Enjoy Scenic Walks and Wildlife at Virginia Lake Park in Reno

1980 Lakeside Dr
Reno, NV 89509

Website

Rentable Shelter

Yelp

Virginia Lake Park is a beautifully landscaped 32-acre park featuring a serene man-made lake surrounded by charming houses and vibrant wildlife. Here, you can spot various birds, including pigeons, geese, crows, double-crested cormorants, snowy egrets, and California gulls. The park offers a relaxing atmosphere, reminiscent of a beach setting, with the soothing sounds of fountains and the gentle rustle of nature all around.

Park Features

-1-Mile Loop Trail:  A short, flat trail lined with parking and houses, perfect for walking year-round. There's also a concentric dirt trail that circles the lake.

-Play Areas: Enjoy grassy areas with two play structures, swings, and a small stage for performances.

-Pavilions: Rent a pavilion with BBQ facilities that can accommodate up to 100 people.

-Restrooms: Available year-round

-Exercise Area (Lymbery St.): Stay active with an exercise zone located right next to the park's parking lot

-Fishing Pier: Spend a relaxing day fishing from the pier. Fishing permit.

-Benches: Plenty of seating along the lake for bird watching and enjoying the scenery.

-Dog Park (south side of lake on Eastshore Dr.): Gated & off leash.  Muddy when wet.

-Picnic Areas: Plenty of shaded spots under trees for ideal for picnics.

Notes

*If you’re sensitive to bird droppings or have a dog that tends to eat them, you might want to consider visiting another park, as they can be common on the trail.

*An ice cream truck frequently parks in front of the playgrounds during the summer months. 

*An island in the center of the lake is home to a variety of birds.

*The park is dog-friendly, but dogs must be kept on a leash. 

*The trail around the lake is paved, making it accessible for everyone. Biking and horseback riding are not permitted on the paths. 

*Enjoy a smoke-free environment throughout the park. 

*Explore a charming stone-bench garden area near the pier and take in the diverse plant life that enhances the park's beauty. 

*Designated feeding areas for wild birds are located at both ends of the lake.

*Virginia Lake Park is within walking distance of the Peppermill casino.

Categorized Under "Parks and Playgrounds," "Family Friendly Trails," "Picnic spots," "Event/Birthday Spots"

*Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.

Photography

©Katherine Fung,

All Rights Reserved.

Brown's Creek Loop Trail- A Hike with some Breathtaking Views

3584-3694 Joy Lake Road

Reno, NV 89511

Directions

AllTrails Map

***Trail currently closed due to Davis Fire***

Brown's Creek Snapshot

If you’re looking for a beautiful outdoor escape near Reno, Brown's Creek Trail is the place to be. This scenic hike features stunning views, vibrant wildflowers, and the soothing sounds of the creek. It’s perfect for families and anyone who loves nature. With its diverse terrain and breathtaking surroundings, it’s a rewarding adventure that showcases the beauty of our area and creates unforgettable memories in the great outdoors.

Moderate

4.8 mi. loop

2hr 25mins. estimated time

I'm always on the lookout for hikes near Reno that are beautiful, and since my kids were getting more skilled and interested in hitting the trails, I decided to push our limits with a longer hike. Usually, we stick to 2-mile trails, so tackling 4.8 miles felt like a bit of a stretch with a 5, 6, and 1-year-old in tow. But if there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that we humans are capable of so much more than we think.

The first part of the trail, before you reach the loop, weaves through the woods with a gentle uphill slope (over about a mile). You’ll hit the first fork, which is definitely worth a stop—the Vista (just a couple of minutes away). Here, you’ll find a bench, breathtaking views, and an educational sign about a former family attraction called Sundown Town. The second fork marks the beginning of the loop (not far from the Vista). If you take the left side, you’ll tackle the steeper part of the loop; opt for the right if you want a bit more of a challenge.

There are three small bridges that cross the creek. We took a break at the first bridge so the kids could dip their toes in and have some fun. It was so nice, with plenty of trees providing shade. After crossing the second bridge, you’ll arrive at the third fork. We took a wrong turn at this fork, heading straight into the “National Forest” (the loop sign was a bit farther up and faced the wrong way) and ended up hiking an extra 1.5 miles.  Once we realized we were off track, we retraced our steps and found the sign. Instead of going straight, make sure to head upward and to the right to stay on course. After the third fork, we crossed the final bridge and made our way back to the parking lot.

In total, we covered about 8.5 miles, and it was such an empowering and rewarding journey. My family and I met plenty of friendly dogs, admired stunning wildflowers, and encountered many kind people along the way.

We set off on what turned out to be one of the most beautiful, challenging, and rewarding hikes. The trail was filled with stunning views and varied terrains. Wandering through the Galena forest and crossing tranquil Brown's Creek was incredibly refreshing. I can't recommend this hike enough.

Notes

-Ever since getting lost, I make sure to use AllTrails to track my hikes.  

-Dogs, horses, and cyclists are allowed on the trail.  

-Enter the Galena Estates to find the trail entrance parking lot on the left side of Joy Lake Road.  

-The trail entrance is across the street-

-Bring plenty of water

-If hiking with kids, pack lots of snacks. I also brought a portable toilet for the kids, along with sunscreen & hand sanitizer.  

-There’s plenty of shade throughout the hike, but there are also exposed areas.  

-Have your phone handy for emergencies.  

-Alcohol pads and band-aids for unexpected scrapes

-Good footwear highly recommended  

-hiking poles may come in handy for those looking for more stability

-lots of vegetation, lizards, and insects to look at.  

 Pick right side for more of a challenge to go up steep left side at end of loop. Left side to go down steeper side.

Categorized Under Family Friendly Hikes and Scenic Overlooks

*Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.

Photography 

© Katherine Fung,

All rights reserved.

Take A Beautiful, Short and Educational hike at Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Loop

*DIRECTIONS

*Track your position on the trail with AllTrails (reception needed):

Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Loop

*Reviews on Yelp

Snapshot

Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Loop is a must-visit for its easy, family-friendly trail with stunning views and plenty of wildflowers in the spring. The flat, stroller-friendly path makes it perfect for everyone, and the fresh mountain air just fills your lungs with life. It’s the kind of place where you can unwind, let the kids explore, and soak in the natural beauty—all just a short drive from Reno just past Mt. Rose Summit parking lot.

After having my first baby, I was on a mission to find the perfect spot for a family walk—somewhere beautiful in nature with great views, a short and stroller-friendly trail, some shade, and easy access. I was thrilled when I discovered Tahoe Meadows, and over the years, it has remained one of our favorite family hikes.

Tahoe Meadows offers a trail that's not only enjoyable but also packed with nature for the kids to explore. The interpretive signs add a nice educational touch, and in spring, the wildflowers are in full bloom, accompanied by the soothing sounds of babbling brooks and chirping insects.

Getting There:

Parking is available just past the Mt. Rose Summit Trail parking lot on the left as you head toward Tahoe. If the gates are open, drive downhill until you see the restrooms. If the gates are closed, you can park in the lot just outside the gates, closer to the street, which is a short walk from the entrance.

Best Time to Visit: 

Tahoe Meadows is best enjoyed from May until October, as snow accumulation in winter can make the trail difficult to navigate. 

Nearby:

For those seeking a more intense hike, the Mt. Rose Summit Trail (10.7 miles) is just a few minutes back toward Reno and is well worth the effort for its stunning views.

Notes

-About a 30-minute scenic drive up the mountain toward Lake Tahoe from South Reno.

-Stroller, kid, wheelchair, and dog-friendly.

-Fairly flat, 1.3-mile loop with a 49-foot elevation gain.

-Restrooms available seasonally.

-Partial shade.

-Great for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter (check weather and road conditions before heading out; chains may be needed).

-Popular spot for photoshoots due to its picturesque views.

-Family-friendly sledding spot across the street in winter.

-The AllTrails app is a great resource for information, directions, and reviews.

-Paths can get muddy when the weather is wet.

Recommended Gear

-Sunscreen (after trying so many options, this is my family's favorite)

-Water Bottle (definitely a must in Reno's dry climate)

-Portable potty & Liners (priceless gadget that makes any hike with kids a breeze)

-hiking backpack (great view for kids, storage, nap friendly, shade)

-carrier (more afordable, light weight, shade, storage for keys)

*As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Categorized under "Family Friendly Hikes"