Home > Nevada > Hunter Lake Trail

Hunter Lake Trail

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Trail Map

Other Names

Pinehaven Rd, Toiyabe National Forest, Mount Rose Wilderness, Big Meadows, Davis Meadows, Hunter Creek, Evans Creek

Last Known Status

Open

This jeep trail in southwest Reno offers a mix of wooded cutbacks and rocky meadows with some great city views. If you stick to the main road, it's not the most difficult climb you'll ever make, but its rocky enough to frustrate any beginner on a motorcycle. Quads handle it better, but the makeshift motocross track at the upper staging area (top of the first hill about 1/4 mile in) is as far as you'll want to go with the tykes.

There are some nice camping spots up at Hunter Lake (a shallow pond about 6 miles in), and you can continue past the lake for even more jeep trails which eventually lead to Hwy 89. This is not a bad day-ride, overall, and while the views of Reno are great, it's the kind of trail you'll only want to ride once.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	NVOHV sticker required
Dates Open	Year-Round
Other ATV Stickers Accepted	Yes	Nevada registration is not required if the vehicle is already registered in another state and will be located in Nevada for no more than 15 days.
Spark Arrestor	Yes	A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise Limit	Yes (96 dB)
Whip Flags	Not Required
Maximum Vehicle Width	No Restriction
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes	Permitted
ATVs	Permitted
UTV & SXS	Permitted
SUVs & Jeeps (registered)	Permitted
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered)	Permitted
2 Stroke Engines	No Restriction
Camping	Some Areas	(camp in developed sites only)
Campfires	Some Areas	(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night Riding	Yes	Not Recommended
Trail Blazing	Prohibited	keep on the trail
Alcohol	No Restriction
Rule Enforcement	Few/Periodic	Dedicated Rangers/Officers Jeep/SUV Patrol

TERRAIN

Miles Of Trail	25
Climate Type	Forest
Elevation	5750 to 9500 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Not Marked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose Dirt	Little
Hard Pack	Mostly
Sand	None
Mud	Little
Dust	Some
Rocks	Mostly
Trees	Many
Steep Hills	Some
Water Crossings	Few
Small Jumps	Few
Large Jumps	None
Berms	Few
Sand/Gravel Pits	None
Single Track	None
Roads	Mostly
Intersections	Some
Rider Traffic	Few
Shade	Many
Ranges/Gunfire	Few
Hazards	Some	(hazards not marked) very steep and rocky trails
Novice	Little
Amateur	Mostly
Expert	Some

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails

Land	National Forest

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	1-5 Miles (N)	Chevron (775) 746-9200
Diesel	1-5 Miles (N)	Chevron (775) 746-9200
Water	1-5 Miles (N)
RV Hookup	1-5 Miles (NE)	Silver Sage RV Park (775) 829-1919 or (888) 823-2002
RV Disposal	1-5 Miles (NE)	Silver Sage RV Park (775) 829-1919 or (888) 823-2002
Campground	On Site	several primitive campsites scattered throughout area
Conv Store	1-5 Miles (N)	Scholari's (775) 828-2424

FEES & PASSES

Parking	(None)
Entry	(None)
Riding	(None)
Camping	(None)

RATINGS

Pros	nice scenic views of Reno, secluded campsites scattered throughout ride area
Cons	very rocky, not recomeded for motorcycle use, recomended use by 4x4's or ATV's, not recomended for beginners or novice riders
Our Rating	Fair
Recommended Stay	Full Day Spring
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

Reno, NV

Address

Pinehaven Road, Reno, NV 89519

Trail Map

From: Reno, NV
1) Take I-80 W to the McCarran exit
2) Turn south on McCarran
3) Follow S. McCarran 3.5 miles to Caughlin Parkway. Do not take the first right on Caughlin, but rather follow S. McCarran to the top of hill then take the second Caughlin Pkwy
4) Turn right on Caughlin Pkwy
5) Go approx 1/6 mile, turn left on Village Green Pkwy
6) Follow Village Green Pkwy to Pinehaven Road, approx 1/3 mile
7) Turn left on Pinehaven Road, go to the end of the road. Staging area will be in front of you.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact Info

Humboldt - Toiyabe National Forest - Supervisor's Office
1200 Franklin Way
Sparks, NV 89431
(775) 331-6444
mailroom_r4_humboldt_toiyabe@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Hunter Lake Trail Photo

Most of the vegetation consists of various pine trees and scrub brush.

Hunter Lake Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorbike at Hunter Lake Trail

The first part of the trail has some great views of Reno.

Hunter Lake Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Hunter Lake Trail

Hunter Lake Trail was originally a road built during the late 1850s through the early 1860s for logging and prospecting purposes and was maintained by horse-drawn scrapers.