A Reno Tahoe local’s top places for a water day

While I don’t mind hanging out on the beach now and again, I prefer having something active to do most of the time, and paddling is a great go-to. At most spots, I like to hike down to access points with an inflatable SUP, which opens up options without having to drive straight to a put-in location.

Lake Tahoe (CA/NV)

There’s an endless number of lakes to choose from around here, not to mention the option of floating down the Truckee River in the summer or rafting one of its various sections. When we’re in Lake Tahoe, my wife and I prefer Speedboat Beach or Nevada Beach for access points to get on the water. Speedboat is nice, small, and cozy feeling, and pretty much right on the state line. It has limited parking, so it’s best during the week or the off-season. Nevada Beach is another great spot with more access options, which makes it a great go-to during high-traffic times, but it definitely doesn’t have the same secluded feel as Speedboat.

Independence Lake (CA)

This lake is a phenomenal spot for kayaking and is just over an hour from downtown Reno. The Nature Conservancy operates a preserve here that supplies its own set of watercraft on a first-come, first-served basis. No outside boats are permitted to prevent aquatic invasives, which helps keep the lake pristine. It feels remote without being too hard to get to (I have made the drive with a Subaru Impreza, but a high clearance car will definitely feel better!)

Fishing the Truckee River in Reno is always great and is my usual spot throughout the week, as I live nearby, but having as many options as we do to change the pace or escape the heat is fantastic!

Upper Truckee (CA)

This is small-stream fishing at its finest. The region’s native Lahontan Cutthroat have been restored in this section, and catch-and-release fishing is allowed with special regulations. Access is possible by hiking in from the Carson Pass or Luther Pass Road trailheads.

Hunter Creek (NV)

While this hike is a Reno-area favorite for its wilderness access and waterfall at the end, it also holds wild rainbow and brook trout! It’s my favorite creek to hike along and fish, since you can get to the trailhead and do the entire hike without needing much time. Hunter Creek is very tightly packed with trees, and the water tends to run very clear, so small and light tackle is the best way to go. I prefer a tenkara-style rod for this and other creeks in the area.

Hunter Lake (NV)

This small lake in the Mt. Rose Wilderness feeds into Hunter Creek. While it’s not far from city limits, access is time-consuming – a 14-mile round trip on Hunter Lake Road. The good thing is that this road technically splits the Mt. Rose Wilderness Area, so mountain bikes (or even off-highway vehicles (OHVs)!) are okay to use. However you choose to get there, this lake and the surrounding meadows reward you with a unique experience of catching brook trout while allowing you to get the feel of being way out there.

Thomas/Whites/Galena (NV)

While I’m grouping these three together, each is worth its own dedicated time. Both Whites Creek and Thomas Creek can be accessed from two trailheads along the north side of Mt. Rose Highway. I prefer parking on the north side by Thomas Creek, right where the pavement ends on Timberline Drive. Thomas Creek offers better fishing with more consistent fish habitat, but Whites is also worth the effort. The Galena Creek trail from Callahan Park, just to the south of these two, follows the creek itself closely all the way up and past Mt. Rose Highway, with great fishing access. Parking is easiest at Callahan Park itself, with a good-sized conspicuous dirt lot on the right-hand side of the road.

These are some of my other favorite trails, ideal for any outing if you’re looking to explore local rivers and lakes.

Swan Lake (NV)

This lake in Lemmon Valley is the perfect place to catch a sunrise. The county park allows access from the southern end and has a few small trails and a nice boardwalk, which takes you out over the wetlands. While this doesn’t offer fishing or paddling, it’s a great spot to see owls and shorebirds (and the titular swans!).

Perazzo Meadows (CA)

These are two separate spots on the Little Truckee River about an hour’s drive from downtown Reno. Perazzo Meadows has a small trail that gives great views of the river and the surrounding meadows. It’s the perfect place to catch a sunset. Just upstream from the meadows are some great waterfalls and a swimming hole overlooking the canyon. The hike down is short but can be steep and loose; I wouldn’t recommend it for children or dogs.

Hobart Reservoir (NV)

This reservoir is south of Reno, to the west of Hwy 395 and is best accessed from the trailhead at the end of Hobart Road. It’s about 10 miles round trip, and the way up is fairly exposed at first, but well worth it with great views of the valley below and ending at the reservoir. It’s also stocked with fish, and plenty worth the time. From here, old roads and trails can also take you to Marlette Lake and down to Tahoe, or north towards Slide Mountain!

McCarran Ranch (NV)

The Tahoe-Pyramid Trail (TPT) is the most used trail in the area, and you’ve probably been on it whether you knew it or not! My favorite section is from Mustang to USA Parkway, which has access to some great fishing, especially during colder months when the upper river may be chilly! This section of the TPT passes through McCarran Ranch, another Nature Conservancy preserve in the process of being restored. I’ve caught a lot of fat and happy rainbow trout through this stretch of water! It’s also great for hiking or biking during any season, with plenty of cottonwoods and willows, and a view of the surrounding hills. Keep an eye out for beavers, herons, and wild horses.

I think a lot of people really underestimate how much we have to offer around here for a day out on the water. There are plenty of opportunities to get outside and get a unique experience in the Reno Tahoe area while still avoiding crowds during the busy Lake Tahoe season! I truly believe the best part is that you can get “out there” in no time at all, even from the heart of downtown Reno. Whether you want to be up in the alpine chasing small streams and lakes, or down in the desert enjoying the sagebrush, there’s a little bit of something for everybody.

P.S. - If you are fishing, Nevada and California have different regulations for seasons and restrictions. Check them out and make sure you’re doing it right!