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.

Brown's Creek Loop Trail- A Hike with some Breathtaking Views

3584-3694 Joy Lake Road

Reno, NV 89511

Directions

AllTrails Map

I'm always looking for hikes close to Reno that are beautiful and because the kids were getting a little more skillful and interested in hikes, I decided to test the limits and try to do a hike that was a little longer.  Usually, we do 2-mile hikes and 4.8 miles isn't exactly an ideal distance to go on with a 5, 6, and 1-year-old, but if there's one thing I learned (esp. during these uncertain times), it's that humans are capable of so much.

With the help of a few tools (hiking backpack, carrier, and portable potty + Liners), we set off to what ended up being one of the most beautiful, challenging and rewarding hikes.  The trail was filled with so many stunning views and different terrains.  Going through the Galena forest and crossing tranquil Brown's creek was so refreshing.  I would encourage everyone to go on this hike.

The first part of the hike before you get to the loop is through the woods with a gentle upward slope (about 1 mile).  You will come to the 1st fork, which is worth stopping at- The Vista (only a couple of min away).  There you'll find a bench, an amazing view, and an educational sign of a former family attraction named Sundown Town.  The 2nd fork is the start of the loop (not far from the vista).  If  you take the left side, you will be going down the steeper side of the loop.  Go right if you want more of a challenge.

There are 3 small bridges that cross the creek.  We stopped at the first creek so the kids could wet their feet and have some fun.  It was very nice, since there were trees all around to help supply shade. You will cross a 2nd bridge before you get to the third fork.  We took the wrong turn at the 3rd fork and went straight into the "National Forest" (the sign for the loop was a little ways up with back of sign facing us) and ended up going up another 1.5 miles. This trail was nice and challenging and we ran into lots of people on mountain bikes.  When we realized we were lost, we went back to the fork and found the sign.  Instead of going straight, go upward and to the right to stay on track.  After the 3rd fork, we crossed the 3rd bridge and made our way back to the parking lot.  

My 5-year-old surprised me and walked the whole trail.  My 4-year-old got tired at the 5-mile mark, at which point I carried him with a carrier.  My 1-year-old took naps and enjoyed the views the whole time in the hiking backpack.  At the end, we did a total of 8.5 miles.  It was the most empowering and rewarding  journey we had done as a family.  We met a lot of cool dogs, saw a lot of wildflowers, and met a ton of nice people who stepped to the side for us. 

Notes:

*Dogs, horses, cyclists allowed

*Enter the Galena estates to get to trail entrance parking lot (on left) on Joy Lake Road

*The trail entrance is across the street a little way up from the parking lot going back toward entrance to Galena Estates

*Bring lots of water

*If hiking with kids, pack lots of snacks.  We also packed a portable toilet for the kids and lots of sunscreen and hand sanitizer. 

*There is plenty of shade throughout the hike, but there is also exposed areas.

*have your phone handy for emergencies

*if you download AllTrails, you can bring up their trail maps and track your location at all times with respect to highlighted trail (Next time, I won't forget to hike without it.)

*Both me and my daughter tripped on some rocks and got scrapes.  Next time I will bring alcohol pads and bandages.

*trail is rocky so good footwear is recommended

*I saw a good amount of people with hiking poles, but you definitely can do without them   

*Lots of vegetation, lizards, and insects to look at

*Around the loop is about 2.3 miles.  The total mileage of Brown's Creek Trail is 4.8 miles.

*Spring and early summer wildflowers

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)

-hiking backpack (great view for kids, storage, nap friendly, shade)

-carrier (more afordable, light weight, shade, storage for keys)

*As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.  The products I suggest are products I use myself. 

 Pick right side for more of a challenge to go up steep left side at end of loop. Left side to go down steeper side.

Cetagorized Under Family Friendly Hikes and Scenic Overlooks

Take A Beautiful, Short and Educational hike at Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Loop

DIRECTIONS

Reviews on Yelp

Just after having my newborn baby a few years ago, I longed to go out for a walk, preferably somewhere beautiful in nature where the whole family could have a good time. It was a mission of mine to search for the perfect place — a place with great views, a short trail, a stroller-friendly path, with some shade and easy to get to. I was lucky to have found Tahoe Meadows, as it has come to be one of my family's favorite hikes.

There are some interpretive signs around and the path is very enjoyable for the kids with lots of nature to explore. Best of all, in spring, it is loaded with wildflowers and soothing sounds of nature from babbling brooks to chirping insects.

-The trailhead is about a 30 min. (beautiful) drive up a the mountain toward Lake Tahoe from South Reno
-Stroller/kid/wheelchair/dog friendly
-Fairly flat
-1.3 mile loop, 49 Feet Elevation Gain
-Restrooms available seasonally
-Partial Shade
-good for snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter (may need chains when driving up to get up the mountain depending on weather. check weather and road cameras before making a trip out)
-AllTrails App is great for information, directions, and reviews
-when weather is wet, paths get muddy

Getting There:

The parking lot is in the beginning part of a long stretch(to the left) past the Mt. Rose Summit Trail parking lot. If gates are open, drive downhill until you see restrooms.

Tahoe Meadows trail is best enjoyed from May until October (snow accumulation in the winter makes getting around difficult). For those looking for more intense hikes, Mt. Rose Summit Trail (10.7miles) is a little ways back toward Reno(a few min. to the parking lot) and has been described as beautiful and worth the effort and time.

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)

-hiking backpack (great view for kids, storage, nap friendly, shade)

-carrier (more afordable, light weight, shade, storage for keys)

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

Categorized under "Family Friendly Hikes"