For thousands of years, Washoe Valley and Washoe Lake have provided a home and livelihood to a variety of human cultures in this otherwise hostile land. The name Washoe comes from the original inhabitants, the Washoe Indians, originally spelled Washo. The tribe spent the winters as family groups in the lowlands of the valley, and summers at the "Big Lake," Lake Tahoe. They used the willows and cattails from the wetlands of Washoe Lake to make their elaborate baskets.

In 1859, the discovery of silver in the nearby Comstock Lode of Virginia City to the east brought thousands of miners, loggers, and traders to the Valley. In the same year, Mormon settlers established a permanent settlement near Franktown, west of Washoe Lake. The Ophir Mill (which can be seen from Hwy. 395) was built on Washoe Lake's west shore and was reached by an elevated causeway across the then Washoe Marsh. Ruins of the New York Mill can still be found by Little Washoe Lake. Both processed ore from the Comstock. Washoe Valley saw other supply towns such as Washoe City, Ophir, and Lakeview spring up in response to the mining activity.

In 1872, the Virginia and Truckee Railroad began service through Washoe Valley, connecting Reno to Carson City. The V&T ran continuously until 1950. By the late 1870's the mining boom was over and the towns around Washoe Lake were all but abandoned. Those who remained behind turned to ranching and farming, gradually displacing the Washo Indians from the Valley.

Washoe Lake State Park was established in 1977 to preserve a portion of scenic Washoe Valley for future generations to enjoy, with land and water-based recreation for all. In the wake of the rapidly expanding urbanization of nearby Carson City and Reno, the park is a true treasure to be cherished and protected.