Galena Creek Visitor Center Programs
There is some sort of activity or program all year long at Galena Creek Visitor Center. Summers are especially busy with hikes, ranger programs, youth day camps, and school break camps. Winter programs explore the snowy landscape around the Galena Creek Recreation Area. Visit the Galena Creek events calendar to see the latest what's going on and when. Unless otherwise stated, there is a $5 per person suggested donation for Galena Creek Visitor Center programs.
Here are some of the Galena Creek Visitor Center programs and activities during June, 2013...
- Summer Treks - every Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Starting June 8, join us for a guided hike through Galena Creek. Please bring appropriate clothing and plenty of water. The time of the hike may be changed to fit the hike topic or may be cancelled due to weather conditions, call ahead for details.
- Astronomy: Big and Little Dipper Constellations - Saturday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. Join members of the Astronomical Society of Nevada as they present the five circumpolar constellations that can be seen from our location on the earth. These five constellations can be seen year round, unlike seasonal or zodiacal constellations. The most famous of these five are Ursa Major and Ursa Minor (also known as the Big and Little Dippers). This presentation will talk about all five and what makes them unique. The presentation will be followed by viewing these constellations in the night sky.
- Galena Kids - Saturday, June 8 at 10 a.m. Head over to the Visitor Center with your young explorers to listen to guest speakers, participate in hands-on activities and make a special craft.
- Galena Toddlers - Thursday, June 13 at 10 a.m. Bring your little ones to the Visitor Center to learn about nature through stories, games, and a craft (ages 2 to 5).
- Campfire Friday: Cowboy Poetry - Friday, June 14 at 7:30 p.m. Don't miss this Flag Day campfire program as Tony Argento blends humor and history in a line up of popular cowboy poetry and patriotic verse. Marshmallow roasting and hot chocolate will be available. Please bring flashlights and blankets to sit on. Weather permitting, call ahead for details.
- Bird Walk - Saturday, June 15 at 7 a.m. Wake up early and join us for a guided bird hike, led by David Jickling in partnership with the Lahontan Audubon Society. Binoculars can be loaned out from the Visitor Center.
- Galena Creek Visitor Center Weeding and Planting - Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Come test your green thumb at our volunteer re-planting and weeding project. We will be planting narrow-leaved milkweed and other flora in front of the Visitor Center, and removing unwanted species.
- Bird Walk - Saturday, June 22 at 8 a.m. Mornings are an excellent time for bird watching at Galena Creek Park, so join us early in the day for a guided bird hike led by Dr. Alan Gubanich in partnership with the Lahontan Audubon Society. Binoculars can be loaned out from the Visitor Center.
- Geocache Treasure Hunt - Saturday, June 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Join us for this fun and interesting event that introduces the principles of geocaching, an outdoor treasure hunting game. The participants try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using GPS-enabled devices. Participants will get to find several temporary caches near the Galena Creek Visitor Center. Groups will then have the opportunity to find the real caches that are located in the park. If you have a smart phone please bring it so a GPS application can be downloaded on to it. GPS units will be available in each of the small groups.
Great Basin Naturalists Summer Camp
Plan a week or two of adventure at Great Basin Naturalists Summer Camp. This year you may choose one or more of the five weeks of day camp and four weeks of residential camps. Day camps begin daily at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Residential camps begin Monday at 9 a.m. and run through Friday afternoon. Camps are offered to children ages 8-12. Be sure to check out the Teen Leadership Academy for ages 13-17. Call (775) 849-4948 for more information.
Other Things To Do at Galena Creek Visitor Center
Hiking - Galena Creek Recreation Area provides access to several hiking trails. In addition to a paved, half-mile nature trail next to the Galena Creek Visitor Center, there is the Jones-Whites Creek Loop Trail, Bitterbrush Trail, Upper Thomas Creek Trail, Dry Pond Trail, Upper Whites Creek Trail, and the Mt. Rose Wilderness Area. A Galena to Tahoe Trail, connecting Thomas Creek to Mt. Rose saddle, is projected to open in 2013, providing access from Reno to the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Fall and Winter - The forest in and around the Galena Creek Recreation Area has lots of deciduous trees and bushes, making it a great place to enjoy fall color while taking a cool hike. If you are a photographer, you can get some colorful shots of the changing seasons in the woods and along Galena Creek. When the snow falls, the Galena Creek Visitor Center offers programs both inside the building and outside at various places around the park. You can bring snowshoes and hit the trails exploring the winter landscape on your own. Other possible winter activities include sledding, tubing, and cross-country skiing.
Galena Creek Visitor Center and Park Hours
Summer season is May 1 through October 15. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Winter season is October 16 through April 30. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday through Sunday. The rest of Galena Creek Regional Park is open year around for day use. For more information, call the ranger office at (775) 849-2511.
Getting to the Galena Creek Visitor Center
The Visitor Center is at 18250 Mt. Rose Highway (Nevada 431). The Center and parking area are just inside the north entrance to Galena Creek Recreation Area. (You'll also see this area sometimes referred to as Galena Creek Regional Park.). From Reno, either go south on S. Virginia Street to the Mt. Rose Highway and turn right (at The Summit Shopping Center), or take U.S. 395 south to the Mt. Rose Highway exit and go right. Just after you get into the trees, looks for signs and a right turn into the Galena Creek Visitor Center parking area. For more information, call (775) 849-4948.
About Galena Creek Visitor Center
Galena Creek Visitor Center is the result of a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service (Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest) and Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space. The Visitor Center is operated by the Great Basin Institute, which provides staff, volunteers, and a wide range of educational nature programs for children and families. The Visitor Center is located along the scenic Mt. Rose Highway at the southwest edge of Reno, Nevada.
Source: Galena Creek Visitor Center website and e-newsletter.
