Ash Canyon - Kings Canyon Trail System

Description

These trails are typically available spring, summer, and fall, but are normally snow-covered in the winter. The views are incredible, spring creeks and wildflowers are amazing, and some shade is available.

Some favorites:

• The award-winning Ash-to-Kings Trail was established by Muscle Powered in 2015. It is 7.5 miles one-way but can be enjoyed as a 14.5-mile loop by utilizing the Lincoln Bypass Trail (4.2 miles), Longview Drive Bike Path (0.8 miles), and Ash Canyon Road (2.0 miles).
• Lincoln Bypass Trail, just finished in 2022 by Muscle Powered, provides a 4.2-mile single-track alternative to Kings Canyon Road when making a loop with the Ash-to-Kings Trail.
• The V&T Multi-Use Pathway is a one-mile paved path between Ash Canyon Road and Coombs Canyon Road which follows a segment of the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad.

Ecological Fun Fact!

In 2004, a rogue campfire started a fire that burned much of the area around the Ash and Kings Canyon Trails. Today, there are not as many large pines in the lower portions of the trail as there once were, but you can see nature recovering in real time through a process called “ecological succession”. Ecological succession is a cycle of plant growth after disturbances, like fire, where first primary succession species like mosses and grasses fill in the barren area within a few years of the fire, followed by shrubs, and eventually trees. Although some fire is natural, do your part to be fire safe: follow the local fire rules, never leave a campfire unattended, report any uncontrolled fires, and never park on flammable material like dry grass.

Other Information

Use caution when using the trails; there are lots of rocks and the trails can become narrow at time. Use extra caution on King's Canyon Road, on which motorized vehicles are allowed.

Learn more about Carson City on their website.

View the complete Carson City West side trail system here.

Motor vehicles with high-clearance and 4x4 are permitted on the Ash Canyon Road and the historic Kings Canyon Road. Caution – these are narrow roads with few turnouts and steep drop-offs. Ash Canyon Road is closed one mile above the water tanks in winter.

This trail system was established with the help of Muscle Powered and The Great Basin Institute. 

Note – Horses, dogs, and bicycles are not permitted on the Waterfall Trail or the North Kings Loop for safety and for protection of Carson City’s drinking water.

Trail Manager

For additional information, visit the Carson City Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces website, or contact: