Burning through Reno and Sparks...
Reno-Sparks is your last great chance to stock the larder and o.d. on civilization before you step into the desert.
Reno, NV
Reno and Sparks sit across Interstate 80 and US-395, red state and blue state, desert and the Sierras. This is a litte dynamo, a melting pot, a microflower of American industrial might and casino politics, one hour from Lake Tahoe, and two from the Playa. Only 12% of the county's population was born here, but four seasons, tolerable traffic, incredible outdoor adventures, and no state income tax call many to life in the Truckee Meadows. It takes 20 years to become native, but you can feel at home now. Welcome to the Biggest City in the World before Black Rock!.
This section is a friendly native guide, to show you around and share with you the our favorite spots of local and world burnersfor shopping, dining and drinking. We've divided organized the area into "shopping hubs" as an easy way to find what you are looking for in the least number of stops as possible. We know you are as eager as a beaver to get to Black Rock City and being lost won't help you. Which hub will best serve your needs? If you know you just need certain types of businesses along your travel route, cross-reference with the "Category pages" to find what suits your needs. The idea is to search through, find what will work for you, note directions using the map links provided with every listing, take notes, possibly print out the pages you need, bringing it all along with your ticket. Keep this info handy as you cross the Nevada border or as you leave the airport. Also, please note that several listings are highlighted which, when clicked, will take you to the listing's website for further info.
A few announcements: Please, please don't trash Nevada. Period. Either take it to any of the recycling centers or dumps listed, or all the way back to YOUR home. Please do NOT use any dumpsters belonging to businesses or rest areas. Nevada Department of Transportation and Cal-Trans are cracking down on this. Friends of Nevada Wilderness reports that our visits to designated Wilderness areas near the playa have resulted in increased clean-up efforts by their own volunteers following Burning Man, removing trash, burned art, gun casings, and miscellaneous MOOP. Leave No Trace means Leave No Trace, whether we're on the playa, in other natural settings, or in our own neighborhoods.
The water in the Truckee Meadows is good drinking water. The source of our water comes from the snow melt from those mountains to the west. When we do the snow dance, we aren't just praying for excellent powder. So stop in Reno or Sparks to get your water jugs filled up. Check out the Water page to fill 'er up.
We're happy you are here! When you go, you'll be driving through wide-open and gorgeous rural country. Even though it seems like you can drive without worries on your way to Black Rock City, please drive carefully, keeping a careful eye on the road, as it is common to suddenly find cows and jackrabbits wandering along several parts of the road at their own leisure.
Thank you, welcome, and see you in Black Rock City!
Care to leave feedback? Please email it to renopages (at) yahoo (dot) com.
A. Robb Drive & Mae Anne Ave.
B. West McCarran & Mae Anne Ave.
C. Keystone Ave.
D. Downtown Reno - Virginia Street
E. Pyramid Highway
F. East McCarran & Prater Way
G. Fernley
US-395 North from of I-80
H. Oddie Blvd.
I. North McCarran Blvd. & Northtowne Lane
US-395 South of I-80
J. Grand Sierra Resort (Reno Hilton) - Mill St.
K. Reno Airport - Plumb Lane
L. Moana
M. Exit 63: South Virginia & South Kietzke
N. Exit 61: South Virginia at 395
O. South Meadows Parkway
P. Damonte Ranch Parkway
Q. Carson City, NV
Gas Stations
Propane & Biofuels
Grocery and Merchandise Stores
Liquor Stores
Restaurants
Bars
Wireless & Wired Internet Access
Coffeehouses
Hospitals and Urgent Care Facilities
Banks and ATMs
Hardware and Camping Gear
Bikes and Bike Repair
Hotels and Hotel/Casinos
Coin-Op Laundries
Random Curiosities
RV Parks, RV/Trailer/Truck Rentals, Storage
Auto Parts and Repairs
Recycling and Dumps
Need more info?
Try: Reno News and Review, Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno Magazine, National Traffic and Road Closure Information, The Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, PlayReno, NevadaNet, goTahoe.com, tahoe.com. 
