Lahontan State Recreation Area

Lahontan State Recreation Area is part of the State Parks of Nevada, and is located on the Carson River just 45 miles northeast from Carson City, Nevada's state capital. The recreation area has two entrances from US Highway 95 or US Highway 50. The Lahontan reservoir is about 17 miles long, and when it is full it contains 10,000 surface acres of water. With almost 70 miles of shoreline to explore, this recreation area is brimming with fun activities.

Activities

Many visitors to the Lahontan State Recreation Area enjoy fishing, boating, water skiing, swimming, shooting firearms, picnicking, hiking and camping. In fact, you are still allowed to camp primitively on all of the shorelines except for the designated boat docking areas. Other camping facilities are available on Silver Springs Beach #7, but are closed during winter and early spring months due to below freezing temperatures.

History

Lahontan is a man-made body of water, when in 1905, the Newlands Reclamation Act created the Lahontan Dam. The reservoir was named Lahontan after an ancient lake that covered most of the state of Nevada during the ice age. The Lahontan State Recreation Area became a state recreation area on July 1, 1971, and is currently open year round.

Whether you are looking for picnicking, camping, hiking or a water sport vacation complete with fishing and water skiing, Lahontan State Recreation Area in Nevada is just the spot for you. The popular sandy beaches and many amenities make your stay more comfortable. It is easy to see why so many families choose Lahontan for a getaway.