Free entry to Nevada State Parks on Sept. 28
Nevada residents and visitors are invited to celebrate Nevada Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 28 with a “fee-free” day at Nevada’s State Parks. Park fees, including entrance, camping (Saturday night) and boating, where applicable, will be waived at state parks throughout Nevada.
Nevada Public Lands Day encourages Nevadans to discover the many exciting and affordable recreation opportunities right in their own backyards. “Nevada’s state parks offer an exciting line-up of outdoor opportunities,” said State Parks Administrator Bob Mergell. “For example, visitors can discover the rich history of the Ward Charcoal Ovens, tour a genuine ghost town at Berlin-Ichthyosaur or spend a relaxing afternoon fishing at Spring Valley.”
Several State Parks across Nevada are hosting special events in honor of Nevada Public Lands Day.
Northern Nevada:
Walker River – Volunteer Native Shrub Planting
Volunteer with Nevada State Parks, the Walker Basin Conservancy, and the Sierra Club Toiyabe Chapter to plant native shrubs along the East Walker River. Followed by an afternoon barbeque!
WHEN: Saturday, September 28, 9 a.m.
WHERE: Meet at the Pitchfork Ranch Group Use Area
CONTACT: Raychael Valente, 775-463-1609, [email protected]
Washoe Lake – Night Hike
Join park staff for a 1.5 mile round-trip night hike to the gazebo above the Deadman’s Creek Trail. Meet at the Maze parking lot for this night hike and a brief astronomy program. Participants should bring a flashlight, good hiking boots, water, insect repellant, and dress in layers for the weather.
WHEN: Saturday, September 28, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
WHERE: Meet at the Washoe Lake State Park Maze Parking Lot. Take Exit 44 from I-580 and drive north on Eastlake Blvd. approximately four miles. The park entrance is on the left. Turn left past the fee booth and it’s the first parking lot on the right.
CONTACT: Kim Zuch, 775-687-4319
Fort Churchill – Starry, Starry Night
Experience the awesome night sky over Fort Churchill State Historic Park. Enjoy a tour of the celestial neighborhood while talking about the night sky as a remarkable natural resource to be celebrated, protected and enjoyed. Participants are encouraged to bring a red light.
WHEN: Saturday, September 28, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Meet at the Fort Churchill Museum.
CONTACT: Kristin Sanderson, 775-577-2345, [email protected]
Southern Nevada:
Valley of Fire State Park – Guided Off-Trail Hike
Join experienced off-trail hikers for a rarely seen side of the park. This will be a moderate hike of about 3.8 miles, with 506 feet of elevation gain. This hike has a 25 person limit. To make a reservation email Rosa at [email protected] on September 21 at 10 a.m. Detailed information about this hike will be emailed to the participants once they register.
WHEN: Saturday, September 28, 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE: Meet at the Valley of Fire Visitor Center.
CONTACT: Rosa Prasser, 702-397-2088, [email protected]
Ice Age Fossils – Public Lands Day Volunteer Event
Celebrate your public lands by helping to develop not one, but two new parks from the ground up! Join Nevada State Parks and the National Park Service for a fun workday that will include trail building, litter cleanup, invasive species removal, and more!
The event will be take place at Ice Age Fossils State Park and Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, which both protect public land rich in Pleistocene fossils. A new trail will be constructed as part of this event, which will guide visitors through the fossil beds and to several historic sites. Please register athttps://forms.gle/Vdwk1pkNQZZuXS5eA
WHEN: September 28, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
WHERE: North Las Vegas. Park off Horse Drive, between Midnight Falls St. and Aliante Parkway.
CONTACT: Garrett Fehner, 702-486-5126, [email protected]
MORE: Preregistration is required. Register at https://forms.gle/Vdwk1pkNQZZuXS5eA
Eastern Nevada
Cathedral Gorge – Las Vegas Astronomical Society Star Party
Experience the darkest night skies in Nevada and learn about the stars from astronomers while looking through some of the most powerful portable scopes available.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Cathedral Gorge State Park
3 hours north of Las Vegas: I-15 N to US-93 N to Cathedral Gorge Road.
1-1/2 hours west of Cedar City, Utah: UT-56 W to US-93 N to Cathedral Gorge Road.
1-1/2 hours northwest of St. George, Utah: UT-18 N to UT-56 W to US-93 N to Cathedral Gorge Road.
CONTACT: Dawn Andone, [email protected], 775-728-4460