The Spring Guide to Getting Outside

Today is the first day of spring and springtime is a time for growth! And with the immense amounts of snow we have been having this winter, I personally am excited not only for the good weather, but also for the beautiful spring flowers all of this water is sure to bring. As someone who is new to Nevada, I am in search of all the best spots to see spring plants in bloom and so here I have put together just a simple guide of some great spots to engage with the outdoors this spring.

1. Idlewild Sensory Garden and Rose Garden

Located near the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation Idlewild office is the Idlewild Sensory Garden. This garden is designed to encourage its visitors to not only engage with nature utilizing sight and smell, but also with sound, taste, and touch. It consists of a number of native and non-native springtime plants including purple asters, strawberries, butterfly bushes, roses and more. Take a short walk across the street from the Sensory Garden and you will find the Idlewild Rose Garden. Typically, the Rose Garden is in full bloom between the months of June and September, so keep an eye out for that!

2. Wilbur D. May Arboretum

The Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden is home to 4,000 different plant species, both native and non-native. This Arboretum contains 13 different gardens that are home to evergreen and deciduous shrubs, oak groves, shrub roses, foxglove, ox-eye daisy, and more! In addition to the vast amounts of plants you could explore here this spring, these gardens also bring in lots of native birds to enjoy as well!

3. Tahoe Meadows Interpretive Loop

This 1.5 mile loop trail out near Washoe Valley is a relatively easy hiking trail that is teeming with flowers and wildlife. In a field of bright green you can find spots of bright red, purple, and yellow. Here you can find flowers like Yellow Flag Iris, Jacob’s Ladders, Sunflowers, and more! This beautiful alpine trail is begins its bloom in May and continues until October.

4. Huffaker Hills Trail

The Huffaker Hills Trail is a 1.8 mile relatively easy loop near Reno. This hike is a great way to explore desert wildlife in the spring at its best! Plants like Mariposa Lily, Biscuitroot, Prickly Pear, and Sagebrush Galls can be found along this open space trail. In addition to the desert plants found here, you can also typically see wildlife including lizards sunbathing on the rocks, or birds flying in and out of the sage brush!

5. Sagehen Creek

This 5.2 mile loop out in Truckee, although long, is relatively easy. It takes hikers out to a large meadow bordering the Stampede Reservoir and back. During the spring and summer hikers often find camas lilies, wild hyacinth, and woolly mule ears in bloom! Its also a great place to find some cool birds like Mountain Quail.

And the list goes on! With easy access to both desert and mountain views, there is so much to explore this spring. We here at Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation encourage you to spend this spring soaking up the sun, thawing out from the winter, enjoying the native wildlife, and engaging with your local parks!

---

About the Author:

Erin graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in Communications in 2020. She is excited to work with the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation as the Communications Coordinator, because it allows her to combine her love of the outdoors and volunteering as an active member in her community. Outside of work Erin loves hiking, swimming, rock climbing, and drinking lots of coffee.