Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
4.7(4.3K)google
4.5(148)yelp
FreeOutdoor
Overview
The Wilbur D. May Center is an attraction located in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park at 1595 North Sierra, Reno, Nevada. The facility comprises the Wilbur D. May Museum and the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Previously, it also included the Great Basin Adventure, a children's park.
Practical Info
Every day8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeThe absolute crown jewel time is early September during the multi-day Great Reno Balloon Race. You must arrive on the damp valley lawns by 4:30 AM. Watching dozens of massive, glowing hot-air balloons ignite their burners simultaneously against the pitch-black pre-dawn sky during the 5:15 AM Dawn Patrol is an unforgettable sensory marvel.
Getting ThereSituated north of downtown Reno near the UNR campus. Take RTC bus routes 7 or 15 to the N Virginia St area. Driving is simple: exit I-80 at Exit 13, go north on N Virginia St, and turn left onto Sierra Street into the park's main lot. During the balloon race, extensive road closures apply; utilizing designated RTC event shuttles is highly advised.
Travel Tips
- Located at 1595 N Sierra St; during the Great Reno Balloon Race every September, extreme structural traffic control plans lock adjacent corridors, requiring arrival before 04:30 to secure a standard slot.
- The internal Wilbur D. May Arboretum enforces an absolute regulatory ban barring all recreational bicycles, non-medical motorized scooters, skateboards, and domestic pets to preserve alpine desert flora.
- The historic ranch terrain harbors native colonies of venomous rattlesnakes and deer ticks; deep cross-country trail exploration demands full-length tactical pants and localized chemical insect repellent barriers.
Reviews
Positive
- Grand scale that shocks the senses! Hundreds of acres feature diverse views, from the manicured Wilbur D. May Arboretum to sweeping pasture wetlands.
- Home to the iconic Great Reno Balloon Race! Watching hundreds of rainbow hot-air balloons lift off here delivers a uniquely spectacular US visual treat.
- Offers a massive volume of free parking. The accessible boardwalks are well-kept, alongside a premier-sized dedicated fenced multi-acre dog park.
- Zero entry fee breaks the value ceiling. Shaded pavilions and bins are scattered everywhere under orderly control, a pristine sanctuary from urban noise.
Heads up
- During the 3-day Balloon Race in September, density spikes frantically to thousands, making parking impossible unless arriving by 4 AM.
- Because the complex layout is so vast, walking distances between core zones are very lengthy, posing a physical trial for mobility-challenged guests.
- Beyond the core arboretum, deep nature paths are completely exposed with zero shade canopies, bringing a risk of overheating under Reno's dry summer heat.
- The density of large public bathhouses is low; hikers on deep paths face a lengthy trek back to the center for a restroom, showing uneven layout.