Enjoy Scenic Walks and Wildlife at Virginia Lake Park in Reno

1980 Lakeside Dr
Reno, NV 89509

Website

Rentable Shelter

Yelp

Virginia Lake Park is a beautifully landscaped 32-acre park featuring a serene man-made lake surrounded by charming houses and vibrant wildlife. Here, you can spot various birds, including pigeons, geese, crows, double-crested cormorants, snowy egrets, and California gulls. The park offers a relaxing atmosphere, reminiscent of a beach setting, with the soothing sounds of fountains and the gentle rustle of nature all around.

Park Features

-1-Mile Loop Trail:  A short, flat trail lined with parking and houses, perfect for walking year-round. There's also a concentric dirt trail that circles the lake.

-Play Areas: Enjoy grassy areas with two play structures, swings, and a small stage for performances.

-Pavilions: Rent a pavilion with BBQ facilities that can accommodate up to 100 people.

-Restrooms: Available year-round

-Exercise Area (Lymbery St.): Stay active with an exercise zone located right next to the park's parking lot

-Fishing Pier: Spend a relaxing day fishing from the pier. Fishing permit.

-Benches: Plenty of seating along the lake for bird watching and enjoying the scenery.

-Dog Park (south side of lake on Eastshore Dr.): Gated & off leash.  Muddy when wet.

-Picnic Areas: Plenty of shaded spots under trees for ideal for picnics.

Notes

*If you’re sensitive to bird droppings or have a dog that tends to eat them, you might want to consider visiting another park, as they can be common on the trail.

*An ice cream truck frequently parks in front of the playgrounds during the summer months. 

*An island in the center of the lake is home to a variety of birds.

*The park is dog-friendly, but dogs must be kept on a leash. 

*The trail around the lake is paved, making it accessible for everyone. Biking and horseback riding are not permitted on the paths. 

*Enjoy a smoke-free environment throughout the park. 

*Explore a charming stone-bench garden area near the pier and take in the diverse plant life that enhances the park's beauty. 

*Designated feeding areas for wild birds are located at both ends of the lake.

*Virginia Lake Park is within walking distance of the Peppermill Casino.

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.

Photography

©Katherine Fung,

All Rights Reserved.

Categorized Under "Parks and Playgrounds," "Family Friendly Trails," "Picnic spots," & "Event/Birthday Spots"

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno, NV - Wilbur D. May Museum, Arboretum, Botanical Garden, & More

Wilbur D. May Center

1595 N Sierra Street

Reno, NV 89503

Helpful Links

Museum Instagram | May Arboretum Society

Wilbur D. May Museum Website

Volunteer Opportunities

Museum Facebook

Museum Event Space Rental Information

Garden Wedding Rentals

Pavilion Rental Information

Hall of Heroes Exhibit

Wilbur D. May Arboretum Brochure 

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park is Reno’s largest and most dynamic park. It’s home to the Wilbur D. May Museum, the Wilbur D. May Arboretum, the largest off-leash dog park, hiking trails, Herman’s Fish Pond, beautiful event pavilions, and host to some of the most popular annual events, including The Great Reno Balloon Races and The Dragon Lights Festival.

At Wilbur D. May Museum, you can find a neat gift shop, Wilbur May's permanent collection, and fun themed traveling exhibits in winter that usually open around January. The Hall of Heroes, Dragons, Toytopia, and retro video game-themed some of exhibits I have enjoyed in the past. The permanent collection preserves the life of Wilbur D. May, a world traveler who collected thousands of artifacts throughout the span of his life and brought them back to his home here in Reno. Though small, the museum is packed with so much to see.

The Arboretum (right next to the museum) is tranquil and beautiful.  It features over 4,600 native and adaptive plant species, 1,700 trees, a Labyrinth Garden, waterfalls, and Evans Creek. It also offers educational programs, a bird-watching spot with 55 species, and a redwood bridge. with lots of labeled trees and plants. 

Paved trails and shade from trees in the Arboretum area provide fun & relief from the blazing hot summer sun, allowing for families to enjoy the outdoors for extended amounts of time. There are many beautiful gazebos in the arboretum area and a beautiful mini waterfall that contribute to it's tranquil atmosphere.

In the same area, you can travel back in time with the kids and play at the Dinosaur themed playground that features some swings, a slide, and a wall perfect for climbing. Other playgrounds available at Rancho San Rafaeal Regional Park - a playground made out of wood next to the pond & a more substantial and modern one next to the main street on North Sierra Street (just drive down the main road after entering the park and you'll spot it from the street). Because of the shade available, along with seating, restrooms, and so many other attractions nearby, this playground ranks among the highest on my list.

The park's wide-open spaces, amenities, and attractions make this park ideal for large and small gatherings, events, outdoor sports, and more.

I always encounter people from all walks of life here, including joggers, hikers, nature lovers, dog walkers, couples, families, and it's no wonder why. It has everything one would look for in a park and more.

Notes

-Stroller and wheelchair friendly  

-Museum features wildlife displays, African primitive art, Ta'an Dynasty pottery, Egyptian artifacts, and European silver  

-Indoor garden includes a centerpiece waterfall, a koi fish pond, and a seasonal flower garden

-Available for weddings and parties  

-Call the park to reserve outdoor pavilions for events  

-25-acre off-leash dog park (bring a towel on wet days for muddy paws)  

-Rose garden located in the Arboretum  

-Large grassy areas are perfect for kite flying  

-Larger children's playground near the grassy field, another playground next to Herman's Pond, and a dinosaur playground by the museum parking lot  

-Gazebo available for gatherings  

-Exercise course around the grassy area  

-Home to a variety of wildlife  

-No dogs allowed in the Arboretum  

-Shade is mostly found in the Arboretum area  

-Ideal for photo shoots  

-Great for picnicking, with tables and BBQs located next to the playground and the open grassy field.

Categorized under Parks and Playgrounds, Family Friendly Hiking and Picnic Spots

*Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.*

Photography

©Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Witness A Millionaire's Creation During the Comstock Load Mining Boom and Enjoy Beautiful Grounds at Bowers Mansion Regional Park

4005 Bowers Mansion Rd

New Washoe City, NV 89704

775-849-0201

Website

Pavilion Reservations

Pool Info.

Facebook

Upcoming Event: Bowers Bluegrass Festival (August 24-27, 2023)

Purchase Tickets

Nestled among the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is Bowers Mansion Regional Park, only 15 minutes away from South Reno on the way to Carson City. For 100+ years, people have been visiting this park for its scenic views, swimming pool, mansion, beautiful grounds, history, events, outdoor recreational activities, and more. *Experience a pleasant picnic under towering shade trees *Swim in a secluded pool in the middle of nature *Rent out one of the pavilions for life's special occasions *Take in a piece of history through educational plaques and tours in the most elegant building of its time *Let the children run wild and free while exploring, swinging, sliding, and climbing at the playground I'm so thankful to have such a special and beautiful park nearby, a place that has served and continues to be the perfect spot to learn, have fun, grow, live life to the fullest, and create precious moments.

Friends, can you imagine spending time in a place that once belonged to a millionaire? It honestly feels like a dream. Am I crazy to feel this lucky? This spot is stunning, and it holds so many memories. It’s where my kids learned to ride their bikes. It will always be a special place for us.

2020 hours of operation.  Opening + closing dates are around the same time every year.

Bower's Mansion Tours

Take a trip back in history and walk in the shoes of past millionaires Eilley & Sandy Bowers with a guided tour offered seasonally, usually from Memorial Day through Nevada Day. 

I have yet to take it, but from what I've researched, it's popular and led by people who tell the story of the mansion in an entertaining manner (such as the person in the walk-through video tour below).

The park usually hosts special events like Programs on the Porch (free live music), a Civil War event, & more.

Notes

-49-acre park  

-No pets allowed due to historical significance, except for service animals  

-Plenty of day-use picnic tables with BBQ grills available on a first-come, first-served basis

-Two pavilions, Comstock Picnic Pavilion and Washoe Picnic Pavilion, are located at each end of the park, ideal for special events like weddings. Horseshoe pits and volleyball courts are next to each pavilion

-Two partially shaded play structures are situated at each end of the park

-Plenty of grassy areas available 

-A trail behind the mansion leads to stunning views of Washoe Lake and the Bower family cemetery, accessible via a short dirt trail with stairs (less than 5 minutes)  

-The swimming pool keeps a lane open for lap swimmers, and there’s a new gated splash pad for toddlers with easy entry ladders and a hydraulic lift 

-The park features many trees that change color in the fall, making it an amazing spot for photos  

-Great shade during summer

-Davis Creek Regional Park is just a couple of minutes away, offering family-friendly trails (ranging from easy to difficult), camping grounds, picnic areas, and fishing spots when water levels permit 

-I love taking my kids to the Chocolate Nugget Factory for ice cream sundaes and treats after a fun-filled day, only about 5 minutes down the street

-The park is surrounded by farmlands, making it easy to drive around Washoe Lake and spot various farm animals

-Flushable toilets available 

-Huge parking lots are located on each side of the park

 

Photography 

©Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own. 

Categorized under "Parks and Playgrounds, Picnic Spots & Birthday/Event Venues"

Phillip Annie Callahan Park- A Close Getaway Within Arms Reach

15960 Callahan Road

Reno, NV 89511

Park Ranger Office: 

(775) 849-2511

Website

Phillip Annie Callahan Park is a hidden gem tucked away in a serene forest next to Mt. Rose Highway. I stumbled upon this park while searching for family-friendly spots to enjoy during the summer. I couldn’t believe such a beautiful place had remained a secret for so long. Over the years I’ve been visiting, it’s always been a low-key and peaceful retreat, likely because many people head straight to the nearby Galena Regional Park instead.

Although it’s on the smaller side, the park is packed with charm. It features a pavilion, limited paved pathways, two play structures, some grassy areas, and a handful of picnic tables. 

A lovely creek runs alongside the park, providing a refreshing alternative to swimming, especially during those hot summer days.  One of my family's favorite activities is bringing along floating toys like rubber ducks or toy boats and watching them float down the creek. 

Shade is abundant here, and there’s a short loop trail perfect for beginner hikers, all while being serenaded by the soothing sounds of the creek. There’s truly nothing better than hiking in the shade with the gentle sound of water nearby.

To access the short loop, head past the end of the paved path into the dirt area and towards the forest. Keep going until you find a bridge, then turn right onto the bridge (picture) that leads back to Callahan Park. The trail ends at the parking lot for the Galena Creek Trail, which is just a short walk from the park.  The short loop is simple, short, and sweet.

This charming park is a go-to for summer fun, hiking, picnicking, and small gatherings. 

Access Galena Creek Trail from the park. 4.7 mile Out and Back. 774 ft. elevation gain.

History 

Phillip and Annie Callahan Park is a hidden gem honoring the Callahan family, who donated 25 acres for its creation. The park's history dates back to Nevada’s early settlement, particularly during the Comstock Lode boom in nearby Virginia City. Matthew Callahan arrived in 1863 from England, establishing a brickyard that supplied bricks for significant local structures. When demand for bricks declined, the family shifted to dairy farming in Galena, producing a variety of crops and fruits.

Phil Callahan, Matthew’s son, helped establish a school in Galena using materials from their land. The historic Galena Creek Schoolhouse, now part of the park and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was once home to Nevada's famous poet Joanne de Longchamps. Today, as you explore the park, you can appreciate its serene beauty while reflecting on its rich history.

Notes

-Beautiful golden foliage in the fall

-Ample shade in the summer

-Small play structure is shaded; the larger one has partial shade, with swings for both big and small kids

-Wildflowers & wildlife

-Ideal for picnics and photo shoots

-The downward slope pathway next to the parking lot is a favorite spot for kids to ride their plasma cars & bikes

-Horse and dog-friendly, with poop bags available at the parking lot

-Mountain biking paths and horseshoe pits available

-The pavilion includes a BBQ pit and is available on a first-come, first-served basis

-Water fountain and benches available throughout the park

-Download the AllTrails app for detailed reviews, trail information, photos, and directions to Galena Creek Trail. The app also helps navigate so you won’t get lost.

-While there are no restrooms at the park, you can find a porta-potty at the Galena Creek Trailhead, just a two-minute walk toward Mt. Rose Highway. 

Categorized under Parks and Playgrounds, Family Friendly Hiking and Picnic Spots