Washoe Lake State Rec Area campground
Washoe Lake State Rec Area
The State Recreation Area is only a short drive from downtown Reno, offering visitors access to a variety of nearby points of interest including Lake Tahoe, Virginia City, and the Reno Air Races. The campground features 49 campsites, including 18 primitive sites and 31 developed sites with water and electrical hookups. Campers can enjoy amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, showers, and restrooms.
Campsite reservations are available year-round and can be made up to six months in advance. The campground is open year-round and is first-come, first-served during the winter months.
An interesting fact about the area is that it was once home to the Washoe tribe, who used the land for hunting and gathering. The best time to visit the Washoe Lake State Recreation Area is during the spring or fall when temperatures are mild, averaging around 60°F. During the summer months, temperatures can reach up to 90°F, making it a popular spot for water sports and recreational activities.
What's on-site at Washoe Lake State Rec Area
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Washoe Lake State Rec Area, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davis Creek | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Marlette Peak Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Mount Rose | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Mt. Rose Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Dayton State Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Washoe Lake State Rec Area -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ash Canyon Ck Nr Carson City | 3 cfs | → |
| Carson River At Deer Run Road Near Carson City | 783 cfs | → |
| Eagle Valley Creek At Carson City | 4 cfs | → |
| Franktown C Nr Carson City | 2 cfs | → |
| Kings Canyon Creek Near Carson City | 1 cfs | → |
| Incline Ck Abv Tyrol Village Nr Incline Village Nv | 7 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Washoe Lake State Rec Area -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nohrsc Carson City 4.4 N | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Little Valley | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc 19k03 - Little Vly | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Mt Rose Ski Area | 22.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Mt Rose Ski Area | 24.0 in | -2.0 in | → |
| Marlette Lake | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Washoe Lake State Park
- New Washoe City Park
- Blackwells Pond Park
- Fulstone Family Park
- Carriage Square Park
- Lone Mountain Park
Boat launches
- Washoe County
- Golf Course Outer Trail Carson City
- Lakeshore Boulevard , 89452 Nevada
- Cave Rock Boat Launch Douglas County
- Lockwood Road Washoe County
- Prosser Lake Reservoir
Fishing spots
Paddle runs
- Headwaters To Trailhead
- Tahoe City To River Ranch
- Headwaters Se 1/4 Of Sec 10, T18, R15e To Stampede Reservoir
- Royal Gorge (Soda Springs To Tadpole Creek)
- Headwaters In Sec 7, T11n, R18e To Blair Bridge
- Headwaters To South Of Upper Truckee Road (Sec Line Between 17/20 Intercepts River And Unnamed Tributary)
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Washoe Lake State Rec Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Washoe Lake State Rec Area
Can I make reservations at Washoe Lake State Rec Area?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Washoe Lake State Rec Area?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Washoe Lake State Rec Area.