There are many wonderful places to visit in the Reno/Sparks area where you can get outdoors and learn about nature. One of our favorite locations is the Oxbow Nature Observation Area, 3100 Dickerson Road, Reno, Nevada. Located just west of downtown Reno, Oxbow is one of our field sites for Classrooms Unleashed.
In a 1-hour visit, you’ll be able to see some amazing wildlife and enjoy the fresh air safely and at a distance from other guests. It is a 0.8-mile trail loop within 22-acres of nature study area. Also, it’s good for all skill levels and accessible year-round.
The park is open daily from 8 am until sundown; it is best to visit the park early in the day to avoid crowds. Please note there are no dogs allowed, and it is easy to access with plenty of on-site parking. As you start the trail, take note of the signs at the trailhead as they explain why the park is called Oxbow and some of the wildlife you might see.
Picnic area located at the end of the trail.
As you travel down the trail, you will quickly come to a fork in the road that gives you three options: left toward the main trail; right toward a nice observation of the oxbow — a U-shaped curve in the Truckee River; or up, which leads you to an observation deck. We recommend that you start with the trail leading “up” as it gives you a bird’s eye view of the park. Speaking of birds, Oxbow is a wonderful place to go for bird observation. This year alone, 76 different species of birds have been observed at the park, making it a great destination to be introduced to animal observation. You might also see a wide variety of squirrels, snakes, and even deer.
After the stop at the observation deck, you will pass by the Truckee River, a great place to make even more observations! The rest of the trail is linear and should be easy for you to navigate. You will know you have reached the end of the trail when you reach the picnic area (see photo), which is a great place to sit down, eat a snack, and enjoy the nature around you.
Take a moment at the picnic area to sit still for a moment and see what you can observe. On your way back to the parking area, make sure to stop by the small deck by the river as it boasts a beautiful and expansive view.