Reno
Reno is a Nevada casino city on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada, with Lake Tahoe about an hour's drive away.
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Reno is a city in northwestern Nevada on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada. The Truckee River runs through downtown, and the city is known for its casinos, its hotels and its nickname, the Biggest Little City in the World. Downtown is compact enough to walk between the casinos and the river. The city sits at roughly 4,500 feet, so summer days are hot and dry and nights cool down.
Reno works well as a base for Lake Tahoe, about an hour's drive to the southwest, and for day trips into the high desert and Sierra foothills. It suits a short trip of two or three days, a casino stay with time on the river, or a winter visit for skiing. Plan at least two nights if you want to combine the city with a day at the lake. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for walking downtown. Winter is cold, with snow at higher elevations. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport is a short drive south of downtown.
Reno in five
- Carry photo ID: Nevada gambling starts at 21The minimum gambling age in Nevada is 21, so bring ID for the casino floor, poker rooms and sports books. Some Reno casinos admit only guests 21 and older.Reno casinos
- Use RTC RIDE Route 12 from the airportReno-Tahoe International lies within about 15 minutes of major hotels. RTC RIDE's Route 12 serves the airport, downtown and Meadowood Mall seven days a week; taxis and rideshares use separate pick-up areas.RNO ground transportation
- Float or paddle the Truckee River Whitewater ParkThe park downtown has 11 drop pools over about half a mile, and every user must wear a helmet and flotation jacket. Rafting and kayak trips come from city-permitted operators.Whitewater Park
- Treat Lake Tahoe as a separate stayReno is the simpler base for flights and casinos, while Tahoe's shoreline towns need their own nights, especially in ski season. Decide which you want before booking both.Lake Tahoe travel guide
- Ask about smoke-free areas before bookingSmoking policies vary by casino, and many casino floors keep designated smoking areas. If smoke bothers you, check the property's policy before you book a casino hotel.Where to stay
Things to do in Reno
See all attractions in Reno
Need to know
- Airport
- Reno-Tahoe (RNO), about 15 min from major hotels
- Getting there
- Fly into RNO; I-80 links Sacramento and the Sierra passes
- Getting around
- Walkable downtown; RTC RIDE buses; rental car for Tahoe and ski areas
- Best base
- Downtown for casinos and the river; Midtown for dining
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 days; 3 to 4 with Lake Tahoe
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy8 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low-3°Cold, ski seasonJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, ski season
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh7°Low-3°Snow nearbyFebruaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow nearby
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh10°Low0°Spring skiingMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring skiing
- AprilClear6 rainy daysHigh16°Low4°Cool, breezyAprilClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, breezy
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh21°Low8°Warm, easyMayClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh28°Low13°Warm, riverJuneClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, river
- JulyClear1 rainy day1 day with stormsHigh33°Low17°Hot, dryJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, dry
- AugustClear2 rainy daysHigh32°Low17°Hot, dryAugustClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low13°Warm, quietSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- OctoberClear3 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh19°Low7°Crisp, fallOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Crisp, fall
- NovemberClear6 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh11°Low1°Cold nightsNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold nights
- DecemberClear7 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh6°Low-3°Cold, ski seasonDecemberClear
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, ski season
Average daily high and low in Reno, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Reno
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
11
- Feels like
- 9°
- Humidity
- 34%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 1%
Reno
12:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today14°1°1%Monday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Tue17°2°12%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Wed12°4°1%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu15°7°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri16°7°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat18°9°0%Saturday: Clear. High 18°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun20°10°0%Sunday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 12:18 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Lake Tahoeabout 1 hour by carBeaches in summer and ski areas in winter; allow extra time on snowy days.Read the guide
- Sacramentoabout 2 hours by carThe state capital on I-80, an easy add for a California road trip.Read the guide
- Mammoth Lakesabout 3 hours by carSierra skiing and hot springs down US-395; better as an overnight.Read the guide
Before you go to Reno
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Reno, checked
- Nevada law bars anyone under 21 from playing, wagering or loitering in gaming premises (NRS 463.350).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Truckee River Whitewater Park: 11 drop pools, about half a mile; all users need helmets and flotation jackets.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- RTC RIDE Route 12 serves Reno-Tahoe International Airport, downtown Reno and Meadowood Mall seven days a week.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Reno
Parks, cities, entry rules and money for a US trip
Read the guideLake Tahoe travel guideBeaches and ski towns an hour away
Read the guideSacramento travel guideThe Gold Rush capital west on I-80
Read the guideMammoth Lakes travel guideSierra skiing and hot springs down US-395
Read the guideGetting around the USARental cars, shuttles and flights compared
Read the guideESTA before flying to RenoNeeded for Tahoe trips if you are visa-exempt
Read the guideReno FAQ
How old do you have to be to gamble in Reno?
Nevada's minimum gambling age is 21. Carry a photo ID, since staff check on the casino floor. Some casinos admit only guests who are 21 and older.
How do you get from Reno airport to downtown?
RTC RIDE Route 12 runs seven days a week between the airport, downtown Reno and Meadowood Mall. Taxis and rideshares pick up at the D Doors north of baggage claim, and most major hotels are within about 15 minutes.
Can you visit Lake Tahoe from Reno without a car?
Tours exist, but a rental car is simplest. Winter weather can slow roads, so build in extra time and check conditions before you leave.
Is the Truckee River Whitewater Park safe for beginners?
Everyone must wear a helmet and flotation jacket. First-timers are better off with a permitted rafting or kayak operator than a self-guided float, especially at high flows.
What is the best time to visit Reno?
May, June, September and October are warm and mostly dry. July and August can be hot. Winter works for skiing at Tahoe, with Reno as a cheaper base.