Lahontan State Recreation Area

10/13/2026

UPDATE October 13: This Swimming Advisory has been lifted. HAB Levels are still considered dangerous and it's recommended to use extreme caution before entering the water.

‼️Swimming Prohibited at Silver Springs side of Lahontan Reservoir ‼️

Swimming is currently prohibited for visitors and pets on the Silver Springs side of Lahontan Reservoir due to elevated toxin levels from a harmful algal bloom (HAB).

Lahontan State Recreation Area remains open for camping and other recreational activities.

Recent testing found toxin levels of approximately 25,000 µg/L, the highest concentration recorded in Nevada to date. For comparison, 2,000 µg/L is the threshold for a HAB Danger Advisory.

Please stay out of the water on the Silver Springs side and keep pets out of the water anywhere a HAB is present. Harmful algal blooms can cause serious illness in people and can be especially dangerous to pets.

Fishing is not recommended in areas where a harmful algal bloom is present. If you choose to fish, thoroughly wash any fish before cleaning or processing it and avoid contact with visibly affected water. Consumption of fish from Lahontan is discouraged altogether because of elevated mercury levels.

The Fallon side remains under a HAB Danger Advisory. Avoid water that is discolored, has surface scum or mats, has a foul odor, or otherwise appears affected by an algal bloom.

Conditions will continue to be monitored, and restrictions will remain in place until testing shows toxin levels have decreased.

Check current HAB advisories and learn more at nevadahabs.org.

09/17/2026

ATTENTION BOATERS

The reservoir has reached 89,000 acre feet therefore the boat dock at North Shore Marina has been pulled for the season.

09/02/2026

HAB You Heard?

Some lakes and reservoirs throughout Nevada are currently under a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) advisory, but what does it mean?

When water shows signs of a possible HAB, such as green discoloration, swampy odors, and satellite imagery indicating a bloom, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) may issue a Watch Advisory. The water is then tested for cyanotoxins, and the advisory level can move up or down based on the results.

HAB conditions can change quickly. One side of a reservoir may be experiencing a bloom while the other is not, and conditions can shift throughout the day.

Advisories are in place to help you make informed decisions before entering the water. Children and pets are especially vulnerable and should be kept away from water affected by a HAB advisory. Fishing is also not recommended. If you choose to fish, thoroughly clean your catch before consuming it.

Learn more about HABs and advisories at nevadahabs.org.

08/28/2026

🔺 ️Park Alert 🔺️

The reservoir is currently at 110,000 acre feet, therefore the Boat Docks on the Silver Springs side of the park have been pulled for the season. The dock at North Shore Marina will remain in the water until approximately 90,000 acre feet.

08/26/2026

Bummed our "Dark Skies. Strange Encounters" t-shirt wasn't available at the Cosmos in the Desert event? Us too! Good thing we have finally received them, and they are available for purchase on our Online Store: https://www.reservenevada.com/NevadaWeb/Merchandise/MerchandiseSale.aspx

We will also be selling them at Fallon's Cantaloupe Festival August 28th - 30th! Make sure to come find our Gift Shop trailer at the Festival to get your Nevada State Parks gear.

08/24/2026

🚀 2026 Cosmos in the Desert Event Photos 📸

Our second annual festival welcomed nearly twice as many visitors for twice as many nights under the stars.

We added live music from the Rebekah Chase Band, explored the night sky with astronomers, searched for bats and scorpions with Nevada Department of Wildlife, and more.

A huge thank you to all of our volunteers, especially the dedicated astronomers from the Astronomical Society of Nevada and Western Nevada College.

We heard your feedback, too. Next year, we’ll be reorganizing the event layout to balance telescope access with Lahontan’s incredible dark skies.

See you under the stars in August 2027!

08/22/2026

‼️ HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM DANGER ADVISORY 🚨

Lahontan Reservoir, located within Lahontan State Recreation Area, has been placed under a HAB Danger Advisory due to high levels of cyanotoxins detected in recent water samples collected from the reservoir. This is the highest level of HAB advisory and should be taken seriously.

Water contact is not recommended. Children and pets should stay away from water bodies under a HAB Danger Advisory.

HAB conditions can change rapidly, and the movement and concentration of blooms can be unpredictable. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) is monitoring the situation closely.

Exposure to cyanotoxins can cause health effects ranging from mild skin irritation to serious illness and, in rare circumstances, death. Symptoms may include skin rashes or irritation, respiratory or allergic-like reactions, abdominal pain, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological symptoms. Severe exposure may result in liver or kidney damage.

For more information on HABs, visit nevadahabs.org.

SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK

08/15/2026

Northern Sierra Dutch Oven Group is out here at Day Use on the Silver Springs side of the park running a Dutch Oven Demonstration! Come on out and join them! 😁🍴

08/13/2026

🚀 The stars are calling, and you must go ✨

Enjoy Nevada’s dark skies this Friday and Saturday, August 14-15, 2026 at Lahontan State Recreation Area for the second annual Cosmos in the Desert Dark Skies Festival!

Festivities begin both nights at 8:00pm at the Beach 3 Day Use Area. Star gaze through telescopes, learn about nocturnal wildlife, listen to stories from the past, and try painting in the dark!

Get a taste of dutch oven cooking on Saturday at 11am from the Northern Sierra Dutch Oven Group

Live music from Rebekah Chase Band on Saturday night 🤘 and live painting by Alli Harvey throughout the weekend 🎨

The event activities are free, but park entry fees apply ($5 for NV registered vehicles, $10 for out of state vehicles).

Learn more about the event using the link in our bio or at parks.nv.gov/events. See you there!

08/12/2026

Join us on August 15th at 11am as the Northern Sierra Dutch Oven Group puts on a live, outdoor cooking demonstration at the Day Use Area on the Silver Springs side of the park. If you have ever been been interested in learning about traditional cast-iron camp cooking or are a seasoned cast-iron chef, we welcome you to come make some friends and learn new skills.

This is just one of the many fun things we have planned for the Cosmos in the Desert: Northern Nevada's Dark Skies Festival. More information about the event can be found here:

Find your next adventure at parks.nv.gov