Nevada state parks to waive fees this Saturday

CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO) - A beautiful day out at Washoe Lake State Park. There is boating, camping, fishing and some visitors are just walking on the beach.

But there are some local residents who live within 30 minutes of here, and don’t even know it exists.

That’s where the Nevada Public Lands Day comes in. “To celebrate…the state parks is offering a fee free day,” says Jenny Jackson, spokesperson for Nevada State Parks. There are more than 20 state parks in which to choose.

Some parks may be as close as Washoe Lake State Park. Others like Cave Rock, Spooner Lake and Sand Harbor are near Lake Tahoe. It doesn’t matter the place, if it’s a state park, there will be no charge to visit it.

But just in time for Nevada Public Lands Day, there is a new app to try and make the park visit more informed.

Called “Outerspatial” the free app allows the user to tune into a park and discover the trials, points of interest, visitors’ center, even bathrooms.

“Orientation. And it will track you on the trail,” says Jackson. “So again, you don’t need a cell signal to use it. Your GPS feature will continue to operate so that way it gives you that extra level of assurance that you know where you are at all times. And you know how to get back to your car or your campsite.”

For those into the Passport Challenge, the app offers that digitally. Checking in at the park with the app puts the passport stamp on the phone. Collect 15 stamps from 15 unique state parks, and a free annual entrance pass awaits.

Why not start on Nevada Public Lands Day?

Nevada Public Lands Day doesn’t just apply to people who want to use the park for day use at no charge. It also applies to those who want to camp. They can do so at no charge Saturday night.

For more information on the state parks mobile app: https://parks.nv.gov/about/nevada-state-parks-mobile-app

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