Things to Do in Reno: Nature & Outdoors

Animal Ark is not exactly a zoo but more of a wildlife sanctuary and education center. Situated on 38 acres, Animal Ark is a place for injured or abandoned animals to call home and includes such residents as cheetahs, raccoons, wildcats, coyotes, cougars, bears, badgers, tortoises and more. For various reasons these animals are considered non-releasable, and if not for the nonprofit organization, many would...read more

Between Reno and Tahoe in the foothills below Mt. Rose is an area known as Galena, named after a mining camp–era community in the area. Galena Creek Regional Park is located where Mount Rose Highway hits the treeline and begins to seriously wind its way up the mountain. It offers a visitors center, hiking trails and fishing at Marilyn's Pond, and you can reserve facilities...read more

Gear. Anyone who lives or plays in this area has some, whether it’s skis or snowboards for the resorts or backcountry, bicycles for pedaling through the forest or high desert, or kayaks for hours of paddling on the lakes and rivers. And everyone needs a way to haul that gear to their playground of choice. In Rack2Roam's 2,000-square-foot showroom, employees are eager to help people get the best...read more

For more than a decade, Reno Bike Project has been dedicated to getting citizens on bicycles and making Reno a more bike-friendly place. Its main function is as a center for people to get together, learn about cycling and generate a community in Reno for bike lovers. Its shop on 4th Street just east of downtown is full of bicycles for sale or for rent,...read more

Sparks Marina is proof that you don’t have to leave the Truckee Meadows in order to have fun in the water. This is a city facility that offers access to a lake that covers 77 acres and is suitable for all sorts of fun activities such as fishing, boating (no large motors), sailing, swimming, windsurfing and even scuba diving. On land you’ll find beaches and...read more