• Carson Now on Facebook
  • Follow Carson Now on Twitter
  • Follow Carson Now by RSS
  • Follow Carson Now by Email

Hiking trails, camping, cycling, golf and more highlight outdoor summer activities around Carson City

Plenty of activities around Carson City are returning for all to enjoy throughout the summer. From hiking and biking trails and campgrounds, to several outdoor recreational activities, there are many ways to get outside and enjoy the warm weather.

Below is a list of recreational activities held throughout the summer. A list of all city recreation sites and activities available to the public now can be found here.

Carson City Hiking Trails
Several hiking trails in Carson City have reopened and are available to the public. Hiking participants are encouraged to follow safety procedures.

Trails include hikes at Riverview Park, Kings Canyon Waterfall, the Kings Canyon Waterfall Trail, the C-Hill 4-Mile Trail, the Spooner Lake Loop, the famous Flume Trail and the 7-mile Ash to Kings Canyon Trail.

For more information on hiking trails around Carson City, visit the link here.

Carson City Biking Trails
Certified bronze Bike-Friendly Community by the League of American Cyclist, Carson City is the place for off-road and recreational road riding.

Carson City's ranking is because of the total bicycle network mileage, the presence of bicycle friendly laws and ordinances, and how well a community implements the Unified Pathways Master Plan, among others, according to VisitCarsonCity.com.

Bike-friendly streets make Carson City a perfect place to ride around the capital’s historic districts, nearby attractions, and unique downtown shops and restaurants. Bikes can be rented at Carson Tahoe Hotel, Blue Zone Sports or The Bike Smith downtown. For more information about biking and trails, see Muscle Powered here, and the city's hiking and biking guide here.

Outdoor Recreational Activities
Outdoor recreational facilities including neighborhood parks, trails, basketball courts, archery range and disc golf are all open with social distancing restrictions. Picnics and park gatherings with groups of less than 50 people are allowed.

The outdoor tennis court and Mills Park skatepark located by the Carson City Community Center has reopened to the public.

The Multiathletic Center reopened on June 5 followed by the Carson City Aquatic Facility and Carson City Community Center on June 8. All three establishments have implemented new safety provisions by Governor Sisolak’s Phase 2 directives. For more information, visit the link here.

Camping and State Parks
Camping grounds and state parks are beginning to open all over Nevada with safety provisions. The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit opened its developed campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe Basin area on June 12. The Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest is also open for camping. See the website here and click to the preferred camping choices.

Participants are encouraged to practice social distancing of at least six feet with non-family members of the same household. They also should not gather in large groups and share the trail and campgrounds with others. Lastly, participants should pick up all trash and leave with everything brought to the site.

For a list of open camping areas and up-to-date information, visit the LTBMU website here.

State parks around the Carson City area are open for day-use with several safety provisions. Nevada State Parks is actively following the Center for Disease Control guidelines set by Governor Sisolak.

Safety guidelines include maintaining a safe social distance of at least six feet, excluding members of the same household. Participants must avoid gathering in groups of more than 50 people and keep all facilities clean throughout their stay.

Below is a list of national state parks near the Carson City area:
Washoe Lake — Carson City
Buckland Station — Silver Springs
Dayton State Park — Dayton
Fort Churchill — Silver Springs
Mormon Station — Genoa
Walker River — Yerington

For more information on parks and safety guidelines, visit the link here.

Golf Courses
Golf courses around the Carson City area have reopened for tee times and getting a few practice swings in at the driving range. According to Duncan Golf Management, golf courses at Lakeridge, Wolf Run, Toiyabe, Eagle Valley and Dayton Valley are following strict safety guidelines provided by the state.

Golf Cart rentals will be single person only besides household occupants to keep social distancing guidelines in place. Carts will be cleaned and sanitized after each round. Golfers are still allowed to walk the course, but are encouraged to keep a safe social distance of at least six feet with fellow players.

On the course, cups rakes have been removed from sand traps and flagsticks should not be touched. Duncan Golf Management has asked golfers to smooth out their footprints as best as possible after entering and exiting a sand bunker.

The golf balls for the driving range will be dispensed in the golf shop, the ball dispenser will not be used. Golf balls and buckets will be cleaned by employees between customers as well as putting green cups.

To limit the physical interaction between customers and employees, the golf courses listed above will have a “grab and go” options at the clubhouse. The beverage cart will still be available. There will be no seating at the dining room and plastic plates, cups and utensils will be provided.

Employees will consistently sanitize all equipment and institute high-levels of hygiene for the safety of customers. More information and how to book a tee time can be found via the link here.

Empire Ranch Golf Course and Silver Oak Golf Course in Carson City are open for scheduled tee times. Both courses are following the safety guidelines set by the state, which include social distancing procedures and employee cleaning and sanitization.

Interested participants can book a tee time at Empire Ranch Golf Course here. To book a tee time at Silver Oak Golf Course, click the link here.

Recreational Sports Leagues
Per the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department, several recreational youth and adult sports leagues remain closed under Sisolak’s Phase 2 directives. All softball, baseball and soccer leagues for adults and youth are put on hold.

There is a possibility more sports leagues under the Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department will reopen when larger gatherings are allowed. For now, the department is waiting on further direction and guidance from the state to reopen sports leagues.

Bowling Alleys in Carson City
Bowling is back at the Carson Lanes Family Fun Center and Gold Dust West Casino in Carson City.

Under the new provisions from the Nevada Gaming Commission, bowling alleys have instituted safety measures to keep families and guests safe. These safety measures include maximum lane capacity and sanitization of all equipment.

For more information, visit the link here.

Top Stories

... or see all stories

The unpredictability of spring this first weekend of May continues with the threat of snow showers in the Sierra on Saturday, along with gusty winds and rain down to the valley floors for Carson City and surrounding areas. The storm system should moved out by Sunday morning.

Carson High School Culinary Arts and Early Childhood Education students competed at the three-day state conference last month for Nevada Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. This was the first time the school’s programs participated in the conference. A total of 25 students competed in eight events.

Family fun, lively bands and historical characters return to Dangberg Historic Park in Minden beginning in May. Favorite presenters, bands and Chautauquans will be joined by new ones as well.

Carson City’s former Board of Supervisor and business owner Stan Jones was posthumously awarded Thursday the Historic Preservation Award for his long time work for downtown Carson City.

Each year, a Historic Preservation Award is awarded by the Historic Resources Commission to Carson City residents or organizations who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to historic preservation.

The Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is today, Thursday, May 2 at the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City. The memorial brings hundreds to the capitol grounds. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office arrested three for their alleged involvement in business thefts last month on Topsy Lane south of Carson City.

The national issue of suicide — particularly among veterans — touched many people who attended the Walk for Hope on Wednesday morning at Western Nevada College in Carson City.

The new renovations at the Carson City Senior Center opened the opportunity to host art shows to extend enrichment to the senior community. Carson City Senior Center presents “Geographical Divides: Finding Common Ground,” featuring 16 artists who were asked to explore the geographical and cultural differences in Nevada, if such differences truly exist.

Meet Nash, Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch Pet of the Week Nash. He's a striking 2-year-old German Shepherd who entered our shelter a couple of weeks ago due to his previous owner's moving. With Nash's handsome appearance and endearing personality, this young man captures the hearts of all who meet him.

Time to dust off those ten-speeds Carson City, because May is Bike Month in the capital city!

Carson City’s Muscle Powered hosts bike month each year in addition to their year-round volunteerism.

More than 48 Carson High School Future Business Leaders of America students attended the state conference in Sparks, Nev. this past week. In total, 38 of those students earned 74 “Top-10” placements in 30 separate events. Additionally, three CHS FBLA students took state with first-place finishes and 15 of them qualified for the National Business Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla. this coming June.

Carson Animal Services Initiative (CASI) would like to thank everyone who attended or contributed to our annual Bark Whine & Dine, held on April 27. What a wonderful event it was!

The inaugural Carson City Cinco de Mayo 2024 festival this Friday through Sunday will be a 3-day celebration of Mexican culture for all the Northern Nevada region to enjoy.

In recognition of Historic Preservation and Archeological Awareness Month, the City’s Historic Resources Commission has organized the 2024 Scavenger Hunt.

We’re back, bigger and better than ever! Please welcome the second annual Mark Twain Days, May 10-12. For a listing of events take a gander at the website here.

You will find something of interest or my name’s not Mark Twain, or used to be anyways. And this year Virginia City is joining in on the fun along with Carson City. Wow!

Marilyn "Mert" Paoli Lewis retired on April 30 after 42 years as a State Farm Agent. She started her career as a Scratch Agency in 1982, meaning she had no customers initially.

Food Bank of Northern Nevada made a stop to the Carson City Senior Center on Wednesday morning, with another stop at the Dayton Senior Center from 11 to noon.

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles has announced the implementation of a new appointment system, WaitWell, in all metropolitan and rural offices throughout the state.

Meet up with others from the community to hear and share stories and experiences

CONNECTIONS social gatherings bring locals together weekly for story sharing, conversation and inspiration.

Join us every Saturday for Café CONNECTIONS from 10 to 11:30 am OR from noon to 1:30 p.m. at La Capital Cafe, 1795 E College Pkwy, Carson City.

Earlier this month, 11 students from Carson High School and six Carson Middle School and Eagle Valley Middle School students participated in the Annual American Choral Directors Association Nevada All State Choir event at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

The Carson City Farmers Market returns to the capital city Saturday, June 8 at its new home in Mills Park. Each year, the market continues to grow, and this year is no exception with 11 new vendors added to the roster.

Do you live in the Carson City or the surrounding area? Do you have a loved one that has Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia? If yes, let us support you through your challenging and new situation! We are here to help you!

Carson City Host Lions Club 2024 Kids Fishing Day is a community event held at Baily Pond in Fuji Park. Kids’ Fishing Day will be held on Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around the capital city.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in identifying a man and woman associated to a vehicle stolen out of Reno last month.

Green Our Planet will host the second annual Northern Nevada Giant Student Farmers Market on Wednesday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Fuji Park on The Park Grass in Carson City. The Northern Nevada Giant Student Farmers Market will feature approximately 10 schools throughout the northern part of the Silver State.

Miller Counseling and Wellness Center began partnering with Douglas Center for Hope and Healing to offer grief support groups for adults in Carson City in 2024. There has been an amazing turnout, and the group appears to be filling a much-needed void in services to our community.

Enjoy a movie classic on the big screen Tuesday, April 30 at A to Zen in Carson City. The featured movie is the Academy Award winning "Ordinary People," starring Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Timothy Hutton and Judd Hirsch.

Ready to celebrate Mother’s Day a little early? Join in on the fun at the Mother’s Day Tea Party happening this weekend, May 4th at 4pm! Enjoy delectable teas, an assortment of foods, a wonderful raffle, and games. Tickets are $25 and may be pre-purchased at the Carson City Alano Club. Tickets may also be purchased at the event, though quantities may be limited. Event will be held at 1201 N Saliman Road. So put on your tea hats and join us on May 4th at 4pm.

Hello Northern Nevada Friends! Are you considering homeschooling? Please join us Saturday, May 4 at Shepherd of the Sierra Lutheran Church on 395 in Carson City as we gather to be inspired, uplifted, and gain the courage to homeschool. This conference is for anyone interested, whether you are a seasoned homeschooler or a newbie.