Skip to Content48 historic tours in Reno and Lake Tahoe: 2 walking tours and ranger programs, plus house tours, rides and more. 10 are free. Prices and schedules come from each operator’s own page.
- 48tours and trails
- 2walking tours and ranger programs
- 10free
- 8kinds of tour
- Boat/train/trolley
- Ghost & history tour
- Mine tour
- Self-guided
- Audio/app tour
- Museum tour
- Trail
- Guided walking tour
Historic Boat, Train and Trolley Rides (4)
| Tour or trail | Where | Run by | Price | When | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RailZephyr railbike tour (Official page) Two-person electric-assist railbikes through the Carson River Canyon | Carson River Canyon (V&T line) | Virginia & Truckee Railroad Co. | Introductory price advertised, amount not stated | Launches spring 2027 | About one hour |
| Nevada State Railroad Museum train rides (Official page) Historic rail equipment and train rides | Carson City | Nevada State Railroad Museum | Ride prices: See official site; museum adults $10 | Select weekends, holidays and special events; 2026 schedule page exists; 2027 not stated | See official site |
| Comstock diesel train, Virginia City to Gold Hill (Official page) Round trip Virginia City to Gold Hill on the historic V&T line | Virginia City and Gold Hill | Virginia & Truckee Railroad Co. | See official site | Returns Memorial Day weekend 2027 (operator wording); daily train times: See official site | 35 minutes, narrated |
| V&T holiday trains (Candy Cane Express and Electric Holiday Train of Lights) (Official page) Rides that visit Santa’s Village on the V&T line | Virginia City | Virginia & Truckee Railroad Co. | See official site | Candy Cane Express Nov 29 to Dec 20, 2026; Electric Holiday Train of Lights Nov 29 to Dec 19, 2026 | See official site |
Ghost and History Tours (2)
Ghost tours mix documented history with legend. We list long-running operators with their own pages; the stories are theirs, not facts we have checked.
| Tour or trail | Where | Run by | Price | When | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Twain Days historic ghost tours Visit Carson City lists historic ghost tours among the festival activities | Carson City and Virginia City | Brewery Arts Center with Visit Carson City | Ticketed events; prices not stated | Part of the festival Oct 13-17, 2026; 2027 dates not listed | See official site |
| Haunted Ghost Tour at the Gold Hill Hotel Tourism Commission says the tour covers the hotel’s past and its reported hauntings | Gold Hill | Gold Hill Hotel (listed by Virginia City Tourism Commission) | Not stated | Nov 12, 2026, 5:30 to 9 p.m. | About 3.5 hours listed window |
Mine Tour (3)
| Tour or trail | Where | Run by | Price | When | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chollar Mine underground tour (Official page) Underground mine staked in 1859; operator says about $17 million in gold and silver removed over roughly 80 years | Virginia City | Chollar Mine Tours | Varies, call; cash only; groups of 4+ with a two-hour minimum | Summer: opens about 11 a.m. daily, tours about a quarter past each hour, last tour 4 p.m.; winter: call | 45 minutes or more, 400-foot level walk |
| Comstock Gold Mill narrated tour Last fully operational stamp mill (Tourism Commission wording) | Virginia City | Not stated (Tourism Commission lists a contact) | See official site | May to October, Fri to Mon 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Tourism Commission) | Not stated |
| Ponderosa Mine Tour Guided underground mine tour at 106 South C Street | Virginia City | Ponderosa Saloon Mine Tour (operator page not found) | See official site | Year-round (Tourism Commission mines page) | About 25 minutes |
Self-guided (14)
| Tour or trail | Where | Run by | Price | When | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dayton State Park hikes Rock Point Mill stone walls (built 1861), Carson River | Dayton | Nevada Division of State Parks | Day use $5 per vehicle ($10 non-Nevada) | Open daily year-round | Two short hikes |
| Fort Churchill State Historic Park self-guided trail and Buckland Station tour Adobe ruins, Buckland Station ground-floor tour, visitor center exhibits, Carson River trail | Silver Springs | Nevada Division of State Parks | Day use $5 per vehicle ($10 non-Nevada); Buckland Station Museum $1 | Park open daily year-round; Buckland Station Museum Sat and Sun 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (plus Thu and Fri Memorial Day to Labor Day) | 2.2-mile Nature Trail; ruins trail self-paced |
| Kit Carson Trail Path through Carson City’s historic district past 1800s Victorian-style homes, museums and churches; nearly 50 landmarks (Visit Carson City wording) | Carson City | Visit Carson City (listing) | Not stated | See official site | Not stated |
| Stewart Indian School Cultural Center walking trail and digital guide Historic campus buildings, steam tunnels, Quad, walking trail; free digital guide via Bloomberg Connects app | Carson City | Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum | Free | Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Self-paced |
| Al Tahoe History walking tour Named on the society’s page as a walking tour; details not read | South Lake Tahoe | Lake Tahoe Historical Society | See official site | See official site | See official site |
| Reno Historical self-guided tours Site has a Tours section at /tours/browse/; tour names and stops were not listed on the page read | Reno | Historic Reno Preservation Society (site footer) | See official site | Online | See official site |
| 20 Mile Museum driving and hiking signs 45 interpretive signs as of the beginning of 2016; map and GPX file | Donner Summit, Old Highway 40 | Donner Summit Historical Society | Free | Seasonal access not stated | 20-mile corridor Auburn to Truckee |
| China Wall at Donner Summit 150-foot dry-fill retaining wall, 1867, built by Chinese workers with rubble from Summit Tunnel 6 | Donner Summit | Truckee-Donner Historical Society page | Free | Road-status dependent | Short roadside stop |
| Truckee downtown self-guided historic walking tour map Downtown listed on the National Register in 2010 (Chamber page) | Truckee | Truckee Chamber of Commerce (history page) | Free | Year-round | Self-paced |
| Walking Through Donner Summit History (ten walks) Book of ten history walks sold by the Society | Donner Summit | Donner Summit Historical Society | See official site (store page) | Self-paced | Ten walks |
| Silver Terrace and Gold Hill cemeteries Historic burial yards established from the 1860s | Virginia City and Gold Hill | Comstock Cemetery Foundation works to preserve (Tourism Commission) | See official site | See official site | Self-paced |
| Storey County Courthouse and Courthouse Slammer Lady of Justice statue without a blindfold, two-tier jail | Virginia City | Storey County | Donation (Tourism Commission) | Year-round except holidays | Self-paced |
| Virginia City Architectural Walking Tour and Audio Tours Tourism Commission menu lists an Architectural Walking Tour, Audio Tours and Virtual Tours; the pages were not opened | Virginia City | Virginia City Tourism Commission | See official site | Self-guided | See official site |
| Virginia City Historic District self-guided exploration (NPS) Over 400 buildings; former Chinatown sites in Virginia City and Dayton described by NPS | Virginia City, Gold Hill, Silver City, Dayton | National Park Service listing; town and private operators | Free to walk the streets; attractions have their own prices | Year-round | Self-paced |
Audio/app Tour (1)
| Tour or trail | Where | Run by | Price | When | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fourth Ward School audio tour and virtual museum tour (Official page) Operator links an Audio Tour, Virtual Museum Tour and Archival Research Center | Virginia City | Fourth Ward School Foundation | See official site (admission: adults $9, ages 6-12 $6) | Museum May 1 to Oct 31 daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; winter Fri to Mon 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | See official site |
Museum Tour (20)
| Tour or trail | Where | Run by | Price | When | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson Valley Museum and Wiegand outdoor exhibit (Official page) Ranching and agricultural heritage | Gardnerville | Douglas County Historical Society | Adults $5; youth $2; ages 0-6 free | Mon to Fri 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Self-paced |
| Genoa Courthouse Museum Local history museum | Genoa | Douglas County Historical Society | Adults $5; youth $2; ages 0-6 free | April to October, daily 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Self-paced |
| Mormon Station museum and grounds (Official page) Reconstructed 1851 trading post museum | Genoa | Nevada Division of State Parks | Park free; museum $1 (12 and under free) | Grounds always open; museum May to Sept 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; Oct to April 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Tue and Wed | Self-paced |
| Nevada State Museum visit and Coin Press (Official page) Museum building with Coin Press demonstrations | Carson City | Nevada State Museum | Adults $10; 17 and under and members free | Daily 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Coin Press Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Self-paced |
| Gatekeeper’s Museum and Watson Cabin Native American basket collection, Lake Tahoe maritime and resort history; Watson Cabin built 1908 | Tahoe City | Gatekeeper’s Museum | $10 general; $9 senior and military; free for 12 and under and members | Apr 1 to Oct 31 Wed to Sun 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; winter by appointment; Watson Cabin Wed to Mon 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Sept 6, 2026 | Self-paced |
| Hellman-Ehrman Mansion guided house tour Living room, redwood-paneled dining room, stone rooms, kitchen wing, bedrooms; 1903 mansion | Tahoma, west shore | Sierra State Parks Foundation (California State Parks property) | Separate fee, See official site; parking $10 | Guided tours run in summer (the 2026 season has ended; 2027 dates not yet announced) | See official site |
| Olympic Museum at Palisades Tahoe 1960 Winter Games memorabilia, archival film | Olympic Valley | Palisades Tahoe | Free with an Aerial Tram ride | Open when the Aerial Tram is running | Self-paced |
| Tallac After Dark Night tour ending with a living history event | South Lake Tahoe | The Great Basin Institute | Adults $30; ages 12-18 $15 | Night tour in October; 2026 schedule to be announced in June (page) | About 1.5 hours |
| Tallac Grand Estates Tour Pope and Baldwin estates, Tallac Museum, Pacheco and Honeymoon Cabins | South Lake Tahoe | The Great Basin Institute | Adults $25; children 4-12 $10; 3 and under free | Wednesdays, May through October | About 1.5 hours |
| Tallac Pope House Tour Pope House, gardens, arboretum, servants’ cabins | South Lake Tahoe | The Great Basin Institute | Adults $17; children 4-12 $8; 3 and under free | Twice daily Thursday through Sunday, Memorial Day weekend through after Labor Day | About 1 hour |
| Thunderbird Lodge tour Lodge and estate tours | Incline Village | Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society | See official site | Reservations through the society; See official site | See official site |
| Vikingsholm tour (Official page) Scandinavian-style castle, Tea House on Fannette Island (watercraft only) | Emerald Bay | California State Parks | Tour price: See official site; parking $10 per vehicle or $3 per hour | 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. first come first served; Visitor Center May 23 to Sept 30, 2026, tours ended Sept 30 | See official site |
| Bowers Mansion guided tours (Official page) Story of Comstock millionaires Eilley and Sandy Bowers | Washoe Valley | Washoe County Regional Parks | Adults $10; seniors 62+ and ages 6-17 $7; 5 and under free | 2027: Sat and Sun May 29 to Sept 6; Fridays June 18 to Aug 6; Saturdays Sept 11 to Oct 23; Fri Oct 29; tours at 11, 12, 1, 2, 3 | 30 to 45 minutes |
| W.M. Keck Museum Minerals, ores, mining relics, part of the Mackay Silver Collection | Reno | University of Nevada, Reno | Free | Mon to Fri 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; first Saturday of the month noon to 4 p.m. | Self-paced |
| Wilbur D. May Museum The Wilbur May Collection | Reno | Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space | June-December adults $7, youth 3-17 and seniors $5; January-May adults $13, kids and seniors $11 | Wed to Sat 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sun noon to 4 p.m.; closed Mon and Tue | Self-paced |
| Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center (Official page) Exhibits on the emigrant experience, the Donner Party, the Washoe homeland, Chinese railroad construction and early motoring; Pioneer Monument (1918) | Truckee | California State Parks | Vehicle day use $10 | Visitor Center daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Self-paced |
| Museum of Truckee History Truckee history at the east end of the Train Depot | Truckee | Truckee-Donner Historical Society | Not listed | Mon and Thu noon to 3 p.m.; Fri to Sun 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., depending on docents; private tours by appointment | Self-paced |
| Old Truckee Jail Museum visit 1875 jail museum | Truckee | Truckee-Donner Historical Society | Not listed | By appointment only; (530) 582-0893 | Not stated |
| Comstock Firemen’s Museum 19th-century firefighting equipment | Virginia City | Not stated on page read | See official site | May to October (Tourism Commission) | Self-paced |
| Mackay Mansion visit Mining artifacts, original furnishings, Tiffany silver | Virginia City | Not stated on page read | See official site | Year-round, hours vary (Tourism Commission) | See official site |
Trail (2)
| Tour or trail | Where | Run by | Price | When | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California National Historic Trail (NPS), Nevada Carson Route NPS lists West Pass on the Carson Route among Nevada locations; trail crosses 10 states | Nevada and California | National Park Service | Free | Year-round | Over 5,000 miles overall; more than 1,000 miles of ruts and traces (NPS) |
| Pony Express National Historic Trail (NPS) and Fort Churchill station NPS says the fort’s headquarters building housed a Pony Express station and is still standing; trail covers eight states | Nevada | National Park Service | Free | Year-round trail; annual NPEA Re-Ride mentioned by NPS (dates not read) | Not stated |
Guided Walking Tour (2)
| Tour or trail | Where | Run by | Price | When | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donner Party Hike weekend Donner Party and regional history, guided trail information, lunch; runs under a US Forest Service Special Use Permit | Truckee, Donner Summit, Alder Creek | Operator not named on page (Donner Summit Historical Society listed as a partner) | Not stated; tickets open April 1, 2027 | Saturday hikes Sept 18, 2027; Sunday tour Sept 19, 2027 at Alder Creek and Donner Memorial State Park | Not stated |
| Truckee Historic Walking Tour (guided) Railroad barons, lumber mills, ice harvesting, movie stars; meets outside the Truckee Welcome Center at the Train Station, ends in Brickelltown | Truckee | Mountain Town Walking Tours (contact listed on Chamber event page) | Free, gratuities welcome | 2026 dates listed on the Chamber page read: Jul 27 4:00-5:30 p.m. (other 2026 dates seen: Jun 5, Jun 12, Jul 13); 2027 dates not found | About 1.5 hours, under one mile, flat |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tour Bowers Mansion?
Washoe County lists 2027 tours on weekends Memorial Day to Labor Day (May 29 to September 6), Fridays June 18 to August 6, Saturdays September 11 to October 23, and Nevada Day Friday October 29, at 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00; adults (18-61) $10, seniors and children 6-17 $7, age 5 and under free. The page currently says Closed for Winter. Source: https://washoecounty.gov/parks/specialty_facilities/bowers_mansion.php
Is there an underwater history trail at Lake Tahoe?
Yes. California’s first maritime heritage underwater trail opened October 1, 2018 at Emerald Bay, showcasing historic watercraft and barges on the lakebed. Source: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=506
Where can I walk part of the 1844 wagon route?
A 2-mile hiking and biking section of the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail between I-80 Exits 201 (Farad) and 199 (Floriston) follows the original Stephens-Townsend-Murphy route through the Upper Truckee Canyon. Source: https://www.nps.gov/places/truckee-river-tahoe-pyramid-trail.htm
How can I explore Donner Summit history on my own?
The Donner Summit Historical Society offers historic hikes and interpretive signage along Old Highway 40; see its site for details. Source: https://donnersummithistoricalsociety.org
Last checked November 3, 2026 by the It’s Reno editors against each operator’s, agency’s or organizer’s own page.
Sources
- Comstock diesel train, Virginia City to Gold Hill
- Chollar Mine underground tour
- Ponderosa Mine Tour
- Comstock Gold Mill narrated tour
- Virginia City Architectural Walking Tour and Audio Tours
- Virginia City Historic District self-guided exploration (NPS)
- Fourth Ward School audio tour and virtual museum tour
- Fort Churchill State Historic Park self-guided trail and Buckland Station tour
- Pony Express National Historic Trail (NPS) and Fort Churchill station
- California National Historic Trail (NPS), Nevada Carson Route
- Dayton State Park hikes
- Nevada State Museum visit and Coin Press
- Nevada State Railroad Museum train rides
- Kit Carson Trail
- Stewart Indian School Cultural Center walking trail and digital guide
- Mormon Station museum and grounds
- Genoa Courthouse Museum
- Carson Valley Museum and Wiegand outdoor exhibit
- Bowers Mansion guided tours
- Wilbur D. May Museum
- W.M. Keck Museum
- Reno Historical self-guided tours
- Truckee Historic Walking Tour (guided)
- Truckee downtown self-guided historic walking tour map
- Old Truckee Jail Museum visit
- Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center
- Donner Party Hike weekend
- 20 Mile Museum driving and hiking signs
- China Wall at Donner Summit
- Walking Through Donner Summit History (ten walks)
- Tallac Pope House Tour
- Hellman-Ehrman Mansion guided house tour
- Vikingsholm tour
- Thunderbird Lodge tour
- Gatekeeper’s Museum and Watson Cabin
- Al Tahoe History walking tour
- Olympic Museum at Palisades Tahoe
- Mark Twain Days historic ghost tours
- Haunted Ghost Tour at the Gold Hill Hotel
On The Map
Cite this page: It's Reno, “Historic Tours in Reno and Lake Tahoe: Walking Tours, Trails and Ranger Programs”, itsreno.com/history/historic-tours/ (updated ). By the It's Reno editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.