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.