State Parks Near Carson, Nevada
22 state park units lie within 50 miles of Carson, including 11 parks across the line in California. The closest is Washoe Lake State Park, about 7 mi north of town. 17 parks are within 25 miles, close enough for an evening visit.
- Closest park
- Washoe Lake State Park7 mi north
- Within 25 miles
- 17of 22 within 50 mi
- With camping
- 142 with cabins
- Dog-friendly
- 20pets allowed
State parks near Carson, nearest first
Straight-line distance from central Carson; driving distance is usually longer.
Washoe Lake State Park
The park supports horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, and wildlife watching. Water access includes a boat ramp. Overnight options include 49 campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Washoe Lake State Park →Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Things to do include horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, biking, wildlife watching, and fishing. Its trail network totals roughly 50 miles, according to the park. Camping is available: campsites, including tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park →Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park →Dayton State Park
Visitors come for historic sites, biking, wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking. For overnight stays there are campsites (RV sites and tent sites).
Hours, fees and rules for Dayton State Park →Mormon Station State Historic Park
The park supports historic sites, wildlife watching, and picnicking.
Hours, fees and rules for Mormon Station State Historic Park →Cave Rock - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing, and picnicking. Water access includes a boat ramp.
Hours, fees and rules for Cave Rock - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park →Kings Beach State Recreation Area
Popular activities here are surfing, boating, swimming, fishing, and picnicking. Water access includes a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Kings Beach State Recreation Area →Van Sickle Bi-State Park
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, biking, wildlife watching, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Van Sickle Bi-State Park →Nevada’s Newest State Park
The park supports canoeing and kayaking, wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Nevada’s Newest State Park →Burton Creek State Park
Visitors come for hiking. The official site lists about 6 miles of trails.
Hours, fees and rules for Burton Creek State Park →Tahoe State Recreation Area
Visitors come for biking and hiking. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Tahoe State Recreation Area →Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park →Ward Creek Park Property
The park supports wildlife watching, geocaching, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Ward Creek Park Property →D. L. Bliss State Park
Visitors come for snorkeling and diving, historic sites, swimming, fishing, and wildlife watching. The official site lists about 7.4 miles of trails. On the water side, there is a swimming beach.
Hours, fees and rules for D. L. Bliss State Park →Emerald Bay State Park
The park supports snorkeling and diving, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. The official site lists about 7.4 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals.
Hours, fees and rules for Emerald Bay State Park →Washoe Meadows State Park
Things to do include fishing, wildlife watching, geocaching, and hiking.
Hours, fees and rules for Washoe Meadows State Park →Lake Valley State Recreation Area
Lake Valley State Recreation Area is a 173-acre recreation area in El Dorado County, about 4 miles south of South Lake Tahoe.
Hours, fees and rules for Lake Valley State Recreation Area →Fort Churchill State Historic Park & Buckland Station
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, biking, wildlife watching, and fishing. Overnight options include 20 campsites, with RV sites and tent sites.
Hours, fees and rules for Fort Churchill State Historic Park & Buckland Station →Donner Memorial State Park
Visitors come for surfing, historic sites, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Donner Memorial State Park →Grover Hot Springs State Park
Popular activities here are swimming, fishing, wildlife watching, geocaching, and biking. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Grover Hot Springs State Park →Lahontan State Recreation Area
The park supports horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, boating, wildlife watching, and fishing. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, and showers.
Hours, fees and rules for Lahontan State Recreation Area →Walker River State Recreation Area
Visitors come for horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, biking, wildlife watching, and fishing. Camping is available: 16 campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers. Roofed lodging includes cabins and yurts.
Hours, fees and rules for Walker River State Recreation Area →
Best picks by activity
Camping near Carson
- Washoe Lake State Park 7 mi north · 49 campsites
- Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 9 mi west · Campground listed
- Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 10 mi west · Campground listed
- Dayton State Park 11 mi northeast · Campground listed
- Mormon Station State Historic Park 12 mi southwest · Campground listed
+ 9 more in the list above
Cabins and lodging near Carson
- Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 9 mi west · Cabins or other roofed stays
- Walker River State Recreation Area 44 mi southeast · Cabins or other roofed stays
Dog-friendly state parks near Carson
- Washoe Lake State Park 7 mi north · Pets allowed under park rules
- Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 9 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 10 mi west · Pets allowed under park rules
- Dayton State Park 11 mi northeast · Pets allowed under park rules
- Mormon Station State Historic Park 12 mi southwest · Pets allowed under park rules
+ 15 more in the list above
Swimming near Carson
- Kings Beach State Recreation Area 16 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point State Park 21 mi west · Beach, pool or swim area
- D. L. Bliss State Park 23 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Emerald Bay State Park 24 mi southwest · Beach, pool or swim area
- Donner Memorial State Park 29 mi northwest · Beach, pool or swim area
+ 1 more in the list above
Hiking near Carson
- Washoe Lake State Park 7 mi north · Hiking trails listed
- Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 9 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 10 mi west · Hiking trails listed
- Dayton State Park 11 mi northeast · Hiking trails listed
- Van Sickle Bi-State Park 17 mi southwest · Hiking trails listed
+ 13 more in the list above
Fishing near Carson
- Washoe Lake State Park 7 mi north · Fishing listed
- Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 9 mi west · Fishing listed
- Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 10 mi west · Fishing listed
- Dayton State Park 11 mi northeast · Fishing listed
- Cave Rock - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park 13 mi southwest · Fishing listed
+ 11 more in the list above
Questions about state parks near Carson
What is the closest state park to Carson?
Washoe Lake State Park is the closest, about 7 miles north of Carson in a straight line. Next are Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park and Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park.
How many state parks are near Carson?
22 state park units are within 50 miles, and 17 within 25 miles. That includes parks, recreation areas, historic sites and natural areas run by the state.
Which state parks near Carson have camping?
14 parks list camping, the nearest being Washoe Lake State Park, Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park and Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. Check each park page for site types, hookups and how to reserve.
Are dogs allowed at state parks near Carson?
Yes, at 20 parks, including Washoe Lake State Park, Spooner Lake & Backcountry - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park and Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. Dogs usually must be leashed, and some areas such as beaches or buildings may be off-limits.
Are there free state parks near Carson?
None of the nearby parks list free entry; most charge a daily vehicle fee or accept an annual pass. Fees are on each park page.
State parks near other cities
- Near South Lake Tahoe, CA20 mi southwest
- Near Reno, NV28 mi north
- Near Grass Valley, CA70 mi west
- Near Folsom, CA82 mi southwest
Or see all Nevada state parks, California state parks or every city we cover.
Built from official park data and updated as parks change; this list was last rebuilt Oct 30, 2026. Features shown are those the official source lists. Filter these parks on the map.