Nevada’s state capital, Carson
City, is a smallish, pleasant city that takes its name from the
Carson River, which takes its name from legendary frontiersman
Kit Carson. This city has its casinos and museums, but on a smaller
scale than, say, Reno or Las Vegas. What really makes Carson City
worth visiting, other than the history and the friendly people,
is the abundance of outdoor adventure right in its back yard.
There are lots of ways to experience Carson, from Horseback in
the Rose Mountain wilderness, from a raft on Pyramid Lake, or
dangling above the mountains on a hang glider.
The many nearby lakes and rivers offer plenty of boating and fishing
opportunities. The Carson River in the heart of the city is full
of bass, whitefish and rainbow trout. Small stream fishing in
Clear Creek is awfully relaxing, but the locals swear by the Hobart
Reservoir. Spooner Lake has Nevada’s only catch and release
program and is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the state,
making it a great place to catch a glimpse of Ospreys and Bald
Eagles.
Carson City is a perfect base of operations for hiking and biking,
and the surrounding area has numerous challenging trails. The
Spooner Summit trail 12 miles west of Carson City takes travelers
to Martlette Lake then down to the site of the Ponderosa near
Incline Village. The Carson River Loop follows 10 ½ miles
of scenic riverfront. For a real workout hikers and bikers should
try and tackle the 15-mile Brunswick Canyon Trial along its old
mining sites and encampments.
Skiing is a popular winter activity in the Carson City area. The
resorts on Lake Tahoe are only 30 to 60 minutes away. Mt. Rose,
Diamond Peak and Kirkwood are also great spots for downhill and
cross-country skiing in the Caron City area.
