Nevada State Parks

Washoe Lake State Park is offering a guided hike Sunday to the overlook on the Deadman’s Creek Trail. This is a moderate, one-mile, round-trip hike, with a short, steep climb to the overlook (280 feet). Wildflowers are currently blooming along the trail so this will be an opportunity to take amazing pictures and learn about new plants.

Washoe Lake State Park is offering a variety of events and hikes in April. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt, a guided walk through the wetlands and a wildflower walk. Participants will learn about the natural and cultural history of the park and surrounding area.

Enjoy the outdoors while experiencing the incredible views at Washoe Lake State Park this February. A variety of ranger-led hikes are scheduled to offer a unique view of one of Nevada’s remarkable parks. Don’t forget to pick up a Passport booklet.

If your New Year’s resolution is to get out and hike more, you’re in luck. Washoe Lake State Park has two ranger-led hikes scheduled in January.

Get outdoors and celebrate the New Year with free guided hikes Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 at Spooner Lake State Park near Tahoe or Washoe Lake north of Carson City.

The Spooner hike will be a snowshoe one if there is adequate snow. The outing will follow the Spooner Lake loop trail, which is a little over two miles. Very little change in elevation makes this trail a family favorite. Park entrance fees are waived for hike participants.

Celebrate New Year’s Day with a hike at Washoe Lake. Nevada State Park's first day hike is a one-mile round-trip hike up to the gazebo on the Deadman's Creek trail.
Meet at the overflow parking area at 1 p.m. for this moderately easy 1.5 hour hike.

Gov. Brian Sandoval traveled to Nevada State Park's Spooner Lake near Tahoe on Wednesday to be the first visitor to a Nevada State Park to have his park passport stamped, officially launching a new program.

The Passport Program is designed to challenge and encourage Nevada residents and visitors to experience the diverse natural, cultural and recreational resources that span all of Nevada’s 23 state parks.

Take a moonlit walk while learning the history of Washoe Valley on Wednesday, Oct. 8. This is a one-mile round-trip hike to the gazebo on the Deadman’s Creek Trail. The hike is limited to 30 participants. Reservations are required.

Many celebrations are scheduled throughout the Silver State in the month of September. These Nevada 150 events celebrate all things Nevada and help bring awareness to the 150th Anniversary of Statehood. The following events are held Sept. 15 through 30.

Take a Super Full Moon lit hike next Monday and learn some of the backlit history of the Washoe Valley. This is an easy one mile round-trip hike north of Carson City to the gazebo on the Deadman’s Creek trail at the start of the third "Super Moon" of the year.

Award winning performers from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, Reno and Tahoe will grace the stage for Trails and Vistas World Concert at Sand Harbor State Park at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 6.

The World Concert, an original blend of diverse musicians, aerialists and dancers, is produced by Trails and Vistas, a Truckee, CA-based nonprofit organization dedicated to producing inspiring art events in nature, in collaboration with the Truckee Tahoe Peace Project.

FALLON, Nev. – Prepare your favorite Dutch Oven recipes and see how you stack up to other Dutch Oven enthusiast. Participants may compete in teams or individually and are allowed unlimited entries in four categories: bread, dessert, main/dish/meat, and side dish/vegetable.

Please go to www.parks.nv.gov for entry forms and a full description of the contest rules. This event is open to the public, and is a family friendly event for all ages. Learn some new ideas for fun ways to cook outdoors during camping trips or get-togethers.

There will be free parking and beach access Saturday to Sand Harbor, Cave Rock and Spooner Lake state parks for those who support Lake Tahoe with the purchase of license plates.

“Buying a Tahoe license plate is one of the easiest ways to help the Lake,” said Tahoe Fund CEO Amy Berry. “Thanks to Nevada State Parks, we are able to show our appreciation to Tahoe plate holders with a free day at the beach or park.”

The Tahoe Fund has partnered with Nevada State Parks to offer free access July 12 to Sand Harbor, Cave Rock and Spooner Lake to current owners of Lake Tahoe license plates. The event is designed as a gesture of appreciation to those who support Lake Tahoe with the purchase of license plates.

“We are thankful to the thousands of people who choose to buy and renew their Tahoe license plates,” said Jay Howard of Nevada State Parks. “Our Lake Tahoe parks benefit greatly from those funds, with beach improvements, watershed restoration work, and new hiking trails.”

Discover the wonders of the night sky at Washoe Lake State Park on Saturday, June 21 as local astronomy experts Jay Lawson and Adam Kremers will have telescopes set up to view Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, and all the best objects of the summer Milky Way.

The Summer Solstice Astronomy Party runs from from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. or later at the Maze/Playground (Overflow) parking area inside Washoe Lake State Park.

Hello fellow anglers. The weather is hot and the fishing action is catching up. Last week Renee and I took a few days to fish Alpine County. We camped at Indian Creek and ventured out to neighboring areas.

The action good and bad will be revealed in your local fishing report. The best fishing I have to tell you about though, was when I was not fishing at all. We came back late Saturday evening to make sure to be rested for the following day's event.

In celebration of the Silver State’s Sesquicentennial, and in conjunction with National Get Outdoors Day, residents and visitors are invited to “Discover Nevada State Parks” on Saturday, June 14.

Park visitors will receive free day use admission and free fishing (no license required) at all of Nevada’s 23 State Parks. In addition, the first 150 vehicles at each park on June 14 will receive a complimentary deck of commemorative Nevada Heritage playing cards provided by Nevada’s State Historic Preservation Office and its partners.

Many events are scheduled throughout the Silver State in the month of June. These Nevada 150 events help celebrate all things Nevada and bring awareness to the state’s 150th Anniversary of Statehood. The following are events held June 3 through June 15.

Join park rangers for a leisurely spring wildflower walk through Washoe Valley. Discover some of the many beautiful wildflowers in bloom on this two mile, moderate walk starting at the main boat ramp. Phlox, Daisies, Lupine, and many more wildflowers will be highlighted on this walk.

Described as magical, diverse and inspiring, Trails and Vistas’ Art Hikes blend art experiences with the beauty of being immersed in nature. This year’s guided art hikes will take place along an aspen lined trail at Spooner Lake in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park on Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7.

The Nevada Division of State Parks will hold a Feb. 27 workshop in Carson City to solicit comments on proposed regulations involving group camping fees and entrances fees for photographers with commercial photography permits.

The workshop will be from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Parks conference room of the Division Headquarters, 901 S. Stewart Street, Carson City.

The Nevada Division of State Parks administers grant funds from the Recreational Trails Program of the Federal Highway Administration. Approximately $1.2 million in funding is available for the 2014 fiscal year.

Applications are due Friday, March 7, 2014 by 5 p.m. Federal, state, city and county governments, special governmental districts, trail organizations and private individuals are potentially eligible for the grants.

SILVER SPRINGS, Nev. – Santa Claus will be visiting the Silver Springs Ranger Station at Lake Lahontan Recreation Area on Saturday, December 21.

Photos with Santa will be taken by Nevada State Parks staff and available for download at parks.nv.gov. Visitors are also welcome to bring their own cameras. Happy Holidays from the rangers and staff at Lake Lahontan State Recreation Area.

All 23 Nevada State Parks are not affected by the government shutdown and remain open for all scheduled events.

"Autumn is awesome in Nevada's state parks for viewing fall colors, fishing, camping or setting up a hunting base camp," says Deputy Administrator Eric Johnson.

A small amount of firewood will be available for public purchase from the Nevada Division of State Parks. Approximately 50 permits will go on sale in Carson City on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The sale starts at 8 a.m. on the 1st floor of the Richard H. Bryan state office building, located at 901 South Stewart Street in Carson City. Permits are $50 per cord, cash or check only, limit one cord per address/family. The sale will end once all permits are sold.

AAA Nevada will present $20,250 to the Nevada Division of State Parks to improve directional signs throughout Lahontan State Recreation Area. The public is invited to attend the check presentation ceremony that will take place Tuesday, October 23, at 1:30 p.m. at 901 S. Stewart Street in Carson City.

AAA Nevada teamed up to help Nevada State Parks help fund projects that would otherwise go unfunded. Throughout their “Summer Road Trip” campaign July 1 through August 30, AAA Nevada donated $5 to Nevada State Parks for every AAA insurance quote completed within each AAA branch office.

For the second time in history, mountain bike enthusiasts are welcome to join their peers on a great "Mountain Bike Nevada" adventure and ride through Nevada, border to border, from Sept. 8-18, 2012. "We're looking for riders who want to experience an epic ride across some of state's most spectacular terrain," said Todd Whear, ride organizer and event co-founder. The journey is touted as "once in a life-time experience" and is a fund-raising event for the Nevada Public Education Foundation.

Santa Claus will be visiting Buckland Station at Fort Churchill State Historic Park on Dec. 17 and 18.
Everyone is invited to attend and have pictures taken with Santa. Pictures will be taken by local photographer and Fort Churchill Artist in Residence, Richard Massey. Children waiting in line for pictures will be able to make a small Christmas ornament to take home.
WHAT: Christmas photographs with Santa Claus
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, December 17 and 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Nevada Division of State Parks will next month hold a public hearing on the Nevada Administrative Code’s (NAC) change of regulation to allow for the carrying of firearms in state parks.

By Bob Conrad / Nevada Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources
CARSON CITY, Nev. — When shoppers use any reusable grocery bag — paper, plastic or canvas — at any Raley’s and Food Source store in Nevada, they will be helping more than the environment, they will also be raising money to preserve and enhance Nevada State Parks.