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    Evans Creek Trailhead

    4.6 (22 reviews)

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    Donna B.

    Discovered this hiking area last year when Yelp hosted the Outdoor Explorers series. Frustrated with staying home during the covid, the pup and I have decided to explore outside our neighborhood. This hiking area is perfect for spring and fall. Ninety five percent of it has no shade. It's mostly rocky hill and mountainsides covers with sagebrush and cool rock outcroppings. In the lower valley are a few trees clinging to the creek's edge for water. By afternoon the slopes can get quite windy. There are actually three main trails with several markers laying out each one and where they share paths. I have really learned to enjoy and finally understand the app called AllTrails. Just hit the map in the upper right corner and it shows you where you are and all the nearby trails, and if you have wandered off your intended path. Most paths are shared by hikers, runners and dog walkers. There is a leash law but seriously I was the only one obeying it. You're also supposed to pick up and carry out after your dog. Some trails are also used by horse riders and bicyclists. So be aware of fast traffic from behind. Certain trains are very narrow and can run the edge of the canyon, others are wide enough for a truck to drive on. They also vary from soft sandy to hard sharp rocky trails. Currently during the covid there are extra signs pointing out trails that are too narrow for social distancing and green trails that give everyone plenty of safe space. Get out and enjoy some sunshine, exercise and nature. And take the furry baby, they are tired of you being home all the time too.

    Michelle T.

    This is my go to hike in town. It is just north of the University and you can't miss the giant "N". I probably do this one at least once a week. I love the elevation climb with a bit of flat in spots. Definitely will get your heart rate up with the climb. There are lots of trails off this one made for bikes and hikers as well as a disc golf. You can park a couple places depending on how long you want the walk to be. If you park at the dog park there is a tunnel that will take you under McCarren and a nice stroll through trees on the first half. You can also park at the sports complex and start there. In this case you will pass by the Basque monument at the beginning, a brief section of trees, then on to the wide openness with the view of the N. Bring some water and a love of the outdoors while you view quintessential northern nevada landscape on a walk up to the N. Also note there are no trash bins along the walk, so take out what you bring in. If you bring a pet, please for peoples sake pick up after your pet and take it with you!! Please don't leave the bags for the "way back".

    All NV
    Michael T.

    The quintessential Northern Nevada hike showing off our natural habitat, flora, and fauna! Best part is it's super close to the city. The trial is located just north of the university, and it winds its way around the hills which overlook downtown Reno, with the creek running g down the valley. Sagebrush, wild flowers,and other native plant life abounds. It was super fun to watch for new species of plants along the trail, and if you have a knowledgeable friend great at identifying plants, you could really learn something here. The trail is fairly levels the whole way. It was an easy 3 mile loop from the parking area, past the monument and back. The first half of the trail was partially shaded until we reached the outlet where the water was coming into the creek. From there though, it was all sun all the time. Views are great the whole way. Going up the valley, you're looking at a neighborhood, but when you double back you get some fantastic views of the city. All in all it's a nice hike, great for all abilities, dog friendly and very representative of Northern Nevada high desert. The drawbacks are only the lack of shade on the trail, but of you start early, you'll be done before it heats up!

    Michael R.

    I come here regularly to run this trail, and every time I learn something new about it. The trail starts through rancho, and ties in with different routes such as nature trail and poedunk trail. I run this trial, but hikers/bikes are on the trail as well, and the whole loop is about 8 miles if I cut it short upper Evan's is about 5-6 miles. The views at the top make the push up hill worth it. I'd recommend bringing proper hydration due to a lot of sun exposure, and length of the trail. This will always be my first choice as to what trail to run in Reno, and rate this my favorite trail in Reno!

    Mary G.

    My husband and I hiked the Miners Trail to the N one spring morning, and we were glad we were there before noon and not in summer! There is brief shade just after starting along the trail, but for the most part, it's you and the sun. When we reached the N, there was a log perfect for perching and enjoying lunch we'd brought. (Well, brunch because it thankfully didn't take as long as I'd thought! Haha!) When we hiked down, we continued on our path instead of taking the same path down so that we made a loop. I'm not a fan of going downhill, so I found it to be definitely steep... eepers! My husband (per our usual) was fine, however. Our puppy could be mostly off-leash, but we did pick her up as we passed people. We did decide that we'd take the kids (3, 7, 8, and 9) perhaps one evening after the hottest part of the day. They totally could have made this one!

    Kimberly N.

    If you live in Reno and haven't hiked up to the "N" yet, what are you waiting for? This is a great little workout with a somewhat steep incline that gets you some of the best views in town! Bring your dog and water bottle, park at the Rancho San Rafael dog park and start walking! This time of year is especially nice because, while you would not expect it from looking at the "N" from McCarran and the surrounding desert terrain, there is a beautiful, natural, lush bird sanctuary on the north side of the McCarran tunnel. The sound of Evans Creek flowing combined with the songs of a variety of different birds make you feel like you are not in Reno. You will catch glimpses of gorgeous birds, like the black-billed magpie, in flight- a beautiful thing to witness!

    Rawger C.

    Winter is ending, and summer will be here before you know it! It's time to get your game on! Grab those hiking boots, clear out the cobwebs, and take a hike! The trails here along Evans Creek are awesome! You can choose several ways to go, and make it as easy or as difficult as you want. I personally like to hike up the creek on one side, and then hike back down on the other side. It's a great place to take the dogs, and a date! I love taking my wife up there! There is also an interpretive trail, with signs containing information about the creek, the area, the animals, and the different variety of plants in the canyon. When entering the area, there are also signs warning about invasive species that are growing in the canyon. The sad thing is, these weeds are growing everywhere up there! Star thistle is one of them! Very thorny, and very invasive! Every time I walk through there, I try to pull up a few, but you really need to have good gloves on to do so. Take a hike up to the letter "N", and take in the view! You will not be disappointed! So, grab the dogs, the leashes, and your partner, and take a hike! There are many places to hike around Reno. This trail is wonderful. Evans Creek flows year 'round! You can even take your mountain bike for a ride up there on the trails, and many folks run it, I just walk it! See you there!

    Flowers!
    Rusty D.

    If what you're looking for is a quick hike, close to the city, with lots of options, then this is perfect. Many different options for the hiker with a small to zero chance of getting lost. McCarran is always near by to help you find your way back to the car. You can hike up to the "N", you can connect to the Miner's Trail in nice little canyon, or you can just wander around on the creek trails (creek is typically dry unless recent precipitation came down). There's also a nice frolf course throughout the park if that's your thing.

    Desert roses...
    Kristen B.

    So surprised this trail only has 3 reviews so far! I'm new to the area and wanted to find a hike near home- wowee did I find it! Smack dab in the middle of Reno is this big glorious park with spacious views and surprisingly well-kept trails! The Evans trailhead has a map with laid-out trails and names for each ranging from, in layterms, "pretty easy" to "almost hard"! It's got shade and sun alike, the Evans creek flows through, and if you have a dog or just like looking at them (?), this trail leads to a dog park if you just take a tunnel under McCarran!

    Alma F.

    Nice, relatively easy trail. Plenty of parking on site, and there's a porta-potty at the trailhead. Open to hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers. Pets are welcome as long as they are on leash and you pick up after them! I've been here twice, once during spring when it was muddy, and more recently, at the beginning of summer, when it's hot and dry. I enjoyed both times. I'm not sure how uncomfortable it can be when it's the height of summer. There's hardly any shade on the trail, so just make sure you are properly prepared for the sun when you are out there. Also, some forks do not necessarily have signs, so could be tricky on which turn to take. But, on the bright side, it's all flat, so you can always kind of see which direction you need to head to. Also, this trail intersects other longer or shorter trails, so you can pick which one you're feeling up to taking at any given day. Overall, a great trail to hike. Enjoy and happy trails!

    These are some of the beauties I took while here. The trees are gorgeous and breathtaking.
    Leza P.

    I.love.this.place. I found this place in my A foot and A field Reno/Tahoe hiking guide. It's gorgeous. It's Clean. It has mapped out little trails. All types of people come here to walk,run or play disk golf. If you walk to the other side there is a tiny little lake where ducks hang out, and you can also fish. And beyond that is a tiny area dedicated to the Euro Basque. I'm assuming during spring/summer hours there will be animals in the cages, I only saw turkeys and chickens. This has been my go to place to let off steam and breath in the fresh air when you need a moment away from people and can't make the drive to a Tahoe trail.

    Dale G.

    The best place to park (other than off McCarran) is at the Reno Sports Complex - 2975 N. Virginia Street Reno, NV. Then hike up past the Basque Monument an down towards the Nature Trail. Go North and you will see the sign for the trail. The trail is excellent for dogs to go off leash and there is water available about seven months out of the year. The lower trail is about a three mile loop and has offshoots to other trails and the Nevada "N". It is a popular trail for hikers, bikers, and dogs.

    Sharon J.

    loop variations of 2.2 and 3.4 miles easy to moderate hike...... Ok I'm a FAN of this trailhead...... 1. because it's so close to my house. 2. Because of the views 3. Many different trailheads lead off of this one 4. The cute bridges that you come across 5. The wildlife down by the creek 6. It's not a hard hike either.... Next time I'll come earlier and hike up to the "N" And I'll bring my misquote replant witch you'll need down by the creek....... Bring water and doggy poop bags if you bring your furry friend with you. :)

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    Ask the Community - Evans Creek Trailhead

    Review Highlights - Evans Creek Trailhead

    The best place to park (other than off McCarran) is at the Reno Sports Complex - 2975 N.

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    Upper Thomas Creek - Whites Creek - Dry Pond Trail

    Upper Thomas Creek - Whites Creek - Dry Pond Trail

    4.9
    (7 reviews)
    11.1 mi

    Ski season is over for me, cycling season is starting, and maybe hiking, but only in shaded areas…read more Quality/Quantity - So I am looking for more and more new bike paths. We just cycled The Tahoe East Shore Trail (6 miles round trip) and I am ready for something new and different. My wife is NOT a big dirt road rider, but she wanted to come here, so we will see. I think she would enjoy this more for just hiking...? We will see. Not much shade and/or amenities. Come prepared. Cut and pasted from the internet: "These trails are open to dogs, bicycles, and horses. Everyone can have a good experience by exercising common courtesy and adhering to some accepted rules of the trail... When hikers meet, those going uphill have the right-of-way unless they stop to let downhillers pass. When approaching other hikers from behind, give a friendly greeting so those in front aren't startled. Horses have the right-of-way over both hikers and bikers. Stand aside quietly while they pass. Hikers have the right-of-way over mountain bikes, but it is usually easier for everyone if hikers let the bikes pass since they are usually moving faster. Mountain bikers should announce their presence in places with limited visibility, like blind turns. When passing, let hikers know if more riders are following." Atmosphere - Depending on where you park, I suggest that you only come here with 4 wheel drive vehicle. Not an issue with us as we have a truck. The internet said that there were many shaded areas...? Maybe we did not go far enough? It just means we will be back. Thomas Creek Trail - 4.4 miles, 1272 elevation, 2.5 hours. Lower White Creeks Tail - 6.9 miles, 931 elevation, 3 hours. Dry Pond Loop - 6.2 miles, 1072 elevation, 3 hours. Service - Self service. Price - Free, thank you. Owner Comment - Thank you to Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Washoe County Regional Parks, and Open Space Teams for maintaining this area.

    I went on the Thomas Creek Trail for a short hike/exercise yesterday. I went out for a mile before…read morereturning back. According to my Fitbit watch, I walked 2.2. miles. This is a beautiful, easy trail right along the Thomas Creek in the Galena area south of the city of Reno, NV. There was a lot of water flowing down the creek with a little snow and ice in some areas.. The weather was perfect (cloudy and not cold or hot). According to the U.S. Forest Service, this trail is 7.8 miles long however (like in my case) I just wanted to walk a couple of miles for my daily exercise routine. I highly recommend it.

    Photos
    6/4/25 FYI. Time for my cycling season.
    6/4/25 FYI. Time for my cycling season.
    Upper Thomas Creek - Whites Creek - Dry Pond Trail
    Upper Thomas Creek - Whites Creek - Dry Pond Trail

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    Oxbow Nature Study Area

    Oxbow Nature Study Area

    4.1
    (29 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    Such an unexpected little paradise tucked between fourth street and the river. There were several…read moretrails to follow for how small it is, plenty of benches by the river as well as along the trail. You truly forget you are surrounded by city and neighborhoods. I saw so much wildlife and even came across a deer and a beaver. If you haven't checked it out and need to relax a bit, this is the place. Can't wait to get my camera out to take some more photos and hopefully see some more birds and wildlife.

    Great easy trail for those of us who enjoy a nature walk but nothing too hard! Lots of nice benches…read moretucked here and there for a quiet break...unless of course a train goes by...but I always enjoy that. On the northern most path, once the shrubs and trees leaf out, you walk thru a green tunnel. I used to bring my mom here when she used a wheelchair for mobility...paths are pretty level and hard packed, and there are a couple of observation points paved with that plastic decking...they are holding up very well! There is a mystery here tho...closing hour is listed as 4:00pm, with notices the gate will be locked and your car stuck...but we've been there later in the afternoon and the gate was open and the parking lot full... We had our dog with us, on her leash, only to see a sign as we left, that dogs are not allowed...sorry.

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    Education center...not open when we've been there.
    Education center...not open when we've been there.
    Oxbow Nature Study Area
    Look out closed (1/2026)

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    Look out closed (1/2026)
    Hidden Valley Regional Park

    Hidden Valley Regional Park

    4.4
    (32 reviews)
    7.4 mi

    I've been exploring this park lately and I can't say enough about how much I like it. It's a great…read moreopen space to come explore, walk the dogs and do various types of recreation. You'll be happy to know there is also a bathroom on site. There are various hiking trails you can explore, but most of it is not shaded. The Perimeter Loop Trail was fun with scenic views of downtown and the currently snow-capped mountain range to the West. I also did the Hidden Valley Backcountry Loop. It has a 1,033 Elevation gain and approximately 3.7 miles to complete the loop. It's a bit slippery going up, but I took my time and had no issues. As you can imagine, the views and the landscape only got more beautiful.

    Wear your hiking shoes, dress appropriately and bring water!…read more This was a hard graded trail and yes it was. It got really step the higher we hiked up. It was also very windy in December. So happy we didn't get any rain and was able to go for a hike! We hiked for a good hour. Loved the nature and view of the city from the top. There was a lot of gravel towards the top and a few of us did slip going down hill, even with hiking shoes. Even a trail runner said he fell and slipped a few times. There's a few trails so do some research to see which trail meets your needs. Lots of parking and the bathroom is next to the tennis and pickle ball courts. Lucky I had my pickle ball set in the trunk and even got in a few games. Location was only about 15 minutes from downtown Reno, very close! I'd come back next time to hike another trail!

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    Hidden Valley Regional Park
    Hidden Valley Regional Park
    Hidden Valley Regional Park

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    Evans Creek Trailhead - hiking - Updated July 2026

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