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Hiking trails, camping, cycling, golf and more highlight outdoor summer activities around Carson City

Plenty of activities around Carson City are returning for all to enjoy throughout the summer. From hiking and biking trails and campgrounds, to several outdoor recreational activities, there are many ways to get outside and enjoy the warm weather.

Below is a list of recreational activities held throughout the summer. A list of all city recreation sites and activities available to the public now can be found here.

Carson City Hiking Trails
Several hiking trails in Carson City have reopened and are available to the public. Hiking participants are encouraged to follow safety procedures.

Trails include hikes at Riverview Park, Kings Canyon Waterfall, the Kings Canyon Waterfall Trail, the C-Hill 4-Mile Trail, the Spooner Lake Loop, the famous Flume Trail and the 7-mile Ash to Kings Canyon Trail.

For more information on hiking trails around Carson City, visit the link here.

Carson City Biking Trails
Certified bronze Bike-Friendly Community by the League of American Cyclist, Carson City is the place for off-road and recreational road riding.

Carson City's ranking is because of the total bicycle network mileage, the presence of bicycle friendly laws and ordinances, and how well a community implements the Unified Pathways Master Plan, among others, according to VisitCarsonCity.com.

Bike-friendly streets make Carson City a perfect place to ride around the capital’s historic districts, nearby attractions, and unique downtown shops and restaurants. Bikes can be rented at Carson Tahoe Hotel, Blue Zone Sports or The Bike Smith downtown. For more information about biking and trails, see Muscle Powered here, and the city's hiking and biking guide here.

Outdoor Recreational Activities
Outdoor recreational facilities including neighborhood parks, trails, basketball courts, archery range and disc golf are all open with social distancing restrictions. Picnics and park gatherings with groups of less than 50 people are allowed.

The outdoor tennis court and Mills Park skatepark located by the Carson City Community Center has reopened to the public.

The Multiathletic Center reopened on June 5 followed by the Carson City Aquatic Facility and Carson City Community Center on June 8. All three establishments have implemented new safety provisions by Governor Sisolak’s Phase 2 directives. For more information, visit the link here.

Camping and State Parks
Camping grounds and state parks are beginning to open all over Nevada with safety provisions. The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit opened its developed campgrounds in the Lake Tahoe Basin area on June 12. The Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest is also open for camping. See the website here and click to the preferred camping choices.

Participants are encouraged to practice social distancing of at least six feet with non-family members of the same household. They also should not gather in large groups and share the trail and campgrounds with others. Lastly, participants should pick up all trash and leave with everything brought to the site.

For a list of open camping areas and up-to-date information, visit the LTBMU website here.

State parks around the Carson City area are open for day-use with several safety provisions. Nevada State Parks is actively following the Center for Disease Control guidelines set by Governor Sisolak.

Safety guidelines include maintaining a safe social distance of at least six feet, excluding members of the same household. Participants must avoid gathering in groups of more than 50 people and keep all facilities clean throughout their stay.

Below is a list of national state parks near the Carson City area:
Washoe Lake — Carson City
Buckland Station — Silver Springs
Dayton State Park — Dayton
Fort Churchill — Silver Springs
Mormon Station — Genoa
Walker River — Yerington

For more information on parks and safety guidelines, visit the link here.

Golf Courses
Golf courses around the Carson City area have reopened for tee times and getting a few practice swings in at the driving range. According to Duncan Golf Management, golf courses at Lakeridge, Wolf Run, Toiyabe, Eagle Valley and Dayton Valley are following strict safety guidelines provided by the state.

Golf Cart rentals will be single person only besides household occupants to keep social distancing guidelines in place. Carts will be cleaned and sanitized after each round. Golfers are still allowed to walk the course, but are encouraged to keep a safe social distance of at least six feet with fellow players.

On the course, cups rakes have been removed from sand traps and flagsticks should not be touched. Duncan Golf Management has asked golfers to smooth out their footprints as best as possible after entering and exiting a sand bunker.

The golf balls for the driving range will be dispensed in the golf shop, the ball dispenser will not be used. Golf balls and buckets will be cleaned by employees between customers as well as putting green cups.

To limit the physical interaction between customers and employees, the golf courses listed above will have a “grab and go” options at the clubhouse. The beverage cart will still be available. There will be no seating at the dining room and plastic plates, cups and utensils will be provided.

Employees will consistently sanitize all equipment and institute high-levels of hygiene for the safety of customers. More information and how to book a tee time can be found via the link here.

Empire Ranch Golf Course and Silver Oak Golf Course in Carson City are open for scheduled tee times. Both courses are following the safety guidelines set by the state, which include social distancing procedures and employee cleaning and sanitization.

Interested participants can book a tee time at Empire Ranch Golf Course here. To book a tee time at Silver Oak Golf Course, click the link here.

Recreational Sports Leagues
Per the Carson City Parks and Recreation Department, several recreational youth and adult sports leagues remain closed under Sisolak’s Phase 2 directives. All softball, baseball and soccer leagues for adults and youth are put on hold.

There is a possibility more sports leagues under the Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department will reopen when larger gatherings are allowed. For now, the department is waiting on further direction and guidance from the state to reopen sports leagues.

Bowling Alleys in Carson City
Bowling is back at the Carson Lanes Family Fun Center and Gold Dust West Casino in Carson City.

Under the new provisions from the Nevada Gaming Commission, bowling alleys have instituted safety measures to keep families and guests safe. These safety measures include maximum lane capacity and sanitization of all equipment.

For more information, visit the link here.

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Carson City is a Bee City USA affiliate, the first in the state of Nevada. Bee Cities are a part of The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. "Bee City USA’s mission is to galvanize communities to sustain pollinators by providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides.”

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picture of Hall of Fame inductees.

Six local bowlers were inducted in the third class of the Carson Country Bowling Association Hall of Fame at their annual meeting on Saturday, April 27, at HomeGrown Bowl. Carson Country is the local association of the U.S. Bowling Congress.

Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space will hold a "Sheep Talk" this Monday, April 29 from noon to 1 p.m. so residents can learn from Carson City staff about the popular fuel reduction program used annually with the use of "firefighting" sheep.

Two Carson City residents who hiked C-Hill recently returned Sunday morning with a message: The flag that graces the hillside is in need of repair.

Here is the Carson City area road report for the week of April 29 through May 5, 2024. Closures are expected at the following locations due to road and utility work:

Camp GOTR (Girls on the Run) is coming to Carson City for the second year in a row! Camp GOTR will be a week-long, half-day summer camp from 8 AM- 12 PM at the Carson City Community Center the week of August 5th- August 9th.

Girls on the Run Sierras is a character-building program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade operating in the Reno-Tahoe area.

A number of new Junior Park Rangers received their badges as they were sworn in as part of the annual Junior Park Rangers Day in Carson City.

The next Carson City Board of Supervisors meeting will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2024 beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Bob Crowell Boardroom of the Community Center, located at 851 E. William Street.

For many students at Carson High, Monica Weaver serves as a counselor who is dedicated to helping students navigate the challenges that could alter one’s four years of high school. But in the spring, Weaver also stands poolside, coaching the Senators swim team.

Meet Ricky and Reba, a sweet bonded pair who are waiting for their forever home. Sometimes bad things happen to good cats. Nobody knows this better than Ricky and Reba. Approximately 3 years old, they were abandoned when their owner moved, leaving them to fend for themselves on the streets of Reno. It wasn’t easy.

The 120 pounds of litter collected during the inaugural Shoreline Sweep Volunteer Cleanup at Sand Harbor State Park will be used in an innovative art installation in the park's visitor center.

Over 80 dedicated volunteers joined forces to comb the park's picturesque shores on Monday, April 22, 2024.

Warmer weather is upon us – finally – which also means so is the ever popular and very educational ComputerCorps TechCamp Summer Series! Yes, summer is just a few months off and ComputerCorps TechCamp 2K24 is now accepting applicants.


On April 24, 2024, at approximately 4:48 a.m., the Nevada State Police responded to a crash at the location of IR580 southbound near mile marker CC01 in Carson City, Nevada. (Near the Snyder Ave. overpass).

Each year, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office hosts an open house event as a way to connect families, deputies, non-profits and more. This year the event takes place May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Carson High School is pleased to announce Katarina Klatt and Brynn Russell will carry their academic and athletic talents on to the next level with Division 1 Scholarships. A short signing ceremony was held at the Carson Aquatic Center Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is moving forward with its plan to transfer certain mail processing operations from Reno to Sacramento, a change that has drawn bipartisan opposition among Nevada elected officials over its potential impact on the region’s economy and fears that it would slow the processing of ma

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Nevada Humane Society, Carson City’s Pet of the Week introduces, Shrek. While he may not hail from a swamp, this lovable pup is as big-hearted as they come, searching for his forever family.

Bowers Mansion Programs on the Porch program begins in May with this year's theme is "Variety Edition." Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy this free series in front of the historic Bowers Mansion. Fridays from 7 to 8 p.m., May 17 through June 21.

LGBTQ+ and Allies, community event, Carson Valley events, Western Nevada, gay

Two free scholarship lunch tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who couldn’t otherwise afford to participate. Reach out to wnvlgbtq@gmail.com and request your free tickets now!

St. Paul's Lutheran Family Church in Carson City is having a huge rummage sale Saturday, April 27 at 8 am until 1:30 pm. This is a fundraiser by St. Paul's women's group, WELCA, in association with Thrivent. There will be a jewelry room and a boutique featuring decor de jour and collectibles.

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Nevada's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in March 2024, which decreased by 0.1 percent from February 2024, according to the state's Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation’s March 2024 economic report.

Carson High Debate continues its groundbreaking season. Competing at state for the first time since Covid the team advanced to final events in 4 separate events.

Clear Creek Bowmen Cancer Shoot is this Sunday April 28 at the Carson City Archery Range.