Carson Valley

Northern Nevada

Photographs by Stan Tovrea
Article by Margie K. Tovrea

Carson Valley is located in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains and runs north and south along U.S. Highway 395. It is 40 miles south of Reno and 15 miles east of Lake Tahoe. Carson Valley includes the areas of Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville, Genoa and Lake Topaz. Carson City, the state capitol of Nevada, was named after Kit Carson.

Carson Valley is one of the most beautiful and charming areas in northern Nevada. Somehow, it manages to maintain its rural charm despite the growth of the towns of Minden, Gardnerville and Carson City. Many long time residents still work their cattle ranches and farms on land that has been passed down to them from generation to generation.

Genoa, located on Foothills Road at the base of the Sierra Mountains, was the first permanent settlement in Nevada. It was founded in 1849 by Mormon traders. Genoa maintains its historical charm to this day.

The Genoa Candy Dance, held the last weekend in September, draws thousands of visitors to the area. The Candy Dance began in 1919. The town needed a way of raising enough money to purchase streetlights. Lillian Virgin Finnegan came up with the idea for the Candy Dance. She suggested that the town hold a buffet and dance, with the wives of the area making homemade candy to sell at the event. The event proved so successful that Genoa has held the Candy Dance every year since then. In the 1970's, the event began hosting an arts and craft fair in addition to the other events. The arts and craft fair has become one of the best in Nevada with crafters coming from far and wide to participate.

Carson River

McRae's Tree Service
(775) 265-9465
Chris, LouAnn and Danielle McRae
filling orders for firewood after the 1st winter snow

Cattle Ranch

Carson Valley Inn - Minden
1st snowfall of the season

Contact the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Authority at:

775-782-8144 . 800-727-7677 . FAX (775) 782-1025
1513 US Highway 395 N
Gardnerville, Nevada 89410
info@carsonvalleynv.org

Best Western Minden
Nevada Hotel Partners LTD
Minden, NV 89423
Phone: (775)782-7766
FAX: (775)782-7756

Sierra Motel
1501 US Hwy 395 N
Gardnerville, NV 89410
Phone: (775)782-5145
FAX: (775)782-8857

Carson Valley Inn
1627 US Highway 395
Minden, NV 89423
Phone: (775)782-9711
FAX: (775)782-0318

The Legend Country Inn
2292 Main St.
Genoa, NV 89411
Phone: (775)783-0906
FAX: (775)783-1008

Historian Inn
1427 US Hwy 395
Gardnerville, NV 89410
Phone: (775)783-1175
FAX: (775)783-8620

Topaz Lodge & Casino
1979 US Hwy 395 S
Gardnerville, NV 89410
Phone: (775)266-3338
FAX: (775)266-3046

Holiday Lodge
1591 US Hwy 395
Minden, NV 89423
Phone: (775)782-2288

Westerner Motel
1353 US Hwy 395 S
Gardnerville, NV 89410
Phone: (775)782-3602