| (Blue Ribbon) Rancho San Rafael Park (city of | | | | fragrance of the Ponderosa pines. More demanding |
| Reno)A Reno showcase, beautifully landscaped | | | | trails climb into the eastern slopes of the Sierra |
| Rancho San Rafael Park serves up several enticing | | | | Nevadas.(#7) Caughlin Ranch (city of Reno)This |
| canine hikes: a self-guided nature trail through the many | | | | planned residential communtiy maintains a 36-mile |
| plant zones of the Great Basin, a gravel footpath that | | | | network of parks and trails the public is welcome to |
| circles the wide open spaces of the park, and access | | | | explore. Even though the hikes are often right along |
| to the trails of Peavine Mountain. This park is a favorite | | | | the road, the trails still feel like an escape into nature. |
| for exercising your dog.(#2) Virginia Lake (city of | | | | Your dog can often sniff rabbits, ducks and other |
| Reno)This quiet 21-acre park feels much as it must | | | | wildlife along these paved paths.(#8) Davis Creek Park |
| have when it was founded more than 60 years ago. | | | | (city of Carson City)Davis Creek offers miles of hiking |
| Little has been altered around the edges of Virginia | | | | trails, including routes to Price Lake and the Tahoe |
| Lake. One thing that has changed - to the delight of | | | | Meadows on Mount Rose. Less ambitious canine |
| dog owners - is a fenced-in, off-leash dogpark at the | | | | hikers will enjoy the half-mile nature trail around a tiny |
| northern end of the park.(#3) Sparks Marina Park (city | | | | pond. The Discovery Trail around the park perimeter is |
| of Sparks)The conversion of an abandoned quarry | | | | another paw-friendly trail. The spectacular pine trees in |
| into a popular lake has earned the City of Sparks | | | | Davis Creek Park are some of the oldest in the |
| national recognition. A concrete walking path surrounds | | | | Tahoe area, survivors of the clear-cutting of the 19th |
| the Sparks marina and covers almost two miles. The | | | | century because they were on private land.(#9) |
| trail system is lighted for evening walks with the dog. | | | | Hawley Grade National Recreation Trail (Lake Tahoe - |
| The dogpark is the only off-leash dogpark in the Reno | | | | East Shore)The old road connecting Echo Summit to |
| area for dogs to play in the water.(#4) Mount Rose | | | | the Upper Lake Valley was built by Asa Hawley in |
| Wilderness (Lake Tahoe - North Shore)Even if you | | | | 1855. It was the first wagon road into the Tahoe Basin. |
| decide not to complete the 6-mile, 2000-foot ascent to | | | | Today your dog can trot along the same path used by |
| the summit of Mount Rose, there is plenty here to thrill | | | | thousands of westward bound emigrants and the |
| canine hikers. More than 20 miles of designated trails | | | | fabled riders of the Pony Express.(#10) Pyramid Lake |
| are available through the canyons and ridges of the | | | | (Sutcliffe)All the fun at Nevada's largest natural lake |
| high country of the Carson Range. This is the closest | | | | isn't on the water. There are sandy trails along the |
| wilderness area to Reno.(#5) Prey Meadows/Skunk | | | | shoreline of the 30-mile lake and rocky paths on the |
| Harbor (Lake Tahoe - East Shore)One of the prettiest | | | | eastern flank that lead to interesting tufa formations of |
| canine hikes in Lake Tahoe is the 1.5-mile trek to Prey | | | | blanched white rock. There isn't much shade around |
| Meadows and Skunk Harbor. Stroll through thick pines | | | | the water in the summer but Pyramid Lake makes a |
| to the meadow, stealing glimpses of the lake as you | | | | great canine swimming hole.I am the author of over 20 |
| go. Skunk Harbor is a charming cove with a sandy | | | | books, including 8 on hiking with your dog, including the |
| beach. Beside the path lie remains of an old railroad | | | | widely praised The Canine Hiker's Bible. As publisher |
| built in the 1870s to haul timber from Lake Tahoe to | | | | of Cruden Bay Books, we |
| Virginia City.(#6) Galena Creek Park (city of Reno)Any | | | | produce the innovative A Bark In The Park series of |
| level of canine hiker can enjoy 440-acre Galena | | | | canine hiking books found at |
| Creek Park, which once housed a fish hatchery | | | | During the warm months I lead canine hikes as |
| supplying trout to Northern Nevada. An easy, | | | | tour leader for tours, leading packs of dogs and |
| self-guided Nature Trail navigates through the park's | | | | humans on |
| rich forests - pause to breathe in the rich vanilla | | | | day and overnight trips. |