Cooling Down in Reno with a Swim at Sparks Marina
For those wishing to get their exercise, the Marina has a 1.8 mile (2 miles if the pennisula is included) walking trail where people skate, bicycle or walk, with or without their dogs. This path traverses the entire lake and is well lit. Walking the path is the best way to view the entire Marina, which includes the two swimming areas, fishing section, consession stands, scuba divers, boaters, and a fenced in doggy park complete with a private beach. The best time of day to take on this excursion is early morning before the sun gets too hot and makes the exercise unbearable.
People can swim at the family beach or hand launch beach. Children, if you’re under eight, make sure you bring an adult with you to swim in the designated areas. Floating devices can be used like air mattresses and inner tubes at the lifeguard’s discretion. If you need to use water wings and infant flotation devices make sure an adult is in the water and supervising. And, of course, all swimmers swim at their own risk.
Fishing begins one hour before sunrise and lasts until two hours after sunset. The possession limit is five game fish per day and only one can be longer than 16 inches. Of course fishing is prohibited on the beach and in swimming and diving areas. Remember to obtain a State of Nevada fishing license before you begin to fish so you won’t get ticketed.
People visiting the Marina may wish to Scuba Dive. Just remember to check in with the Head Guard or Concession Manager before and after diving. Use common sense as Scuba diving is prohibited near the family swim area.
Boating at the Marina allows either no motors or electric motors. Docking of water vessels is permitted at the hand launch beach only. Operation of all boats must be in compliance with all State of Nevada and U.S. Coast Guard boating statutes and regulations. Parking of trailers will be restricted to designated stalls/ areas only.
And, like everything else, the Marina has its set of rules, which include
NO Animals of any kind on the beach.
NO Glass containers in the park.
NO Alcohol on the beach.
NO Open fires anywhere in the park.
NO Possession or use of any weapon or firearm, including BB or pellet gun.
NO Hunting or trapping of wildlife.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
Whether cooling off from the triple digit temperatures or just looking for a R & R day, the Sparks Marina offers such a variety of activities that people frequent the man-made lake constantly. Picnics, swimming, fishing, scuba diving, boating, and many other activities occur daily throughout the summer months. With Sparks and Reno having so many local places to visit it’s no wonder that the Biggest Little City in the World is much more than just a gambling town.
