Frequently Asked Questions
General Park Questions
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How do I know which parks are managed by Washoe County?
The Washoe County Park Directory has a complete listing of Washoe County managed parks. Parks found within Washoe County may also be managed by City of Reno, City of Sparks, or sometimes even a homeowner’s associations. The park sign located at the park entrance almost always identifies who the park belongs to. -
What hours are Washoe County parks open?
Unless otherwise posted, parks are open from 8:00am to sunset. Visit the Park Hours page for more specifics on opening and closing times for gated parks. -
Where is the Washoe County Parks administrative office located?
At the Washoe County Complex located at 1001 E. 9th Street, Building A (Second Floor) Reno, NV 89512. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm. -
Do Washoe County parks ever close due to poor air quality?
All aquatics facilities (Bowers Mansion Pool, North Valleys Water Splash Park, Melio Gaspari Water Play Park) and the Regional Shooting Facility will close if the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches the red zone or above (151+) according to AirNow.gov. Park programs managed by Washoe County Parks are also subject to cancellation during the same conditions. The Washoe County Parks Facebook Page is a good place to check for updates. -
Can I volunteer with Washoe County Parks?
Yes! Visit the Volunteer Opportunities page or contact Denise at devans@washoecounty.gov for more information. -
How can I find out more about current park projects and planned development?
Visit the Planning and Development section of the website for the latest news. -
Is Washoe County Parks hiring?
Recruitment for seasonal positions normally begins in February. These positions are not benefited and last no more than 6 months or 1039 hours. These positions, as well as full-time openings, can be found on the Washoe County Job Opportunities page. -
When does Parks Commission meet and how do I give public comment?
The Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission meets every other month on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1:30pm in Commission Chambers. The agenda is posted approximately one week before each meeting, and public comment is welcome in person or via Zoom during the meeting. See the top of each meeting’s agenda for more information on how to participate.
Park Rentals
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Who can I contact about reserving a park facility?
Parks Reservations
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Phone: (775) 823-6501
Email: reserveparks@washoecounty.gov
Address: Washoe County Complex, 1001 E. 9th Street, Building A (Second Floor) Reno, NV 89512. If you prefer to meet in-person, please book an appointment.Please also visit the Park Rentals & Permits web page for more information on specific facilities.
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What kind of reservable facilities does Washoe County Parks offer?
Washoe County Parks has a variety of reservable facilities including Building Rentals, Picnic Rentals, Garden Rentals, an Amphitheater Rental, and Campsite Reservations. Contact Parks Reservations with any questions! -
Is there a fee to use Washoe County Park's reservable facilities?
Yes, check out the Fee Schedule approved by the Open Space and Regional Parks Commission effective February 1, 2023. Parks Reservations is also happy to assist you with any questions. -
Do I need to have a reservation to have a picnic?
Not necessarily. Groups under 25 (adults and children) are permitted to use the first-come, first-served areas in the park. Please note, however, music and bounce houses are not permitted in these areas. For groups of more than 25, contact Parks Reservations to review your options for reservable facilities. -
Does Washoe County have "first-come, first-served" picnic areas?
Yes, any picnic pavilion that does not have a sign indicating that a reservation is required is a “first come, first served” picnic area. There are no fees to use these areas, however please note that these areas are not guaranteed to be available for your date of interest and time of arrival. If you are the first person to arrive, you must remain in the area until your party begins. You are not allowed to rope off the area or put up your own reservation signs. Music and bounce houses are not permitted in these areas, and capacity is limited to 25 people or less. -
Do I need a reservation to camp at Davis Creek Campground?
Individual sites are available on a first come, first serve basis UNLESS otherwise reserved. Sites 2 thru 30 and sites 35 thru 60 are reservable, in addition to the Group RV and the Group Tent sites. Contact Parks Reservations for more information, or visit the Davis Creek Campground page. -
How can I use the covered party pavilions at Melio Gaspari Water Play Park, North Valleys Splash Park or Bowers Mansion Pool?
These facilities are available by reservation only from either 11:30am-2:00pm or 2:30pm-5:00pm. Please contact Parks Reservations for more information. -
Can I have a wedding reception in the Arboretum Gardens?
Gardens are available for wedding ceremonies only as food and drink are not allowed in the gardens. Please contact Parks Reservations for more information. -
How far in advance can I make a facility reservation?
Buildings, gardens, picnic areas and group camping sites may be reserved up to one year prior to the event. Reservation requests for events less than 30 days in advance require approval from the facility manager. Please contact Parks Reservations for more information. -
Can I arrange a special event in a Washoe County park such as a festival, fundraiser, etc.?
Check out the Special Events page for more information on holding a special event or activity in a Washoe County Park and contact Park Reservations with any questions.
Park Rules
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Can I take my pet to a park?
In most cases, pets are allowed but are required to be on a leash. However, Washoe County Parks does offer off-leash options: a large multi-use pasture located on the west side of Rancho San Rafael Park, the Link Piazzo Dog Park within Hidden Valley Regional Park, and three park locations with a designated soccer field for off-leash use during certain non-team use times. Please visit the Dog Parks & Off-Leash Areas page for more info.
Pets are NOT permitted (except service dogs) at Bowers Mansion Regional Park or in the Wilbur D. May Arboretum located at Rancho San Rafael Park. -
Is alcohol permitted in parks?
Alcohol is permitted in Washoe County Parks with the exception of the Arboretum at Rancho San Rafael Park. If you plan to reserve a park facility, please check with Parks Reservations about the insurance requirements before making your reservation. No alcohol is allowed at any youth events. -
Is smoking or vaping allowed in parks?
No. Washoe County and the Washoe County Health District, City of Reno, and City of Sparks have worked together on a regional effort among all jurisdictions to designate city and county parks as smoke and vape-free locations. The use of marijuana in parks is also prohibited. -
Can I bring my own BBQ grill to a park?
You must use the provided charcoal grills unless you have reserved a picnic pavilion, in which case you may bring a propane grill only and the grill must be set up on the concrete. -
Are campfires allowed?
Yes, but only at Davis Creek Campground and this is dependent on fire restrictions. Campfires will be prohibited during Red Flag Warnings events and no campfires are ever allowed outside of designated fire rings. -
Can I bring a shade structure such as an EZ Up to a park?
Yes, but you cannot stake it into the turf or use water barrels. Please use sandbags only to secure the structure.
Please note that no shade structures are allowed at the Melio Gaspari Water Play Park, North Valleys Splash Park, or Bowers Mansion Pool. -
Can I have a bounce house in a park?
Bounce houses are only allowed with a valid Use Permit for a facility reservation and are prohibited in certain locations. Please check with Parks Reservations if you have any questions regarding your specific rental agreement. -
Is music allowed in parks?
Amplified music and other amplified sound is not permitted in Washoe County parks so as not to disturb other people using the park. However, a Special Event/Activity may be permitted to have amplified music and/or sound in the case of a concert, festival, etc. An event held inside a reservable Washoe County Park building may also have amplified music and/or sound if the doors to outside are kept closed. -
Where can I ride my horse and park a horse trailer?
Washoe County manages Horse Arenas in five different parks (Bartley Ranch Regional Park, Golden Valley Park, Hidden Valley Regional Park, Lemmon Valley Horseman's Arena, Silver Knolls Park) which are free and open to the public year round, unless otherwise reserved. Contact Parks Reservations for information on current fees to reserve and availability.
Horse trails can be found at the following parks and trailheads: Bartley Ranch Regional Park, Anderson Park, Ballardini Ranch Trailhead, Michael D. Thompson Trailhead, Hidden Valley Regional Park, Davis Creek Park (only the Ophir Creek Trail), and Sun Valley Regional Park.
Each of these areas have designated horse trailer parking.
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Can I use a metal detector in a park?
Yes, but we do not allow metal detecting at Bowers Mansion Regional Park due to its historical significance. Please also abide by Chapter 95, Section 43: “No person may willfully or negligently pick, dig up, cut, mutilate, destroy, injure, disturb, move, molest, burn or carry away any tree, plant or portion thereof, including foliage, flowers, berries, fruit, grass, turf, humus, shrubs, cones and dead wood, except in specific portions of county parks and upon authorization by the director.” -
Can I fly a drone, RC aircraft, or launch a rocket in a park? Can we release sky lantern/balloons?
Chapter 95, revised in 2022, now allows the use of drones and radio-controlled aircraft in specific parks/areas. To see where they are allowed, visit the Washoe Regional Mapping System, click on the menu to get to the map layers and select “Drone Zone” under “Recreation”. Pyrotechnics (sky lanterns) and liquefied or solid fuel model rockets are strictly prohibited without a permit. Helium, air and water balloons are also NOT allowed anywhere in the park system without a permit. -
Is a permit required to use a multi-purpose field (soccer) or baseball field?
Washoe County has 50 permitted athletic fields that are monitored and regulated. Any organized use of a facility by a team, league, promoter or other group requires a valid field use permit or rental agreement. To inquire about these reservable fields, contact our Recreation Coordinator at (775) 328-2120 or Parks Reservations. -
Does my photographer/videographer need a permit? When is one required?
A photography permit is required for professional photography and commercial productions, and permits are sold per-event or as an annual pass. Photography related to a facility rental during the time indicated on the rental permit does NOT require a permit. Visit the Photography Permits page for more specific information and to download a permit application. -
Can I get married in a park?
Yes! Washoe County Regional Parks has many beautiful reservable facilities! Visit the Park Rentals & Permits section of the website for more information, or contact Parks Reservations with any questions.
Recreation
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Does Washoe County Parks operate an arboretum or botanical garden?
Yes! The Wilbur D. May Arboretum & Botanical Garden is located within Rancho San Rafael Regional Park and open free to the public during regular park hours. -
Does Washoe County Parks operate an Archery Facility?
Yes! The Washoe County Regional Archery Facility is a 110 acre facility located in Lemmon Valley. -
Can I camp in a Washoe County Park?
Camping is only allowed in areas designated and marked for that purpose. Davis Creek Campground is the only campground operated by Washoe County Parks, located within Davis Creek Regional Park. -
Do any Washoe County parks have indoor sports facilities?
Washoe County operates The Hive at Lazy 5 Regional Park for pickleball and basketball on a limited basis. -
Can I visit a museum at any Washoe County parks?
Yes! The Wilbur D. May Museum is located within Rancho San Rafael Regional Park and features a permanent exhibit as well as seasonal traveling exhibits. Washoe County also operates the historic Bowers Mansion located at Bowers Mansion Regional park and the Galena Creek Visitors Center at Galena Creek Regional Park. -
Does Washoe County Parks operate any pools or water/splash parks?
Yes! Washoe County operates Bowers Pool at Bowers Mansion Regional Park, the North Valleys Water Splash Park at North Valleys Regional Park, and Melio Gaspari Water Play Park at Lazy 5 Regional Park. -
What kind of programs and events are offered by Washoe County Parks?
Washoe County offers a variety of Park Programs throughout the year. Check out the Events Calendar for regularly updated information on what’s coming soon! -
Does Washoe County Parks operate a shooting range?
Yes! The Washoe County Regional Shooting Facility is located 22 miles north of town on Pyramid Highway and is operated through a contract with Nevada Firearms Academy & Range. -
Do any Washoe County parks have skate parks?
Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space has skate parks within Cold Springs Park, Lazy 5 Regional Park, and North Valleys Regional Park. -
Do you offer swim lessons?
Swim lessons are offered during the summer most years at Bowers Pool if there is sufficient staff to manage the program. Keep an eye on the website for updates each year.