If I wrote a best-selling novel every time a New England transplant told me I’ve never experienced a “true” fall, you’d be able to call me Stephen King. The rainbow of colors, they say. The trees. The maple syrup.
Listen, I’m the first to admit (i.e., complain) that fall in the West means blasting the air conditioning while driving around during the day, and often feels far removed from cozy, latte-inspired romps through multicolored leaf litter.
However, fall in the Truckee Meadows is not without its merits. While our horizons are more monotone than those back East, I can’t help but drive a little slower when heading south through the intersection of McCarran Boulevard and West Fourth Street, which looks out over the Truckee River and a sea of oranges, yellows and the occasional red.
What we have here, besides the forced cold air and residual flip-flops, are dramatic cloud shows with sunshine streaming through to play on the mountains like heaven in Renaissance painting. (Imagine that one, East Coasters!) We have cottonwoods with yellow, heart-shaped leaves that wave in the ever-present wind, reflecting light like a kinetic sculpture. Lizards still scurry under rocks, and birds twiddle through brush, showing us life that hasn’t yet left our corner of the world. And, most importantly, ambient temperatures usually allow us to enjoy it all in total comfort.
Fall is my favorite time in Reno. No, we don’t have an abundance of maple, but we do have a spectacular show—and a great place to take it all in is the Oxbow Nature Study Area.
This small park is one of the few intact riparian areas in the Truckee Meadows. Partially managed by Nevada Department of Wildlife, this area is preserved for wildlife conservation. This park features a 0.9-mile trail that winds along the northern shores of the Truckee River (to the west and across the river from Idlewild Park). The park also features an oxbow, or a segment of standing water that was once part of the river but is no longer connected. This water, which is present year-round, creates a place for willows, waterfowl and other animals to thrive. During October, visitors could find species like muskrats, goldfinches and hawks.
I love bringing people here, especially in the fall, when golden Fremont cottonwoods line the Truckee. Though the park is adjacent to Fourth Street and the train tracks, it feels isolated and quiet. Wide, sandy trails flow into boardwalks that hang over the river and above the oxbow. It’s serene and shaded and is unlike any other area in town. It’s also a place that feels easy to share with any level of outdoor enthusiast with any degree of fitness. The trail that navigates the park has plenty of benches on which to rest and is nearly flat. Interpretive signs along the trail help guide and educate those who are curious, though the life within the park can spark inspiration itself. A handful of benches on the river are great for picnics.
The trail through the park is shaped like an hourglass with a broken bottom. From the parking lot, you’ll see a trail leading to the left, and another to the right across a grassy lawn. I suggest heading to the right first. This will take you through the northeastern side of the park. Almost immediately, a red boardwalk forks from the sandy path. This short incline leads to an overlook with views of the park’s magnificent flora. Returning to the trail, another fork to the right appears. This leads to the oxbow. I highly recommend visiting this.
Continuing along the main path leads through a tunnel of greenery to the river. If you continue straight (west) from here, you will start rounding the top of this hourglass trail. This section is where I see the most wildlife—birds, bunnies, even a deer once. Completing this loop returns you to the river once again. While facing east, keep along the river’s side for the final portion of the park. Another red boardwalk appears and expands into two consecutive decks over the water. I love to consider this the “finale,” because the view west toward the mountains—framed by golden cottonwoods—makes my heart sing.
If you need more fall color, bring along my fall trail-mix recipe: pistachios, dried cranberries, banana chips, pecans and chocolate. But please, please don’t tell me that fall sucks here.
Oxbow Nature Study Area is located at 3100 Dickerson Road, in Reno. The park’s winter hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. The entrance gate will be locked after hours. There is no fee to visit.