Overview

Washoe Lake Park is an outdoor recreation paradise, with mountain backdrops in Washoe Valley adding much beauty. Northeast of Lake Tahoe, this lovely park has a campground, picnic sites, boat launches and trails, making it a great place to come for family fun.

Location & Information

Washoe Lake State Park Nevada is 15 miles south of Reno and 10 miles north of Carson City off of US Highway 395. From Highway 395, take East Lake Boulevard exit and go north about 3 miles to the park.

The park is open year round.

Contact information

775-687-4319
Website: http://parks.nv.gov/parks/washoe-lake-state-park/

Activities

Besides wonderful views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Carson Range, there are a number of activities that will fill your days at Washoe Lake State Park.

• Hiking
  There are several miles of trails to enjoy at Washoe Park. There’s the easy Sand Point Nature Trail with some beautiful views of Lake Tahoe and interpretive signs to make your short hike educational and interesting. All the non-motorized trails are great for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
• Hunting
  During the designated hunting seasons, you’ll find Washoe Lake State Park a perfect place for some great hunting.
• Fishing
  For great shore fishing, try the North Ramp, South Beach and Little Washoe. You’ll likely catch some Sacramento Perch, catfish, white bass and bullheads.
• Boating
  At North Ramp and the Main Day Use Area, you will find boat ramps and docks. Enjoy some paddling in a kayak or canoe. It’s wonderful getting out on the lake to soak up the sun.
• Windsurfing
  There are often high winds around Washoe Lake, making it a popular destination for windsurfing.
• Wildlife and Bird Watching
  Wildlife around the park is abundant. You will spot some deer and coyotes. Bird watchers love to come here to see mountain bluebirds, magpies, towhees, pelicans, great blue herons and many other species.
• Camping
  Camping at the park consists of 49 sites, all with tables, grills and fire rings. The campground is open all year and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your RV because there are a few sites that can accommodate RVs up to 45 feet.
• Viewing Tower
  A new addition to the park is the viewing tower, so you can get a different perspective of the area. Interpretive displays offer additional information about the environment.

Fun Facts

When you visit the Washoe Valley, you’ll be coming to a place that used to be home for the Washoe Indians. The area grew rapidly in the mid-1800s when the Comstock Lode of silver was discovered. Close to the Little Washoe Lake, you can still see the ruins of one of the mills used to process ore.