Taylor Creek Visitor Center

Been here lots of time during the off season and rode in on bikes and went down the trail to the lake. This time we came during October and the salmon run which was awesome and I wondered why since we are in Tahoe all the time we have never seen this! Better late than never I guess. It was educational and even though there we no rangers around there were enough signs to tell you what you needed to know. I had never went down the one trail that leads to the underground view of the creek that was kinda cool. I suggest during this time to come early if you want to have the chance to see a bear and just to be here when there aren’t a ton of kids. This apparently is a big field-​trip location this time of year and there were busses here everyday during the week. And the weekend get quite busy as well so the earlier the better. We went to Fallen Leaf Lake the day before (after trying here and seeing all the schools here) then came back the next day earlier and walked all around and then went over to the dam at Fallen Leaf Lake. It was interesting to see some of the salmon spawning way back at the visitor center and then all along the way and up to the dam even. Stop in here if you get the chance and especially during the Fall and spawning time.

What a hidden gem. A beautiful park with trails that lead to the beach and creek. The trails are very accessible for wheel chairs, walkers and people on canes. The rainbow trail is a loop that is about a half mile.
The scenery you see on your way to taylor creek is breathtaking. The leaves were changing colors and you could see the mountain peaks off in a distance.
At the begininning of the trail there is a deck that overlooks the wetlands. This area is the home to several bird species as well as beavers.
The creek is a short walk down the trail.
We were told that this is a light year for spawning. In heavy year d they say it is almost like a creek of red that you can walk across. The kokanne salmon spawn in this stream ever year.
Not only did we see salmon, but we saw mallard ducks, seagulls and a woodpecker. Check this place out, it is worth the short walk

Taylor Creek is a hidden gem tucked away between 89 and Lake Tahoe next to the visitor center. Our family was really surprised by this beautiful spot. We saw salmon and bear and several species of birds. We’ll definitely be back as the seasons change so we can experience the full beauty of this creek!

We came here during the Fall Fish Festival with our two kids (ages 2&3) and had a wonderful time!!! The trail was the perfect length and had just enough activities along the way to keep them throughly entertained! The observation room was put together nicely and the kids loved it! The kids were sent on a scavenger hunt and although they needed me to do it for them they were very excited to look for the yellow clue pages! After we finished the the scavenger hunt we returned to the main festival to retrieve their prizes… some cute little toys and a beautiful poster. All in all we had a lovely afternoon! We will definitely be back soon!

It’s a nice easy walk if you are a non-​experienced hiker. The trail is a 10 – 30 min loop and is completely flat with views. Nothing breath taking like seeing the lake from top of a mountain but you will see rivers, big open fields, and walk through nature. They had a tree that was bitten by a beaver. It really looks like the cartoon.
Plenty of free parking and guides are there to help you.
It’s unfortunate that trees have been vandalized. Come at the right time (winter?) and you will get to see a bear!

Got guests who live in a completely suburban American lifestyle? Want to introduce them to the joys of nature without huffing and puffing and spending a whole lot of money? Lemme tell you about this place…
If the salmon are running, bring them here and ooh and aah over the life and death cycle of spawning salmon. If you are lucky, you might spot a bear but always remember, RESPECT NATURE.
If you have guests who are older and can’t physically handle much, this short trail is a good loop because it’s pretty and short and did I mention it’s short and pretty?
The signage is very educational and helpful.

FREE something to do in Tahoe!!! Awesome! Great walk, great weather and great educational information. The sound of the aspens were beautiful! We’d love to come during the salmon season but dang, we’ve got school and work! Thanks for the GIANT pollywog spotting, great under the stream pics and just a beautiful day! Go you won’t be disappointed.

Love this little gem, especially for children!!!

On day four of a weeklong family vacation in South Lake Tahoe, we wanted to take the kids out on a short nature hike. After speaking to a few locals and checking Unilocal reviews, we settled on Taylor Creek, which was a thirty minute drive away on the southwest side of the lake.
We arrived late morning and after checking in at the visitor center, set out on the Rainbow Trail. A flat and winding trail this is, perfect for young and old (our group spanned two to seventy-​two!). It took us through forest, meadow, marsh and stream. Just as we got to Taylor Creek, dark storm clouds rolled in, accompanied by thunder and rain!
The kids, having spent most of their lives in the drought-​stricken East Bay, were by turns surprised, terrified, and then delighted! They walked the entire trail in the rain, tasting the drops as they descended from the heavens, marveling at the lovely wild flowers, giant dandelions and other strange looking plants along the path, and pointing excitedly at water birds, beaver dams, fish and crawdads in the streams.
The best part of the whole experience — the smiles on everyone’s faces — as we ended our «hike» in the parking lot, a little wet but none the worse for wear.

While spending some time in the Lake Tahoe we spoke with a local shop owner who told us that we needed to visit Taylor Creek.
When we arrived we were excited to see the beautiful scenery. We decided to take a short hike down there Rainbow Trail which came out to the creek where the salmon were finishing up their reproductive cycle. This was and unique experience and we enjoyed seeing all the other wildlife around the creek.
The only thing that was frustrating here at Taylor Creek had actually nothing to do with this space itself. The issue we ran into was that there were a lot of people down by the creek taking photographs. They seemed very territorial and insulted that we were there just to enjoy the sights and maybe snap a few photos with our smartphone. That being said we did enjoy our time here and there are tons of beautiful views all around the hiking trail.

Attended Salmon Fest again… one of my favorite *kinder, gentler* things to do in Tahoe!
Kids are big enough to do the scavenger hunt, and the staff was great to talk to.
Seems they had to let water out of a small lake that feeds the big lake during this drought year, and there were far fewer salmon than usual.
I am very grateful for the folks who manage this precious resource!

The staff are pretty nice. The Rainbow Trail to the fish chamber has a lot of good scenic views of Mt. Tallac and the area around Lake Tahoe. The hike down to Tallac Point from the Visitor Center is worth it! It’s a very informative trail and I like how it’s dog friendly!

This place is great for a little of everything!!!
Great for kids! They offer several different guided walks, including a junior ranger hike where kids get to learn and at the end earn a junior ranger’s badge. This year it was about fire, controlled and wild fires. They also offer a night time flash light tour on the Rainbow Trail where you get to see things in a different perspective… Nighttime. This is a can’t miss!!!
You can go on the trails on your own as well.
The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable.
Make sure you check with them on there start times because some time it is listed wrong in the different Lake Tahoe guides.
Make sure to check out the underwater viewing area of the creek and also to look for the bear claw marks in the Quaking Aspen Trees!

«Where’s all the sashimi… er, salmon, at?!?»
I’m kidding. Y’all go «Ooooh…fishies!», but the Japanese side of me sees certain kinds of fish in a different way.
Anywho, we visited at the wrong time of the year. Fall season is when all the salmon action happens.
But we did have a lovely time taking a leisurely hike through the Rainbow Trail and seeing all the greenery of the trees and marshes.
There’s a beaver dam with some chewed up tree stumps that impressed me.
The beavers must have been sleeping in. Aw well.
Said hello to a few young rainbow trout at the Stream Profile observation point.
It’s an educational center with some interesting displays.
This short hike was very kind to my bum knees. Most of the trail is paved and even.
TIP: Bug spray. I’m not kidding.
Knowing how tasty mosquitoes find me, I liberally sprayed myself from head to toe.
My stubborn husband didn’t think he needed any and I had to follow behind him and constantly swat the blood suckers off of him. (Which probably looked pretty funny to the other visitors!)
In the stream and marsh areas, you’re walking through a gauntlet of mosquitoes.
Eh, despite my efforts, he still got bit.
Um…there’s also another informational sign posted. They’re not kidding.
Heed the warnings.
Another tip: Take the time to also visit the nearby Tallac Historical site. You’ll be glad you did!
A very worthwhile landmark to visit!

Wonderful nature trail through varying habitats (including a marsh). The surprise event is the Stream Profile facility where you can actually view the stream going by through huge glass windows (under water) complete with trout. Early summer means lots and lots of rainbow trout and little else. But we all loved it. Also loved the beaver dams and beaver chewed trees you can see by the trail.
The marsh is lovely but you do want to cover yourself with insect repellent. Them mosquitoes are hungry!

After visiting the nearby Tallac Historical site, we visited the Taylor Creek Visitor’s Center, which is operated by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the US Forest Service. The visitor center grounds are open all year for easy hiking and viewing the spectacular scenery surrounding Lake Tahoe.
The Visitor Center building is staffed by park rangers offering helpful information. We passed by a ranger on the Rainbow Trail and had a nice conversation with me about things we can see on our walk. On the Rainbow trail, you get great scenic views of marshes, meadows and a stream before you reach the Stream Profile facility. At the Profile, you can observe a section of Taylor Creek’s underwater environment through a panel of windows. Being here in June, the salmon in the Profile were all juvenile in size. Come her in the Fall for viewing of the salmon run.
A beautiful scenic place to visit for all ages. Bring a camera for some awesome photo ops and best of all, there’s no fee to visit the Taylor Creek Visitor’s Center.

The center was closed but the surrounding area was not. As for parking, on the side of the road please.
Do the rainbow trail! That itself is worth the drive to get here imho. Just walk to the creek center and off to the left, you won’t miss it. Recommend during spawning season as I was told which I missed but still very scenic. You can hear nature calling. Jurassic park? Lol not quite. Let’s just say my physical self has left but my soul remains.

Wonderful walk! So much fun! Wandering around next to the unparalleled Lake Tahoe. After about ½ mile u see a sign directing u towards ruins of a 1900s casino with the cool story behind the ruins to boot! I love this kind of thing! I even found the hidden paper for logging it online! FUN! (my husband not so excited) then onwards to the revamped old ‘summer homes’ of the rich families in the 1900s along with their employees cabins. These were locked sadly while I was here but I understand sometimes I can look inside to see the sleeping quarters and so forth… Then there is a forest walk marking different trees and wildlife. Just awesome. Highly recommend!
And then on other side. U can drive or walk to the rainbow trail. While we were there the landlocked salmon were spawning. They were everywhere. So were the bears. the underwater viewing station was closed sadly but another great walk! This walk wants u to use your senses in order to understand «natures filter», the reason Lake Tahoe stays blue!

The Rainbow Trail is a gentle stroll through picturesque forest, marsh, meadow, and stream, about a half mile in length starting at the small Visitors’ Center. The path is well paved although some places are a bit uneven. Still, a wheelchair would manage.
In October you get to see the salmon spawning. This is a sight to behold. You can get up real close to the edge of the shallow stream and see those bright red fish wriggling and splashing, laying their eggs or fertilizing, the cumination of their own life’s cycle. The other nice treat is at the halfway point, the viewing area, where you are observing from below water level.
Bring your kids, yes even the toddlers. Bring your granny. This place is for everyone. Your voyeur tendencies will be rewarded, watching the salmon as they swim upstream for their last hurrah.
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This place has won a spot in my heart. Why, you may ask? Well, for many reasons.
Trees– Check
Views of the surrounding mountains– Check
Wildlife– Check
Peaceful, serene streams– Check
Free, ample parking– Check
Clean, flushable toilets– Check
Do I need to say more?
The staff (Park Rangers and volunteers) are a wealth of information. The maps and educational information are aplenty and available for perusing.
FYI– our visit to Taylor Creek Visitor Center happened to coincide with the Salmon Spawning Season. Enjoy the pics. Make sure the children are out of the room when you do though. BOW CHICKA WOW WOW