
Explore Reno’s waterfront district
Spring is the time when the city of Reno sparkles―as high water in the Truckee River comes roaring through downtown. Renewal has also washed through the neighborhood, with a pretty river park anchoring a funky and flowering arts and dining district.
The upshot is there’s no need to spend your Reno days dancing with a one-armed bandit. Instead, stroll along the Truckee River Walk with a view of the cool Sierra Nevada peaks in the distance. Or catch a street musician on your way to check out the whitewater action from a pedestrian bridge.
Best yet, get in the water for a cool-off, a mellow drift, or an adrenaline-pumping ride. This time of year, with a three-day kayak competition and festival bringing everyone to the riverfront, in the water is the place to be.
Explore the river
The heart of the city’s renaissance is the Truckee River Whitewater Park at Wingfield, around an island smack-dab in the middle of the river. From the water’s boulder-strewn edge, step into wading pools. Kayakers cruise down both forks in the river, a few tricky dips on the north fork spicing things up for onlookers. It’s easy to steer clear, though, if you want just a low-key paddle.
Upriver, Idlewild Park is the place to spread out a riverside picnic on the grass. There’s a rose garden to wander, plus easy put-in access to moderate class II rapids. It’s also a good spot for casting a line to try to nab one of the river’s cutthroat, rainbow, or brown trout.