Get Outside!
Parks, Hiking, Biking, & More!
-Kayla M.
Family Favorite Parks in Reno
Rancho San Rafael Regional Park 595 N Sierra St, Reno, NV 89503
Situated close to downtown Reno, Rancho San Rafael is a large park with plenty of trails, gardens, and open spaces. It’s home to the Wilbur D. May Museum, as well as a dog park, making it a great spot for families and pet owners.
Bartley Ranch Regional Park 6000 Bartley Ranch Rd, Reno, NV 89511
Bartley Ranch offers easy hiking trails, scenic views, and historic displays, along with a museum that highlights the region’s rich history, making it a perfect blend of outdoor exploration and local culture.
Idlewild Park 2055 Idlewild Dr, Reno, NV 89509
Known for its charming train during the warmer months, Idlewild Park boasts large grassy areas perfect for family activities, picnics, and outdoor fun, providing a peaceful retreat in the heart of Reno.
Damonte Ranch Park 1950 Steamboat Pkwy, Reno, NV 89521
Located in South Reno, Damonte Ranch Park is a spacious, family-friendly park that offers a variety of amenities. The park features multiple sports fields, including baseball and soccer fields, as well as walking paths that wind through scenic natural areas.
Lazy 5 Regional Park 7100 Pyramid Way, Sparks, NV 89436
A spacious, family-friendly park that offers a variety of amenities, including sports fields, a playground, and walking trails. The park is also home to a pond with a beautiful fountain, making it a peaceful spot for a relaxing stroll or a picnic. In addition, the Melio Gaspari Water Play Park is open seasonally and located right next door!
Local Trails & Hikes
Peavine Mountain
- Distance: Varies (trailheads)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Overview: A local favorite for hiking and mountain biking, offering quick access to nature with panoramic views of Reno and the Truckee Meadows.
Hunter Creek Hiking Trail
- Distance: 4.5 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Overview: Known for its scenic beauty, this trail leads to a stunning 30-foot waterfall. It's a family-friendly trail that's also dog-friendly, offering a peaceful hike with a rewarding view.
Huffaker Park Lookout Trail
- Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Overview: This short trail provides incredible panoramic views of downtown Reno. It’s an easy hike with minimal effort, making it a great option for a quick outdoor escape.
Galena Creek Regional Park
- Distance: Varies
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Overview: This park offers family-friendly hiking trails through forests and meadows, as well as fishing opportunities. It’s a great spot for those seeking a peaceful outdoor experience.
Truckee River Walk
- Distance: 2.5 miles
- Difficulty: Easy
- Overview: For a more urban hike, the Truckee River Walk offers a scenic, flat route that follows the river through Reno. It’s ideal for a leisurely stroll or a short bike ride and is perfect for those wanting to stay close to the city while still enjoying outdoor beauty.
Mountain Biking Trails
- Peavine Trail System (North of downtown Reno)
- Offers expansive views and a network of trails for all levels. Popular trails: Halo, Total Recall, Poedunks, Snow Terrace, and Crispy Bacon.
- North Valleys Regional Park (North of downtown Reno)
- Newly expanded stacked-loop trails through the high desert landscape, perfect for beginner to advanced riders.
- Galena Creek Trails (South Reno)
- Popular spots include Dry Pond Loop (7 miles) and North Ballardini Ranch Trail (2 miles), offering diverse terrain and great views.
- Sky Tavern (Southwest Reno)
- A hub for mountain biking with a bike park, downhill trails for advanced riders, and scenic trails suitable for all levels.
- A hub for mountain biking with a bike park, downhill trails for advanced riders, and scenic trails suitable for all levels.
Nearby Adventures
Tahoe Rim Trail
- Distance: 165 miles (loop)
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Overview: A stunning trail that offers breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada. Hikers can explore different segments, from peaceful lake views to challenging mountain climbs.
Mount Rose Wilderness Area
- Distance: Varies
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Overview: Located just outside of Reno, this area offers several trails, including the Mount Rose Summit Trail, providing sweeping views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding landscape.
Pyramid Lake
- Activities: Fishing, kayaking, hiking
- Overview: Located about 30 miles north of Reno, Pyramid Lake offers hiking along the shore, fishing for native species, and exploring unique geological formations.
***SIDEBAR*****
Favorite Trails & Hikes According to Avid Long-Distance Runner, Alyssa Jordan
- Steamboat Trail - I like to start either at Mayberry Park or Horseman’s Park off Skyline. The trail is flat & easy while getting to enjoy the gorgeous neighborhoods throughout Northwest Reno.
- Damonte 3-Mile Loop- You can let your kids play at the park and your dogs run free in the grass while enjoying an easy 3-mile loop around the meadow seeing a variety of wetland birds. A lot of the South Reno community walks here on a daily basis.
- Bartley Ranch provides a beautiful trail starting from the top of Windy Hill to the bottom of Anderson Park, seeing farm life like cows & horses. Enjoy it from a 2.5 mile range.
- Looking for a more extreme hike? From starting at the base fully up hill with multiple switch backs, you can find yourself hiking Jones Creek Trailhead leading you up to Church’s Pond. It is such a cute hidden gem, but quite a mission to get to! 7-miles total, taking you about 4 hours to hike & if your running, it takes me about 1.5/2 hours to run.
Local Tip:
Rancho San Rafael Park has been a staple in my family for over 30 years. Boasting over 500 acres, there is something for everyone! There are pavilions for family BBQ’s, numerous walking/running trails, playgrounds, grassy fields for flying kites or having picnics, several ponds where you’ll find ducks and turtles sunning on Lilly pads. Rancho is also home to the biggest contained dog park in Reno and the coolest arboretum and botanical gardens (all seasons are nice, but springtime is beautiful). Watch for special events here such as the Hot Air Balloon Races and Dragon Lights Reno. This park is a must visit!! -Michele C.
Local Tip:
One of our favorite things to do as a family, is to grab a gluten free breakfast burrito from Walden’s Coffee and go walk or ride bikes on the path near Caughlin ponds.
-Kayla M