6000 Bartley Ranch Rd, Reno, NV 89511

Bartley Ranch Regional Park

Park Description:

Bartley Ranch Regional Park is a 56-acre Washoe County park with restrooms. Bartley Ranch is home to the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheatre, Western Heritage Interpretive Center, and historic Huffaker school.

Park Amenities:

Picnic shelters, reservable picnic area, reservable buildings, reservable amphitheatre, hiking trails, horse arena, and tables/benches.

Park Contact Information:

Washoe County Parks and Open Space (775) 828-6612

Park Highlights

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Park History

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General History

On the site of a former working ranch, Bartley Ranch Regional Park gives visitors insight into Nevada’s ranching heritage. There is a 2-mile walking trail surrounding the picturesque ranch house. The huge white fenced spread next door was once the home of Bill Harrah (owner of Harrah’s hotels/casinos) it’s now the home of John Harrah, Bills’ son.

Bartley Ranch used to be part of the Wheeler Estate around the turn of the 20th century. Its owner, Daniel “Uncle Dan” Wheeler was a beloved community member who had great knowledge of the area. Bartley Ranch was bought in 1923 and the new owner’s son, Gus Bartley, turned it into a horse boarding and training ranch after World War II, this is when Bartley Ranch receives its namesake. The ranch remained in operation until 1985, when the land was sold to Washoe County.

The park as we know it today, opened in 1995. The park not only is home to wonderful facilities and cherished trails, but is also used to host numerous community events, and with a particular focus on historic and cultural events.

Historic Huffaker School House

The Huffaker School House was built in 1867 to serve a majority Italian ranching community. The small community was originally called Huffaker’s after Granville W. Huffaker, who settled in the area in 1858. The schoolhouse was in operation until 1950 when a new brick school replaced it.

In 1992, this historic school house was moved 2 miles west to its current location inside Bartley Ranch Regional Park. Efforts have been taken to restore and preserve this school house, which can currently be rented out for events and celebrations.

Caughlin Fire

One of the worst fires in Reno history burned almost half of Bartley Ranch’s 56 acres back in November 2011. While the Western Interpretive Center, the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater, Huffaker School House, and wooden ranch building were spared from damage, an old Mormon wagon and an unoccupied house containing historical materials were destroyed. Lots of vegetation was destroyed and trails had to be closed down.
However, if you come to the park today you would have never guessed that a fire struck here. With the help of volunteers, in April 2012 new trees, shrubs, and grasses were planted. In the following summer, an aid concert was held to further help in restoring the vegetation and to rebuild fences and bridges.

Image:
Photo from Intermountain Forest Service, USDA Region 4 Photography, Flickr.

Present Day

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iNaturalist:

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Curious what's been seen in this park? Click the link below to see what species other have spotted!

Bartley Ranch Regional Park on iNaturalist

Contact:

Have a question about our parks or the Parks Project? Email us at parksproject@tmparksfoundation.org!

Want To Learn More?

References & Further Info:

Washoe County Parks and Open Space - Bartley Ranch Regional Park
Alicia Barber & Friends of the Old Huffaker School, “Historic Huffaker Schoolhouse,” Reno Historical, accessed 25 August 2019, http://renohistorical.org/items/show/170.
Skorupa, Susan. "Volunteers, Staff Work to Restore Bartley Ranch Park's Burned Landscape." Reno Gazette - Journal, 11 May 2012. ProQuest, http://unr.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.proquest.com/docview/1012296703?accountid=452.
“‘Uncle Dan ‘ Wheeler is Dead: Washoe Pioneer’s Career Ends.” Reno Evening Gazette, 15 October 1915, p. 13. Newspaper Archive, https://access.newspaperarchive.com/us/nevada/reno/reno-evening-gazette/1915/10-15/page-13/dan-wheeler?psb=relevance&ndt=by&py=1910&pey=1919&ndt=ex&py=1915&search=y

Contributor(s):

Patti Posten (history)

Meghan Anderson (history)

Haley McGuire

Alex Shahbazi

Last Updated:

September 14, 2022 at 7:04:06 PM

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