In Carson City, stories of coin minting and statehood meet trails along the Carson River. The Pony Express National Historic Trail runs through the city. A closer look at the historic center reveals 48 stops on the Kit Carson Trail: The 2.5-mile route winds through several blocks of the historic district and passes nearly 50 landmarks. You can use a smartphone or another device for the self-guided audio tour, which can be customized.
Coins, State History and Railroads
The historic Carson City Mint struck a total of 57 silver issues between 1870 and 1893. Each bears the distinctive “CC” mint mark. The Nevada State Museum is housed in the historic former U.S. Mint building downtown. Another collection focuses on railroad history: The Nevada State Railroad Museum has 65 locomotives and railroad cars.
The Nevada State Capitol has been the seat of Nevada’s government since 1871 and is considered the second-oldest capitol building west of the Mississippi. On the second floor is Battle Born Hall, a museum about Nevada’s founding and the origin of the nickname “Battle Born State.” It opened in October 2018 and covers 2,000 square feet. The city center brings several historical perspectives together: coin minting, railroads and the development of the state.
The history of Stewart Indian School is also present in several ways. Its campus includes 65 stone buildings, constructed by Hopi stonemasons and Stewart students on a 110-acre site. The Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum preserves the school’s complex history and honors the rich heritage of Indigenous communities. A free outdoor audio tour tells stories of former Stewart students. Hundreds of dancers perform at the Father’s Day Pow Wow; the event also features Native American arts and crafts, as well as Indian tacos.
Carson River and Outdoor Trails
The river landscape can be experienced in a variety of locations. The Ambrose Carson River Natural Area covers 264 acres and offers unpaved trails and opportunities for hiking, fishing and birdwatching. Carson River Park is smaller, at 40 acres; it offers direct river access, multi-use trails, an accessible fishing pier and mostly level walking paths. Hiking and birdwatching are available at Silver Saddle Ranch on the Carson River. The eastern Carson River corridor also offers activities including jogging, cycling, horseback riding, kayaking and canoeing.
The two sections of the Carson River Aquatic Trail differ considerably for non-motorized watercraft. The 4.4-mile Eagle Valley section has Class I rapids suitable for most non-motorized watercraft. The 9.3-mile Carson River Canyon section features Class II and III whitewater and is intended for experienced rafters and kayakers. The length, difficulty rating and recommended experience level help distinguish between the two options.
Land trails also offer a range of route profiles. The 9.8-mile Capital-to-Tahoe Trail is intended for hiking, running, mountain biking and horseback riding. The Mexican Ditch Trail is described as an easy route for hiking, running, cycling and horseback riding. Shorter is the flat, paved V&T Trail for non-motorized travel: It runs along the west side of Carson City and is 0.75 miles long. A short 0.25-mile hike from the Kings Canyon Trailhead leads to Kings Canyon Waterfall, which is 25 feet high. Prison Hill rounds out the options with a 2,500-acre public recreation area offering opportunities for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, horseback riding and off-road driving.
More Places to Explore and Events
Carson Hot Springs has four pools filled with mineral water from hot springs: two swimming pools and two hotter hot tubs. The Jack C. Davis Observatory has indoor and outdoor telescopes for observing the moon, stars and planets; it also hosts an ongoing lecture series regularly throughout the year. Allow 90 minutes for the guided historic tours at Nevada State Prison. The tour ends at the facility’s museum and gift shop.
The events calendar also reflects different sides of the city. The Nevada Day Parade has been held annually since 1938, celebrating Nevada’s heritage and its statehood on October 31, 1864. Taste of Downtown is a summer culinary event launched in 1995. It showcases restaurants, local shops, galleries and live music. If you’re including the surrounding area in your travel plans, Carson City is about 30 miles from Lake Tahoe; the surrounding region offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing and snowshoeing. From Carson City, the reconstructed V&T Railway offers scenic round trips or one-way rides toward Virginia City.
Discover more destinations: Carson City, Elko County, Nye, Clark, White Pine County, Lincoln County, Lyon County, Douglas County.
Go to the main travel overview: Nevada.
