Area Info
Between the forested Sierras and California to the west, and dozens of smaller high-desert mountain ranges and nestling valleys alternating eastward into the Great Basin, Reno, Sparks, Wadsworth, Nixon, and Fernley advance along the meandering Truckee River basin. Pristine Lake Tahoe is 45 minutes to the southwest, and ancient Pyramid Lake is 45 minutes to the northeast. These “Truckee Meadows” are the last metropolitan taste for many of you before the Black Rock Desert, 2.5 hours to the north-northeast.
Concentrated in an area just over 100 square miles, only 12% of the 500,000+ residents were born here. A healthy dose of each of the four seasons, incredibly scenic outdoors and adventures in all directions, a flourishing arts and entertainment community, decades of economic and housing booms, absence of a state income tax, and tolerable traffic call many to home here. With the constant influx of people and cultures, expansive frontiers, and old-west laissez-faire, the Reno area is a vibrant melting pot of exploration and experiment, enterprise and leisure.
Due to its proximity to the playa, there are more Burners per-capita in the area than any other place on Earth. You’ll likely meet many many many Burners before you meet anyone who hasn’t even heard of Burning Man. For many local businesses, Burning Man season is even more impactful than X-mas. And there are more and more arts, events, and projects in the region because of Burning Man’s cultural impact. You are not far from feeling the playa. Check out this and this for more of Burning Man’s impact upon Reno and beyond.
We are really happy and grateful you’re coming through. As you’ll be travelling through many unknowns, be sure to read all the Travel Info here. Thank you, and we hope you’ll enjoy your time in the Biggest Little City in the World (and beyond)!
Other resources on things to do in Reno and beyond:
– Reno Burners group on Facebook
– Visit Reno-Tahoe’s Insider’s Guide
– Visit Reno-Tahoe’s Map of Hotels and Attractions