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Prison Hill features seven trails for users to enjoy. The longest and more strenuous loop is the Escape from Prison Hill Loop, which includes the North Loop, Dead Truck Canyon Trail, Valley View Loop, Mexican Ditch Trail, and the West Loop. There are trail markers placed about every mile. The trails are well maintained and are mostly comprised of sand and dirt footing.
Portions of the Escape from Prison Hill Loop intersect with the OHV play area; keep an eye out for oncoming traffic.
The Prison Hill trail connecting 5th street trailhead to Silver Saddle Ranch is the only ADA trail at this time.
Motorized trail use is reserved to only the southern end of the hill. The major staging area is located at 3100 Golden Eagle Lane. Please stick to designated trails. Visit The Dirt for more information about the OHV trails.
For more information about Carson City, visit the Carson City government website or the Visit Carson City tourism website.
For additional information, visit the Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space website, or contact:
Download map files for your own use.
The trails can be accessed from several locations around Prison Hill:
5th Street Trailhead - The first starting point is at the Prison Hill Recreation Area. There is a large parking lot with restrooms. Begin the trail to the left of the trail kiosk and follow the 2-mile flat walking path that follows Saddle Ranch Road until you reach a smaller parking area and more trail head kiosks.
Go east on E 5th Street (NV-513) 2.5 miles from it's junction with South Carson Street, or east 1.5 miles on Fairview Drive from I-580. From the traffic circle, go 0.3 miles to Carson River Road on the right. The parking area is immediately on the right on Carson River Road.
Koontz Lane Trailhead (2690 Koontz Lane) - Newly updated trailhead with all ADA accessible facilities, including restroom, picnic table, and parking. Kiosk sign with trail map. From South Carson Street, go east on Koontz Lane to the end and as you near the water tank turn left at the Prison Hill monument sign. Provides access to Prison Hill Trail West, Odyssey, and other west-side Prison Hill trails.
From NV-529 (South Carson Street) head east on East Clearview Drive. Go 0.5 miles and turn left on South Edmunds Drive. Go 0.4 miles to Kootz Lane on the right; there is a sign indicating Prison Hill.
Clearview Drive Trailhead (2600 Clearview Drive) - East end of Clearview Drive. Kiosk sign with trail map. Limited parking, no restroom. Provides access to Prison Hill Trail West, Clearview Loop, and other west side Prison Hill trails.
Silver Saddle Ranch (4901 Carson River Road) - Restroom and equestrian parking. Provides access to the historic Silver Saddle Ranch and nearby trails, including Dead Truck Canyon Trail on Prison Hill, the Mexican Ditch Trail, and Carson River Trail.
Bear activity is high in this area. Keep (people) (pets) (property) safe. Keep bears wild. For more information on the BearWise campaign, visit the Recreate Responsibly page, or click on this link to learn how to be BearWise in the outdoors.
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