You’ll find some habits are hard to break in the Old West. Horseback riding remains a popular activity for visitors and it’s easy to understand why. Guided tours at Lake Tahoe or through the Mt. Rose Wilderness take riders through aspen groves, meadows and pine forests complete with picturesque views of Mt. Rose. Some say that the best views of Carson City are from the air. Hang gliding and hot air balloon rides are available throughout the year, weather permitting. Many of the hot air balloon tours include a complete champagne brunch after the flight.
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Snow Sports
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Carson City’s strength as a winter destination is its close proximity to Lake Tahoe, without the driving hassles. Traditionally balmy winter days afford visitors the option of hanging out around town and seeing the sights, or whisking up to one of the lake’s premier resorts at the drop of a hat. Heavenly at Lake Tahoe’s south shore is within 35 minutes, as is Mt. Rose to the north. Most skiing, including world class cross-country skiing, is within 35 miles of downtown Carson City. All the major resorts offer ski and snowboard rentals and lessons, as do a couple of Carson City’s shops. Location makes Carson City an affordable alternative to lake-side lodging.
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Golf
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Devine Nine Golf
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Bike Routes
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Carson City’s bike routes wind around friendly neighborhoods, historic districts, and the Sierra Nevada region’s wide open spaces. 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. The area’s temperate weather provides Lake Tahoe area cycling nearly year-round, including recreational routes along the scenic Carson River and more advanced terrain for serious mountain biking. Those who enjoy cycling in town can explore the tree-lined streets around the Kit Carson Trail, featuring more than 60 historical landmarks. The nearby V&T Trail is another popular ride, taking cyclists along a section where the old railroad once ran and into Longview Ranch Trails, weaving through quiet neighborhoods and past parks and playgrounds. On the eastern side of the city, theLinear Park Trail takes riders along a paved multi-use path that extends from Governors Field to Moffat Open Space and on to the Mexican Ditch Trail. More advanced bike routes from Carson City include the Franktown Loop, which offers a scenic ride through estate- and farm-lined roads, Kingsbury Grade, a challenging climb to Lake Tahoe with stunning views along the way, and the ride from Carson City to Virginia City, with a steep climb that leads to this famous old mining town. Bike rentals, repairs, and guided road and mountain bike tours are available through Bike Carson Tahoe, owned and operated by former US professional cycling champion and land speed record holder, Chris Huber. For more information about Carson City and Lake Tahoe area bike riding, call us at 1-800-NEVADA-1. Additional Carson City Biking Resources Carson City Parks & Recreation Link to the City’s Open Space and Trails information Carson City Bicycle Route Map Google Maps of City Bike Routes Carson City Bike Racks Google Maps of City Bike Racks MusclePowered.org A community group focused on bike-and-pedestrian-friendly roadways in Carson City BikeCarson.com Bicycle news, culture, and lifestyle in Carson City, Nevada BikeCarsonTahoe.com Information about bicycle rentals and tours NevadaTrailMaps.com Information about Nevada’s recreational trails
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Mountain Biking
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For cyclists, the granddaddy of all trails starts at Spooner Summit just west of Carson City and connects to Lake Tahoe’s famous Flume Trail. But less renowned mountain biking tours are just minutes from downtown Carson City, and free from the crowds at Tahoe. Carson City’s mountain biking trips include intermediate and advanced singletrack trails in Ash Canyon and Kings Canyon. The trails leave from the city’s western foothills and climb high above into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where riders can connect to the world-renowned Tahoe Rimand Flume trails. On the eastern side of Carson City, riders can brave the 13-mile McClellan Peak climb, which reaches an altitude of 7,465 feet before a decent back to the north Carson trailhead. The trail begins from Fermi Road, off of Goni Road, and continues uphill to the mountain top for sweeping views of the area. Brunswick Canyon is another challenging eastern trail, featuring a 15-mile climb with over 1,300 feet of elevation gain. The trail begins along the Carson River off Deer Run Road and ends in high desert forest, with several side trip options along the way. More mountain biking trails in and around Carson City are listed below, and additional information is at NevadaTrailMaps.com:
Carson City Trails
Trail Name | Length | Elevation Difference |
C Hill Trail | 0.5 Miles | 60 ft. |
Carson City MVU | 29 Miles | 4200 ft. |
Centennial Park | 3.5 Miles | 260 ft. |
Empire Ranch Trail | 1.75 Miles | negligible |
Prison Hill | 6.3 Miles | 794 ft. |
Riverview Park Trail | 2.5 Miles | negligible |
Silver Saddle Ranch Trails | 4 Miles | 100 ft. |
V and T Trail | 1 Mile | 60 ft. |
Trails near Carson City
Trail Name | Length | Elevation Difference |
Chimney Beach | 3.7 Miles | 1803 ft. |
Deadmans Creek Loop | 2.3 Miles | 322 ft. |
Dry Pond | 2.1 Miles | 450 ft. |
Duck Hill Ohv Trail System | 6.3 Miles | 1722 ft. |
Fay-luther Canyon | 3.5 Miles | 977 ft. |
Hunter Lake OHV | 60 Miles | 4000 ft. |
Hunter Lake Trail | 7 Miles | 2920 ft. |
Jones/Whites Creek | 9.1 Miles | 1893 ft. |
Jumbo Grade | 10 Miles | 945 ft. |
Keystone Canyon | 1.6 Miles | 350 ft. |
Lake Tahoe Nevada Backcountry Trails | 0 Miles | negligible |
Leviathan OHV | 50 Miles | negligible |
Lower Galena Creek | 1.6 Miles | 500 ft. |
Lower Thomas Creek | 2.3 Miles | 720 ft. |
Lower Whites Creek | 3.3 Miles | 900 ft. |
Marlette Flume Trail | 5 Miles | 100 ft. |
Mexican Ditch Trail | 4 Miles | 20 ft. |
Mud Lake MVU | 18.5 Miles | 800 ft. |
North Canyon Trail | 4.2 Miles | 1100 ft. |
Ophir Creek | 7.5 Miles | 3379 ft. |
Red House Flume Trail | 2.6 Miles | 150 ft. |
Round Hill Pines Trail | 4.4 Miles | 264 ft. |
Tahoe Rim Trail | 164.8 Miles | negligible |
Tom Cooke Trail | 0.6 Miles | 241 ft. |
Truckee River Path | 13 Miles | 283 ft. |
Tunnel Creek Road | 2.8 Miles | 1394 ft. |
Washoe Lake Overlook Trail | 0.78 Miles | 200 ft. |
Whites Canyon Route | 6 Miles | 1887 ft. |
Bike rentals, repairs, and guided road and mountain bike tours are available through Bike Carson Tahoe, owned and operated by former US professional cycling champion and land speed record holder, Chris Huber. For more information about booking your Carson City mountain biking trip, call us at 1-800-NEVADA-1. Additional Carson City Mountain Biking Resources BikeCarson.com Bicycle news, culture, and lifestyle in Carson City, Nevada Carson City Parks & Recreation Link to the City’s Open Space and Trails information NevadaTrailMaps.com Information about Nevada’s recreational trails MusclePowered.org A community group focused on bike-and-pedestrian-friendly roadways in Carson City Carson City Bicycle Route Map By Google Maps Carson City Bike Racks By Google Maps BikeCarsonTahoe.com Information about bicycle rentals and tours
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Rafting & Kayaking
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Carson City water trails weave through a colorful maze of high desert scenery, Comstock history, and elusive wildlife, with whitewater kayaking and rafting adventures for every skill level. The 180-mile Carson River flows from the Sierra Nevada in California and through Carson City, eventually feeding into the Lahontan Reservoir. The Carson River Aquatic Trail is a 12.6-mile stretch of the Carson River that takes boaters through a scenic canyon and past historic relics of the Comstock mining era. Facilities include paved parking areas, restrooms, picnic tables and benches, and concrete launching ramps for put-in and take-out. Ideal for beginner-level canoe, kayak, and small raft rides, the Upper River Class I-II offers a 3.3-mile, 1.5 hour float that starts at Carson River Park and ends at Morgan Mill Road River Access. Giant cottonwoods line the shores, and visitors often catch glimpses of the areas’ wild horses, bald eagles, turtles, hawks, owls, and other wildlife. The Lower River trip from Morgan Mill to the take-out area at Santa Maria River Access Park in Dayton is an energetic 9.3 mile white water rafting and kayaking ride that takes about 2.5 hours to complete. The trip begins with a Class III rapid train wreck just one mile downstream, followed by several large Class II rapids that rush past old mill sites and historic stone walls crafted by Chinese laborers more than a century ago to shore up mountain mining roads. The nearby East Fork of the Carson River runs from south of Markleeville, California through alpine forests and into Nevada’s expansive landscape, passing dramatic rock formations and natural hot springs along the way. Mostly Class II with a short Class III section, this 20-mile river trip is another popular white water rafting and kayaking destination for Carson City visitors. For more information about booking your Carson City river trip, call us at 1-800-NEVADA-1. Carson City Water Trail Resources Carson City Parks & Recreation Downloadable map and additional locations for picking up waterproof maps of the Carson River Aquatic Trail Great Basin Sports Tours and equipment rental information Nevada BLM Information about the East Fork of the Carson River U.S. Geological Survey Real-time stream flow information
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Hiking Trails
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Nestled at the center of Nevada’s Eastern Sierra mountain range, Carson City affords visitors access to many scenic hiking trails—many of which connect to Lake Tahoe hiking trails for unending adventure. Beginner hiking trails include a mile-long loop that winds along a portion of the Carson River atRiverview Park, a 109-acre natural area with miles of traversing trails. Brochures at the trailhead are available for self-guided tours, and benches near the river provide multiple areas to relax. Another beginner route is at Longview Ranch, where 1.9 miles of paved paths connect with a portion of the old V&T Railroad. Dirt trails leave from the paved sections and take hikers who want more advanced climbs up the Sierra Nevada foothills and toward summits overlooking Lake Tahoe’s wilderness. More hiking trails in and around Carson City are listed below, and additional information is atNevadaTrailMaps.com:
Trail Name | Length | Elevation Difference |
C Hill Trail | 0.5 Miles | 60 ft. |
Carson City MVU | 0 Miles | 4200 ft. |
Centennial Park | 3.5 Miles | 260 ft. |
Chimney Beach | 3.7 Miles | 1803 ft. |
Davis Creek Discovery | 1 Mile | 80 ft. |
Davis Creek Nature Trail | 0.7 Miles | negligible |
Deadmans Creek Loop | 2.3 Miles | 322 ft. |
Dry Pond | 2.1 Miles | 450 ft. |
Duck Hill Ohv Trail System | 6.3 Miles | 1722 ft. |
Empire Ranch Trail | 1.75 Miles | negligible |
Fay-luther Canyon | 3.5 Miles | 977 ft. |
Hidden Beach Trail System | 0.5 Miles | negligible |
Jobs Peak Ranch | 2.25 Miles | 520 ft. |
Jones/Whites Creek | 9.1 Miles | 1893 ft. |
Jumbo Grade | 10 Miles | 945 ft. |
Lake Tahoe Nevada Backcountry Trails | 0 Miles | negligible |
Leviathan OHV | 50 Miles | negligible |
Little Washoe Lake Trail | 1.33 Miles | negligible |
Longview Ranch Trails | 1.9 Miles | 40 ft. |
Lower Galena Creek | 1.6 Miles | 500 ft. |
Lower Thomas Creek | 2.3 Miles | 720 ft. |
Lower Whites Creek | 3.3 Miles | 900 ft. |
Marlette Flume Trail | 5 Miles | 100 ft. |
Mexican Ditch Trail | 4 Miles | 20 ft. |
Mt. Rose Peak | 4.6 Miles | 1930 ft. |
Mud Lake MVU | 18.5 Miles | 800 ft. |
North Canyon Trail | 4.2 Miles | 1100 ft. |
Ophir Creek | 7.5 Miles | 3379 ft. |
Prison Hill | 6.3 Miles | 794 ft. |
Red House Flume Trail | 2.6 Miles | 150 ft. |
Riverview Park Trail | 2.5 Miles | negligible |
Round Hill Pines Trail | 4.4 Miles | 264 ft. |
Sand Harbor To Memorial Point Trail | 0.7 Miles | negligible |
Silver Saddle Ranch Trails | 4 Miles | 100 ft. |
Slide Mt Trail | 0.4 Miles | 188 ft. |
Spooner Loop | 2.17 Miles | negligible |
Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Trail | 1.15 Miles | negligible |
Tahoe Rim Trail | 164.8 Miles | negligible |
Thomas Creek | 7.8 Miles | 3745 ft. |
Tunnel Creek Road | 2.8 Miles | 1394 ft. |
V and T Trail | 1 Mile | 60 ft. |
Washoe Lake Overlook Trail | 0.78 Miles | 200 ft. |
Whites Canyon Route | 6 Miles | 1887 ft. |
Local shops offer trail maps, and backcountry tours can also be arranged. Call us for more information, 1-800-NEVADA-1. Additional Carson City Trail Resources Carson City Parks & Recreation Link to the City’s Open Space and Trails information NevadaTrailMaps.com Information about Nevada’s many recreational trails
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Running Trails
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Discover Some of the Country’s Best Running Trails Are you a fan of trail running? Voted one of the most “Runner Friendly Communities” by The Road Runners Club of America, Carson City offers plenty of paths for everything from leisurely strolls to marathon-style runs. With a focus on quality of life for residents and visitors alike, Carson City’s nearly 6,000 acres of open space are woven with a variety of trail systems, including a navigable river that runs through the city, that are designed to be both safe and scenic. Carson City also offers almost 30 miles of paved trails maintained by the city, with water fountains and restrooms along the way, as well as miles of designated biking and running lanes on city streets. More about Carson City running trails in this video. The Sagebrush Stompers/ Tahoe Mountain Milers offer weekly group runs and annual events that benefit a variety of charities. Local shops offer trail maps, and backcountry tours can also be arranged. Call us for more information, 1-800-NEVADA-1. Additional Carson City Trail Resources
Carson City Parks & Recreation NevadaTrailMaps.com
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Hunting & Fishing
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Hunting and fishing opportunities might be Northern Nevada’s best kept secret. Wildlife abounds around the foothills of the Eastern Sierra, as well as the surrounding lakes and streams. Outdoorsmen come from all around the world to fish for the elusive Cutthroat trout, or hunt for a chukar. Traditionally mild weather makes it a year-round affair. In the heart of Carson City, the Carson River contains an abundance of rainbow trout, carp, bass and whitefish. Clear Creek, which flows through southern Carson City from the Lake Tahoe Basin, offers small stream fishing. The Truckee River flows to the north, and the capital is in close proximity to Pyramid, Topaz, and Washoe lakes, as well as the locally famous Hobart Reservoir. For more information on Nevada’s great hunting and fishing opportunities go to www.ndow.org.
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Horseback Riding
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Horseback Adventures with Wrangler Rich. Visit R & K Ranch for a complete family experience, offering: • Complete Trail Rides (both private and group) • Birthday Parties for all ages • Moonlight Steak Dinner Rides • ATV Rentals • Cowboy 101 Horse Training – Learn to ride the right way, get hands on experience and learn how to saddle and bridle your own horse. Open all year. Reservations required. Call for rates and times. 50% booking fee required. R & K Ranch 7177 Schulz Dr., Carson City, NV 89701 (Meet at south end of Bigelow Dr.) 775.691.7723
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Area Parks
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- Mountain Street Trailhead
- Robert’s House
- Long Ranch Park
- Governors Field
- Ross Gold Park
- Carson City Fairgrounds / Fuji Park
- Edmonds Sports Complex
- Carson River Park
- Riverview Park / Korean War Veterans Memorial Par
- Linear Park Trail
- Mills Park, Community Center, Aquatic Facility, Pony Express Pavilion, Virginia Orcutt Skateboard Park, and the Wungnema House
- Capitol City Gun Club
- Carson Rifle and Pistol Range
- Moffat Open Space Property
- Silver Saddle Ranch (Carson City/BLM)
- Horse Creek Ranch
- Lone Mountain Cemetery
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