Carson City is committed to providing outdoor experiences that can be enjoyed by people of all abilities. Trails marked as “adaptive options” are intended to serve as helpful guidance, though they may not meet all accessibility standards. We encourage you to read each description carefully to determine whether a particular trail or activity suits your individual needs.

Carson City is a destination where everyone can experience the beauty of the outdoors. With wide-open landscapes, rich history, and a strong community commitment to accessibility, Carson City offers a growing list of trails designed with adaptive users in mind.

Whether you’re using a wheelchair, an adaptive bike, or simply looking for smoother, more manageable terrain, Carson City has something for you. These “adaptive option” trails provide scenic, lower-grade routes with thoughtful surfaces and widths that aim to accommodate a wide range of mobility levels. From wetlands and riverside loops to historic rail trails and multi-use pathways, each trail offers a unique way to connect with nature and experience Carson City’s incredible recreational and outdoor spaces.

Here are a list of  trails, accessibility notes, and resources for equipment rentals if needed. While not all trails guarantee full accessibility for every individual, we hope this guide helps you find the trails that are right for you and inspires new adventures in our great outdoors.

Adaptive Accessible Trails

Fulstone Wetlands

A 1/2 mile loop through an eight acre wetland.  It is made of compacted decomposed granite that is a minimum of six feet wide. Grades are no more than 2%

Linear Ditch Trail

A 2.4 mile long paved trail, ten feet wide that extends from Roop Street near Governors Field to Fairview Drive, then north along Fairview Drive, crossing into the Moffat Open Space  and ending at Hells Bells Road.  Grades are no more than 2%..

Mexican Ditch Trail

Section 1: Extends 2 miles from the Moffat Open Space property (Hells Bells Road) to Silver Saddle Ranch.  It is a multi-use trail for hikers, bicycles and equestrians and it is made of compacted decomposed granite or road base, at least eight feet wide.  Grades are no more than 2%.

Section 2: Extends 1.6 miles from Silver Saddle Ranch to the Mexican Dam. Silver Saddle Ranch is a working ranch, and this trail mostly utilizes dirt ranch roads, at least eight feet wide with grades no more than 2%. Tread conditions may vary, support rider recommended.

The Freeway Multi-use Pathway 

The Freeway Multi-Use Pathway is a paved trail about 10 feet wide, with grades no more than 2%.  Along the way you will enjoy historic vignettes at each of the gateways and interchanges that present the theme “Carson City’s History in Motion”

V&T Paved Trail 

The V&T Trail is named after the historic Virginia and Truckee Railroad which operated in this region in the late 1800s and early 1900s. A railroad spur was located near this area. The V&T Trail is a paved, ten foot wide, non-motorized multi-use pathway located on the west side of Carson City behind Western Nevada College. The path is one-mile in length with grades under 2% and travels between Murphy Drive on the north end to Ash Canyon Road on the south end. Parking is available in a small gravel parking area near Murphy Drive and Vanpatten Avenue.

5th Street Loop Trails

The 5th Street Loop Trails offer 1.6 miles of approximately 4′-wide single track trails that may be suitable for an adaptive mountain bike (support rider recommended). These are natural surface trails with an average grade of about 6%, and maximum grades up to about 12%. Park at the 5th Street Trailhead on Carson River Road just off of 5th Street (near the 5th Street roundabout). This trailhead and associated trails won the American Trails Association 2021 award for “Community Connectivity”. If you go here, please let us know what you think, and how we can improve access. Email Gregg Berggren, Trails Coordinator, [email protected].

Prison Hill Trail – East

This 1.5 mile trail connects the 5th Street Trailhead (Carson River Road just off 5th Street, near the roundabout) with Silver Saddle Ranch. It is a minimum of 10′ wide with a compacted DG surface and has an average grade of 4%, with 7% maximum grades. It offers beautiful views of Old Buzzy’s Ranch and Silver Saddle Ranch.

 

Buzzy’s Ranch Trail

This 1.1 mile long trail crosses Old Buzzy’s Ranch as it parallels the Carson River and connects Carson River Park with Riverview Park. It is a minimum of 10′ wide with a compacted DG surface and grades are under 2%. It offers beautiful views of the working ranch, Prison Hill, and the Carson Range. Lots of opportunity for bird watching. Dogs must be on leash to protect the ranch animals and migratory bird habitat.

 

Riverview Park

There are 3.1 miles of trails in this natural wetland park. All trails are a minimum of 8′ wide with a compacted DG (decomposed granite) or road base surface and average grades under 2%.  These trails connect with Buzzy’s Ranch Trail to the south and Empire Ranch Trail to the north.  Access from the Korean War Veterans Memorial Park at the east end of 5th Street. Note – The connection to Empire Ranch Trail has a segment of tread surface that is composed of soft sand due to flooding.

 

Rental Equipment

If you are visiting the Carson City area and require special equipment for gaining access to trails, parks, and open spaces, The Carson City Rangers provide free rentals to an All-Terrain Wheelchair when joining the Ranger Led Programs. However, for more equipment options the City of Reno offers a large variety of adaptive recreation equipment for rent. Making it easy for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities while on vacation. Rentals are available for a variety of sports and outdoor adventures. Rental fees are affordable, with daily, weekend, and weekly options. Advance reservations (48 hours preferred) and a fitting appointment are required. For more information or to reserve equipment, contact April Wolfe at 775-333-7765 or [email protected].