Davis Creek Regional Park

Davis Creek Regional Park
Davis Creek Regional Park on April 6, 2013
TypeRegional park
LocationWashoe Valley, Washoe County, Nevada
Nearest cityCarson City, Nevada
Area265 acres (107 ha; 0.414 sq mi)
Elevation5,100 feet (1,600 m) (parking lot)
Opened1968
Websitewww.washoecounty.gov/parks/parks/park_directory_pages/south_region/davis_creek_park.php

Davis Creek Regional Park is a 265 acres (107 ha; 0.414 sq mi)–large regional park in Washoe Valley, Washoe County, Nevada, east of the Sierra Nevada. The park opened to visitors in 1968 and was severely damaged by the Davis Fire in September 2024.

Geography

Davis Creek Regional Park is 265 acres (107 ha).[1] The parking lot lies at an elevation of 5,100 feet (1,600 m) above sea level and the Ophir Creek Trail peaks at 6,252 feet (1,906 m).[2] The park lies on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada[3] in a stand of jeffrey pine.[4]

History

Davis Creek Pond on April 6, 2013

In the late 1800s, timber in the area was cut. Ice from Davis Creek Pond was used in Virginia City mines. The land of Davis Creek Regional Park belonged to Winters Ranch, known for its Thoroughbred horses, with the park entrance located near a former horse race track. The park also lay within Theodore Winters' Rancho del Sierra. His landholdings in Nevada and California eventually totaled 18,000 acres (7,300 ha). Ultimately, the park publicly opened to visitors in 1968.[3] On May 30, 1983, an avalanche occurred on nearby Slide Mountain and a subsequent flood followed, which killed one person and injured six and damaged or destroyed five residential structures near the park.[5] The Nevada Department of Wildlife first stocked Davis Creek Pond with largemouth bass in the early 1980s. Continuous stocking has been occurring since 1991.[6]

On September 7, 2024, the Davis Fire started from a prohibited and improperly extinguished campfire in the day use area.[7] Officials closed the park for 2025.[8] The fire burned 118 acres (48 ha) in Davis Creek Regional Park. Costs of the fire in the park are expected to exceed $2 million for repairs to a ranger residence, five outbuildings, the amphitheater, a utility trailer, electrical infrastructure, and miscellaneous equipment. Several restoration and rehabilitation efforts have occurred since, including native plant reseeding, dead tree clearance,[1] and tree planting.[9] Davis Creek Campground[10] and Discovery Trail remain closed.[3]

Ecology

The park has over 100 species of birds at certain times of the year.[11] There are dozens of herbaceous plant species, several mammal, amphibian, reptile, arthropod, and tree species.[12]

Activities

Davis Creek Regional Park has three maintained trails: Natural Trail around Davis Creek Pond, Discovery Trail around the park, and Ophir Creek Trail that treads up Slide Mountain and ends in Tahoe Meadows. Discovery Trail is currently closed due to the Davis Fire.[3] Ophir Creek Trail is available to equestrians.[2]

The park has picnic areas and fishing is allowed in Davis Creek Pond. The campground has 62 slots.[3]

Bonanza: Under Attack was partially filmed at the park. PBS Reno filmed season seven, episode six of "Wild Nevada", featuring the park and the Davis Fire.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Steuer, Nick. "Davis Creek Park Fire Restoration" (PDF). washoecounty.gov. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Davis Creek Regional Park". nevadahorsetrails.com. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Davis Creek Regional Park". www.washoecounty.gov. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Davis Creek Regional Park". www.newtoreno.com. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  5. ↑ Coleman, Jim (May 30, 1983). "Avalanche Triggers Flood South of Reno". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Davis Creek Pond". www.ndow.org. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  7. ↑ Downs, Brandon (May 8, 2025). "Davis Fire that destroyed 13 homes near Reno in 2024 classified as accidental, investigators say". CBS News. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Davis Creek Park to remain closed through 2025 for restoration efforts after fire". KRNV-DT. January 16, 2026. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  9. ↑ Doyle, Nick (September 23, 2025). "Davis Fire restoration: Carving beauty in the rough". KOLO-TV. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  10. ↑ Margiott, Ben (July 10, 2026). "Washoe County hoping to reopen Davis Creek Campground by end of year after 2024 fire". KRNV-DT. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  11. ↑ Klix, Kyler (May 23, 2021). "Davis Creek: Exploration and relaxation for the whole family". Nevada Appeal. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Davis Creek Species List". www.washoecounty.gov. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
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