huge windows so visitors can see the stream and all of the life within it from underground. One of the most intriguing sights is the underwater root system of a huge cottonwood tree. When you leave the Stream Profile Chamber, take the Lake of the Sky Trail for an easy 3/8 mile walk to the shores of Lake Tahoe. Along the way, teens and grown-ups will enjoy reading signs that highlight the first impressions Lake Tahoe made on famous visitors like Mark Twain and the naturalist John Muir.
Kid Tips
Toddlers & Pre-K: They'll be delighted with glimpses of fish swimming in the creek, as well as the murals with pictures of other wildlife.
School-Age Kids: Kids this age may enjoy learning how Taylor Creek's wildlife is affected by the dramatic changes that happen with each new season.
Pre-Teens & Teens: Check the center's schedule to see if there are any special events, including the evening ranger walks, which might appeal to older kids.
Planning Notes
- Check the Visitor Center's Web site before you go. It offers listings of special daytime and evening events. For instance, a recent evening program was "Bats: Winged Fliers of the Night," which most kids would love. There are educational programs geared to families Tuesdays through Fridays.
- Pack a picnic. There's a gift shop with books but no food available at the Visitor Center or Stream Profile Chamber. If you want to make an afternoon of it, pack a cooler -- there is a picnic spot 1/2 mile from the Chamber.
Just the Facts
Hours: Hours vary depending on the time of year, so it's a good idea to call for current schedule. From Memorial Day weekend through mid-June, the Stream Profile Chamber is open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.; and then until 5 p.m. through September.
Fees: Free
Recommended Time: 1 to 2 hours
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