10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
State Indian Museum State Historic Park
Update (Jan. 22, 2021): California has issued a Regional Stay at Home Order to stop the surge of COVID-19 cases and prevent a strain on the health care system. This action will help protect critical care for patients. While the order includes the closure of campground sites in impacted regions, the state also recognizes that mental health is physical health. As such, day use outdoor areas of park units currently open to the public will remain open. Members of the same household are encouraged to stay local and recreate responsibly in the outdoors. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and the COVID-19 guidelines for this park unit.
Here is some additional information for locals visiting State Indian Museum State Historic Park:
What is open now?
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
Closed at this park:
Statewide:
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, State Parks has implemented the following guidelines to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors:
Statewide, California State Parks continues to work with locals on a phased and regionally driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. However, the situation remains fluid and park operations can change at any time. The need for Californians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors remains critical.
For information on statewide current closures and available services, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Here is some additional information for locals visiting State Indian Museum State Historic Park:
What is open now?
- State Indian Museum Store at a 20% capacity limit.
- Surrounding park grounds.
What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System?
Closed at this park:
- State Indian Museum exhibits.
Statewide:
- Many campgrounds across the state remain temporarily closed until further notice or will be temporarily closed in accordance with the new Regional Stay at Home Order. More information here.
- High public-use indoor facilities, including museums and visitor centers.
- Special events and tours continue to be canceled until further notice.
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, State Parks has implemented the following guidelines to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors:
- Stay Local –Stay close to home to slow the spread of COVID-19. Do not travel if you or someone in your household is sick.
- Plan Ahead – The COVID-19 pandemic response continues to be dynamic and fluid. As such, information on this webpage may change. Prior to visiting us, please check this webpage again right before you visit the park to find out if new guidelines are in place.
- Stay Safer at 6 feet – No matter the recreational activity, maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Your guests should only include those within your immediate household. This means no guests or friends, and no gatherings, picnics or parties. Visitors are being asked to leave if there are too many people to allow for the required physical distance.
- Boating: Do not raft up to other boaters or pull up onto a beach next to other recreators.
- Off-highway Vehicle Recreation: Do not ride next to others or pull up next to someone else as it could put you in close proximity to others. Stage 10 feet or more from each other during unloading and loading.
- Keep Clean – Be prepared. Not all restrooms are open to the public. in some cases, restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer. Please pack out all trash. Park units are experiencing heavy use and you can help alleviate the impact on park facilities.
- Stay Covered – The state requires you wear a face covering when you cannot maintain physical distancing of six feet or more. Individuals must have a face covering with them at all times.
Statewide, California State Parks continues to work with locals on a phased and regionally driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. However, the situation remains fluid and park operations can change at any time. The need for Californians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors remains critical.
For information on statewide current closures and available services, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Phone Number
(916) 324-0971
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Only service animals allowed inside the museum and in exterior display areas.
Driving Directions to State Indian Museum
The park is located in downtown Sacramento at 26th and K streets in downtown Sacramento - adjacent to Sutter's Fort State Historic Park.Traveling on I-80, from San Francisco, take Business 80/Hwy 50 east. Take the Business 80 exit (north towards Reno) to the N Street turn off. Travel straight on 30th Street then turn left under the freeway at L Street to the Sutter's Fort and the State Indian Museum, which will be located on your right.
Monday -Saturday, bring quarters for the parking meters. Parking is free on Sundays.
There are many city buses that stop beside K or L Street.
For route and schedule information, Sacramento Regional Transit District or please call Sac RT Customer Service Center at (916) 321-BUSS (2877).
Online reservations are not available for this park.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
TRAIL USE
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Museums
Family Programs
Historical/Cultural Site
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Museums
Family Programs
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
The State Indian Museum, opened in 1940, depicts three major themes of California Indian life: Nature, Spirit, and Family. Native peoples lived prosperously for thousands of years in what is now California. All of the exhibits and photographs on display in the museum are presented with respect for those who went before us on this land and continue to live in California communities today.
California Indian cultural items in the museum include traditional baskets, along with some of the smallest in the world, a redwood dugout canoe, ceremonial regalia, beadwork, and hunting & fishing tools-some of which are more than twenty-four hundred years old. There is also an exhibit depicting the life of Ishi, reputedly the last survivor of the Yahi tribe, illustrating how Native culture was powerfully impacted and forever changed when outsiders arrived.
Many Native people have donated photographs of family and friends for viewing in the museum. There is also a wall of photographs devoted to honoring California Elders, and a hands-on area where visitors have the opportunity to utilize Indian tools like the pump drill, used for making holes in shell beads, and the mortar & pestle, used for grinding acorns.
Visit Our Museum Store
Please visit our store, located inside the museum, for Native-made jewelry, gourds, hand-crafted dolls, baskets, soapstone carvings, and the area's largest selection of California Indian books.
An abundance of Native-made items and California Indian books are available in the Museum Store.
Location and Parking:
The State Indian Museum is located in the downtown area of Sacramento at 26th and K Streets.
Traveling on I-80, from San Francisco, take Business 80/Hwy 50 east. Take the Business 80 exit (north towards Reno) to the N Street exit. Travel straight on 30th Street, then turn left under the freeway at L Street and travel on L Street to 26th Street. Bus parking is available on L Street by Sutter's Fort. Metered automobile parking is available on 26th and K Streets.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Photography
Photography in general is prohibited at the museum.
Commercial photography is allowed on a case by case basis by advance arrangement. Visit www.film.ca.gov for more information.
Essential Art: Native Basketry from the California Indian Heritage Center
by Brian Bibby
Available now Essential Art: Native Basketry from the California Indian Heritage Center by Brian Bibby. The catalog of the California Native basketry collection in the stewardship of the State Indian Museum/California Indian Heritage Center, this book offers a glimpse into one of the most culturally valuable and diverse collections of California Indian basketry anywhere in the world. Feature articles and stunning photos illustrate the history of this unique collection. It also features the background story of several of the Native women whose baskets are curated at the museum, and provides a peek into a world where basketry was part of everyday life.
Essential Art: Native Basketry from the California Indian Heritage Center is available at the State Indian Museum at 2618 K Street (916) 324-0971 or through the Heyday Books website at www.heydaybooks.com.