Overview

Minden, the county seat for Douglas County, is at the base of the Sierra Nevada range. Life in Minden offers the conveniences of small town living with all of the facilities of Lake Tahoe (20-25 minute drive) or Reno (45-50 minute drive) within easy reach. The towns of Minden, Gardnerville, and Genoa make up the "Carson Valley" which offers great mountain views, four seasons, and plenty of sunshine.

Location

The Town of Minden, Nevada, is located near the center of Carson Valley just east of Lake Tahoe and South of Nevada's Capitol in Carson City.

Services/Amenities

Minden is home to several locally-owned shops and restaurants. There are also a few fast-food restaurants, a movie theater, and other retail chains to supply your every shopping need. The area offers spa resorts, hotels, motels, bed and breakfast inns, campgrounds, and RV parks. In the true Nevada tradition, Carson Valley also plays host to casino resorts that include great dining and well-appointed rooms.

Activities

For hiking, biking, or horseback riding on scenic trails, Carson Valley is unsurpassed.

• Hiking
  Hiking opportunities range from flat trails bordering the valley’s Carson River to alpine trails topping 10,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada to the west. Easy trails of two to three miles in length such as Spooner Lake, Curtz/Summit Lakes, and Hot Springs Mountain beckon the recreational hiker. For the more advanced, there are seven to ten mile trails like Marlette Lake, Horse Thief Canyon to Willow Creek, and Burnside Lake to Charity Valley. Serious hikers will want to try longer or more strenuous trails such as Job’s Peak, Mount Ralston Peak, or the Five Lakes Trek. And hikers can travel all or portions of the breathtaking 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail.
• Biking
  Cyclers can choose a number of century (100 mile) rides, including the Carson Valley Century that features 5,500 feet of climbing and travels over Kingsbury Grade, along Foothill Road, to Diamond Valley, Turtle Rock, Jacks Valley, and the Pine Nut mountains. You can also take any of the loop rides that comprise this century, from the relatively flat East Valley Road to the up and down Emigrant Trail/Diamond Valley trainer. A bit farther afield, rides like the 85 mile Lemond loop that includes 8500 feet of climbing challenge even the most experienced road rider. Mountain bike aficionados will also find both easy and challenging trails in and around Carson Valley.
• Horseback riding
  Carson Valley horseback riding ranges from short organized trail rides to horse camping on rides that last a week or more. To the west, you can ride portions of the Tahoe Rim Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, or the Tahoe to Yosemite Trail. To the east, the Pine Nut mountains beckon, with opportunities to ride along sand washes, explore old mining trails and jeep trails, or head out cross-country.
• Casinos
  Minden has its own casino that is located centrally, close to local hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation.

Other activities include ballooning, boating, helicopter tours, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, and all types of water activities.

Attractions

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
The Home Ranch was once the center of operations for a 48,000-acre ranch. Built beginning in 1857 through the early 1900s, the ranch house, old stone cellar, laundry, and carriage house are open for tours Wednesday through Sunday. This is Old West history at its best! Open mid-April through December. Tours available by advance reservation only.

Getting Here

If you are traveling from Lake Tahoe National Park to Gardnerville, the best route is to take NV-28 east for approximately 10 miles. At the junction with US-395, turn south and travel another 20 miles to Minden.