As the summer weather beckons many Nevadans toward the great outdoors, one overlooked, affordable option is a Nevada State park. Specifically Washoe Lake State Park offers many activities nestled in the valley among the Sierra Nevada, Carson and Virginia mountain ranges.
Located 18 miles south of Reno and five miles north of Carson City, Washoe Lake provides many diverse activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Activities include: tent and RV camping, boating, water sports, picnicking, biking, hiking, bird viewing, fishing and seasonal hunting. Washoe Lake is equipped with an equestrian facility and has designated areas for day and group use.
Open year-round, fees are due upon arrival and vary depending on use. A separate fee is required for entrance, camping, boating and group use. Nevada residents pay an entrance fee of $5.00 and non-residents pay $7.00.
The Nevada Division of State Parks promotes Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize camp fire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
To visit, travel on Highway 395 and take the Eastlake Blvd exit. Entrances are located on the west side of Eastlake Boulevard.
For more information contact:
Washoe Lake State Park
4855 East Lake Boulevard
Carson City, Nevada 89704
Phone: (775) 687-4319
What is a State Park?
National Parks, State Parks and City Parks share similar purposes. They emphasize preservation of scenic areas or of historic significance. National Parks preserve areas of national interest and State Parks preserve areas of state interest and so on. The Nevada Division of State Parks is under the jurisdiction of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The Division “preserves areas of scenic, historic and scientific significance in Nevada.”
Jamie Roice is a Graduate student studying Environmental Journalism at the University of Nevada. Currently, she is interning with the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Each week a State Park will be highlighted with an article and multimedia to gain attention to Nevada’s State Parks.
