Latest Park News
Impact of winter storms on Washoe County Parks
The incredible amount of snow brought on by this historic winter has created a large number of harmed trees and debris throughout county parks. Staff has been working diligently to plow snow and remove hazards, but we ask you to still be extremely cautious when walking or parking under trees that may have damaged limbs, tread carefully on potentially icy pathways, and please abide by all posted signage or closures. If you see a hazard that you think needs to be reported, please check out the Contact Us page for the best person to email or call.
Please note: Crystal Peak Park remains closed until arborists can safely bring in equipment to work on trees that are damaged and a danger to the public. We hope to post an update soon. We appreciate your patience!
Closures at Park Facilities
Washoe County Park facilities inevitably experience closures, many of which are unexpected and unavoidable. We regret that this happens but do our best to post updates as soon as possible. Click here to read more about why these closures happen, and what you can do to stay in the know.
Off-Leash Dog areas have been approved for select parks!
After a one-year pilot program, the Washoe County Open Space and Regional Parks Commission approved utilizing certain athletic fields for off-leash dog use during certain non-team use times. The program consists of three designated soccer fields in three different parks - North Valleys Regional Park, Lazy 5 Regional Park, and South Valleys Regional Park. Check out the Dog Park webpage for more details!
Construction may impact access at Swan Lake Nature Study Area
The boardwalk of the Swan Lake Nature Study Area was damaged during a high wind and wave event - knocking the boardwalk off the stabilizing piers. It has been closed since October of 2019 as a contractor makes repairs. During construction, a portion of the parking lot will be blocked off intermittently during this time. The pathway to the dock will be closed to the public until construction is complete. *Please note: Construction began in spring 2022 and will be ongoing for some time. Check back for updates.*
We appreciate your patience and look forward to sharing news from the Swan Lake Advisory Board on new and improved access.
Washoe County Parks has been designated Smoke & Vape-Free
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 ensure our city and county parks are designated smoke and vape-free locations.
Taking into consideration the health of people, pets, wildlife, environmental impacts, maintenance, clean-up costs, and fire risk, residents and agencies have agreed that ensuring our parks are smoke and vape-free is in the best interest of our community.
Download the MOBILE version of the Galena Creek Nature Trail Guide
Explore the Nature Trail located at Galena Creek Regional Park while following along to our new mobile and interactive Galena Creek Nature Trail Guide, formatted for easier use from a mobile device.
'Birds of Davis Creek Regional Park' Guide
If you enjoy birding, be sure to visit Davis Creek Regional Park as it is a hotspot for birds! Being located in the transition zone between the forested Sierra Nevada's and the Great Basin Desert, this park is home to many species of birds. All the pictures in the Birds of Davis Creek Regional Park Guide were taken within the park and information was acquired from allaboutbirds.org
Pick up a Junior Ranger Activity Guide!
Looking for engaging, park-based activities to do with your children? Download our Junior Ranger Activity Guide or pick up a copy at your local park office. This free program can be done at your own pace, is flexible enough to appeal to a large age range, and can be completed at any combination of Washoe County parks. Visit our Become a Junior Ranger page for complete details.