Van Sickle Bi-State Park is a public recreation area straddling the border of California and Nevada, (Western United States), that overlooks Lake Tahoe (shared by both states) and preserves the memory of Henry Van Sickle, a key member in the founding of the town of Genoa, Nevada and the surrounding area. The state park features trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. It is managed by the Nevada Division of State Parks in partnership with the California Tahoe Conservancy.[2]
| Van Sickle Bi-State Park | |
|---|---|
 View of Lake Tahoe from Van Sickle Bi-State Park, September 2012 | |
  Van Sickle Bi-State Park Location in Nevada | |
| Location | Douglas County, Nevada & El Dorado County, California, (United States) |
| Nearest city | South Lake Tahoe, California |
| Coordinates | 38°57′17″N 119°56′26″W / 38.95472°N 119.94056°W |
| Area | 725 acres (293 ha) |
| Elevation | 6,283 ft (1,915 m)[1] |
| Established | 1988[2] |
| Administered by | Nevada Division of State Parks, California Tahoe Conservancy |
| Designation | Nevada state park |
| Named for | Henry Van Sickle |
| Website | Official website  |
History
editHenry Van Sickle came to the Carson Valley in 1852 where he erected a hotel, restaurant, blacksmiths shop, bar, while also being the first toll officer of the Kinsgsbury grade toll road. The property was purchased by Jack where he cut and sold thousands of Christmas trees, had a rodeo, and drive-in movie theater. From the 1960s until 1993, an equestrian stable for tourists, Stateline Stables, operated on the site with up to 60 horses taking riders on trails throughout the area. The ranch belonged to Jack Van Sickle when, in 1988, 542 acres (219 ha) of the land was donated to the Nevada Division of State Parks. In 2001, the California Tahoe Conservancy purchased the adjacent California property. The park opened to the public in 2011.[2][3]
While the California Department of Parks and Recreation was originally involved, the organization dropped out due to continued funding woes.[4] Although part of the park is in California, it is not considered a California state park.
Park
editThe park encompasses 575 acres (233 ha) within Nevada and 150 acres (61 ha) in California. The main entrance as well as most of the historical buildings are on the California side.[5] The Heavenly Ski Resort gondola runs over the park grounds near the barn and stables. Features of the park include the historic Van Sickle farm barn, a 1917-era log cabin, and hiking trails with access to the Tahoe Rim Trail.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Van Sickle Bi-State Park". Sierra Nevada Geotourism. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Van Sickle Bi-State Park". Nevada State Parks. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
- ^ a b "Van Sickle Bi-State Park". California Tahoe Conservancy. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- ^ Reed, Kathryn (July 22, 2011). "First bi-state park in U.S. ready for hikers, bikers, horses". Lake Tahoe News. South Lake Tahoe, Cal. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
- ^ Reed, Kathryn (July 10, 2009). "Van Sickle Bi-State Park". Lake Tahoe News. South Lake Tahoe, Cal. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
External links
edit- Van Sickle Bi-State Park Nevada State Parks
- Van Sickle Bi-State Park Trails Map Nevada State Parks
- Van Sickle Bi-State Park California Tahoe Conservancy