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Hiking Trails of the Galena Creek Recreation Area

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Attention dog owners - These trails are NOT a dog park. Pets must me leashed on all trails. Some require leashes along the entire trail, while others require dogs to be leashed within a mile of the trailhead. This is the law, and so is the requirement to pick up your dog's poop. Details are available from "Trail Rules for Galena Recreation Area." Also included are rules for horse and bicycle riders.

Short Trails at Galena Creek Visitor Center and Recreation Area

The Galena Creek Visitor Center Interpretive Trail is a short, paved loop of about half a mile. You can walk this trail with trail guide in hand to learn about some of the plants and animals found in the Galena Creek area.

The Jones Creek Loop Trail of 1.7 miles leaves from and returns to the trailhead and parking area a short drive on a gravel road from the Galena Creek Visitor Center. You can also hike the Bitterbrush Trail from here, which connects to the south section of the recreation area and the nature trail.

Accessed from the south entrance, a nature trail provides a figure-8 loop hike with a trail guide and sign posts to acquaint hikers with plants, natural processes, and some history of the area. It's about a mile if you walk the whole way.

More Galena Area Trails

Thomas Creek, Whites Creek, and Jones Creek each have their own trailheads. Jones Creek trailhead is near the Galena Creek Visitor Center. Thomas Creek and Whites Creek trailheads are both north of the Visitor Center and reached from Timberline Road off the Mt. Rose Highway. All of these trails are connected and provide numerous possibilities for both short, easy hikes or long and strenuous treks. An example of a long one is the Jones Whites Creek Loop of 9.2 miles, which includes a section passing through the Mt. Rose Wilderness. Except for the trails in Washoe County's Galena Creek Regional Park, these trails are in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

To get a better look at where the trails and trailheads are, refer to this Galena area hiking trails map.

Open Hours at Galena Creek Visitor Center

Summer season is May 1 through October 14. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Winter season is October 15 through April 30. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday through Sunday. The rest of Galena Creek Regional Park is open year around for day use. For more information, call the ranger office at (775) 849-2511.

Location of Galena Creek Visitor Center and Recreation Area

Galena Creek Visitor Center is at 18250 Mt. Rose Highway (Nevada 431). The Center and parking area are just inside the north entrance to Galena Creek Recreation Area. A short distance further south is the entrance to Galena Creek Regional Park. From Reno, either go south on S. Virginia Street to the Mt. Rose Highway and turn right (at The Summit Shopping Center), or take U.S. 395 south to the Mt. Rose Highway exit and go right. Just after you get into the trees, looks for signs and a right turn into the Galena Creek Visitor Center parking area. For more information, call (775) 849-4948.

View from the Jones Whites Creek Loop trail in the Galena Creek area. Photo © Stan White

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