Reno / Tahoe Public Parks Pictures

Reno's Virginia Lake Park is like an oasis in the middle of the city. Surrounded by the urban environs of Reno which has spread around it, Virginia Lake and its park provide a calm and quiet place to walk, jog, have a picnic, bring your dog, or just relax in the shade and enjoy the view across the water.

Pictures show that Reno's Hidden Valley Regional Park is a wonderful family park with a wide variety of features designed to accommodate various recreational activities. I particularly like the mix of developed and undeveloped areas within this 480 acre park.

Rock Park in Sparks was seriously showing its age in 2008, 30 years after it was first established on the banks of the Truckee River. After a complete overhaul, it reopened in May of 2009 with a new Whitewater Park at Rock Park, consisting of over 1,000 feet of fun - five drop pools for kayaking, tubing, and rafting. Riverbank modifications provide for safe water play areas for children.

Reno's Mira Loma Park has something for everyone. At the corner of Mira Loma Drive and McCarran Blvd. in southeast Reno, Mira Loma Park features mature trees, large expanses of grass, a rentable picnic shelter, playgrounds, ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, and a flat walking path with a par course all the way around the park.

Reno's Idlewild Park is a beautiful open space just west of downtown. The park hugs a curve along the south bank of the Truckee River and features mature trees, large expanses of grass, two rentable picnic shelters, playgrounds, ball fields, a municipal pool, walking and biking paths, a train ride, Reno's Municipal Rose Garden, and small lakes for fishing and feeding waterfowl.

Reno's Rancho San Rafael Regional Park includes acres of grassy fields, wetlands, natural areas, picnic shelters, nature and walking trails, playground, and huge dog park. Rancho San Rafael Park is home to the Wilbur D. May Center, which includes the May Museum, May Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, and Great Basin Adventure.

Wingfield Park in downtown Reno is the place for Truckee River water play during Reno's hot summer months. Together with the Truckee River Whitewater Park, it's like a free water park right in the middle of the city.