Lahontan State Recreation Area
16799 Lahontan Dam
Fallon, NV 89406

(775) 577-2235 Silver Springs Ranger Station
(775) 867-3500 Dam Ranger Station
region3@cccomm.net

newsThe boat ramps at Lahontan Reservoir are operational.  The North Shore Marina dock has been extended 120 ft and the dock is in the water.  Due to low water levels, the Silver Springs Beach dock is not in the water but the ramp is usable at your own risk.  By Memorial Day weekend, the water will still be low but there will be lots of beach area to camp!

   Lahontan State Recreation Area is located on the Carson River, 18 miles west of Fallon and 45 miles northeast of Nevada's Capital, Carson City, via U.S. Highway 50. The Reno-Sparks metropolitan area is slightly over one hour away by auto. You can access the park from two entrances: U.S. Highway 50 east of Silver Springs and U.S. Highway 95 south of Silver Springs. The reservoir is almost 17 miles long with 69 miles of shoreline. When full, it contains 10,000 surface acres of water.

Memorial Day at Lahontan

arrowLocation map

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arrowPark layout map (acrobat file)
Map done by Sign Pro of Carson City.

Facilities & Amenities


Park Origin and History:

Lahontan Dam and reservoir are part of the Newlands Project, one of the first irrigation projects selected for construction following passage of the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902. In 1905 it became the first to deliver water from works constructed by the United State Government. The project diverts and stores water from the Truckee and Carson River Basins to irrigate lands near Fallon and to produce hydroelectric power. Drainage water from the irrigated lands flow into the Stillwater Wildlife Management Area, one of the finest waterfowl areas in Nevada.

The dam, completed in 1915, is 162 feet high, 1,700 feet long at the top, and contains 733.00 cubic yards of earth fill. The reservoir has a storage capacity of 274,000 acre-feet when full.

The reservoir was named after the Ancient Lake Lahontan which covered over 8,500 square miles of the western Great Basin during the Ice Age. It's ancient shore terraces may be seen high on the mountainsides of the surrounding region.

Lahontan became a Nevada State Recreation Area on July 1, 1971. Previous to that time it was operated jointly by Churchill and Lyon Counties.

Natural Resources:

The park's vegetation is dominated by high desert sagebrush communities. Wooded areas of native cottonwoods and willows are scattered along the lake shore. Riparian zones are found up and downstream of the lake along the Carson River.

The majority of the park is below 4,000 feet in elevation. Rock from ancient volcanic flows is common in the mountains around the lake.

Wild horses, bobcat, coyote, fox and deer share the park with a variety of birds. Migratory waterfowl, pelicans, herons, egrets, and hawks are frequently seen. Nevada's only known nesting bald eagles are found at Lahontan.

Location and Climate:

Lahontan is located on the Carson River, 18 miles west of Fallon and 45 miles northeast of Nevada's Capital, Carson City, via U.S. Highway 50. The Reno-Sparks metropolitan area is slightly over one hour away by auto. You can access the park from two entrances: U.S. Highway 50 east of Silver Springs and U.S. Highway 95 south of Silver Springs.

The reservoir is almost 17 miles long with 69 miles of shoreline. When full, it contains 10,000 surface acres of water.

This recreation area is open all year with maximum use during the late spring and through summer. Primary activities are boating, water skiing, fishing and camping. The climate is typical of the northern Nevada desert region. Rainfall is slight, averaging less than six inches annually. Sunny skies are the rule, with summer daytime temperatures near 90 degrees. However, nights may be very cool. The spread between day and night temperatures may exceed 50 degrees.

Facilities:

Entrance Fee:  An entrance fee is charged to enter the park, with additional fees for camping and boat launching. Current fees are posted at the park entrance. Click here for all individual park fees by region.

Picnicking :   There are two developed picnicking (day use) areas at Lahontan: One located directly across Lahontan Dam and one on Silver Springs Beach. Facilities include modern restrooms, tables, and grills. All new facilities will have an area which are easily accessible to handicapped visitors.

Camping:  Silver Springs Beach #7 offers developed campground facilities, with modern restrooms, tables and grills, for those visitors who desire a less primitive-type camping experience. Primitive on-the-beach camping is permitted in all areas except for day use and boat ramp areas.  Please note that the developed campground facilities are closed in the winter and early spring months due to freezing temperatures.

Sanitary Trailer Dump Stations:   Sanitary dump station facilities are available near both entrances to the park.

Boat Launch Areas:  Boaters with four wheel drive vehicles may launch off of beaches open to camping. Both sides of the park also provide paved boat launching and parking facilities. The Silver Springs boat launch is located near the day use area. The Churchill Beach boat launch, at the North Shore Marina, is located along U.S. Highway 50, one mile west of Lahontan Dam.

Fishing:  Bank and boat fishing techniques are used to catch walleye, white bass, the hybrid wiper, catfish, trout and other game fish.

Firearms: Firearms are allowed only during established hunting seasons, in designated hunting zones, for the purpose of hunting according to the regulations of the Nevada Division of Wildlife and State Parks. Target shooting is not allowed. Refer to the Nevada Division of Wildlife regulations and the parks written descriptions and maps of approved hunting zones.


Reminders:

THE DESERT IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE. Proof of this can be seen in the scars left by thoughtless motorists and others who have abused the area in the past. Studies by ecologists indicates that it takes centuries for nature to restore a desert area to it's original condition once the soil and vegetation have been disturbed. For this reason, for your enjoyment, and for the comfort and safety of others, we urge you to observe the following guidelines:
  1. Drive your vehicle only on approved routes of travel. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on trails in the park.
  2. Only licensed vehicles and operators may drive in the park. No all terrain vehicles (ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES (ATV) or other unlicensed vehicles are allowed. Motorcyclists must wear helmets.
  3. The maximum speed limit of motorized vehicles is 25 mph within the recreation area and 15 mph within the beach and congested areas in the park.
  4. All plants, animals, rock, and mineral materials are protected by state law. Please do not remove, cut, or disturb any rocks, petrified wood or other natural objects.
  5. Pets are welcome, but they must be kept on a leash of not more than six feet in length.
  6. All artifacts and other signs of Indian civilization are protected by state and federal law. Please leave them undisturbed.
  7. Boats may not exceed 5 mph within 100 feet of swimmers or within any buoyed flat-wake zone along beaches.
  8. Please deposit all trash in the centrally located dumpsters or trash cans in the park. Due to increasing training and protective costs associated with OSHA regulations, our goal is to remove all trash cans and replace them with commercially emptied dumpsters. Help us by taking your trash to the nearest dumpster.



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