Discover Reno
44 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
National Championship Air Races
High-speed pylon races, aerobatic displays and static warbird/modern aircraft at Reno Stead Airport offer dynamic motion, tight compositions and dramatic backdrops of the Sierra Nevada. Visit practice days and race finals for the most action; mornings and late afternoons give softer side lighting while midday is harsh but offers high-contrast skies. Event is ticketed with grandstands and flightline access tiers; arrive early for preferred vantage points, expect loud engines (bring ear protection
National Automobile Museum
Indoor treasure trove of 220+ vintage cars from horseless carriages to celebrity classics—perfect for detail shots (badging, chrome, interiors), period gallery compositions, and dramatic reflections. Best on weekday mornings when crowds are light; docent tour at 1:30PM gives storytelling context. Interior lighting is mixed and dim—no flash or large tripods usually allowed. Downtown location by the Truckee River with nearby public parking; expect an admission fee and friendly staff happy to help.
Idlewild Park
Idlewild Park spreads along the Truckee River with rose and sensory gardens, mature pines, shady lawns, playgrounds and a compact skate park — mix of natural riverside scenes and lively community activity. Best at golden hour for warm river reflections and dappled light through pines; weekday mornings are quiet, Sundays host a bustling farmers market for candid street-style shots. Easy street parking, paved paths and ADA access; no fee. Great for environmental portraits, garden details and river
Artown
Artown is a month-long, citywide arts festival in Reno featuring street performances, pop-up exhibits, music, dance, light installations and community events. Photographers can capture vibrant crowd scenes, performer portraits, colorful murals and nighttime light art along the Truckee River and downtown venues. Best visited during golden hour and evening performances for dramatic light; check the festival schedule for specific locations and free vs ticketed events. Downtown parking and paid lots
Nevada Museum of Art
Compact, well-curated museum with striking contemporary and historical exhibits (altered landscape photography, Dorothea Lange, ichthyosaur display) and a recent renovation that creates photogenic interior lines and light. Rooftop event terraces give city/valley vista shots at golden hour. Best visited weekday mornings for quiet galleries; check museum policy on flash/tripods. Entry ~$15, free parking on site, free second Saturdays. Fully accessible.
Portal of Evolution Sculpture
Large, modern bronze/metal sculpture on Reno’s riverfront celebrating evolution and the feminine. Offers strong graphic shapes and silhouette opportunities against the Truckee River and downtown skyline. Riverwalk sections may be under construction—check local updates. No entry fee; street parking and nearby lots. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm side light and reflections; evenings can yield dramatic silhouettes.
The Sensory Garden At Idlewild Park
Compact, lovingly tended sensory garden featuring living plant tunnels, themed beds, gazebos, a wildlife mural and views along the Truckee River. No entry fee; parking in Idlewild Park off Cowan Dr. Best at golden hour or overcast midday for saturated colors; weekday mornings are quiet. Paths are short and mostly paved — easy walk with gear. Seasonal changes (spring blooms, summer foliage, autumn tones) make repeat visits rewarding.
Huffaker Trail Lookout
A short hilltop lookout above Huffaker Park offering sweeping panoramas of Reno, the Truckee Meadows and the Sierra Nevada — ideal for cityscapes, sunrise/sunset color and night lights. Easy to reach via a short trail from nearby parking; no entry fee. Best at golden hour or after dark for long-exposure city shots. Weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Weather can be clear and dry but check smoke forecasts in fire season.
Valley Wood Park Wildlife Gardens
Small urban wildlife garden with native plants, ponds, boardwalks and bird/butterfly activity — ideal for intimate nature and macro shots, birding, and reflective waterscapes. Best at dawn and golden hour for soft light and active wildlife; spring and early summer bring wildflowers and butterflies. Trails are short, mostly paved or packed dirt; small parking lot and some street parking. No formal entry fee; check hours (often dawn–dusk).
Canyon Creek Park
Small urban park along a creek with wetlands, a pond, mature trees and winding trails — great for intimate landscape, water reflections and seasonal color. Best at golden hour or after rain for enhanced flow and reflections; spring brings wildflowers, fall offers warm foliage. Easy street parking and paved paths make most spots wheelchair/stroller accessible; no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quieter for bird and nature shots.
Raymond L Smith Truckee River Walk
A tree-lined urban riverfront with pedestrian bridges, public art and reflective water — great for compositions combining architecture, sculptures and water reflections. Best at sunrise/sunset and blue hour for warm light and lit bridges; spring brings green foliage and fall adds color. Downtown location is walkable from parking garages; accessible paths and benches. No entry fee. Weekdays are quieter; be mindful of occasional litter and nearby homeless encampments when scouting angles.
South Meadows Trail
South Meadows Trail offers wide meadow vistas, marshy ponds and Sierra Nevada backdrops — ideal for landscapes, reflections and seasonal wildflowers. Accessible, mostly flat dirt paths with nearby parking and no entry fee; popular with dog walkers and runners. Visit sunrise or golden hour for warm side-light on grasses, spring for blooms and migratory birds, and after light rain for richer colors and reflections. Weekday mornings are least crowded; trails are dog-friendly and mostly easy terrain
Horizon View Park
Small hilltop park with wide panoramic views over the Truckee Meadows, Reno skyline and distant Sierra Nevada peaks. Best for sunrise/sunset panoramas, seasonal wildflower foregrounds, and night shots of city lights. Easy street parking and no entry fee; paved paths and viewpoints are accessible but bring a tripod for low light. Visit golden hour on clear days; weekdays and early mornings avoid locals and dog-walkers.
Riverwalk @ South Virginia St. Reno, Nv.
Truckee Riverwalk along S Virginia St offers calm river reflections, pedestrian bridges, plazas and riverside breweries — great for waterscape and urban-frame shots. Visit sunrise or golden hour for warm light and long reflections; evenings yield colorful neon and bridge lights. Accessible on foot with limited street parking; weekdays are quieter. Be aware of occasional festivals and variable crowd/safety; pack layers for river breezes.
Rainbow Ridge Park
Small hilltop park overlooking Reno and the Truckee Meadows offering panoramic views, colorful seasonal wildflowers, walking trails and a playground. Best at golden hour and sunset for long shadows, city lights at blue hour, and spring wildflower blooms. Easy street parking and paved paths make it accessible; no entry fees. Weekday mornings are quiet; bring wind protection in open high-desert conditions.
Crystal Lake Park
Small, accessible urban park centered on a reflective lake with dock, pines and Sierra foothill backdrops—good for calm waterscape, birdlife and seasonal color. Visit at golden hour (sunrise or sunset) for warm light and reflections; weekdays/early mornings minimize crowds. Paved paths and parking at the lot make gear transport easy; no entry fee. Winter can add snow contrasts; summer offers long twilight. Dog-friendly, family-oriented park with easy composition opportunities.
Dorothy McAlinden Park
Small neighborhood park with ponds, wetlands, walking paths and open views toward the Sierra — good for water reflections, reed/wetland detail, migrating and resident birds, and sunrise/sunset sky color. Easy access from Stead Blvd with free parking and paved paths; flat and family‑friendly terrain. Visit at golden hour for warm side lighting and low sun on the water; early weekdays offer the least crowds and best bird activity. No entry fees; respect wildlife and local users.
Sierra Vista Park
Small neighborhood park with open lawns, tree-lined paths and viewpoints offering panoramic views toward the Sierra Nevada. Good for landscape and golden-hour shots, seasonal wildflowers and distant snowy peaks. Easy access with free parking, paved paths and no entry fees; best visited at sunrise or sunset for dramatic light and on weekdays to avoid families and dog-walkers. Winter can add snow contrast on distant mountains.
Silver Willow Trailhead
Silver Willow Trailhead offers willow-lined creek corridors, open meadows and foothill views of the Sierra — strong for intimate nature scenes, reflections, seasonal wildflowers and soft backlit portraits. Small parking at Morgan Pointe Ct; no fee. Best light is golden hour (sunrise/sunset). Trails are easy to moderate; expect hikers and dogs on weekends. Spring and fall offer richest colors; winter brings low-angled light and possible snow accents.
Cyan Park
Cyan Park offers bright playgrounds, fenced small and large dog runs, sports courts, a gazebo and open turf—good for candid pet and family photography, action sports shots, and wide landscape compositions. Best at golden hour or morning for soft light and fewer people; summer midday brings splash-pad action. On-site parking, restrooms and easy neighborhood access; expect friendly local dog-walking communities and routine Parks & Rec upkeep.
1450 Idlewild Drive
Small riverside park area along the Truckee River corridor offering mature trees, river channels, grassy banks and seasonal blooms — good for intimate nature scenes, reflections and local life. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm sidelighting and soft reflections; spring and fall offer color; weekdays are quieter. Easily accessible by car with street parking and small lots; wheelchair‑friendly paths. No entry fees; respect picnic areas and local dog-walking activity.
Indian Head
Indian Head is a small scenic park in Reno with carved totem (Wa Pi Shoni), rose garden, playground and walking trails — good for close-up cultural shots, floral studies and informal landscape vistas. Best light: golden hour or overcast for soft florals. Accessible on foot or car; street parking nearby. No entry fee. Visit weekdays or early mornings to avoid families and capture quiet compositions.
Bicentennial Park
Small riverside park on the Truckee River with public sculptures, grassy picnic lawns and downtown Reno backdrops. Shoot flowing water, reflections, people-watching scenes and sculpture details. Best light is golden hour and blue hour along the river; Sunday mornings are lively, weekdays quieter. Easy street parking on Ralston St and walkable from downtown; wheelchair-accessible paths. Be mindful of local transient population and pack light for mobility.
5th and Arlington Art Installation
Public art installation at 5th & Arlington in Reno’s Arts District — colorful murals, sculptural elements and urban textures ideal for graphic compositions. Street-level, free and walkable from downtown; metered parking and transit nearby. Best at golden hour for warm light or after dark when street lamps and neon add contrast. Weekday mornings are quieter; weekends host events that add atmosphere.
John Champion Memorial Park
Small riverside park on the Truckee River with pedestrian/bike bridge, gazebo and downtown/Sierras sightlines. Best for river, reflections and urban-nature contrast at golden hour or blue hour. Easy access from Kuenzli St with limited parking; watch for litter and occasional homeless encampments—prefer daytime weekdays for safety and fewer people.
The Discovery
Interactive science museum with colorful hands-on exhibits, a NASA/space room, robotics areas and an indoor water-play display—great for candid family portraits, detail shots of mechanisms, and exhibit-wide environmental portraits. Best visited weekday mornings or late afternoons to avoid crowds; interiors are low-lit so bring fast glass and respect child privacy. Accessible entrance and on-site parking; admission (~$15) and membership options reduce repeat-visit constraints.
Teglia's Paradise Park
Small neighborhood park with lawns, mature trees, a pond/stream and walking paths framed by distant Sierra foothills — good for relaxed landscape, family and nature shots. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm light and pond reflections; weekdays and mornings avoid local crowds. Easy street parking, no entry fee, wheelchair-accessible paths; bring polarizer for reflections and ND for smooth water. Seasonal interest: spring blossoms and fall colors.
Tom Cooke Trail
Tom Cooke Trail offers rolling sagebrush slopes, wildflower meadows in season and broad views of the Sierra and Reno skyline — ideal for open-landscape compositions and sunset silhouettes. Trailhead on Sugar Pine Ct has informal parking; no entry fee. Best light at sunrise or golden-hour sunset; avoid mid-day heat. Easy to moderate walk; bring water and layered clothing for wind.
Dandini Gardens
Small botanical garden with curated beds, specimen trees, water features and seasonal blooms — great for close-up floral studies, intimate landscape frames and peaceful visitor portraits. Best in late spring–summer for peak color, autumn for foliage. Visit at golden hour or overcast days for soft light; weekday mornings have fewer visitors. On-site paths are largely accessible; parking available nearby (UNR/Raggio Pkwy). No special permits for casual photography, but check for events.
Center Creek Park
Small suburban park along a tree-lined creek with paved paths, ponds and abundant waterfowl. Good for intimate landscape, waterfowl and family-playground scenes. Best at golden hour or early morning for calm water reflections and fewer people. Easily accessible off Wilbur May Pkwy with free street/park parking; paved trails are stroller- and wheelchair-friendly. No entry fee. Quiet neighborhood vibe—respect local families and keep distance from wildlife.
Fleischmann Planetarium
Small community planetarium with a 1-ton meteorite, interactive exhibits and a SkyDome—great for detailed exhibit shots, dramatic dome interiors and contextual exterior/entrance compositions. Best visited on weekday mornings or weekend off-peak showtimes to avoid crowds; weekend parking can be free but bring a staff-issued permit for the third-floor footbridge lot. Shows are dark and immersive—ask staff about photo restrictions. Easy access, family-friendly, compact galleries make quick, focused
Huffaker Park
Small neighborhood park with open meadows, walking trails, a pond and foothill views — good for intimate landscape, seasonal wildflower and water-reflection shots. Visit spring for blooms and evenings for golden hour/sunset light on the Sierra foothills. Free entry, small parking lot on E Huffaker Ln; paved and dirt trails make many areas accessible. Weekday mornings are quieter.
Evergreen Park
Evergreen Park offers classic neighborhood-park scenes — mature trees, open lawns, walking paths and pockets of seasonal color — useful for environmental portraits, casual landscapes and intimate nature studies. No entry fee and street parking make access easy; visit weekday mornings or golden hour for soft side-lighting and fewer people. Paths and paved areas are wheelchair-friendly; check local events that can add candid community moments.
Duck Park
Small urban park with a duck-populated pond, shorelines, and mature trees—ideal for close-up waterfowl portraits, reflections, and peaceful waterscapes. Best visited at golden hour (sunrise or late afternoon) for warm light and calm water; weekday mornings are quieter. Easy access and parking in Reno neighborhood; paved paths and benches make tripods and low-angle work practical. No entry fee; be respectful of wildlife and local families.
Somersett East Park
Small suburban park with a pond, walking trails, picnic areas and distant Sierra foothills — good for calm waterscape reflections, intimate landscape frames and sunset skies. Accessible with free parking at Park Hollow Ct, paved paths for tripods/wheelchairs, no entry fees. Visit sunrise or golden hour for soft light and reflections; weekdays are quieter. Spring/fall offer richer colors; summer evenings produce dramatic skies.
Northgate Park
Small community park with lawns, walking paths, a pond and mature trees — good for tranquil landscape and waterscape shots, candid family/street-style photos, and seasonal foliage. Best light is golden hour and blue hour; weekday mornings have fewer people. Easily accessible by car with on-site parking and flat paved paths; no entry fee. Expect typical suburban park scenes rather than dramatic vistas.
Fun Quest
Fun Quest is an indoor family entertainment center with colorful arcades, prize walls, mini-bowling/mini-golf and energetic activity zones — ideal for vibrant, candid action shots and neon-lit interiors. Visit weekdays or early evenings to avoid crowds; lighting is mixed (neon and directional LEDs), so expect low-light conditions. Easy parking at the strip mall; pay/entry required for attractions. Good for playful portraiture, motion studies, and colorful close-ups.
Las Brisas Park
Small neighborhood park with lawns, mature shade trees, walking paths and playgrounds — good for intimate landscape, environmental portrait and golden‑hour shots. Easy on‑street or small lot parking, no entry fee. Best light at sunrise/sunset for warm side lighting; weekday mornings are quiet. Spring and fall offer stronger colors; summer afternoons can be harsh. Accessible paths make gear transport easy.
Las Brisas, B-Lite and Halo Trailhead
Small trailhead feeding into foothill ridgelines above Reno with sweeping views over the Truckee Meadows, basalt outcrops, seasonal wildflowers and textured scrub. Best at golden hour for warm light and long shadows; spring brings blooms, late fall offers crisp air and clarity. Parking is limited to Brookdale Ct (street parking or small pullouts); easy short hike to panoramic vantage points. No entry fee; dog-friendly trails. Avoid icy winter trails without microspikes.
Museum Of Natural History UNR
Small university natural history museum with taxidermy, fish and fossil displays, regional geology and dioramas — great for close-up specimen shots, textures and educational scenes. Visit weekday mornings to avoid school groups; lighting is dim and mixed (museum fluorescents + display lights), so expect high ISO or tripod use. Located on UNR campus with nearby parking; check hours and photo policy before visiting. What makes it special: intimate, well-preserved local specimens and accessible, up
Offenhauser Dr.
Offenhauser Dr is a quiet residential street in Reno with clean lines, varied mid-century and contemporary homes, and occasional sightlines to the nearby Sierra Nevada foothills. Best for intimate urban/residential frames, sunset skylines and neighborhood street scenes. Visit at golden hour for warm light on facades and long shadows; late-afternoon or clear-sky evenings offer dramatic mountain-backed sunsets. Street parking is generally available; no entry fees. Accessible by car or bike; be low
Teglia's Paradise Park Activity Center
Small community activity park with playgrounds, sports courts, open lawns and mature shade trees framed by distant Sierra Nevada ridges. Good for candid family and action sports shots, wide-angle landscape scenes at golden hour, and event coverage. Easy on-site parking and paved paths; accessible facilities. Visit early morning or late afternoon for soft light and fewer people; weekends host community activity and may be busier.
Deadline Escape Rooms
Deadline Escape Rooms offers themed interior sets ideal for storytelling, candid player portraits, and tight-detail shots of props and puzzles. Exteriors feature bold signage and evening glow. Book a session and request photo permission; weekdays and mid-afternoons are quieter for staged shots. Parking is available in the plaza; lighting indoors is low—expect to work with available light or portable flashes. Wheelchair access varies by room—check in advance.
FUNBOX WASHOE COUNTY - RENO
Indoor family entertainment center with colorful play structures, trampolines and arcade lighting — good for energetic action, candid portraits and neon detail shots. Best on weekday mornings for low crowds or evenings for dramatic colored lights; permission required for photographing children. Accessible in Meadowood Mall parking; indoor lighting is mixed (fluorescents and RGB) so expect high ISO needs.