End of the trail Tattoo is one of the most important tattoo shops in the history of modern day Tattooing. Good Time Charlie pioneered the  tattoo movement which brought people like Jack Rudy, Ed Hardy, Freddy Negrete and so many more. I don't know if the people in Modesto realize how important this tattoo shop is, but it's probably the most important tattoo shop in the world.  Do yourself a favor, get tattooed here while you have a chance. I don't work at End of the trail and never have, but I do own Mad Dog Tattoo in Bakersfield for 25+ years, and I want you to know that people from all over the world know the importance of the shop. There an oldschool shop and don't bother calling because they won't answer the phone and they never have. A real Tattoo Shop. Read Less

Worst tattoo shop ever! Agree, why have a phone if you don't answer it! Nick is good but antisocial! He can do simple stuff, fast...but kinda does his own thing. Gets off track of customers ideas.Alex is worthless. Scarred the shit out of me a few years back. VERY heavy handed. Inexperienced. Took him three hours to do a 4 letter cursive name. Said he had a cold, he was sniffing the entire time. Tweaker maybe? Worst tattoo ever. Hurt like F$&@ and scarred bad!! Idiots...think Nick spends too much time next door at the running iron then at his daddy's shop...Stay Away!!!!!  They suck! Read Less

Went in nervous to get a tattoo but it was kind of now or never because I knew I'd chicken out. Me and my fiancé both got one and I was so excited when it was done but it scabbed up so bad during healing and when it healed my butterfly looked like crap. It was a piece I picked to get to honor my dad and I didn't love it. I'm getting married in 8 months and have now had it redone. When I went to have it fixed the new artist I went to at a different shop said that the first guy to do it, Alex, had scarred me up so much. He also messed up my fiancé's tattoo of a tree frog she got for her grandma and has multiple scars and discoloration on it. I won't go Back to end of the trail I have found a new artist who was amazing at fixing my butterfly and will do all of our work from now on.. Read Less

Thank God I never got a tattoo here because what I watched being done and the finished product is horrible!!! There is like running ink all over things unfinished and writing doesn't even look like the correct letters. Plus the guy wanted him to come back to finish. I think he should go elsewhere because I don't think they know what the heck they are doing. Oh and a month out it still looks scraped scratched just gross! Don't go here!!! Read Less

My husband grew up around the wonderful artist that work there and when it was time for him to get his first tattoo, he didn't want to go anywhere else. They did great work and we will be going back soon for my husband's next tattoo as well as my next tattoo. Read Less

I love this parlor. Nick is extremely talented and easy to talk to. He listened to what I wanted and then put his own personal touch on it and what I ended up with was a beautiful tribute to my late father. Read Less

Old-school tattoo shop in Modesto, The End of the Trail is a visual feast, boasting more flash and  tattoo images than you've ever seen anywhere. Tons of original tattoo flash drawn by good time Charlie Cartwright. Huge sheets of flash drawn by Charlie can be purchased here.Nice folks doing quality work.I started a backpiece here in 1993 and I'm finally having it finished.I highly recommend Nick,  and the nice folks down here at the End of the Trail Read Less

The workers are wonderful and helpful. The man who helped me, Alex, made sure I knew what I was getting into by getting a tattoo. I have gotten both of my tattoo from here and they're are amazing. They use sanitary products and dispose of anything used for the tattooing process. Read Less

Alex did my sleeve and my sternum tattoo I will never go anywhere else again he is down to earth very professional and I'm so thankful I found this place . Thank you Alex for your amazing work I m extremely pleased . Read Less

this shop and the artists that are there, will listen to you they're all professional artists that could draw you up something original, explain why your there and the meaning behind your ink tattoos are forever! that's a commitment ! as a woman and women change their minds make sure its something that you know you can commit too... that will be on your body forever! I will be back... xoxo I was referred to this shop by living in Modesto off Mchenry ave. during High school with my Best friend we vowed to get ink or tattoos done one day, She got her first one done there it was on old guy that did it she said... but it was nicely done I like the coloring on her wings blue&white. she also got a few more done there including a rest in peace tattoo of my friend a guitar player who passed away in 2008 at age 20yrs old, her & 3 other family members got the same tattoo done RIP with a guitar. when I finally decided on a design it seems only have way finished I guess that's because its my kids and they're still growing... as far as commitment goes Laura said "its true if you're that type of person to get names as a meaning" but as far as fun its addictive like something personal that I haven't got yet. nothing that describes me. such as pain is love, or numbing the pain in a different ways memories. Your children will always be your children for life.... Read Less

Nick does an awesome job with reasonable rates, he did an excellent job on my cover up tattoo. Highly recommended. So far I've gotten two tattoos from Nick and my daughter has gotten 3 but we're not done... Read Less

My favorite place to go!! Nick is amazing!! He fixed a tattoo for me about 3 years ago that another shop butchered, and I have been back to get 3 more from him since. He just finished a shoulder piece and I couldn't be happier. Read Less

The owner and proprietor of this establishment and those generations whom sail the seas of ink at End of the Trail are of the highest quality. I would talk myself blue in the face were I to bend the listeners ear on how much I love this place and those who work here. Truly 'one of a kind' in an industry sorely in need of originality. I am a tattoo artist of 22 years myself so I believe I know what I'm talking about!!! Please do yourself a favor and check this place out. Read Less

I've gotten 2  tattoos by this place.  Like I've seen in other reviews it's not the best at costumer service. They always seem annoyed when you tell them your ideas and you better know Exactly what you want because no creativity will be put forth on their part and no patience to figure it out. Why I give it 3stars? Both of my tattoos look good. It is a place I would recommend to people when the are very nervous about a very basic tattoo. You'll get good work just no good vibes or passion for their craft. Read Less

Just left End of the Trail...thanks Alex...you did a great job on my tattoo ~ love it!!  Everyone there tonight was very helpful in doing what needed to be done to get the exact tattoo drawn up that I wanted!  Thanks again for a great job done! Read Less

I heard some really good things from my friends about this place so I came in to get a price estimate for my next tattoo. The guy I talked to seemed like he was in a bad mood, he didn't smile once or hardly looked me in the eye. I have a few tattoos done by Corey Divine so I'm no stranger to paying a good price for good work. I shared my ideas with the guy who wouldn't look at me and he gave me an outrageous price! I just wanted something small and simple, worth no more than $150  and he told me $300!! I've talked to a few other artists since then and they agreed, that price estimate was high balled because he wasn't interested in doing it. Guess what guy, it worked!!! I'm taking my money elsewhere. Bye Felicia! Read Less

My daughter got her 2nd tattoo here and it was awesome.  We came back here for her third tat, a real life looking portrait of her bunny.  Unfortunately, this experience was not nearly as good as her first experience here.  The tat did not turn out well, and in fact looks like a male appendage.  Off we go to another place to have it fixed/covered.  :-( Read Less

best spot for tattoos in Modesto.  I got a half sleeve from the artist named "running-bear"  Guy was really friendly and was a GREAT artist.  Expensive but you pay for quality.  I recommend this place to all my friends who want tattoos Read Less

I'm 56, not the type for a tattoo, but my sister and I decided we were going to do it!  I was a little leery of any tattoo parlor, but everyone here was great, really nice and receptive, and even though I only had two simple designs done, they made me feel like a valued customer who was as worth their time as the next guy.  I love the work and am glad I had it done! Read Less

You get what you pay for, price may be high but its worth it. I am getting a full sleeve and have been coming in for awhile. Every time I do come in, I am amazed by the art work and every ones attitude. They make you feel right at home. Read Less

Awesome place, came in here for my first tattoo when I turned 18, talked to one of the guys behind the counter about what I wanted, a custom dream catcher my grandmother made for me.I talked to the artist, Alex, and he did a full sketch, it came out absolutely amazing looking, I went to get it done and WOW, it came out even better than it looked on paper, friendly people, although the signs in the place make it seem like the place is run by jerks, the people who work there are very nice and friendly.Price was a little up there, but like it says, Good tattoos aren't cheap, cheap tattoos aren't good!I plan on getting more ink here 5/5 Read Less

I got my first tattoo here when i was 21. it was a decent size tattoo in the middle of my shoulder blades. It hasnt faded at all and i always get compliments about it from other tattoo artists and people around that see it. theyre pretty costly. i payed 350 plus a tip. the guy i went to was pretty cool but the samoan guy that worked there at the time was an ass. they do have a too cool attitude. Read Less

This is THE place to get work done. Charlie is a legend in the industry and his son and the whole staff know what they are doing, I have a lot of work done by them (all of them) ,it looks outstanding. I don't really understand why people complain about rudeness, etc.(I have never seen them be rude). It's NOT a wedding chapel, it's a tattoo parlor, so I think people need to understand that the only thing that matters is the quality of the tattoo, if you are looking for someone to hold your hand and stroke your ego, go somewhere else. If you are looking for quality workmanship for a fair price (very fair in my opinion), go to this place. I live in San Jose, and I drive 95 miles just to come here, wouldn't go anywhere else.. Read Less

Once again, The Modesto Bee has voted The End Of The Trail Tattoo to be the number 1 tattoo shop in Modesto. The End Of The Trail was the first tattoo shop in Modesto, over twenty years ago, and it is still operating under the same ownership. The reputation for pristine artistry and sterile working environment is still proving to withstand the test of time. A tattoo is with you forever. Choose your artist and tattoo shop wisely.Read Less

First of all, I came to End of the Trail through a friend. I had heard all the negative things that Modesto people love to say about competing businesses. But I wasn't about to get tattooed at the disgusting shops in the area that also sell pipes and do piercings. Second of all, tattooing is gaining tons of popularity. People are just becoming artists for fun, and people are getting tattooed by them for free or cheap. You'll learn, "Good tattoos ain't cheap, and cheap tattoos aint good." The worst part is most of them are defiantly not artists, nor do they develop their craft. They have issues and are unable to cope with life, much less keep up a professional business with expanding clientele. End of the Trail was opened by Good Time Charlie, a tattoo godfather known the world over in the tattooing community. He also has a second shop in Anaheim called Tattooland. Every single guy in End of the Trail is defiantly an artist. I have gotten a few pieces from Alex, and every single one awesome. We are currently working on my sleeve. Running Bear is a great tattooer, who does wonderful work. Nick is a phenomenal artist, and Martin also does a great job. 3 Generations worth of strong traditional tattooing roots. I have recently moved to southern california, and will continue to drive 7 hours to get my tattoos from End Of The Trail. Read Less

I have gotten a tattoo here back in ehhhh "96, touched one up in "98 and another in 2004, The only thing I have to say about the place is though I don't have a serious complaint, YOU ARE NOT THE COOLEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET BECAUSE YOU TATTOO.. Drop the shitty I'm sooo cool persona you have thrown out Everytime I walk in. It's amazing to me that the people have changed over the years, yet the overall feel of the place is always, blahhhhhhh... I have to wonder if they have the people watch a video on how to be rude??? I have since found someone with a smile and personality to do my tattoo's. Look into it:) Read Less

Great artists, especially Nick. Been tartted 3 times here and one was a cover up that was done so well you can't tell unless I tell you what to look for. Only reason it doesn't get 5 stars is ecause it's insanely expensive and you can't call for an appointment, have to make it in person. Good tats cost money though. You get what you pay for here, that's why I keep coming back! Read Less

I Got mine done by Nick and he was amazing it was a really awesome place with a sick environment. Nick made me feel comfortable and we talked and had fun and it was just a really good first experience. im getting all of my tats done there for sure dude. Read Less

I got a heart tattoo here when I was 18 with my twin sister, Noelle M.I've since had the piece covered up, if that tells you anything.I don't feel like the artists here were very into their craft, if they had been I feel like they would have taken more care in my heart tattoo (it wasn't very even and was very plain with way too thick of a black outline) and would have tried harder to really get to know what I wanted out of my tattoo.  I understand that when making the decision to get a tattoo, it is the person getting it that needs to put the most care into the choice.  HOWEVER, there is only so much you can tell someone then when you lie down on their work area you just have to trust that they'll do what you ask.  I don't feel I experienced that at End of the Trail, since I ended up being disappointed.My artist was pretty creepy, which made the experience all the worse since my tattoo was on my inner hip area (bikini line-ish). Read Less

The work is unbeatable and completely safe and sterile. A remarkable staff and professionalism to boot. You can absolutely trust these guys for any type of tattoo. They have done a total of 14 hours of work for me and I get complements from every one. They have been in business for years and years. They have a staff that has been working in these fields for years and have expertise and excellent knowledge of their field. You won't feel like you've walked into ozzfest and are receiveing the next available person who just bought a gun and are learing as they go along. I began going to end of t he trail at 18 and Martin an expert at portraits did a piece on my leg from ankle to knee an amazing job with perfect skill. I've had no fading at all and its been 7 years. The following year hid did another piece from ankle to knee and then a piece from pelvis to ribs. Read Less

I had my tattoo done by Nick. He was amazing. He made me feel totally comfortable during the entire tattoo. Since this was my first tattoo, I was a bit nervous. Nick and Jan made me feel great. Jan was also amaxing. Great artist. I will only go to End of the Trail for all of my future tattoos!!! Read Less