Nevada · Hiking

Golf Course Outer Trail

Golf Course Outer TrailPhoto: Nouhailler, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.9 mi
round trip
66 ft
climb
4,615 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Golf Course Outer Trail is an easy out-and-back hike in Nevada, about half a mile from the town of Empire. The route is short and gentle, with a total elevation gain of 66 feet over a 3.7-mile round trip. The trail starts and ends at nearly the same elevation, around 4,589 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 1.8 miles in, with a grade of about 2 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Carson City show May highs around 70°F and October highs around 68°F, while July averages about 90°F and winter brings highs in the mid-40s and a few snowy days a month. The trail pairs easily with other outings in the area. The Hwy 50 Frontage Trail and Riverview Trail are both within a mile, and the Prison Hill climbing area is about 3.7 miles away. Washoe Lake State Park Campground, roughly 5.5 miles off, offers a place to stay.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Golf Course Outer Trail

    Best months: March–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      45° / 24°

      6 wet · 2 snow

    2. Feb

      50° / 27°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      56° / 32°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      62° / 36°

      3 wet

    5. May

      70° / 43°

      3 wet

    6. Jun

      81° / 49°

      2 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 55°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 53°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      81° / 46°

      1 wet

    10. Oct

      68° / 36°

      2 wet

    11. Nov

      55° / 28°

      3 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      45° / 24°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Carson City, NV, 5.2 mi away at 4,761 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors