Pah Rah Interpretive Trail

The sagebrush steppe is certainly not rare in our area, and there are countless places to go in and around Reno if you want to experience the dubious pleasure of exploring this type of terrain. That said, this is a really nice, well-​maintained trail for those who need a very easy half-​mile walk. The parking lot is large and easy to access, and the facilities at the entrance are surprisingly nice for such a short interpretive trail. The signage is the real winner of this spot, though, with a lot of interesting local history. I imagine that this parking area is mainly used by those who need access to the much larger series of trails that begin towards the back of the paved trail. Access to public lands is always essential, so even if Pah Rah itself is not terribly interesting, it is incredibly valuable.

You can find this trail by driving, or walking, to the far back end of the Golden Eagle sports complex in Spanish Springs. It’s a short, paved, fairly wide trail and it was extremely clean when I was there. It was an early morning after a rain storm though.
The restrooms at the trailhead were clean. It’s only around ½ mile long but is adjacent to miles and miles of longer and/​or more difficult trails that lead up all through the Pah Rah range. There are signs with other trail info and maps on this trail. Signage was a bit confusing but once you study them a bit it’s easy enough to figure out. There are drinking fountains near the restrooms as well.
It is an interpretive desert trail with many signs with historical facts and information about native plant and animal life. Benches are located periodically along the way.
The views are great, and the trails attach to the ball fields too.
Overall a nice, clean short trail with great views and easy enough to get to more trails. Not a lot of shade so early in the day or evenings would best in summer time. Spring and fall would be nice as well.

This is a neat little trail inside of the Golden Eagle sports complex. It has a few signs giving history of the area and the fauna as well. The loop is small enough for even the most out of shape person to go around. Currently the asphalt is unbroken and smooth enough even for someone with a walker.
The sad thing about the loop is the dog feces on the side of the trail. Too many rude dog owners are being donkeys and letting their dogs do their business in the brush.
The trailhead also has a seasonal toilet as well as a nice covered space for what I assume is for nature talks before organized nature walks.
The scenery is not up close but seen from a distance. Seeing the different topography of the area and the relative quiet are the draws for me. We did see a father teaching his daughter how to ride her bike here. The path is nice and wide.
This park honestly would be good in any season but the high heat of summer. Parking is plentiful.