Enjoy Scenic Walks and Wildlife at Virginia Lake Park in Reno

1980 Lakeside Dr
Reno, NV 89509

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Rentable Shelter

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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.

Every since becoming a mom 11 years ago, I made it my life's goal to take my kiddos to the parks as much as I can & as much as my will allows (LOL) while also finding ways to entertain myself.  If you're a parent or guardian, I'm sure you can relate when I say that parks can get a little... boring, LOL.  So when you see me writing about a specific park (or any spot, really), it means I'm genuinely into it in some sort of way and want to share it with you.  I freakin got chu!  We're in this together, right?!!

The park is also just a short walk from South Virginia Street where you'll find tons of dining options and shops to browse and take advantage of.  My personal suggestions - RED District (includes Cinemark Century Park Lane Theaters, a small playground, Country Creamery, HUB Coffee, and more), and Reno Public Market - a uniquely local food hall.

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 a free exercise zone located right next to the park's parking lot.

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

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

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

-Picnic Areas: Plenty of shaded spots under trees 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. 

*The lake is home to in island that's 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.

*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"

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

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Pavilion Reservations

Pool Info.

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

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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"

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

6000 Bartley Ranch Road,

Reno, NV 89511

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Map of trails

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

Bartley Ranch holds a special place in my heart as one of my all-time favorite parks in Reno. Its Western vibe, shaded grassy lawns, natural beauty, amenities, picnic worthy spots, landscaping, nearby eats, events, & concerts make it an absolute must visit. At 56 acres, the park may seem big, but the way it's landscaped and designed make it feel like an intimate & welcoming park.

I love that a visit to the park always feel like a step back in time. The park has vintage tractors, weathered wooden ranch buildings, and the old Huffaker Schoolhouse that give you a glimpse into Reno’s early ranching days. The land was once part of the Wheeler Estate, one of the area’s early farming and ranching properties. In the 1920s, Italian immigrant Demetrio Buscalia purchased part of the estate and operated a small dairy farm here. After World War II, his son, Gus Bartley, transformed the dairy into a horse boarding and training ranch, giving the property the Bartley Ranch name we know today. The ranch operated until 1985, and the land eventually became a regional park in 1995.

The park is also home to the Western Heritage Interpretive Center, largely known for its Come in from the Cold series featuring live music by local musicians mid-January to mid-March, and an amphitheater that can be rented for special occasions. During the month of July, the amphitheater also transforms into one of the main stages for live performances throughout Artown. Just outside the interpretive center, you’ll find pamphlets filled with interesting tidbits about the park’s plants, wildlife, and history.

2024

Bartley Ranch has also traditionally been the home of NYEP’s Annual Fall Harvest Festival, a family friendly fundraiser benefiting the Nevada Youth Empowerment Project. Held here each September, the event has brought the park to life with hayrides, pony rides, carnival games, bounce houses, face painting, live performances, and even baby animals. It’s a fun fall tradition that I’ve always loved seeing here, although the festival has taken a break over the past couple of years. Hopefully, it will make its way back to Bartley Ranch soon because this park is the perfect setting for a good old fashioned fall celebration.

Coming in from the south, you’re greeted with a scenic lookout - Audrey Harris Park (more like a small lookout area) - that offers stunning views before you descend into the park. From here you can spot everything from the white picket fence shaped like Nevada to runners hitting the trails, dog walkers, and people simply soaking in the views from the benches.

Within just a short 30 minute walk in the park, you will encounter wildlife, different landscapes, and a cute nature trail that leads to a charming wooden bridge. From there, a wooden walkway takes you along the gorgeous hills, and a zigzagging trail brings you right back to the heart of the park.

Bartley Ranch Park never disappoints. It’s a place I keep coming back to, and I’m so excited to share it with all of you.

Main Events at Bartley Ranch Regional Park

Come in from the Cold 

Winter Saturday evening concerts (bluegrass, jazz, cowboy poetry) at the Western Heritage Interpretive Center.

Evenings on the Ranch 

Summer Wednesday evening performances on the Plaza lawn (bluegrass, Chautauqua, poetry).

Hawkins Amphitheater Events 

Summer concerts, plays, community performances, Artown events, and special rentals.

Gardening Series 

Spring evening classes on fruit trees, pollinators, and desert gardening.

Junior Ranger Programs & Ranger-Led Hikes 

Educational programs for kids on nature and history.

“Washoe County Rocks!” 

Geology-focused workshops at the Interpretive Center.

Fall Harvest Festival 

Seasonal festival with petting zoo, carriage rides, crafts, and community activities.

Community Gatherings 

Music, potlucks, and local events hosted by groups like the Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association.

Notes

-Plenty of parking available

-For special events, get there early as parking fills up quickly

-Bartley Ranch is a hot spot for photo sessions

-Catch the fun annual festival here benefiting NYEP

-Restrooms available

Nearby at The Shops at Bartley Ranch (All Local)

*Icecycle Creamery

Great spot for adventurous, small batch ice cream flavors and deli sandwiches/soups.

*Kuma Sushi

AYCE sushi in a modern, cozy space.

*Bighorn Tavern

In the Shops at Bartley Ranch; a casual neighborhood tavern with burgers, tacos, wings, and more.

*Smiling with Hope Pizza

Classic New York style pizza. 

Bartley Ranch in Fall

Park at Audrey Harris Park for lookout.

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

Photography

©Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

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