Into the Great Wild Open
The Wild Outdoors in Reno Tahoe
Wide open spaces can be hard to come by these days, unless you know where to go. So go to Reno Tahoe! Here there are no limits to finding your true nature in the great wilds—from desert to lake. Trails start right in town or are just minutes away. Reno is where neon lights meet the ultimate outdoors scene, with some of the country’s best novice to gnarly mountain biking, peak-bagging hikes, lesser-known lakes, and hidden hot springs nestled around the Black Rock Desert. Take the big leap this fall, into Reno’s great wild open.
Kick Up Some Dust – Reno’s Exceptional Bike Terrain
Reno has quietly built a world-class reputation as one of the best off-road biking destinations. Defying gravity isn’t just for astronauts … in Reno Tahoe you’ll get that cloud nine feeling biking flowy singletrack. Expansive desert, mountainous backdrops, hidden lakes, and car-free trails make Reno’s terrain perfect for exploration on two wheels.
The 12-mile Truckee River Bike Path cuts right through downtown Reno and goes all the way to Sparks, where you should absolutely make a pit stop at one of the tasty craft breweries (more on that in a minute).
Intermediate and advanced riders can roll with the good terrain at Peavine Mountain, just a few miles outside of downtown yet a wilderness world away. Take your pick of 60+ miles of singletrack. The Halo-Crispy Bacon Loop is filled with fun climbs, tight turns, and some cross-country connections that let you take in the beautiful scenery. In fall, conditions here are prime, with views of beautiful churning foliage for miles.
Brew Bonus Sparks! Reno Tahoe has some of the West’s tastiest locally crafted brews. Just east of Reno, in Sparks, Great Basin Brewery at Victorian Square makes a refreshing stop, especially if you like IPAs. Pair their famous “Icky” (Ichthyosaur) with beer-battered fish and chips. There’s also Revision Brewing Company, named by USA TODAY as a great beer destination. While in Sparks, check out The Outlets at Legends, an outdoor shopping area where you can find some good deals on apparel! Next ride…
Hike from Town, Swim at Sparks Marina
Hike right from town? Absolutely! In Reno Tahoe it’s easy to find yourself in nature quickly by taking a trailhead from town. Take the Tom Cooke Trail. At just 1.2 miles all-in, this short but scenic hike ascends quickly via switchbacks. Once you reach the top you have the option to continue on a trail following the Steamboat Ditch for several miles. The trailhead is located behind the Patagonia Outlet store.
If you’re looking for a short hike with incredible views—including sublime sunset scenery—Huffaker Hills has a 2-mile loop with a beautiful view of Reno’s skyline. And it’s all within minutes of downtown Reno.
Take a walk by the lake and have a little beach time at Sparks Marina Park, just minutes from downtown Reno. With the Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop, the park’s 77-acre lake has two sandy beaches for waterfront fun. Relax and stroll one of the multi-use walking paths. Every day the lake is replenished with 2 to 3 million gallons of fresh water by a naturally recurring aquifer, making Sparks Marina Park a prime place for swimming, boating, windsurfing and other water sports. There’s plenty more here, with picnic areas, volleyball courts, and playgrounds, plus a dog park. Keep an eye on the calendar for special events.
Desert Dreaming and Hot Springs
One of the world’s most famous festivals happens every September near Reno, in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert. We’re talking Burning Man, of course. But the “playa” is a completely different world when it’s not occupied by Burners from around the world.
Soothe your bones in this rugged landscape by sinking into the Soldier Meadow Hot Springs or Black Rock Hot Springs.
Or see if you can get onto a tour to see the impressive (photo-famous) Fly Geyser. The geyser is on private land, so you have to go on a guided trip to see six-foot spews of boiling water fly into the air for several feet, and in technicolor!
The Black Rock Desert is about two hours by car from Reno. Enroute you’ll pass historic trails in the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area, and the ethereal Pyramid Lake.
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