Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer. That means it is the last chance for a lot of families to get out of town for a camping trip.
"It's the last camping trip for the whole year and we're all going to probably be in lockdown again, soon," Kimberly Hanson, Washoe Valley resident said.
"It's the last hoorah," Jessica Fox, Reno resident said. "My guy just went to pick up a boat we just bought so we're looking forward to using a boat for the first time."
Both of the lake's boat ramps are closed because the water levels have dropped too low. People can still launch their boats and jet skis from the beach though.
"People are putting their boats in the deeper parts of the beaches and trying to get dropped in the water that way," Nicholas Olshen, Stagecoach resident said.
"It is a little disappointing," Sam Sturges, Reno resident said. "I'm sure if you had a boat, it would be more disappointing but with the jet skis, it isn't as bad."
Lake Lahontan can hold about 300,000 acre-feet of water when it is full. Thanks to a string of wet winters since 2017, the lake has started out full and maintained a good amount of water into the fall months. After a below average winter, last year, the levels are down to to 86,000 acre-feet.
"We do see this pretty much year-to-year, though at the end of the season," Aaron Cook, Park Ranger at Lake Lahontan State Recreation Area said. "The water gets low and we pull the docks out."
Cook says people should use extra caution if they do take a boat out on the lake.
"There are some muddy areas and some deep sand and a lot of the coves are pretty shallow with some navigational hazards, sticks and logs and things exposed so if they want to do that, they just need to be aware and be very careful," Cook said.
This summer has been above average for visitations. Cook says that is likely because so any other recreation areas are closed. Many people are visiting Lahontan for the first time.
"People are still looking for recreation opportunities and Lahontan has remained open this whole time," Cook said. "So we've seen higher than average visitation."
The high numbers are expected to continue through the weekend. Many of the visitors come out here on a regular basis. They say the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is one of the reasons why.
"With the COVID stuff and our kids stuck in the house, this is the release," Olshen said. "This is getting out here and enjoying the water."
Fire restrictions are in place because of Nevada's hot and dry weather. Campers will not be allowed to use charcoal grills or build campfires.
"It's kind of hard because the girls, the kids want to have s'mores," Fox said. "That's the only thing we're missing is the s'mores but otherwise it's pretty warm so you don't need a fire."
"It hasn't been a bummer at all," Hanson said. "I think people are still partying way until midnight out here with no fire going so it hasn't dampened anything."
Propane grills and stoves are allowed. Many of the lake's visitors say they understand why the regulations are in place.
"You also can't have all that nonsense going on in California happen here so it's important that we follow the rules," Sturges said.
The guests at the reservoir say they are hoping for a wet winter and a heavy snowpack to fill the lake up next spring.
