Galena Creek Regional Park

North Entrance: 18250 Mt. Rose Highway, Reno, NV 89511 (click here to view a map)

South Entrance: 18350 Mt. Rose Highway, Reno, NV 89511 (click here to view a map)

Park Ranger Office: (775) 849-2511

Click here for current weather conditions

Galena Creek Pic

Nestled in a forested area on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, Galena Creek Regional Park is seven miles up the Mt. Rose Highway from the intersection with I-580. Galena Creek flows through the park creating separate north and south portions of the park. In the summer, enjoy hiking in the Sierra along Galena, Jones and White's Creeks. In the winter, visit the park for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. Campfire programs, Ranger-led hikes, fishing at Marilyn's Pond and exhibits in the Galena Creek Visitor Center add to the diversity of the park.

Recreation at Marilyn's Pond

We do not permit any ice fishing in the winter. Please stay off the ice at all times. Feel free to call the park office at 775-849-2511 for the latest conditions.

Marilyn's Pond is a popluar spot for anglers, especially families with smaller children. The pond is stocked with Rainbow trout and features an ADA accessible dock as well as several shaded benches and fishing access along it's banks. As with all other urban ponds in Washoe County, the following rules and regualtions apply at Marilyn's Pond:

A current valid fishing license or permit issued by the Nevada Department of Wildlife is required for all anglers over the age of 12. Purchase your annual license or one (1) day permit here.
Fishing hours are 8:00 a.m. to 30 minutes before park closing (posted at the park entrance)
There is a limit of three (3) fish per angler, including resident youth anglers (under age 12). Non-resident youth anglers may keep one (1) fish.

Galena Creek is also a fun fishing option within the park, offering both Rainbow and Brook Trout. Limit is five (5) per angler.

For more information about fishing at Galena Creek Regional Park, including the latest stocking updates, please visit the Nevada Department of Wildlife's Fishing Page.

Stop Poaching! Please call the Galena Creek Regional Park Ranger Office at 775-849-2511 or NDOW at 1-800-992-3030 to report information on any wildlife related crime.

Wildlife

Galena Creek Regional Park is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. For plant & animal species found here, check out Galena Creek Regional Park on iNaturalist. When viewing plants and animals in the park, please remember "Take only pictures, leave only footprints."

Snow Plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) is a rare sight in most areas, though they are native to the eastern Sierra. Their blood-red color is attributed to their lack of chlorophyll. They're abundant along most trails until about July 4th.

Picnic Areas

The day use individual picnic areas are available on a first come, first serve basis. The Bearmat, Jones Creek, and Manzanita Group Areas are available by reservation only. For availability or to request a reservation, click here or contact Park Reservations at (775) 823-6501 or reserveparks@washoecounty.gov

Please know that we are in bear country requiring visitors to store food and trash properly. All trash goes in the dumpsters which need to remain latched at all times. No food should be left out unattended. Thank You!

Trails

For a park trail map, click here.

Click here to view the interactive Galena Creek Nature Trail Guide

Have you taken the Truckee Meadows Trails Challenge?

Programming

Galena Campfire Programs!

Visit our Park Programs page for more information on this and other great prgrams presented by Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space!

Media

Galena Creek Regional Park has been featured in various videos. Click the links below to view them:

'Washoe Way Back' video

'Wild Nevada' video (Episode 407)

'Park of the Week' video (Truckee Meadows Park Foundation)

Points of Interest and Reservable Facilities at Galena Creek Regional Park

Click on the photos below to learn more about:

Park History

Dr. James E. Church

In the 1860s, a nearby township was founded and developed as a gold mining property called "Galena." Due to high contents of lead sulfate mix in the gold, it was not economical to mine here and the town grew into a lumbering center, shipping timber to the Comstock silver mines in Virginia City. Galena housed sawmills, stores, schools and saloons. Two devastating fires wiped out the Galena Township and timber trade in the late 1860's, when the town was finally abandoned, but remnants of this former town are still evident today.

Innovative snow surveying techniques used around the world also began here. In 1906, the 10,776-foot Mt. Rose, was used as an "outdoor lab" by Dr. James E. Church, Jr. Dr. Church, a Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, perfected a method of measuring depth and water content of snow, now known as the "Nevada System," which is still used today. In 1980, the north summit of Mt. Rose was officially named "Church Peak."

Washoe County purchased the property in 1931 for $10/acre, and it's the oldest park in the Washoe County Park system. A campground was built along with the stonehouse warming hut, located at the south end of the property. In 1948 the Galena Creek Fish Hatchery was built, but only operated for four years as a working hatchery. A devastating flood damaged the building, closing the hatchery. It has since been renovated and is open for use as a community building and is a State Historic Structure.

In the 1960's, the University of Nevada's Ski Team ran a training/ski jump area here, which was also a back up location for the 1960 Olympic Games at nearby Squaw Valley. Today, this area is still used for winter recreation activities including snowshoeing.

In 1980, Camp We Ch Me Lodge was constructed for the Campfire Girls, which has since been renovated and is available to the public as a community building.

Activities: BBQ/Picnicking, Campfire Programs, Hiking, Horseshoe Pits, Fishing, Junior Ranger Program, Photography, Snow Shoeing (winter), Volleyball, Weddings, Wildlife Viewing, Ranger-Led Hikes

Facilities: Bearmat Group Picnic Area, Camp We Ch Me Lodge, Galena Creek Fish Hatchery, Galena Creek Visitor Center, Jones Creek Group Picnic Area, Manzanita Group Picnic Area