Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Guided tours
No
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Washoe Lake State Park is made up of about 3,775 acres around Washoe Lake in the valley between Reno and Carson City. 

The park is open year round and offers a variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, camping, picnicking, equestrian trails, and it has hang gliding and boat launch facilities. While the park doesn't have the glamour or scenery of nearby Lake Tahoe, this ensures that Washoe Lake has a quiet feel most of the time. If visiting, you're likely to find yourself amongst few others.

Trails, including the North, South and East Loop trails, are centrally-located and geared toward equestrians. A riding arena, water troughs and horse pens also accommodate horseback riders. 

The park includes 49-site park campground, day-use picnic areas along the lakeshore, a dedicated hang-gliding area, a reservable group use site, and a boat ramp. Several hiking trails are located throughout the core area of the park, while additional trails such as Deadman's Creek Trail and the Wetlands Loop Trail are located on other areas of the lake.

Little Washoe Lake is an even quieter area with its own boat launch and picnic tables and grills, which offers some outdoor ice skating during cold winter conditions.

Fees to enter Washoe Lake State Park are $5 per vehicle daily, and there is a $10 boat launch fee. The nearest large grocery stores are in Reno and Carson City.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Fall
Spring

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Park entrance fee

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Variety of activities. Recreational opportunities for all seasons.

Cons

Very little shade in the hot months.

Features

ADA accessible
Vault toilet
Boat ramp(s)
Wildlife
Big vistas
Shelters
Rental facilities
Family friendly
Dump stations
Picnic tables
Near lake or river
Wildflowers
Volleyball
Horseback riding
Bicycling
Covered picnic areas
Potable water

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

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