Tahoe-Pyramid Trail: Reno to Sparks

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Views

Restroom and picnic facilities are available at Rock Park, which is accessed from Rock Blvd. on the north side of the River near River's Edge RV Park. There may be homeless people living along the River, particularly in the first 3 miles from Downtown Reno to Rock Park.

The trail follows the Truckee River through Reno and Sparks for 8 miles one-way. To reach the trail from downtown Reno at Virginia Street, run on the north side of the River for 2 blocks, cross the to the south side at Lake Street. The paved path is below street level. The first 3 miles go though urban business and residential areas.

Rock Park is a good mid-distance starting point for out-and-back trips going East (10 miles round trip). It's a nice, mostly shaded trail with good views of the river. Lots of birds and waterfowl in the spring and summer. Fall colors are great. It's also a nice winter trail when dirt trails around Reno aren't available because of mud and snow. Adjacent land to the north is the Sparks industrial area, which can be an interesting contrast.

There are several city park access points in this section. This is a portion of the larger Tahoe-Pyramid Trail system.

Riparian vegetation dominated by cottonwoods and willows. Good birding area east of Rock Park. The McCarran Bridge is a major summer site for a colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats. The bat fly-out at sunset is a spectacular sight.