Get up close and personal with the area's outdoor beaurty and wildlife at the Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary. This facility is home to foxes, wolves, a mountain lion, a black bear and much more! Visiting this preserve is like going on your very own desert safari. The sanctuary also offers a great learning experience thanks to the professionals that work there. The helpful staff is always ready to answer your questions about their furry residents. This wildlife sanctuary is an ideal destination for animal and nature lovers.
The Bartley Ranch Regional Park not only offers a unique, natural environment to take in the area's gorgeous scenery and indigenous animal life, it also affords you the chance to get on horseback and take a ride through the open fields and grassy expanses of this outdoor oasis. The park has drawn rave reviews for how well the staff keeps the horses, grounds and other amenities in top shape, ready for any visitor to enjoy.
Galena Creek Park is a favorite of nature lovers, and it doesn't matter if the weather is warm or cold. During the warmer months, the walking trails lead the way for outdoor exploration and open areas make it an ideal place to take the family or commune with the park's natural beauty. In the winter, cross-country skiing is the order of the day, and many ski buffs and snow bunnies make Galena Creek Park their home away from home.
More of nature's wondrous creatures are on display at the Sierra Safari Zoo. Open from April to the first day of November, this surprisingly vivid collection of some of the world's most amazing animals offers you a chance to reach out and touch, feed and play with these exotic creatures. There are more than two hundred animals to see including wallabys, big cats, monkeys, deer and zebras.
Virginia Lake Park provides a great place to catch your breath and enjoy some of the simple pleasures of Reno's outdoor environment and natural beauty. Clear, easily accessible walking paths and picnic areas offer you a chance to either take the family out for a nice afternoon in the sun, or spend a little time by yourself and enjoy a brisk walk before heading back to the reality of your day.