Truckee River Whitewater Park in Reno, Nevada
Ride the Rapids in This Whitewater Adventure in Downtown Reno
Sep 8, 2008
The Truckee River Whitewater Park, located in downtown Reno near the casinos, is a paradise for whitewater sports, which is one reason it draws adventure enthusiasts from around the world.
This world-class, professional park draws professional kayakers who want to hone their skills to beginners who want a taste of whitewater action. The park enjoys a constant flow of fresh water from Lake Tahoe, and has 11 pools for kayaking adventure. Whitewater rafters will also enjoy riding through the park and beyond, and with two channels; the park can accommodate many kayakers along its half-mile length. The course is a class 2 to 3, and boaters can use the manmade rapids to do a wide variety of tricks, such as flat spinning, freestyle, front and side surfing, front flips, cartwheeling, loops, blunt moves, spoofing and splatting, slalom racing, and more.
RenoRiver Festival
The Reno River Festival takes place every May at the Truckee River Whitewater Park. The event includes competitions, vendor booths, food, entertainment, and the chance to see whitewater experts navigate the river course. It's a haven for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, and a great time to experience the whitewater park for the first time. There are plenty of great vantage points along the shoreline of the park, and the festival draws several thousand people to the river and Wingfield Park, right on the river, at a time when water flow is high and the rapids are extremely exciting.
Rent Inner Tubes or Take a Tour
Rental inner-tubes are available from Tahoe Whitewater Tours right near the park in downtown Reno. Rates start at $10 for two hours and vary for shuttle service up the river to three different locations. Rentals are available every day through Labor Day, and then on the weekends or by phone thereafter. Call 775-787-5000 for reservations and more information. Tahoe Whitewater Tours also offers guided kayak tours of the Whitewater Park for people new to the sport of kayaking.
Location
Getting to the Whitewater Park is easy. It's within walking distance of many of the local casinos and resorts, and there are access points all along the river for whitewater enthusiasts and spectators. The park stretches for about a half-a-mile along the Truckee River, so boaters can enter it from upstream and enjoy the entire whitewater experience, and there are plans to build another whitewater park downstream in Sparks, so boaters will have an even bigger whitewater experience.
Enjoy the Show
It's not necessary to ride the rapids to enjoy the park. Several restaurants have patios that overlook sections of the park, where diners can enjoy a cocktail or a meal while they enjoy the boaters floating by. The Reno River Walk extends along much of the park too, and a picnic basket on the shores of the Truckee is a great way to enjoy the park without getting wet.
The Truckee River Whitewater Park is a unique adventure experience in downtown Reno, and it is one any visitor will enjoy.
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