Nevada Public Lands Day – Saturday, Sept. 25
Parks On Us! Visit Reno-Tahoe Territory’s State Parks for FREE on Nevada Public Lands Day
Did you know that Nevada is home to the most public land in the lower 48 states? That’s right, corner to corner, Nevada is nearly 85% public lands. To celebrate this amazing resource of outdoor recreation, the state of Nevada has been hosting Nevada Public Lands Day on the fourth Saturday of September since 1979. This year, Nevada Public Lands Day is Saturday, September 25. Everyone is invited to enjoy Reno-Tahoe Territory’s national parks, state parks, monuments and recreation areas for free!
Here are our top six Nevada State Parks to visit on fee-free day:
- Sand Harbor in Incline Village is undeniably the most beautiful Lake Tahoe beach. The crystal-clear water and rock formations are perfect for swimming, paddle boarding and kayaking and the late September temperatures are still warm enough to enjoy the water and sun.
- Van Sickle Bi-State Park in South Lake Tahoe is just a short walk from the casinos but instantly transports visitors to Sierra Nevada serenity. This easy to moderate trail is great for all ages with a magnificent view of Lake Tahoe.
- Mormon Station Historic State Monument and Museum in Genoa is the site of Nevada’s first permanent, non-native settlement. The lush lawns, mature trees and quaint small-town setting is a great place for families and groups to gather and learn about Nevada’s pioneer era.
- Washoe Lake in Washoe Valley is a birder’s paradise. Nestled between Carson City and Reno, Washoe Lake is a treasure and hosts a diverse range of birds and waterfowl, such as American white pelicans and Canada geese. Bald eagles are often spotted flying above!
- Spooner Lake & Backcountry is a popular destination for a multitude of outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, picnicking and more. Located on the west shores of Lake Tahoe, the park includes more than 12,000 acres of open forested space.
- Virginia City Historic District includes the towns of Virginia City, Gold Hill, Silver City and Dayton. An honest step-back-in-time, Virginia City is a carefully preserved and thriving mountain town, full of cultural sites, mining museums, Victorian architecture and other remnants of the once booming Comstock District. It’s always free to walk around and discover this historic mining region’s history.
Nevada Public Lands Day, as part of the National Public Lands Day, is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. While you’re enjoying fee-free day at Reno-Tahoe’s parks for a hike, bike, paddle, swim or history lesson, consider rolling up your sleeves and lending a hand to support the coast-to-coast volunteer effort. There are two volunteer events in Reno-Tahoe:
- Bureau of Land Management is hosting a cleanup at the Fernley Swales, part of the historic California Trail, in Carson City: https://www.neefusa.org/npld/fernley-swales/fernley-swales-cleanup-california-national-historic-trial
- Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful is hosting a Truckee River cleanup in Reno: https://www.ktmb.org/volunteer