Reno Outdoors

Description:

This course hosted three Senior Tours in the mid-1980s and the Nevada State Women's Championship in 1997. You can work on your chip shot with all the hills and water hazards on the 18-hole course. The nine-hole course is less hilly, with 2,840 yards of rolling fairways. A cart is mandatory on the 18-hole course, and you can walk the nine for a low fee. Twilight rates apply after 2:30pm.

Our Local Expert Says:

The botantical gardens are varied and a great place to enjoy nature and maybe a book.

Description:

Ranch San Rafael Park near the University of Nevada, Reno is one of the largest parks in the area. It covers over 600 acres just northwest of downtown Reno and includes grassy fields, natural waterways and creeks, nature and walking trails, interpretive and natural botanical gardens, picnic areas, playgrounds and a huge dog park.

Rancho San Rafael Park is home to the Wilbur D. May Center, which includes the May Museum, May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, Great Basin Adventure, and a restored ranch house that can be rented for events and meetings. Rancho San Rafael Regional Park is home to two of Reno's big events - the Great Reno Balloon Race and the Reno-Tahoe Blues Fest.

For runners, this is a great place to run. You can do a loop around the entire park and pass by lakes, streams, marshes, gardens, hills and various exercise equipment where you can stop and work on other muscles besides your quadriceps.

Description:

The view of the city is breathtaking from this park near Windy Hill. If you're here to relax, choose a shade tree and sit a while. There are also several walking, mountain bike and horseback trails for those who want to be on the move. Photographers will enjoy the old Huffaker School, which is located on the park grounds and can be toured by appointment. The one-room schoolhouse was built in 1867 and was in use until 1951. Admission to the park is free.

Our Local Expert Says:

A great hike for all ages and abilities.

Description:

Take a light hike through this beginner trail among sagebrush scrub and Jeffrey pine forest with thick riparian foliage lining the creek.

The Galena trail officially starts at Galena Creek Park off the Mt. Rose Hwy, but you can also hike part of it from the Callahan Ranch area. You can reach this section of the trail by turning left onto Callahan Ranch Road off the Mt. Rose Hwy/Hwy. 431. Go through two stop signs and look for the park's parking area on the right.

This trail passes through the manicured grounds and upscale homes of the Montreux Golf and Country Club. Beyond Montreux, the surroundings return to a more natural state before the path disappears in a tangle of thick brush and trees. This trail then winds up through the Sierra foothills. Galena Creek Park is seven miles up the Mt. Rose Highway from the intersection with U.S. 395. Galena Creek flows through the park creating separate north and south portions of the park. Campfire programs, ranger-led hikes, and exhibits in the old stone visitor's center add to the diversity of the park.

The main trail in Galena Creek is the Jones Creek/Whites Creek Loop trail. This is a 9.25 mile round trip that takes you into the Tahoe foothills and up to a small pond. The elevation is 6,200 feet to the highest point of 8,300 feet. From Galena Creek Park trail head you travel for half a mile on a fire road to Jones Creek. Cross the creek and you will see signs for the Loop Trail. You will hike through a forest of White and Jeffery Pine, travel along the side of a sagebrush-covered slope, and enjoy wonderful views of the canyon.

Description:

This small, but beautiful park on the West side of Washoe Valley has a small pond, a creek, picnic and camping areas and some hiking trails. Hikers and horseback riders will find a parking lot for horse trailers as well as two corrals. The horse trail is on the well-marked Ophir Creek Trail. While the terrain is a bit rough and rocky, the views of Washoe Valley and Lake Tahoe are worth the effort.
Davis Creek Park is located 20 miles south of Reno. Take U.S. 395 south to the exit for State Route 429. The park is near Bowers Mansion.

Our Local Expert Says:

Many Reno Artown Events are held near the Whitewater Park.

Description:

The Truckee River Whitewater Park brings the outdoors into downtown Reno. This area of the Truckee River, which runs from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake has been redesigned to accommodate kayakers, swimmers and tubers. It runs right through Wingfield Park and past the downtown Arts District. The entire park is 2,600 feet in length.

There is easy access to the river from all directions and a total of 11 drop pools: five drop pools in the north channel; six in the south channel for kayaking maneuvers that decrease slightly in elevation with each successive pool, to keep them supplied with fresh water. There are 7,000 tons of smooth flat-top rocks and boulders installed along the river banks and in-stream for easy public access, spectators, and kayaking maneuvers. The deep pools are continuously filled with fresh water to provide a good habitat for fish, particularly Lahontan cutthroat trout.

There are various pedestrian walkways for convenient mobility between the streets and Wingfield Park. The water temperature ranges between 50 and 70 degrees and it does not freeze.

The difficulty rating is Class 2-3 course and kayakers must wear helmets and floatation devices. Various kayaking maneuvers include freestyle, front and side surfing, cartwheeling, throwing ends, blunt moves, spoofing and splatting, flat spinning, loops, front flips, slalom racing. There are some boulders within the channels.

Description:

Once considered 'out in the country', this little spot located near the Bartley Ranch Park, is probably one of the best places to see the twinkling night lights of Reno. It's been a popular area for stargazing for decades, and probably more marriage proposals have been made here than anywhere else in town. It's well landscaped and there are benches and walking paths for daylight enjoyment as well.

Description:

This park has something for everyone. You can find several interconnecting lakes in this beautiful, tree-lined park. There is no better way to spend an afternoon than strolling through the City of Reno Municipal Rose Garden. Smell the sweet aroma as you walk through this incredibly beautiful garden that houses 2400 rose plants, representing 560 different varieties. The park offers picnic facilities equipped with benches and barbecues. There is a large playground for the kids with baseball diamonds, a volleyball pit and municipal pool. No admission is charged.

Description:

Since 1991, golfers have enjoyed spectacular views along with the abundant waterfowl that make the greens and wetlands their home. The course is challenging for all levels of golfers.  A restaurant and bar are available for lunch and dinner. Cocktails, beer and wine are also served.

Description:

What a wonderful place to spend the afternoon with the family. You will find lots of playground equipment for the kiddies at this small, but shady park. It sits across from the natural splendors of Virginia Lake, a haven for ducks and geese. When you get tired of the playground, just cross the street and feed the ducks. In a few moments, you'll be surrounded by hundreds of the quackers, begging for a treat. The park offers a covered cabana complete with half a dozen picnic tables and barbecues. You can relax and spend a quiet afternoon by a peaceful and serene lake or take a walk around the trail that encompasses the lake.