State Indian Museum State Historic Park
Contact Information
(916) 324-0971
Reservation Availability
No upcoming camping/lodging reservations at this time.
About State Indian Museum State Historic Park
Park information
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).
This park accepts the following passes:
Day-Use Activities & Facilities
Trail Use
Online reservations for self-guided group tours at the State Indian Museum are available now through ReserveCalifornia!
Click this link to reserve your spot today!On the Activities page, select “State Indian Museum (SHP)” from the Place drop down and then choose a date. Once you’re ready to reserve, select “Sign Up!” and follow the prompts to complete your tour booking.
You can also continue to reserve a group tour by calling the Contact Center at 1-866-240-4655.
- Hours of Operation: Daily 8 AM – 6 PM Pacific Standard Time.
- The Contact Center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
The State Indian Museum, opened in 1940, depicts three major themes of California Indian life: Nature, Spirit, and Family. All of the exhibits and photographs on display in the museum are presented with respect for those who have lived on this land —those who thrived here in the past and those who continue to sustain vibrant communities across California today.
California Indian cultural items in the museum include traditional baskets, a redwood dugout canoe, ceremonial regalia, beadwork, acorn processing tools, and implements used for hunting and fishing—some dating back more than 2,400 years. 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 newcomers arrived.
Many Native community members have contributed photographs of their family and friends for display throughout the space, along with a dedicated wall honoring California Elders. There are also hands-on activities, giving visitors the opportunity to explore Native creativity and artistry.
The museum also features an exhibit highlighting recent cultural items that have been repatriated (returned) to Native families through the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation (NAGPRA), a federal law enacted in 1990 to protect and return Native American remains and cultural items. In 2025, a collection of baskets and cultural items used in traditional ceremonies were returned to the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians, an important moment of reunion and celebration.
Visit Our Museum Store
Please visit our museum store, located inside the museum, which offers handcrafted and hard-to-find Native-made items. Featuring sage bundles, soaps, Native-motif ceramics, artwork, greeting cards, stickers, and t-shirts. It also features an ever-changing, large selection of jewelry including bead and shell earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and hair ornaments.
There is a wide-ranging selection of books on California and other Native American peoples, and a curated section on Native topics selected especially with children in mind, and recommended texts for use in the home and classroom.
The museum store is operated by our nonprofit partner, the California Indian Heritage Center Foundation.
Location and Parking:
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
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.
