Be inspired! Take a virtual tour below of the many museums and visitor centers along US Highway 395 and beyond. Where to go. What to see. How to get there. Plan your road trip!
Photo @theroadahead
Visitors who journey along this scenic stretch of US Highway 395 in California’s Eastern Sierra tell us of the awe and inspiration they feel from time spent in these delightful museums and visitor centers. From rocket science to dinosaur fossils and movie magic to ghost towns, and a whole lot more, there’s something to thrill all lovers of learning.
Museum Guide
This history of Bishop, the Owens Valley, and the Eastern Sierra is rich and diverse. It is intertwined through stories of the Indigenous Peoples, the early pioneers and settlers, the mining boom, the water wars, and the region’s spectacular natural history.
We have curated pages with links to photographs, videos, podcasts, movies, newspaper articles, and so much more—recent and vintage—that you won’t find anywhere else.
Along US Highway 395 in the Eastern Sierra, and in adjacent communities near Death Valley and in nearby Nevada, are amazing and informative museums and visitor centers that protect and showcase the artifacts, stories, and history of our region.
Stories of the people who came before, the First Nations and the traditional ways; the explorers and adventurers who braved the unknown; the movie stars and makers of fantasy and fiction; the scientists, writers, artists, and environmentalists; and all the strange and wonderful tales of life in the Eastern Sierra are here to learn and experience in modern museums and old ghost towns.
Because of the size and topography of the area some museums and centers are closed or not recommended during the months of extreme weather experienced in the Eastern Sierra. The deserts are very hot in summer, and snow restricts access to some locations in winter.
There’s so much to see and many opportunities to see these, so plan your visits according to time, topic, and temperature.
We’ve created a guide to museums and visitor centers here (plus a few historical points of interest) covering a large variety of subjects; it’s as diverse as the area it covers is large.
Take a trip back in time and experience the daily life of the early settlers of the Owens Valley. The Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site celebrates the rich history of the period and tells of a time when the railroad station was the heart of a bustling western town. Close to 50 authentic structures on eleven acres are filled with artifacts and original objects that depict the lifestyles of the homemakers, artisans, and townspeople of the period.
All the historic buildings are original structures. Some, like the Laws Depot, the Agent’s house, the locomotive turntable, and the oil and water tanks were constructed right here and have stood on this site since the first train rolled in in 1883. The section of narrow-gauge track that remains on the site still carries restored and working railroad cars – all dating back to the early days of the railway.
The Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center is both a museum and cultural center that serves the community and safeguards the history of the Indigenous Peoples of Payahuunadü, the land of flowing water. It is a place to preserve and tell the story of the old ways and a place for the community to come together to learn, teach, and continue the traditional ways.
The Bishop Paiute Tribe is a sovereign nation located in the heart of the Eastern Sierra adjacent to Bishop. It is the fifth largest tribe in California with about 2,000 enrolled members. The Cultural Center is located on tribal lands, just 1.5 miles from the center of Bishop. The Gift Shop has a beautiful selection of beadwork, silverwork, and artwork created and designed by local tribal artisans.
Here’s an alphabetical list of these wonderful museums and visitor centers with links to websites and phone numbers. Plan your own road trip.
Museum Name & Phone
Amargosa Opera House and Hotel (760) 852-4441
Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest (760) 873-2500
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park (Nevada) (775) 964-2440
Bishop Information Center (760) 873-8405
Bodie State Historic Park (760) 616-5040
China Lake Museum (760) 677-2866
Cottonwood Charcoal Kilns
Eastern California Museum (760) 878-0258
Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center (760) 876-6200
Fish Lake Valley Heritage Center and Museum (Nevada) (775) 752-3200
Furnace Creek Visitor Center (760) 786-3200
Laws Railroad Museum & Historical Site (760) 873-5950
Lone Pine Museum of Western Film History (760) 876-9909
Mammoth Museum at Hayden Cabin (760) 934-6918
Manzanar National Historic Site (760) 878-2194 x3310
Mary Austin’s Home
Maturango Museum (760) 375-6900
Mono Basin History Museum (760) 647-6461
Mono Basin Scenic Area Visitor Center (760) 647-3044
Mono County Museum (760) 932-5281
Mt Whitney Fish Hatchery (760) 876-4128
Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center (760) 873-8844
Rand Desert Museum
Rhyolite Ghost Town (Nevada)
Shoshone Museum (760) 852-4224
We’ve created some suggestions for museum road trips based on subjects and geographic area:
Look at this map guide here to find out more.
Make Bishop your base for great lodging, camping, dining, and entertainment as you cruise the highways and byways and learn all about the natural and cultural history of this region. Make sure to plan according to season and distance; and book lodging or camping for overnight stays.
Call us (760) 873-8405, email us info@bishopvisitor.com, and come in and see us at 690 N. Main Street in Bishop. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can answer your questions, provide maps, give directions, and help you make the best decisions to have a good time exploring and learning about the history of our big backyard.
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