Lahontan State Recreation Area
Notice: Fire Restrictions in Place — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- $5 per vehicleAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- parks.nv.gov(775) 577-2226
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Fire restriction Fire Restrictions in Place
Posted by the park. Official alert
Water quality Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) DANGER Advisory
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Lahontan State Recreation Area is a recreation area in Lyon County, about 13 miles south of Fernley.
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
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office | Fri–Tue | 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | — |
| Wed, Thu | Closed | — | |
| Entrance gate — Fee Booth | Daily | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Always Open
Silver Springs Ranger Station Office Hours: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Friday - Tuesday. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Park Hours: Open seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Fee Booth Hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Day use entrance fee | $5 · vehicle |
| Day use entrance fee | $10 · vehicle |
| Boat launch | $15 |
| Boat launch | $20 |
| Camping | $15 · vehicle |
| Camping | $20 · vehicle |
| Camp and boat | $25 · night |
| Camp and boat | $30 · night |
| Bike in | $2 · walk-in |
Official wording
Day use entrance fee: $5.00 per vehicle (Non-NV Vehicles $10.00 per vehicle) Boat launch: $15.00 (Non-NV Vehicles $20.00) Camping: $15.00 per vehicle, per night (Non-NV Vehicles: $20.00 per vehicle, per night) Camp and boat: $25.00 per night (Non-NV Vehicles: $30.00 per night) Bike in: $2.00 per bike
Nevada park passes
- All Access Permit — $250. Entrance, camping and boating fees at all parks for 12 months (hook-up sites +$10/vehicle) Details
- Annual Day Use Permit — $100. Entrance to all parks for 12 months; camping/boating extra Details
- Senior Citizen Permit — $30 annual administrative fee. Nevada residents 65+: entrance, camping and boat launch for 12 months Details
- Disabled Veteran Permit — $30 annual administrative fee. Qualifying Nevada disabled veterans: entrance, camping and boat launch for 12 months Details
- Veteran Annual Entrance. Nevada veterans: entrance to all parks for 12 months Details
From the Nevada state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveNevada
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Pets are welcome, but must be kept on a leash of not more than six feet in length. Pets are welcome, but must be kept on a leash of not more than six feet in length.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Camping: Silver Springs Beach #7 offers developed campground facilities open year-round, with restrooms, tables and grills. Silver Springs Beach #7 along with River Camp are available for reservations.
Primitive on-the-beach camping is permitted in all areas except for day use and boat ramp areas. These areas remain first come, first served.
A camping limit of 14 days in a 30-day period is enforced. Sanitary dump station facilities are available near both entrances to the park.
NOTE: Showers and flush toilets are CLOSED during the off-season from October to May.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
CampingWildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingHorseback ridingFishingHikingPicnicking
Trails
Equestrian Facilities: You can learn more about Equestrian acces at Nevada Horse Trails
Boating and paddling
Boat Launch Areas: Boaters with four-wheel drive vehicles may launch off of beaches open to camping. Both sides of the park also provide paved boat launching and parking facilities. The Silver Springs boat launch is located near the day use area. The Churchill Beach boat launch, at the North Shore Marina, is located along U.S. 50, one mile west of Lahontan Dam. All boat launching is done at the risk of the user.
Fishing
Fishing: Catch-and-release, bank and boat fishing techniques are used to catch walleye, white bass, the hybrid wiper, catfish, trout and other game fish. The Nevada Department of Wildlife maintains fishing regulations. See a Health Warning from the Department of Wildlife on consumption of fish.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
Accessibility
- Accessible campsites
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible campsites
If you would like to request additional support or accommodations, please call Nevada State Parks at (775) 684-2770.
Equestrian Facilities: You can learn more about Equestrian acces at Nevada Horse Trails
Picnicking/Day Use: There are two developed, day use picnic areas at Lahontan: one is located directly across Lahontan Dam and one is on Silver Springs Beach. Facilities include modern restrooms, showers, tables and grills. All new facilities are accessible to persons with a disability.
Fishing: Catch-and-release, bank and boat fishing techniques are used to catch walleye, white bass, the hybrid wiper, catfish, trout and other game fish. The Nevada Department of Wildlife maintains fishing regulations. See a Health Warning from the Department of Wildlife on consumption of fish.
Hunting: Hunting is only allowed in designated areas. See hunting information and boundary descriptions. Nevada Department of Wildlife regulations and license requirements apply within the park.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
The desert is extremely fragile. Proof of this can be seen in the scars left by thoughtless motorists and others who have abused the area in the past. Studies by ecologists indicate that it takes centuries for nature to restore a desert area to its original condition once the soil and vegetation have been disturbed.
Drive only on approved routes of travel. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on trails in the park.
Only licensed vehicles and operators may drive in the park. No ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES (ATV) or other unlicensed vehicles are allowed. Motorcyclists must wear helmets.
The maximum speed limit of motorized vehicles is 25 mph within the recreation area and 15 mph within the beach and congested areas in the park.
Pets are welcome, but must be kept on a leash of not more than six feet in length.
Boats may not exceed 5 mph within 100 feet of swimmers or within any buoyed flat-wake zone along beaches.
Please deposit all trash in the centrally located dumpsters or trash cans in the park.
Discharge of any fireworks inside the park is prohibited.
If you would like to request additional support or accommodations, please call Nevada State Parks at (775) 684-2770.
Getting there
- Address
- 1971 Fir Ave
Silver Springs, NV 89429 - Nearest town
- Fernley — about 13 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 39.3760, -119.2023
- Phone
- (775) 577-2226
- lsra@parks.nv.gov
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Entrance gate: Daily 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Nevada State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Nevada State Parks 'Explore Parks' directory (park cards; slug = officialId) plus each park page for title/designation/coordinates
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology