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Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,348 Google reviews · Running trail in Reno, Nevada · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Rancho San Rafael Regional Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Park on a former ranch with picnic & recreation facilities, as well as a museum & botanical garden.
What runners say about Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
“The park is clean, well-maintained, and offers several parking lots and clean bathrooms throughout.”
“All throughout the year it's always beautiful and it always has something new to see.”
This park is my favorite place! All throughout the year it's always beautiful and it always has something new to see. There are easy paths to walk/bicycle and some a bit more difficult. It's a great place for all age groups. The dog park is by far the best one in town.
Beautiful gardens with so much trees everywhere. Trails are great, humongous park for pets to run leash free and walkway trail to walk on leash and play in water. They have a pond and a small stream there. The Trail continues through tunnel under freeway to access other trails. We loved it here!
Rancho San Rafael is an amazing place to take a small nature walk, let the dogs free in the dog park, and take the kiddos to play at the park. I am still exploring all Rancho has to offer.
Dragon Lights Festival is currently going on and is amazing. It is well worth seeing and great for the whole family. Lights turn on at 8pm and it gets very crowded. Quite a bit of walking for kids or older generations so be prepared along with uneven ground. They have a great set up and highly recommend.
Trail conditions & character
“Rancho San Rafael is an amazing place to take a small nature walk, let the dogs free in the dog park, and take the kiddos to play at the park.”
“All throughout the year it's always beautiful and it always has something new to see.”
“The arboretum is awesome, the museum is great and there are amazing events throughout the year like the balloon races and the dragon lights.”
“The park is clean, well-maintained, and offers several parking lots and clean bathrooms throughout.”
Plan your run at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitewashoecounty.gov
- Phone+1 775-785-4512
- Social Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–7 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–7 pm |
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