Welcome to Truckee River Month!
Did you know?
May is Truckee River month! One Truckee River invites you to celebrate our local gem, the Truckee River, in the month of May. This month, let's raise public awareness and engagement around our important waterway, the Truckee River.
Take an afternoon to enjoy its beauty. Hike, bike, picnic, paddle, fish, or swim - and appreciate the uniqueness of clean, mountain-fresh water running through our urban desert hometown. The more we enjoy the river, the more we'll care for it. The Truckee provides 85% of the drinking water to the Truckee Meadows region, and ongoing protection for our shared resource is more important than ever.
Looking to learn more? Celebrate the Truckee River by checking out these upcoming events:
GET OUT and enjoy the truckee river - every day!
The Truckee River is the gem of our region – offering countless opportunities for recreation in Northern Nevada, as well as just over the California stateline. From adrenaline-fueled whitewater kayaking excursions to mellow camping trips and celebratory downtown events, you probably already know your favorite ways to enjoy our waterway.
Looking for more things to do on the Truckee River? Click here for our favorites places to paddle, hike, bike, fish, camp, picnic, wildlife-watch, dine, dance, and enjoy nature from a new perspective this season.
One Truckee River Events — Ongoing
New for 2026! At One Truckee River, we’ve begun hosting ongoing free events — with 3 fabulous options to enjoy this May. Through our new event series, it's easier than ever to get out and about on the river, while getting to know your neighbors.
May 16th, 10am-12pm, Cottonwood Park
May 23rd, 10am-12pm, Caughlin Park
Join Iris Jehle-Peppard, One Truckee River’s Executive Director, for a walk along the Truckee River Path. Together, we’ll observe and document the state of the river while learning about regional coordinated vegetation management efforts. As we stroll along the Truckee, we’ll note the plant species we find – and talk about why they matter so much for wildlife, residents, and visitors. We’ll share an update on One Truckee River's riverbank repair projects along key stretches of the waterway flowing through the heart of our community. As we explore, we’ll discover more about local efforts to improve the Truckee River Corridor.
Saturday, May 30th, 10am-12pm, Lake Park
How can we make the most of our high desert home’s 8 annual inches of rainfall? Join One Truckee River and landscape architect and horticulturist Tom Stille to learn about key strategies for making the most of water in our home gardens. In this workshop, we’ll talk about mini meadows, buffer strips, and drought-tolerant native plants. By using water efficiently and preventing water from flowing off our properties and down the storm drains, we can improve our river’s water quality – while growing beautiful, low-maintenance gardens!
SATURDAY MORNING CLEAN UP — May 2
Pick your spot and jump in! Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful is organizing their annual community clean up. Join KTMB across the Truckee Meadows at over 20 beautification and cleanup sites throughout the Reno/Sparks area. They’ll be tackling illegal dumpsites, neighborhood parks, and other beautification projects.
Your participation is crucial as litter can disrupt our natural ecosystem. Once it washes into the Truckee River, it can significantly impact our aquatic species. By removing trash, you are directly contributing to the protection of the main source of our drinking water, approximately 85% of which comes from the Truckee River.
Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance - Multiple Dates
Whether you’re just beginning to discover birds or are already a part of the birdwatching community, May is the perfect time to attend a bird walk, class, or garden tour! This is the same organization as the Lahontan Audubon Society, which recently changes its name.
BIRD WALKS, CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Learn more about the local birds of the Truckee River Watershed by taking a free bird walk. Sign ups for all walk become available through the Northwest Nevada Bird Alliance as the bird walk dates draws near and spaces are limited.
Looking for a more structured experience? Keep an eye on their calendar to sign up for their classes, featuring experts who are so excited to share their knowledge on the identification of birds that we see in northern Nevada. Whether you are just beginning to discover birds or would like to improve your birdwatching skills, come learn how to identify Nevada birds!
Smart About Water Day - Celebrating 25 Years of Local Water System Control - May 9
Learn all about the programs and strategies that go into managing our local water resources. This is a free, family-friendly annual event with food trucks and big rigs to explore, packed with fun and interactive ways to learn about water resource management in the Truckee Meadows.
With water agencies from around the community participating, it’s an excellent opportunity to get any of your questions about water answered by experts. From future planning to water quality to planting a water-friendly landscape, there’s something for everyone to learn. This year, TMWA marks its 25th anniversary and shares the history and future of our region’s critical resource.
This free community event at the California Building in Reno’s Idlewild Park from 10am-2pm will feature the projects, plans and actions that contribute to the overall state of water in the Truckee Meadows.
Truckee Meadows Water Authority, Workshop series - May 6, 20 & 27
Join the Truckee Meadows Water Authority workshops about where Northern Nevada’s water comes from - and learn what you can do to manage your water use and home irrigation systems more efficiently! On May 6th, they’ll lead a tour of the Glendale Water Treatment Plant with experts presenting the rigorous regulations, testing and treatment procedures your water goes through prior to reaching your tap. On May 20st and 27th, attendees will be introduced to the basic concepts of operating, maintaining, and repairing residential drip systems and sprinkler systems.
25th Annual Tahoe Truckee Snapshot Day - May 9
Be a Watershed Steward!
Join in hands-on water quality monitoring of our watershed. Monitoring teams will collect data that is used for restoration projects and overall watershed protection. Snapshot Day covers as much geographic area as possible in order to capture a “snapshot” in time of water quality for the entire Truckee River watershed. Samples are taken from the Lake Tahoe Basin and follow the Truckee River watershed all the way to Pyramid Lake.
Native & Adaptive Native Plant Sale - May 16
Switch things up with a visit to the Carson River, and pick up some new native plants for your yard! Hosted by the UNR Extension Master Gardeners of Douglas County, this sale features high-quality plants sourced from Washoe Tree Nursery, Nevada’s Own, and The Greenhouse Project.
Located where the east and west forks of the Carson River meet near Genoa, River Fork Ranch is both a nature preserve and a working cattle operation. The ranch’s riparian corridor and patchwork of pastures, meadows and wetlands support a robust and diverse wildlife population including bald eagles, sandhill cranes, leopard frogs, monarch butterflies and mule deer.
tahoe pyramid trail cookie ride - May 17
Cookies and Lemonade served from 9:30 AM-12 PM, Sunday, May 17 at Crystal Peak Park, Verdi
Each year, individuals, families, riding clubs, running clubs, and friends' groups celebrate the Mogul-Verdi Trail's opening in 2005 by planning a ride or run ending at Crystal Peak Park in Verdi. Everyone is welcome and given the opportunity to mingle with others attending and sample the delicious treats. Don’t forget that this is very close to the Quilici Ranch Road Trailhead. Bring your mountain bikes or hike and jump on the Tahoe-Pyramid Trail after a few cookies!
World Bee Day celebration - May 20
Biggest Little Bee City, in partnership with the City of Reno Parks and Recreation Department, will be hosting a World Bee Day celebration on May 20th at Idlewild Park from 2-6 PM.
This family-friendly event aims to educate the community about the vital role of pollinators in our ecosystem and to promote practices that support their health and habitats - including mulching, native plants, and sustainable gardening practices! Stop by to explore vendors, food trucks, educational presentations, and a special visit from the American Honey Princess.
WaterPalooza - May 30
Water Palooza is a free half day-long education fair hosted at a local elementary to engage and encourage students to become stewards of their own water environment. The goal of Water Palooza is to engage students in hands-on and demonstrative activities that promote the value of water and encourage students to become stewards of their own water environment. Water Palooza is organized by Nevada Water Environment Association (NWEA).
Reno River Festival - May 19-31
Celebrate summer at the Reno River Festival, featuring a full weekend 20+ musical acts, crave-worthy food and beverage vendors, and one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts made by local artists. This year’s Festival is temporarily moving to Idlewild Park. The signature Northern Nevada event will feature all the community’s favorite experiences including three days of live music, drink experiences, food, shopping, rafting, and rides.
The festival has something for everyone, including guided rafting trips, biking and golfing events, and a pet-friendly Bark Park. Highlights include musical headliners the The Calling, Everclear, and As If!
Spring Native Plant Sale - May 30-31
Check out the Walker Basin Conservancy's Spring Native Plant Sale. Shop a beautiful selection of locally adapted native wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses - everything you need to start the pollinator garden you've been dreaming about all winter!
Amy Wruck, the Walker Basin Conservancy’s Native Seed Manager explains, “Nevada’s native plants have endured here for generations, perfectly shaped by our climate to conserve water, nurture wildlife, and build resilient communities. These wildlife-wise, fire-wise plants protect our water and keep Nevada’s iconic landscapes thriving.”