Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space

Regional Parks and Open Space is part of Washoe County's Community Services Department. Our mission is to provide exceptional parks, open space and recreational opportunities while preserving our natural, historical and cultural resources. Washoe County manages over 12,000 acres including over 10,000 acres of open space, 49 parks, an Arboretum, developed trails, trailheads, athletic fields, golf courses, a campground, a shooting facility, an archery facility, a museum, and so much more! If you have a favorite outdoor activity, chances are it can be done in a Washoe County Park! For more information on our parks, view our Park Guide.

Highlights & Current Events

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

Temporary pasture closure at Rancho San Rafael Park

Join us as we welcome USA Track and Field National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships racers to Rancho San Rafael Park this week. Races will be held December 8th. During that time, the muliti-use pasture will be closed to off leash dogs and other users for the races December 7th and 8th and will then reopen to our furry friends. Expect lots of course work in the pasture beginning December 3.

Swan Lake Nature Study Area is under construction

The Swan Lake Nature Study Area will be under construction beginning Monday, October 29th with repairs being made to the trails as well as sections of the floating boardwalk. These areas will not be accessible during construction but will re-open as soon as possible once work is completed. Thank you for your patience during this time.

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 while crews are working hard to improve and reconstruct our trail system. The following trails 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, 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 leashed 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? Download our Junior Ranger Activity 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 Joanne Lowden 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 the 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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