Parks and Open Space

Bowers Mansion

The Historic Bowers Mansion is located within Bowers Mansion Regional Park.

Bowers Mansion Office: (775) 849-0201
Park Ranger Office: (775) 849-1825
Bowers Pool: (775) 849-0644
Bowers Mansion


Tour back in time to Nevada's heyday and see how Comstock millionaires Eilley and Sandy Bowers lived the posh life in Washoe Valley. Picnic, swim and play on the grounds as every generation of visitors has done since the Victorian era.

Tours

Bowers Mansion is open seasonally (weekends and holidays), usually from Memorial Day through Nevada Day (end of October). Tours are every hour, on the hour, from 11:00am-3:00pm. Summer group tours are also available by appointment. Call the mansion for details at (775) 849-0201.

If you are unable to visit for a tour, you can always take a virtual mansion tour of your own.

ADMISSION FEES
Adults (ages 18-61) - $10
Seniors (ages 62+) - $7
Children (ages 6-17) - $7
Children ages 5 and under are free.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT AIR QUALITY CLOSURES: The mansion will close for tours in the event that the air quality reaches the red zone or above (151+) according to AirNow.gov.  

Media

The mansion and its history has been featured in various videos & articles. Click the links below to view them:

A visit by the 'History Hunters' (2022)

Washoe Life Podcast highlighting the incredible life of Eilley Bowers (2022)

Women's History Podcast (Episode 81) highlighting Eilley Bowers
'Saving Bowers Mansion' (Article in Nevada Magazine, Spring 2021)

'Wild Nevada' (Episode 509)

Bowers Mansion Regional Park was awarded the 2019 Silver State Legacy Park Award, which is the highest accolade the Nevada Recreation and Park Society can bestow upon a park.

'Washoe Way Back' video

'Knowing Nevada' video (News 4)

Legendary Nevadans: Eilley Bowers of Washoe Valley (Travel Nevada)

Biography of Alison (Eilley) Oram Bowers (Nevada Women's History Project)

'Mysteries at the Castle' (Season 3, Episode 3) This episode aired on January 22, 2016. (skip to 29:19 in the video)

Bonanza - Under Attack [1995] - Portions of this TV movie were filmed at Bowers Mansion. The inside of the mansion first appears at 5:48 in the video.

Bonanza (Season 1, Episode 7) - Aired on October 24, 1959, the mansion is shown at the end of the show (46:28 in the video) as the home constructed by Annie O’Toole after striking it rich. The footage of the mansion was reused in season eight's "The Greedy Ones" as mining tycoon Shasta's estate.

1955 Episode of 'Death Valley Days' about Eilley Bowers

Programs

Nevada Living History Day

Living History Day Ladies Image

Various exhibits and demonstrations will be happening inside and around the mansion between the hours of 11am and 3pm on Saturday, May 17, 2025.  Self-guided tours will be available for $8 adults and $6 children & seniors. And, there will be a food truck on-site to serve our guests! For more information, please call 775-849-1825 or email Ranger Bret @ bhartman@washoecounty.gov For future event dates, keep an eye on our calendar of events page.

Programs on the Porch

Program Crowd Image

This year's theme was 'Variety Edition'. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy this free* series each Spring in front of the historic Bowers Mansion.  Fridays from 7pm to 8pm, May 17th thru June 21st. *This series is free, however donations are happily accepted for the speakers. Call the Ranger Office at 775-849-1825 for more information. 
  • May 17, 2024 - Carson Street Ragtime Band (Swing/Ragtime music from the 20's, 30's & more)
  • May 24, 2024 - Snakes & Other Herps (UNR Biology Dept.)
  • May 31, 2024 - Winters Family History (presentation by the NV Historical Society)
  • June 7, 2024 - History of Wild Horses in NV (American Wild Horse Conservation)
  • June 14, 2024 - U&I Band
  • June 21, 2024 - Major General John C. Fremont (live historical character reenactment by Chautauquan Steve Hale)

The Grounds

Cemetery Image

* Bowers Mansion Pool     * Individual picnic sites (1st Come, 1st Serve)     * Group picnic areas (call 775-823-6501 to reserve)     * Children's playgrounds     * Hiking trail to the Bowers family grave site

Pet Policy

Please note that due to the historical significance, pets are not allowed at Bowers Mansion Regional Park with the exception of service animals.

Contact Us

Bowers Mansion Curator, Tammy Buzick, at (775) 849-0201
Bowers Mansion Regional Park - Park Ranger Office at (775) 849-1825

Directions

map with directionsFrom Reno:
- Take I-580 south towards Carson City and take Exit 16
- Turn right (south) onto Old US Highway 395 for 1.4 miles

From Carson City:
- Take I-580 north towards Reno and take Exit 10 (Eastlake Blvd.)
- Turn left onto Eastlake Blvd. and go under freeway. Then, turn right (north) onto Old US Highway 395 for 5.6 miles

Call 311 to find resources, ask questions, and utilize Washoe County services. Learn More »
Call 311 to find resources, ask questions, and utilize Washoe County services. Learn More »