Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno is one of the largest parks in the area and is easily accessible from several areas including downtown Reno. The park features a nature study and arboretum area, a children's science museum, walking paths with exercise equipment, ponds and fountains, wildlife and picnic areas.

Parking and public transportation at Rancho San Rafael Park
There is plenty of free parking in specific areas of the park, the main road that runs through the park is limited to 5 miles per hour and there are only two entrances into the park from the south and the east. The $.25 Sierra Spirit public bus runs about two blocks from the park.

Best and worst time go to Rancho San Rafael Park
The park is wonderful any time of year, especially in the mornings. During hot summers, the park is a bit exposed in the dog walking and exercise area, but there is plenty of shade in the trees. One of the best times to visit the park is during the Great Reno Balloon Race in September.

Admission to Rancho San Rafael Park
It is free to visit the park. The Wilbur D. May Museum, located in the center of the park has art and cultural collections and science exhibits for children. Museum entrance costs are $9 for adults and $8 for children and seniors.

Must see/do at Rancho San Rafael Park
For children, they will definitely want to see the dinosaur adventure section of the park. Slides, swings and monkey bars in the shapes of realistic dinosaurs are located behind the May Museum. Adults will love the Rainbow Grove on the east side of the park with its old growth trees.

Other places to visit near Ranch San Rafael Park
Rancho San Rafael Park is about two blocks west of the University of Nevada, Reno. The university is home to the Nevada Wolf Pack, several museums including the Nevada Historical Society and acres of trees and college buildings from the late 1800s.

Insider tip for visitors to Rancho San Rafael Park
On the east side of the park is a pretty meditation maze and the path that begins the Arboretum walk. Each twist and turn of the walk takes you through a different type of landscape featured in Nevada and California including wetlands and high desert cactus.

Author's bio: Christina Nellemann is a writer and designer living in Reno who has spend numerous hours walking through the trees at Rancho San Rafael Park.