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Taylor Creek Visitor Center

Stream Profile Chamber and Rainbow Trail

The Stream Profile Chamber has served as the primary attraction at the Forest Service Visitor Center complex at Taylor Creek since it was constructed in 1968. The Chamber, located 1/4 mile down the Rainbow Trail, provides a view of the stream environment allowing visitors to study a diverted section of Taylor Creek through a panel of aquarium-like windows. Attracting 300,000 to 400,000 youth and adult visitors annually, the Stream Profile Chamber has been a major attraction for local conservation and environmental education programs. The Lake Tahoe Stream Profile Chamber is located at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center just 3 miles north of South Lake Tahoe, California on the lake side of Hwy. 89. It is past the Tallac Historic Site and the turn off for Fallen Leaf Lake. The Stream Profile Chamber is open beginning Memorial Day weekend through October 31 from 8:00 a.m. and closes 30 minutes before the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

Follow this link to view a schedule of the Special Events at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center.

The Chamber features floor-to-ceiling windows (a full twelve-feet high), a stream/pool habitat where spawning gravel, boulders, and root wads were added. This is also a 180 degree curved diorama showing life above and below the water. This diorama boasts a mural on the walls showing all the seasons experienced at Taylor Creek. There are also creative informational signs and hidden critters. Be sure to look for the raccoon, crayfish, bats, frog, Stellar Jay, Bald Eagles, butterflies, and the slug! Look carefully, they aren't easy to find!

 This facility provides a realistic and meaningful experience for all who visit including the more than 4,000 third and fourth grade students who participate in the environmental education programs conducted during the fall spawning run of the Kokanee Salmon in Taylor Creek.

The Rainbow Trail takes visitors from the Taylor Creek Visitor Center to the Stream Profile Chamber. The 1/4 mile trail that goes from the Visitor Center to the Stream Profile Chamber winds through the meadow and marsh by Taylor Creek. As you follow this 45 minute walk, check out the interpretive signs (and their bases). Be sure to spend some time looking for wildlife and enjoying the view on the observation deck over looking Taylor Creek marsh and meadow.

Sporting a great look and state of the art equipment table to present programs of all types, the Lake of the Sky Amphitheater is ready to start an exciting season. In July and August we will present our Lake of the Sky Amphitheater Special Evening Programs. Make plans to join us for a program or two at the Lake of the Sky Amphitheater!

Many interpretive programs are held at the Visitor Center during the summer season. Call the Taylor Creek Visitor Center for more information on summer programs at (530) 543-2674.