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.

Damonte Ranch Park- Biggest Playground in Town, Epic Sunsets & A Flat and Enjoyable 3 Mile Paved Loop Trail

1950 Steamboat Pkwy
Reno, NV 89521

Directions

When I first moved to Reno, I was determined to find the coolest playgrounds in town for my kids to enjoy, and Damonte Ranch Park was what Google considered most worthy.  Google knows best, so I made a trip out to the park and since have been visiting it often for six years.  With the little experience I've acquired throughout the years, me and my family can enjoy the park year-round with no inconveniences at all.

If I could find a park that really has something for everyone, I'd say that this is the park. Wildlife watchers, wetland lovers, flat trail walkers, eager joggers, playground heads, parents-only club, dog walkers, hill rollers, epic sunset seekers, beginner bikers, skaters on wheels, bridge enthusiasts & picnic go-ers are some of the types of people I see here all the time; that pretty much covers everyone.

Notes:

-3.1 mile, no elevation gain, loop trail

-8 acre park

-completely exposed so in the summer, making it out at early morning and before sunset will be ideal, unless you're looking for some heat and a tan.  Sunscreen is always a good idea, esp. being at a higher elevation here in Reno where the sun is more intense.

-Enjoyable in the winter at any time of the day 

-There are no water fountains so don't forget to bring water

-There are two play structures. One for smaller kids and one for bigger kids.  swing set- 2 baby swings, 2 big kid swings. 4 way seesaw, chimes, tic-tac-toe, climbing structures, many slides, sliding pole, balancing steps.

-This park is very popular and can get busy during weekends, after school hours and holidays.  When the weather is cold and windy, you can have the park all to yourself.

-1 picnic shelter with 4 tables, BBQ, Year-Round Restroom nearby

-Basketball court with two - 1/2 opposing courts

-Stroller 

-There are a couple of cute hills that my kids love running/rolling up and down.  During winter, when snow is abundant, it's the best place to sled down.

-There are nice open grassy areas ideal for flying a kite and playing fetch with dogs.  Though the grass is pretty stripped so when it gets wet, it can get a little muddy. 

-great for photography. beautiful views of epic sunsets, snow covered mountains, nature & wildlife

-During peak hours, parking lot can fill up. In this case, you can park along the street.

-in the summer when the plants are tall, there's a fun maze kids love to run through.

-Keep an eye out for yearly events hosted at the park, under normal circumstances of course, like 4th of July where they put on a grand display of fireworks, set up tents that hand out treats, and provide live music.  Or in winter, meet with Santa and trunk or treat during Halloween.

-The trail is perfect for bicycle family riding or those learning how to use bikes.  paths are wide.

-The trail is lined with people's backyards. 

-Poop bags available at a couple of places.

-There's a plaza down the street with Mc Donald's, Starbucks, Home Depot, Pizza, Subway, Kid's Haircut Place and a soon to be Safeway, if you're looking to get things done while in this part of town.

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

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"