State park that has been kept up. Fee booths were not manned but easy to use self pay stations…read more Water levels depend on run off and irrigation needs. Bugs also depend on water levels! Mosquitoes were hatching. This time of the year the water was high.... Fallon side had clean beaches, plenty of trash receptacles and clean restrooms. You can camp on the beaches or in the developed areas. Boat ramps are available or you can launch off of the beach. Beware of the sand!! Make sure you bring plenty of water and ice. No close stores.

I have so many fond memories of being here with my folks in my younger years. It was so nostalgic…read morevisiting last week. Water levels are lower than I remember, but it was nice to take a trip down memory lane. Every Summer, my parents drove their RV and I watched from the top bunk. My brothers and I could never stay in our seats. My parents never knew what we were up to. We always booked the same block of camping sites and we invited three other family's every year. The old tires swings on the cottonwood trees were always a hit with us kids and staying up late catching June bugs, telling scary stories around a campfire and roasting marshmallows for smores. It was cool showing my kids where my parents brought us camping.

We had not been here in years and honestly, this was not my first choice for camping, but instead…read moreof heading to a campground and hoping to score a site, we decided instead to come to Pyramid Lake for a 2-night/3-day stay. Our previous camping experience many years ago was not the best, but we did come during the 4th of July weekend, so it was crowded, loud and all around not a good experience. This time however, it was wonderful!! We set-up camp where we wanted and had the area practically to ourselves, serious boondocking. The weather was also perfect, hot during the day and cool during the night. We also got to witness one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. My only gripe would be the mosquitos and even they weren't terrible. Although we didn't leave our campsite this time, we have previously visited many other parts of the lake as well as the Marina. The lake is huge and although not all of it is accessible, there are still many beaches and areas to visit and explore. I also like to stop at the Marina for ice cream. Another must stop is the Museum and Visitor Center, well worth the stop to learn more about the mysterious and rich history of the lake and the Paiute Tribe.

Pyramid Lake has been on my list for many years to visit. We finally had the opportunity last…read moreSeptember. Winding down a very hot summer in the desert, my husband and I set out on an epic road trip. This was one of our first stops. We stayed overnight in Reno and after breakfast set out to find and see the lake. It is about a 45 minute drive from Reno to the lake. Arriving at the lake we got out and stretched our legs and had an epic view of the lake and the reservation. The lake is definitely the prettiest lake I have seen in the desert. The color is a sparkling blue with the mountains surrounding it. Various red hues dot the landscape along with brown smudges here and there. The lake is a remnant of the ancient Lake Lahontan which covered approximately 8,450 square miles. The Ice Age shows various caves and rock shelters along the shoreline which indicates that Numu (Paiute) people had been living here thousands of years. John C. Fremont came upon the lake on 1/10/1844 and named the lake for the Pyramid shaped island off of the east shore. The Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation was created in 1859. The lake currently covers 125,000 acres. The Eastern shore which is home to the Pyramid Formation, Stone Mother and Anaho Island are closed to all visitors. It is only accessible to the members of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. There are stunning views of all of these formations from the western shore. On Anaho Island, there is the largest natural breeding ground for the American White Pelicans. They are protected by both the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. They say the spring is the best time to see many American White Pelicans, double crested Cormorants, California Gulls, and Great Blue Herons. Driving along the lake, we came upon the Pyramid Lake Museum and Visitors Center. We learned even more about the area while touring through the center. Great exhibits! There is no admission fee to visit Pyramid Lake but permits are required for camping, fishing, or using watercraft. I am not into fishing, but the reviews here indicate that there is some terrific fishing available. The trophy fish is the Lohanton Cutthroat Trout and they are a huge draw to fisherman from all over. We made the mistake of going down to the beach and a tribe member approached us to advise us we needed to purchase a valid tribal permit to swim. We were unaware and quickly gathered our things and headed out. We really just wanted to put our feet in the water, but I understand rules are rules. This area is filled with so much history of the Numu (Paiute) people. There are many tales of lore and lots of mystery. You can feel the history here as you move about. So glad we had the opportunity to check it out.

What a shame...Walker Lake used to be such a full and beautiful lake. I can recall driving by it as…read morea kid on numerous occasions heading to my rodeos and 4H competitions in Reno, Nevada This most recent drive by I was shocked by how much it has shrunk through the years. Since it has been receiving little to no water from Walker River since 2011, the fish and the fishing has become obsolete. Walker Lake is a natural lake in the Great Basin. It is 11 miles in length and only 5 miles wide. At its deepest, it is 68 feet. History tells us many years ago that the Northern Paiutes ancestors inhabited the area around the lake and depended on the fish and birds it provided to live. Through the Walker Basin Restoration Program they were able to deliver water to the lake in 2019 for the first time and they aim to restore Walker Lake to a state where it can house fish and birds again. I hope this comes true. We enjoyed our lunch stop overlooking this beauty.

My week I spent in Hawthorne; I had some down time hanging by Walker Lake. I'm a water baby and…read morebodies of water calm me; my happy place. It was a huge plus that the weather was perfect and probably the last warm one this year. Learning the history and chatting it up with the locals here was good time. I hope Mineral county is able to sustain Walker lake and preserve it for years to come. I look forward to my next hangout passing through the Alt-95 or next time I'm in Hawthorne.

Beautiful area, best time to visit is when snow melt occurs, creates beautiful views and…read morewaterfalls. Nice place for a picnic.

This was one of our most memorable camping trips with our kids when they were younger. We last…read moreminute joined a few of our friends from work and their families. Another family sold us their spot for this week. If you've ever been here to Fallen leaf you know the breath taking views this lake and it's grounds has to offer. Our campsite was the largest and no one was behind us. Our kids played in a creek nearby. We hiked and ventured to a few waterfalls in Angora while here. It was so sad to see where the fires burned through this area. None of our photos taken here do the grounds any justice. Everything was pristine. I look forward to returning some day. I'm due for some grounding and getting lost in nature.

Since the municipal pool wasn't open in late March, I came here for some head clearing lap swimming…read morebefore a conference. Even at 6.30 am the place was 80+ degrees inside (with air so wet you had to chew it), with similarly warm water. While that's great for the water aerobics class, that's not so great for serious swimming (y'know, the kind with flip turns and all). The dearth of kickboards or other swim accessories coupled with the badly placed time clocks, minuscule (and humid) locker room and the exceptionally shallow water encouraged me not to return the next day.

From the owner: Swimming lessons, open swim, lap swim, lifeguard training, swim team, aquasize classes, water…read moreexercise classes, WSI classes, American Red Cross

This is a quick review for the organization and administration of the covid 19 vaccine to the folks…read moreof Churchill County. Very well organized. My son received vaccine 1&2 here. There was a bit of a wait - maybe 45 minutes, but compared to other facilities, I cannot complain. A big thanks to those who braved the snow shower and cold temperatures as we waited to get vaccinated.

If anything is happening in Fallon, chances are, it is happening at the "Churchill County Park &…read moreFairgrounds. The place is quite big and has many accommodations to satisfy various needs. The local rodeos and many other events are hosted here. Will definitely visit again and recommend to others.

My 300th review!!!…read more Water in the middle of the desert? No, wait, a wetland habitat in the middle of the desert? This must be a mirage! Nope, if you've found your way out to Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, that's definitely water you're seeing, along with all sorts of shorebirds, herons, egrets, ducks, owls, hawks and other wildlife coming in for a bit of respite from the harsh environment around it. With most of these types of areas, my first question is always about the quality of the roads used to get around. The roads are all gravel once inside the refuge, but I can tell you that at Stillwater, in dry conditions, a car is perfectly fine. There are no dips or divots in the road a car can't handle, and definitely no clearance issues. Even when the roads are wet, there really isn't an issue. As a national refuge, this is a federally managed wetland project designed to provide habitat and attract and sustain wetland species in Northern Nevada. For birdwatchers, this place can be paradise, with several species calling the area home. The refuge has a great walking trails that take you into some unique habitat, and give you opportunities to see the diversity of wildlife in the area. I've seen all sorts of birds, as well as deer, coyotes, and more. If you have a non-motorized boat, paddling through some of the larger ponds can be a great way to spend an afternoon. They even have overnight campgrounds that are suitable for tents or RVs. I've been coming to Stillwater for the past few years, and with the drought conditions throughout the state, this place has definitely suffered. To put it in perspective, last year there were 3 large areas holding water, and in 2014 they're down to one. I'm hopeful we have a great winter that brings a lot of precipitation that will help replenish our water supply. We all know we need it!

We went in November of 2006…read more We saw ducks, blue heron and other waterfowl. We even saw a few birds of prey. If you are into desert landscapes, and wetlands this is a great mix. I prefer lots of trees myself, of which there were very few. However it was VERY beautiful and we did enjoy it. There was also a wildlife viewing platform that allowed you to look out on the marshes. The bathrooms were impeccable for the "porta-potty/outhouse" type that most parks have. Talk about clean! wow! It wasn't to terribly hot in November when we went but PLEASE bring water with you, you'll want it. A jacket too if it's in the Winter months.

The best spot for peace and quiet when it's busy. There was alot of people but you never heard…read moreanyone. It was so clean and such a great experience. We went on a Saturday morning around 10am.

The South Lake Tahoe area (in my opinion) is the most active section, offering the most sights,…read moreattractions and scenic hikes for anyone interested in exploring Tahoe for a weekend getaway. That's how I'd describe my vacation here when I visited. First off....for anyone looking into affordable accommodations.....I stayed at the Lake Tahoe Ambassador Lodge. This motel was a real quaint place to stay and pretty cheap compared to anywhere else. Although I booked a reservations months in advance, I paid $62 per night for 2 evenings! An absolute bargain! So yeah....this Ambassador Lodge is located right behind the main section and casual walking area of South Lake Tahoe....a 5 minute walk. I left my car parked here at the lodge and walked over to the main roads for dinner twice here in the evening times. Also here...is a main attraction.....The Heavenly Gondola. A cable car ride transporting you up to the top of Lake Tahoe w/ stunning views of the turquoise blue and green waters below. Though...when buying a ticket....I waited in line for a good 20 minutes! It's popular. Be prepared for lines. Also, the round trip ride up top and back down below was a whopping $53! When I visited...weather and thunderstorms were in the area delaying and halting the gondola ride, unfortunately. Here in South Lake Tahoe....on the main strip and road...there's plenty of restaurants to eat at along with a couple of casinos to gamble in. And...you can browse and window shop the stores. It's a real nice and pleasant area with lots going on. Don't forget to grab a photo of the iconic giant ski lift chair saying "Welcome to Lake Tahoe"! It was a memorable and worthwhile picture moment. A few of the main attractions in this South Lake Tahoe area included....Inspiration Point (eh, quite mediocre overlook), Lower Eagle Falls at Emerald Bay State Park (not the upper), Vikingsholm Castle in Emerald Bay State Park, the quiet and picturesque shoreline below at Emerald Bay State Park, and of course.....the majestic views of Emerald Bay from the parking lot area of Emerald Bay State Park. So...in general....Emerald Bay State Park is an absolute MUST when here in the South Lake Tahoe section! Continuing....Cascade Falls is a decent hike around here. It takes you along the coastline and edge with beautiful views of Cascade Lake. Though...I never found Cascade Falls. Still, the hike is one of the better paths to traverse. That about wraps up the main highlights from my time here in South Lake Tahoe. But for those still interested.....from this area....I navigated clockwise around Lake Tahoe w/ making Squaw Valley the next main stop along my itinerary. Just some extra side notes....parking in South Lake Tahoe is very difficult. That's why I left my car at the Ambassador Lodge and walked around when I could...especially heading out for dinner and on over to Heavenly Gondola. The shops and stores around here offer gifts and souvenirs. At night....there's good restaurants with seating outside in the mild summer weather along w/ music and entertainment being played. Don't forget nearby (backtracking a little) Sand Harbor Beach was absolutely STUNNING w/ wonderful views of the Lake Tahoe backdrop and beyond. The colors of the waters here (I swear) were clear w/ hints of turquoise green. It's a very popular area w/ virtually no parking during peak times of the day. Certainly worthwhile to visit and relax in late afternoon (5pm and beyond) when I came by. Parking was $10....but totally worth it. Overall, South Lake Tahoe is the most active section of Lake Tahoe. Hope some of these recommended highlights assists folks in navigating around the area.