Enjoy Wildlife at Virginia Lake Park in Reno, NV

1980 Lakeside Dr

Reno, NV 89509

Directions

Website

Rentable Shelter

Reviews and Photos on Yelp

In this 32-acre, beautifully landscaped park that has a man-made lake, you will find tranquility, beautiful houses, and wildlife (Pigeons, Geese, Crows, Double Crested Cormorants, Snowy Egrets, and California Gulls).

Virginia Lake is like a setting you'd find next to a beach, with the plenty scents of nature, sounds of water (from fountains) and activity of birds overhead and all around.

The short, flat loop,1-mile-trail is lined with parking and houses and is a pleasure to walk all year-round.

The park offers many amenities: 

-Grassy area with two play structures, swings, and a small stage for play

-rentable pavilion with BBQ (100 person capacity)

-trees lining the lake provide partial shade in summer

-restrooms (year round) 

-exercise area

-pier

-fishing

-benches lining the lake

-bird watching

-dog park (all dirt so not ideal in wet conditions)

-picnic areas

-lake

-dog waste station

Notes:

-You may want to consider another park if you're bothered by bird droppings as they're everywhere on the ground.

-ice cream truck parks in front of the playgrounds during summer

-multiple areas shaded by trees for picnicking

-giant dragonfly statue on the northside of the lake

-there's a cool island in the center that has tons of birds

-dog friendly but must be kept on leash

-in addition to a paved trail is a concentric dirt trail that goes all around the lake

-stroller and wheelchair friendly

-no bikes and horses allowed on path

-no smoking or vaping

-There's a cool area next to the pier that has a cute stone-benched garden

-lots of flora to look at

-designated feeding areas for wild birds (one on each end)

-small parking lot next to exercise area

-within walking distance from Peppermill, theater, and restaurants

-people like to picnic in their cars while watching scenery

-not ideal for dogs that tend to eat poop

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

Photos

©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

Directions

775-849-0201

Bower's Mansion Regional Park website

Bowers Mansion website (fees and dates)

Bowers Mansion Pool (fees and dates)

Bowers Mansion Regional Park can be found 15 minutes away from South Reno on the way to Carson City and is nestled among the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.  

Visitors have been visiting for years and years to see Bowers Mansion and the beautiful grounds that surround it. Some reasons people are drawn to this park: the park's history, tall, mature shaded trees, huge swimming pools, play structures, picnic areas, and expansive lawns.

If you would like to take a trip back in history and walk in the shoes of past millionaires Eilley & Sandy Bowers, that can easily be achieved 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, everyone has been loving the tour, 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), the Civil War event, & more under normal circumstances.

Notes

-49 Acre Park

-There are plenty of picnic tables with BBQ grills that are spread throughout the park on a first come, first-served basis

-There are two pavilions on each end of the park that are big enough for special events like weddings.  Visit the links for more information on how to reserve them- Comstock Picnic Pavilion & Washoe Picnic Pavilion. Horseshoe and volleyball next to pavilions.

-There are two play (partially shaded) structures on each end of the park

-Plenty of grass for all activities

-There's a trail behind the mansion leading to great views of Washoe Lake and the Bowers family cemetery. Up some stairs and less than 5 minutes up

-The swimming pool always keeps a lane open for lap swimmers. There's a shallow toddler pool for wading. Spring board, easy entry ladders and hydraulic lift available.

-The trees are beautiful during fall

-Great place for family photos

-Great shade in the summer

-Davis Creek Regional Park is only a couple of minutes away and is family friendly, with trails ranging from easy to difficult, camping grounds, picnic areas, and a place to fish when water is abundant. 

-I love taking my kids to the Chocolate Nugget Factory after a long day of fun and exercise just down the street, about 3–5 min. away

-Due to historical significance, there are no pets allowed in the park, with exceptions to service animals.

-The park is surrounded by farmlands.  You can easily drive around and find lots of farm animals to look at. 

-flushable toilets available

-Huge parking lots

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

Take a Scenic Stroll Back in Time and Walk the Lands of the Cowboys at Bartley Ranch, Nevada.

Click Here for map of trails

Location:
6000 Bartley Ranch Road, Reno, NV 89511

Directions

Park Ranger Office: (775) 828-6612
Reservations at (775) 823-6501

Bartley Ranch is a unique park with a western feel and is easily one of my favorite parks in Reno.  

It's a park filled with a variety of terrains laid out across 56 acres and is ideal for: picnics, a nice stroll, viewing wildlife, walking pets, holding special events (parties, concerts, weddings, exercise, and taking a step back in history.  

Old vintage tractors and wooden shacks lay across the land, making for a historic experience.  I could imagine how life was like back in the day, just by looking at all the historical machinery.  Horse tracks along the trails added to the experience.  

There's a beautiful Western Heritage Interpretive Center along with a vintage Huffaker School and amphitheater that you can rent out for special occasions.  There are pamphlets in front of the interpretive center where you can find more information about the park and its animals and plants.

Coming from the south, there's a lookout right before going down the hill and turning into the ranch, where you can find great views.  From high above you will see a white picket fence in the shape of Nevada, runners running along the slopes, people walking their dogs, and people sitting on the benches to soak it all in.

I love how within just 30 minutes, I could see lots of wildlife and experience different terrains.  During my short walk, I walked through a short and cute nature trail where I came across a little bridge, and up a short hill was met up with a wooden walkway against some cool mountainous hills and a downward zigzag trail looping back to the ranch.  

This park is charming and I can't wait to check out a concert at the amphitheater, explore the buildings inside, have a BBQ picnic, and finish the long trail that loops all around the ranch.

Reccomended Gear

-Sunscreen (after trying so many options, this is my family's favorite)

-Water Bottle (definitely a must in Reno's dry climate)

-Portable potty & Liners (priceless gadget that makes any hike with kids a breeze)

*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Activities: BBQ/Picnicking,  Come in from the Cold,  Horseback Riding,  Hiking/Walking,  Junior Ranger Program,  Photography,  Biking
 
Facilities: Flying B Pavilion,  Huffaker Pavilion,  Last Chance Pavilion,  Plaza Pavilion,  Huffaker School,  Western Heritage Interpretive Center,  Brick House,  Robert Z Hawkins Amphitheater,  Horse Arenas

Bartley Ranch in Fall

Park at Audrey Harris Park for lookout.

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

Photography

©Katherine Fung