Truckee River Water Trail Program

The Truckee River Water Trail: Our Work

Implementing improvements and amenities to enhance the river corridor and increase opportunities for recreation, regeneration, and enjoyment of the Truckee River.

The Truckee River Water Trail is a 121-mile water route along the Truckee River, from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake. As it flows through our communities, it weaves past alpine forests, rocky canyons, urban neighborhoods, industrial landscapes, and desert sage.

To educate and enhance community experiences along the Water Trail in Nevada, we’re providing maps, paddling information, expanded public restroom access, wayfinding markers and informational signage, and guides to our favorite ways to recreate along the Truckee River.

map of the truckee river water trail with marked restrooms, portages, fishing areas, and other features

Paddling and Tubing the Truckee River Water Trail

Whether you’re a technical kayaker, signing up for a commercial whitewater rafting trip, or simply trying to cool off on a scorching summer afternoon – you’ll find the Truckee River at the center of every local adventure. Below are a few of our resources for on-water recreation:

Truckee River Water Trail

Learn more about on-river adventures

blue and whitewater of the truckee river with an inflatable whitewater raft on right edge of picture — Boca to Mayberry

Our mile-by-mile river guide

Mayberry to Rock Park

Our mile-by-mile river guide

Improving Public Restroom Access

It’s not something most of us like to think about…but when public restrooms are tough to come by, nature still will call. That can have unfortunate consequences, impacting everything from our enjoyment of public spaces, to our water quality, to our sense of human decency.

One Truckee River is working with partners to install 9 new public restrooms along the Truckee River in Nevada. In 2020, we installed our region’s first “Portland Loo,” a temper-resistant restroom in Brodhead Memorial Park. Since then, we’ve installed 2 additional restrooms in Reno City Plaza and John Champion Park. Additionally, in 2025, Truckee River Fund awarded a grant to Washoe County to install new facilities in Mayberry Park and the City of Reno added new facilities in Idlewild Park. These investments were spurred by OTR’s watershed coalition building efforts (program page link) and key supporters such as Truckee Meadows Water Authority. We’ve installed 4 restrooms so far - and have 5 more to go!

Learn more about our public restroom efforts through our Water Trail Program, how it mirrors similar projects across the country – and why this somewhat-awkward conversion is so essential to protecting the Truckee River.

group of 6 holding giant scissors at public restroom ribbon cutting ceremony — Blog: Making a Stink About Public Restrooms

Our restrooms have made the news! Check out the coverage our program has received:

Downtown Reno Installs ‘Portland Loo’ Restroom Number Three

Video: New ‘Portland Loo’ Public Restroom Opens at City Plaza

Downtown Reno Installs ‘Portland Loo’ Restroom Number Two (video)

Agency Seeks Input on Placing Restrooms at Parks Along Truckee River (audio)

A New Type of Toilet from Portland on the Truckee River

Enjoying the Truckee Riverbank

The Truckee River is the gem of our region – offering countless opportunities for recreation. From hiking and biking, to community events and volunteer opportunities, it is easy to appreciate the Truckee River from a fresh perspective every weekend of the year. Are you seeking out new ways to enjoy it? Check out a selection of our recommendations:

Things to do on the Truckee River

truckee river in center, bridge in background, and rocks in foreground — Find Your new favorite truckee river park

group of bird watchers with binoculars — One Truckee River Events

whale public art piece in downtown reno — Explore burning man art along the truckee river

Wayfinding Signage Along the Truckee River Water Trail

In partnership with Nevada Land Trust, One Truckee River installed over 250+ educational and directional signs along the Truckee River in Nevada. The wayfinding signs help our neighbors and visitors better understand and appreciate the Truckee River. Our signage provides maps, directions, and stewardship information to paddlers, cyclers, walkers, and other park visitors.

In The News:

New Tahoe-Pyramid Trail Signage

Mile Markers Places Along the Truckee River to Help Better Navigate

Truckee River Month

Every May is Truckee River Month! Together, we’re celebrating with events and experiences that help community leaders and residents enjoy, understand, and care more for our community’s biggest asset, the Truckee River.

truckee river surrounded by green trees and grasses — truckee river month 2026