Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space
Highlights & Current Events
Explore Washoe County Parks with monthly Ranger-led hikes during "Walk with Washoe"
Tuesday evenings
6/19, 7/17 & 8/21 @ 6:30pm
7/26 @ 7:30pm
9/18, 10/2 @ 5:30pm
VIEW PARK LOCATIONS AND REGISTER HERE!
Washoe County Manager, John Slaughter, invites the community to explore nature through all the scenic parks and trails Washoe County has to offer through "Walk with Washoe". This year's popular program will also offer a new Moonlight Walk to enjoy the beauty of nature at night for the more adventurous crowd. CLICK HERE for more specifics on park locations and meet up spots.
Fall Story Stroll at Davis Creek Regional Park
Sept. 22 thru Oct. 6 - Self-led strolls during park hours
Sat. 9/22, 9/29, 10/6 @ 11am - Ranger-led stroll
Davis Creek Regional Park
25 Davis Creek Rd., Washoe Valley
In partnership with the Washoe County Library System and the Washoe County School District, Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space is offering their second story stroll to promote reading, highlight our local park, and engage our community. The Story Stroll will take place along the 0.7 mile loop Nature Trail, encircling the pond. View the press release for more information.
Good Nature! Guided Walking Tour for Older Adults: Fall Series
Fridays @ 1pm-2pm
Sept. 7 & 21, Oct. 5 & 9, Nov. 2
Wilbur D. May Arboretum
Rancho San Rafael Park, Reno
Enjoy a stroll in a beautiful natural environment while learning interesting facts from tour guides. New topics each week! View the flyer for specific weekly themes. Admission is free and all older adults are welcome.
Civil War Reenactment at Bowers Mansion
Sat., October 13, 10am - 3pm
Bowers Mansion Regional Park
4005 US Highway 395 North, Washoe Valley
Historic Bowers Mansion will begin to wrap up its 2018 tour season with another Civil War Reenactment. Return to the days of Nevada's statehood, bring a picnic lunch, enjoy the grounds and tour the mansion. The ongoing Civil War exhibits and demonstrations are free. Self-guided tours of the historic Bowers Mansion will be available for $7 Adults, $5 Children & Seniors. View the Civil War Reenactment flyer or press release for more information.
Programming at the Galena Creek Visitor Center
Ongoing throughout the year
Galena Creek Regional Park
18250 Mt. Rose Hwy, Reno
The Galena Creek Visitor Center is a partnership between Washoe County, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Great Basin Institute. The goal of the visitor center is to encourage understanding, appreciation and appropriate use of the natural, cultural and historic resources of the Galena Canyon area and the Mount Rose Scenic Byway. Check their website often or call 775-849-4948 for a listing of upcoming events including weekly guided hikes, monthly toddler time, and special Sunday morning programming.
Announcements
Download the new MOBILE version of the Galena Creek Nature Trail Guide
Explore the Nature Trail located at Galena Creek Regional Park while following along to our new mobile and interactive Galena Creek Nature Trail Guide, formatted for easier use from a mobile device.
Washoe County Parks Master Plan Survey Results
Washoe County recently asked residents to participate in a survey to help develop a County-wide Parks Master Plan. We now have summarized results available to view, as well as a more detailed report. If you would like to continue to stay informed of new developments on the master plan, keep an eye on our Master Plan page.
Trail Reconstruction in Progress
Trail access will be temporarily limited through mid-September while crews are working hard to improve and reconstruct our trail system. The following tails and parks will be impacted (in no particular order): Ballardini trails, Betsy Caughlin Donnelly paved trails, Browns Creek trails, Crystal Peak Park's nature trail, Dorostkar nature trail, Galena Creek trails, Hidden Valley Park trails, Huffaker Hills trails, Lockwood trails, Rancho San Rafael trails, Thomas Creek trails (between Timberline and Arrowcreek Park), and Whites Creek trails (between Timberline and Whites Creek Park). We apologize for any temporary inconvenience this summer, but hope you will enjoy these permanent improvements!
Attention: Visitors to Galena Creek Regional Park
The Nevada Division of Forestry will conduct vegetation and fuels management within Galena Creek Regional Park this spring, with a focus on forest health and public safety. This project will cause occasional impacts to trail access throughout the park. Affected areas will be posted with safety signage, so please watch for temporary trail closures. Areas that will be affected are mainly south of Galena Creek near the Galena Fish Hatchery and Camp We Ch Me Lodge, but may also include areas surrounding Marilyn's Pond, the Bitterbrush Trail and the Nature Trail at times. For your safety, please do not enter closed areas. Note: Access to the Jones/Whites Creek Trail will NOT be impacted during this project. For more information, please call the Galena Creek park office at 775-849-2511. You may also contact the park office for information on the availability of firewood generated from this project. Please do not collect firewood without permission.
Forest Service to Use Sheep to Reduce Hazardous Fuels
As part of the Carson Ranger District's Hazardous Fuels Reduction Program on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, sheep will be released to graze on two separate fuel reduction project areas. These sheep will help remove cheatgrass and other non-native vegetation from National Forest System lands which will include an area just west of the Arrowcreek Residential Area urban interface and within the Thomas Creek and Whites Creek watersheds north of Timberline Road. It is very important that dog owners hiking in these project areas keep their dogs leased at the trailheads and within one mile of the trailheads for the safety of both the dogs and the grazing sheep. Please view the press release for more information.
Pick up a Junior Ranger Activity Guide!
Looking for engaging, park-based activities to do with your children? Our Junior Ranger Activity Guides are now available! Download the guide or pick up a copy at your local park office. This free program can be done at your own pace, is flexible enough to appeal to a large age range, and can be completed at any combination of Washoe County parks. Visit our Become a Junior Ranger page for complete details.
Bridge Construction over Whites Creek
Attention Trail Users: During construction of a new bridge over Whites Creek, there will be a temporary trail closure along Whites Creek Trail to ensure trail user safety. The closure is between Chartreuse Court and Mountain Ranch Road, roughly ½ mile. Trail users will be directed to use Paris Avenue as a detour. View a map of the trail closure and detour. Construction should be completed in early winter and signs/fencing will be removed once it is safe to have the trail re-opened. If you have questions/concerns, please contact Cheryl Surface at (775) 328-2039. Thank you for your patience.
Updated Truckee Meadows Trails Guides are now available
Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space is excited to present then new Truckee Meadows Trail Guide featuring two additional trails: Ballardini Ranch Trail system and the Sugarloaf Trail. The 66-page guide features a variety of photos taken from various trails in the area, maps and a brief synopsis describing what each trail has to offer hikers. The guides can be downloaded here, or picked up at local bike shops, visitor centers, Scheels and Cabela's as well as Washoe County, City of Reno, and City of Sparks owned buildings. For complete details, view the press release.
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