On these short days, when the sun sets before dinnertime, it’s natural to pine for the extended evenings of summer. The Sierra to the west is blanketed in snow for those who crave wintertime fun in the form of skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. But if it’s a taste of springtime in midwinter you crave, Hidden Valley Regional Park holds the key in its open, western-facing slopes.
A part of Washoe County’s Parks and Open Space, Hidden Valley Regional Park is a 480-acre area of high desert landscapes, 65 acres of which are developed. With very few trees of significant size in the expansive trail network, and its location on the westward side of the Virginia Range facing Reno, this park is hot in the summer—but offers a welcome level of warmth on mild winter afternoons. Not only is this a boon for trail lovers; it’s also a great spot for all kinds of outdoor fun, thanks to a host of amenities found at the base of the park.
The primary entrance to Hidden Valley Regional Park is on its north end. Follow Pembroke Drive heading east into the neighborhoods, and you’ll see a brown sign indicating where to turn right onto Parkway Drive, which continues right through the main gate into the park. Those coming from the south can enter via a more circuitous route through the other end of this neighborhood, taking Mira Loma Drive and eventually reaching the park’s secondary access point from Mia Vista Drive.
Both entrances have their own developed playground areas, numerous picnic tables scattered about, and information about the trail system within the park. However, the northern entrance has many additional amenities, including the Vista Picnic Pavilion area, which can be reserved for groups of up to 100 people. It features several barbecue stations, a large lawn, a horseshoe pit and proximity to bathrooms with running water.
Tennis and pickleball courts provide additional recreational opportunities for visitors. The Link Piazzo Dog Park offers canine entertainment with its fully fenced space for furry family members to roam. It even has separate areas for small and large dogs to make friends more easily. The Clarence K. Bath Memorial Horse Arena is also located here. One of eight public horse arenas managed by the county, this large, rider-focused space can be reserved for equestrian events, supported by 45-foot-long grandstands and an announcer’s stand; on days it isn’t reserved, it can be freely used by the public.
With such easy trailer parking and excellent access to local public lands, Hidden Valley Regional Park and the trail system within it are great for equestrian trail access. Bicycles are also welcome on all the trails, though all motorized vehicles are prohibited. Hikers and trail runners are a common site throughout the park, and dogs are welcome on leashes. At both the north and south entrances to the trail network, a map of the surrounding hills and general information about its use is prominently displayed at kiosks.
If you’d like to stick to an official trail, take a photo of the trail map with your phone, or print the PDF version before heading out. Five formal dirt trails are noted on the Hidden Valley Regional Park trail map, but unofficial—and unmaintained—footpaths snake across the landscape. Many of the lower trails are wide and flatter—though not totally flat. The South Park Loop weaves a meandering circuit of just under a mile near the southern access point to the park, while the Inner Loop covers exactly one mile of mostly easygoing terrain, starting at the northern access point.
The 2.4-mile Perimeter Loop encircles the entire lower portion of the park, including all the facilities at the northern entrance, as well as those at the southern terminus. For an added challenge, the Highland Loop, best accessed from the north parking area, is a more challenging, single-track trail heading up and across the park’s higher elevations. It involves ascending some of the steepest park terrain—and crossing spots with a very narrow trail and loose or slippery footing—to complete a nearly 2 1/2-mile circumnavigation that includes sweeping vistas and miles of views.
Unofficial trails crisscross everywhere, and the mapped trails aren’t always marked. However, in this wide-open landscape, getting lost is nearly impossible. If you so choose, you can head up small canyons, finding some of the very few trees along the trail, and possibly un-melted snow on north-facing inclines, or ice trapped in winter creek beds, all while scrambling along some highly variable terrain.
Linking between sanctioned trails is easy with this network of pathways. In good weather, and with the right level of physical ability and proper preparation, it’s even possible to follow trails to the very top of the ridge, summiting the peaks of the Virginia Range and dropping down into the next valley east of Reno.
No matter where you go, Hidden Valley Regional Park affords expansive views of the surrounding landscape. At certain high points and overlooks, you may find yourself at eye level with red-tailed hawks and ravens riding the thermals. No matter which trail you choose, you’ll be treated to a panorama of Reno, with snowy Mount Rose and the Carson Range providing a seasonal backdrop. And on a mild winter afternoon, it can almost feel like spring.
If you’re searching for an excuse to get out of the house (that isn’t holiday shopping), a site (or sight) to impress your out-of-town family or friends, or simply a place to keep your inner hiker or biker happy in the cold season, Hidden Valley Regional Park is that spot.