Family vacations are a time for making memories, which usually means keeping the kids active and happy. Luckily for parents, Carson Valley has plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy. Here are some local favorites for any season.
Rain or shine, sometimes you just need a place for the kids to release some energy while you get some work done. Run, Rattle & Roll Indoor Playground is just that place. For kids 1-12 years of age, there are three levels of large, indoor play equipment including spiral slides, climbs, mazes, tube tunnels, and a sports court. There are also crawlers and a toddler play area for the littlest of cubs!
Local mom and fun expert Chandelle R. never misses the fall Corley Ranch Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze! Open every day in October, the weekends are especially fun with a hay slide, kiddie land straw maze, farm animals, miniature golf, pig races, and hay wagon rides.
Pig race at Corley Ranch.
Chandelle also recommends the year-round Carson Valley Swim Center “especially on Widget day (now that’s fun) a big inflatable obstacle course. They have a toddler pool, water slides, indoor and outdoor pools, high and normal dives. They even do float night movie specials. If you’re here in summer there are two outdoor pools, cabana rentals and bbqs.”
Photo courtesy of Carson Valley Swim Center.
Michele A. says “My friends came to visit from the Bay Area with their children and were quite impressed with the swim center.”
Tami F. knows how to plan a fun day in Genoa. “Mormon Station State Historic Park is fun to visit with kids. Pair it with Genoa Park playground, Courthouse Museum, and ice cream at Genoa Country Store!” All of this is within two blocks so you won’t have to jump in and out of the car either.
Tami also recommends the River Fork Ranch Nature Conservancy. The easy trail along the river is good for all ages and you may even discover some migratory birds and other critters. “Animal and bird watching, alone or with a guide like JT Humphrey or Carson Valley Tours would be fun.”
Gardnerville is home to the Lahontan National Fish Hatchery, where Lahontan cutthroat trout are raised to restock Pyramid and Walker lakes. This is a self-guided walk around the complex where depending on what time of year you visit, you can observe the fish life-cycle from spawning to the 7-inch fry.
The trails in Carson Valley are accessible almost year-round, and the Carson Valley Trails Association has come up with downloadable treasure hunts for Sierra Canyon, Fay Luther and River Fork Ranch trails. As you explore the trail, use the guide to help your children discover the wonders of our natural world. Find the objects and do the activities in order or mix them up. Have fun!
Trail overlook. Photo by Chris Dickerson.
These activities are just a snippet of what Carson Valley has to offer; summers bring concerts and movies in the park, winter presents a valley-wide Christmas kickoff as well as Breakfast with Santa. Check out our events and activities pages for more ways to make memories with your kids.