Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park is a small stretch of protected land nestled in the Tehachapi Mountains, designated as a California State Park in 1993 to protect the site of a Kawaiisu Native American village.
Tomo-Kahni, meaning “Winter Village,” is a highly sensitive archeological and environmental site. Members of the public can only access it via occasional guided tours in the spring and fall. Here’s a closer look…
2026 tours of Tomo-Kahni State Historic Park
Tomo-Kahni guided tours are available on select Saturdays each year, with a strict cap of 15 people at a time. The tour costs $20 per person and lasts about 4 hours total, beginning at the Tehachapi Museum (310 S. Green St.) at 8:30 am. There, a docent gives an introduction to the Kawaiisu.
After caravaning to the park, guests begin a moderate 3-mile round-trip walking tour with 800 feet of elevation gain. Along the way, your guide will interpret native plants and point out Kawaiisu grinding stones, rock art, pictographs, and more remnants of the village.
Tours are available during the following windows this year:
- Spring tours: Saturdays from April 18 to May 23, 2026
- Fall tours: Saturdays from September 12 to October 17, 2026
To reserve, visit ReserveCalifornia.com, click on “Activities,” select “Tomo-Kahni SHP” as the Place and “Guided Tours” as the Category of Activity, and select your desired date.
More about the Kawaiisu
The Kawaiisu (also known as Nuwa or Nuooah) are a Native American group indigenous to the Tehachapi mountains and surrounding valleys. For two to three thousand years, they lived as hunter-gatherers, likely choosing the Tomo-Kahni “winter village” location due to its moderate temperature and plentiful resources.
They are described as a peaceful, gentle people with immense respect for their natural surroundings, and are renowned for their beautifully intricate and colorful woven baskets.
🌐 Learn more: California State Parks
