Swan Lake Nature Study Area
Playa - off the north end of Lear Boulevard (click here to view a map)
Park Ranger Office: (775) 785-4512
A nationally recognized birdwatching area, Swan Lake Nature Study Area is just minutes from the greater Reno-Sparks area. Swan Lake is a designated Important Bird Area because of its unusually diverse population of birds, including swans. A 600-foot long boardwalk takes visitors into the wetlands area. The park also features a number of hiking trails and a portable restroom.
Trails
The Swan Lake Nature Study Area Trail is featured in the Truckee Meadows Trails Guide which can be downloaded here. Look on page 50.
Media
For a nice video of the area (thanks to Neil Lockhart Photography), click here.
Click below to watch a brief video of when the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation featured the Swan Lake Nature Study Area:
Park History
Formerly called Lemmon Valley Marsh and dedicated in April 1999, Swan Lake Nature Study Area is a nearly unspoiled wetland in the midst of suburban housing and warehouses. Depending on annual precipitation, the wetland varies from 100 acres to 1,000 acres. Surrounded by sagebrush, greasewood, and other desert vegetation, this large, shallow lake has a marshy habitat on the west side and adjacent sewage treatment ponds on the east. Over 150 bird species have been recorded here. Burrowing Owls often nest in man-made boxes located at the west and north edges of the nature study area.
Activities: Bird Watching, Photography, Junior Ranger Program, Hiking/Walking