Bowers Mansion Regional Park

4005 Bowers Mansion Road, New Washoe City, NV 89704 (For directions, view the parks Google map)

Park Ranger Office: (775) 849-1825

Bowers Mansion Office: (775) 849-0201

Bowers Pool: (775) 849-0644

Bowers Mansion Regional Park is located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains, approximately 20 miles south of Reno on old 395. Expansive sunny lawn areas and lots of tall shade trees make this a perfect spot for picnics. There are two group picnic pavilions (reservable) as well as many individual picnic sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The park also offers a seasonal outdoor pool, two children's playgrounds and the Historic Bowers Mansion.

Wildlife

Bowers Mansion Regional Park is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. To view photos of some of these species, reference the Facebook photo album. We have also been working with local Wildlife Photographers to capture pictures and videos of the parks wildlife. You can see all of this on the parks Facebook Page. Also, be sure to check out the iNaturalist observations within the park.

Programming

Nevada Living History Day

Mark your calendars! Saturday, May 17, 2025 will be the next Nevada Living History Day. Various exhibits and demonstrations take place inside and around the mansion. Self-guided tours will be available for $8 adults and $6 children & seniors. And, a food truck will be on-site to serve our guests! For future event dates, keep an eye on our calendar of events page.

Programs on the Porch

Programs on the Porch crowd

This year, we are featuring Bluegrass music and we are switching to Wednesdays from 7pm to 8pm, June 4, 2025 thru June 25, 2025. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy this free* series each Spring in front of the historic Bowers Mansion. *This series is free, however donations are happily accepted for the speakers. Call the Ranger Office at 775-849-1825 for more information.

June 4, 2025 - Rough Edges
June 11, 2025 - TBD
June 18, 2025 - Coyote Crossing
June 25, 2025 - Sage Creek

Media

The mansion and its history has been featured in various videos & articles. Click the links below to view them:

Bowers Mansion made This Old House's Famous Historic Homes by State list (2025)

A visit by the 'History Hunters' (2022)

Washoe Life Podcast highlighting the incredible life of Eilley Bowers (2022)

Women's History Podcast (Episode 81) highlighting Eilley Bowers

'Saving Bowers Mansion' (Article in Nevada Magazine, Spring 2021)

Interpreting Park Biodiversity Through Wildlife Photography (2020 Virtual Presentation)

'Wild Nevada' (Episode 509)

Bowers Mansion Regional Park was awarded the 2019 Silver State Legacy Park Award, which is the highest accolade the Nevada Recreation and Park Society can bestow upon a park.

'Washoe Way Back' video

Check out Colleene Fesko's appraisal of a Victor Dubreuil Oil Painting, ca. 1891, from the mansion on Antiques Roadshow

'Knowing Nevada' video (News 4)

Legendary Nevadans: Eilley Bowers of Washoe Valley (Travel Nevada)

Biography of Alison (Eilley) Oram Bowers (Nevada Women's History Project)

'Mysteries at the Castle' (Season 3, Episode 3) - This episode aired on January 22, 2016. (skip to 29:19 in the video)

Enter the mansion in Virtual Reality with this interactive photographic panorama from the 'All Around Nevada' project (2007)

Bonanza - Under Attack [1995] - Portions of this TV movie were filmed at Bowers Mansion. The inside of the mansion first appears at 5:48 in the video.

Bonanza (Season 1, Episode 7) - Aired on October 24, 1959, the mansion is shown at the end of the show (46:28 in the video) as the home constructed by Annie O’Toole after striking it rich. The footage of the mansion was reused in season eight's "The Greedy Ones" as mining tycoon Shasta's estate.

1955 Episode of 'Death Valley Days' about Eilley Bowers

Pet Policy

Please note that due to the historical significance, pets are not allowed at Bowers Mansion Regional Park with the exception of service animals.

Picnic Areas

The day use individual picnic areas are available on a first come, first serve basis. The Comstock Pavilion and Washoe Pavilion are available by reservation only. For information on reserving a picnic pavilion, please contact Park Reservations at (775) 823-6501 or reserveparks@washoecounty.gov

Bowers Mansion Pool

Bowers Pool

The William N. Pennington Foundation has donated over $500,000 to renovate the Bowers Mansion Pool over the years. This "Z" shaped, 44 meter, heated outdoor pool operates seasonally and includes easy entry ladders and a hydraulic lift. For more information, visit the Bowers Mansion Pool webpage or call 775-849-0644.

Historic Bowers Mansion

The historic Bowers Mansion is located within the park and offers a rare glimpse into Nevadan life of the 1860's. L.S. "Sandy" Bowers and his psychic wife, Eilley Oram, earned a fortune in their silver mine near Gold Hill, Nevada and became Nevada's first Comstock Lode millionaires. With their wealth, they built the mansion in 1864 and then traveled the world to furnish it. It is now one of the most impressive restored homes in Nevada. The mansion is open seasonally for weekend & holiday guided tours and there is a small visitor center located directly behind the mansion. For more information, visit the Bowers Mansion webpage or call 775-849-0201.

Activities: BBQ/Picnicking, Junior Ranger Program, Walking, Biking, Historic Mansion Tours, Swimming, Children's Playgrounds, Photography

Facilities: Historic Bowers Mansion, Bowers Pool, Comstock Pavilion, Washoe Pavilion, Visitor Center, Children's Playgrounds, Picnic Areas

Please "like" the Bowers Mansion Regional Park Facebook page to learn more about the park and get the latest updates!

Check out Bowers Mansion Regional Park on Yelp