Gatekeepers Museum

Fun to visit. The baskets were amazing. What was disappointing was the lack of information about the baskets.
The other side was an early 1900s recount of the history of the area. I thought it was fun to go through but it was lacking a flow and organization.
I love bears and the upstairs also just lacked information and there seemed to be plenty of space to add stuff.
I would recommend a visit but not a great learning experience. I think with what they have with a bit more information and organization it could be a great experience! we’ll return.

It’s an ok museum. It is two levels but honestly the bear exhibit felt a bit lacking. You won’t be missing anything if you can’t manage the staircase. The bottom floor consists of a basket museum and a pioneer section. There’s not a lot to it but if you’re in the area, check it out. There’s a nice view of the bay behind it and picnic tables and a bridge next door.

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 19^th to 20^th 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.

Great amount of historical items to do with Lake Tahoe, boating, casinos, and wildlife. Though not a huge museum you could spend an hour here if you go upstairs and watch the videos about the local black bear population.

A very interesting place to go in the bustling tourist scene. The gatekeeper is a reconstruction of the original gatekeeper’s cabin that was destroyed by arsonists. (What a same). Inside are lots of photos of early Tahoe life, a history of the Washoe people and much more.
Take a break from the lake and stop here.

While the content of the museum is interesting, this place falls flat as a museum, for a variety of reasons.
–Only the first floor is handi-​cap accessable. While the Marion Steinbeck Basket museum is on the first floor, you lose about ½ of the Gatekeeper’s Museum.
–There are no public restrooms. While this isn’t an issue during the summer since there are bathrooms right outside, the outdoor facilities are maintained by the Park Dept, and closed during the winter.
–The last time I was there, they had ‘authentic’ baskets for sale in the gift shop. One of two things was happening here, based on the care given to them: either the baskets are good reproductions being sold as authentic, or they’re storing authentic (read: Old. Fragile. Valuable) baskets in direct sunlight, sometimes not even in cases. One of the baskets I chanced to pick up had a nice layer of dust going. So sad :(
–The quality of the displays… would be very nice if I were visiting someone’s home. I know it’s a small museum based around the history of a small town, but I still expected better… at least add a little tape to your signs that are peeling, ya know?
All in all, this place has serious potential. I’d very much like to come back again when it reaches it.

This a great place. Tahoe City is more to our liking than South Lake Tahoe. The Gatekeepers Museum a place to stopover, park, enjoy the area, see the stores, watch the caravan of chp/​sheriff/​rangers chase a white suburban running on its bare rims through town and hearing local shopkeepers say this is the most exciting thing they’ve seen, drop by the Safeway grab some brie and the locally made rosemary baguette, walk to the 1908 house, have a mini picnic, then walk around the beach and cove.

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.