Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

Use 1595 North Sierra Street for the south park and one arboretum entrance. The Washington Street side is convenient for the Wilbur D. May Museum lot and the arboretum's second entrance. Trail users should choose the trailhead shown on the county map.

Use the Sierra Street lot for the south park, playground, and nearby arboretum entrance, or the May Museum lot from the Washington Street side for the museum and opposite arboretum gate. Large festivals use special traffic and overflow plans.

Yes. Washoe County completed its first all-inclusive playground here, designed to provide play opportunities for children of varied abilities. Follow the south-park map and parking signs to the playground area.

The county lists five trails totaling about 5.5 miles. Routes cross developed parkland, pasture, ravine, and natural sage terrain; the official trail map documents surfaces, grades, permitted uses, restrooms, and parking.

The arboretum has paved and packed-gravel paths. Paved routes are usually wheelchair accessible; dry gravel may also be usable, but wet mud and snow can temporarily make either surface inaccessible.

General park entry, trails, playground, picnic areas, and Wilbur D. May Arboretum are free. The Wilbur D. May Museum, rotating exhibits, reservations, professional photography permits, and special events may charge.

Dogs are allowed on designated park trails according to posted restrictions, but pets are not allowed inside the Wilbur D. May Arboretum except service animals. Keep dogs controlled and verify the rules for the exact trail or event area.

Snow, wet gravel, trail reroutes, maintenance, museum hours, and major events can affect parking and individual areas. Herman's Pond is not a swimming area, and bicycles are prohibited on the arboretum loop and nature trail.

Yes. Reservable options include Peavine, Chinese Pagoda, Lions Highland, Brahma, and Leghorn pavilions. Groups of 25 or more need a group-use permit and a designated reservable area; casual smaller groups may use available first-come picnic space under posted rules.

Restrooms are available near developed destinations, including the Nevada Farms and Families entrance and pavilions, but some are seasonal. Long natural trails do not have evenly spaced facilities, so plan around the south park, May Museum, playground, or pavilion area before hiking.

Leghorn Pavilion is described as thoroughly shaded and sits beside the Nevada Farms and Families restroom and entrance. Brahma Pavilion is also covered and includes a barbecue grill; each holds up to 50 people and requires a reservation for guaranteed use.

No current pool or splash park is listed at Rancho San Rafael. Herman's Pond is a fishing pond, not a swimming area, and the old Nevada Farms and Families water-flume ride has been closed since 2008. A splash pad appears in the park's long-range master plan as a proposed future project, not an operating amenity. Washoe County's active water-play facilities are at Bowers Mansion, North Valleys Regional Park, and Lazy 5 Regional Park; verify their seasonal status separately.

Do not assume ordinary RTC service enters the park. RTC has operated special early-morning extensions to Rancho San Rafael for the Great Reno Balloon Race, but those are event-specific. For a normal visit, use RTC's live planner with the exact park entrance and verify the final walk or arrange a ride; the Wilbur D. May Center, arboretum, playground, dog area, fields, and trails are spread across the property.

The developed core includes the Wilbur D. May Museum, free May Arboretum and Botanical Garden, historic Ranch House, Herman's Pond, Nevada Farms and Families area, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, and Basque Sheepherder Monument. The open pasture hosts the Great Reno Balloon Race, while longer trails extend north across McCarran Boulevard into sage and canyon terrain. Use the Sierra Street entrance for the May Center area and consult the trail map for northern routes.