Lahontan State Recreation Area

08/26/2026

Bummed our "Dark Skies. Strange Encounters" t-shirt wasn't available at the Cosmos in the Desert event? Us too! Good thing we have finally received them, and they are available for purchase on our Online Store: https://www.reservenevada.com/NevadaWeb/Merchandise/MerchandiseSale.aspx

We will also be selling them at Fallon's Cantaloupe Festival August 28th - 30th! Make sure to come find our Gift Shop trailer at the Festival to get your Nevada State Parks gear.

08/20/2026

‼️ HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM DANGER ADVISORY 🚨

Lahontan Reservoir, located within Lahontan State Recreation Area, has been placed under a HAB Danger Advisory due to high levels of cyanotoxins detected in recent water samples collected from the reservoir. This is the highest level of HAB advisory and should be taken seriously.

Water contact is not recommended. Children and pets should stay away from water bodies under a HAB Danger Advisory.

HAB conditions can change rapidly, and the movement and concentration of blooms can be unpredictable. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) is monitoring the situation closely.

Exposure to cyanotoxins can cause health effects ranging from mild skin irritation to serious illness and, in rare circumstances, death. Symptoms may include skin rashes or irritation, respiratory or allergic-like reactions, abdominal pain, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological symptoms. Severe exposure may result in liver or kidney damage.

For more information on HABs, visit nevadahabs.org.

SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK

08/15/2026

Northern Sierra Dutch Oven Group is out here at Day Use on the Silver Springs side of the park running a Dutch Oven Demonstration! Come on out and join them! 😁🍴

08/13/2026

🚀 The stars are calling, and you must go ✨

Enjoy Nevada’s dark skies this Friday and Saturday, August 14-15, 2026 at Lahontan State Recreation Area for the second annual Cosmos in the Desert Dark Skies Festival!

Festivities begin both nights at 8:00pm at the Beach 3 Day Use Area. Star gaze through telescopes, learn about nocturnal wildlife, listen to stories from the past, and try painting in the dark!

Get a taste of dutch oven cooking on Saturday at 11am from the Northern Sierra Dutch Oven Group

Live music from Rebekah Chase Band on Saturday night 🤘 and live painting by Alli Harvey throughout the weekend 🎨

The event activities are free, but park entry fees apply ($5 for NV registered vehicles, $10 for out of state vehicles).

Learn more about the event using the link in our bio or at parks.nv.gov/events. See you there!

08/12/2026

Join us on August 15th at 11am as the Northern Sierra Dutch Oven Group puts on a live, outdoor cooking demonstration at the Day Use Area on the Silver Springs side of the park. If you have ever been been interested in learning about traditional cast-iron camp cooking or are a seasoned cast-iron chef, we welcome you to come make some friends and learn new skills.

This is just one of the many fun things we have planned for the Cosmos in the Desert: Northern Nevada's Dark Skies Festival. More information about the event can be found here:

Find your next adventure at parks.nv.gov

07/08/2026

Post-holiday weekend at Lahontan State Recreation Area 👀

Thank you to the thousands of visitors who spent the holiday with us and took the time to clean up before heading home. With such a large amount of visitation, our dumpsters reached capacity quickly.

If you ever arrive at a full dumpster, the best way to help is to pack your trash out. Leaving bags beside a full dumpster can allow wildlife to access the trash or allow it to blow across the park, making a bigger mess.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep Lahontan clean and beautiful for the next visitor. 💚

07/02/2026

Need some Lahontan swag for the 4th of July weekend? Rest assured, we got you covered! The Gift Shop Trailer will be back at Lahontan the 3rd and 4th from 10a-4p. You will find the Gift Shop Trailer on the Silver Springs side of the park, just past the fee booth. We've got new Lahontan shirt designs along side much of our other Nevada State Parks gear and general camp supplies. Many of you requested magnets and we did not want to disappoint, so stop buy and purchase some! We can't wait to see you this weekend!

05/22/2026

Come check out our Gift Shop Trailer parked near the Ranger Station on the Silver Springs side of the park! It will be opend today until 6pm as well as Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm! Come get your Lahontan swag and any last minute needed gear while supplies last!

05/11/2026

Lahontan Reservoir, located in Lahontan State Recreation Area, has been placed under a HAB Watch Advisory due to a possible Harmful Algae Bloom.

Visual assessments have indicated a possible bloom. Water tests are currently being conducted by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP). These toxic algae can cause serious health issues for humans and animals.

If you see water that looks discolored or smells bad, stay away. Pets should be kept away from all water bodies under a HAB advisory.

For more information on HABs visit nevadahabs.org

SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK