• Where is Reno located?
    • Sitting in the western part of Nevada, right by the state border that separates Nevada from California, is Reno.
  • How big is Reno?
    • Reno is one of the biggest cities in Nevada and houses around a quarter of a million people, with approximately 470,000 in the surrounding Reno–Sparks metropolitan area.
  • What is Reno’s nickname?
    • Reno is known affectionately as 'The Biggest Little City in the World'.
  • What is the landscape like in Reno?
    • Reno sits in a desert location but also boasts a lot of greenery and is only a short drive away from the highly popular recreational area of Lake Tahoe.

This post may include affiliate links. Click here for Affiliate Disclosure.

1. Reno has an elevation of 4,505.6 feet

Reno has an elevation of 4,505.6 feet

© donyanedomam/stock.adobe.com

  • What is Reno best known for?
    • Aside from outdoor activities, the city is best known for its hotels and casinos. Like Las Vegas, Reno is a popular gambling and adult entertainment destination.
  • What major casino company was founded in Reno?
    • Reno is known as the birthplace of Harrah's Entertainment, which later became Caesars Entertainment Corporation and now owns dozens of hotels and casinos around the United States.
  • When was Reno founded?
    • The city of Reno was founded back in 1868 and was initially a popular mining settlement, later growing into a business and agricultural hub for Nevada.
  • When did gambling become legal in Reno?
    • When gambling was legalized in Nevada in 1931, Reno began to boom, with casinos opening up and becoming very popular.
  • How does Reno compare to Las Vegas?
    • Nowadays, Reno is seen as a smaller sibling to Las Vegas and is a highly popular touristic destination for people of all kinds.
  • What attractions are there in Reno besides gambling?
    • Reno offers gambling and live entertainment, but also appeals for many other reasons. The city is closely situated to Lake Tahoe, as well as various ski resorts. Additional attractions include:
      • National Automobile Museum
      • Animal Ark
  • What is the elevation of Reno?
    • Reno has an elevation of 4,505.6 feet (1,373 m), which is quite high compared to cities like Washington D.C. or New York City, but relatively low compared to places like Denver, Colorado.
  • How does Reno's elevation compare to Nevada's average?
    • The mean elevation in the state of Nevada is 5,500 feet (1,520 m), making Nevada one of the highest states in North America.

2. Elevation of Reno

Elevation of Reno

© Andy/stock.adobe.com

  • How does Reno’s elevation compare to the state average?
    • When compared to the mean elevation of Nevada, we can see that Reno is quite close to the state average, with only 1,000 feet of difference.
  • Why is Nevada’s elevation generally high?
    • The high elevation of Nevada in general is caused by the various mountain ranges all around the state, like the Sierra Nevada, which can be found just west of Reno and is partly situated in both Nevada and California.
  • What is the tallest man-made structure in Reno?
    • The highest man-made structure in the city of Reno is the Silver Legacy Resort & Casino, which stands at a height of 410 feet (120 m) and provides some of the best views of the city skyline and surrounding landscapes.
  • How does Reno’s elevation compare to other major Nevada cities?
    • Other major Nevada cities include:
      • Las Vegas – elevation of 2,001 feet (610 m)
      • Henderson – elevation of 1,867 feet (538 m)
    • This means that Reno is much higher than both of these locations.
  • What is the highest point in Nevada?
    • The highest point in the state of Nevada is Boundary Peak, one of the White Mountains in western Nevada. It has an elevation of 13,147 feet (4,007 m).
  • What is the lowest point in Nevada?
    • The lowest point in the state of Nevada is part of the Colorado River, which is just 481 feet (147 m) above sea level.

3. Climate and the Elevation of Reno

Climate and the Elevation of Reno

© Jonathan/stock.adobe.com

  • What type of climate does Reno have?
    • Reno has a steppe climate, also known as a semi-arid climate, meaning it has a relatively low amount of precipitation but still isn't quite dry enough to be classified as a desert climate.
  • How much rainfall does Reno receive annually?
    • Reno gets around 7.5 inches of rainfall per year, mostly due to the fact that the Sierra Nevada mountains nearby create a rain shadow for the city.
  • Does Reno get a lot of sunshine?
    • Like Las Vegas and other Nevada locations, Reno boasts plenty of sunshine throughout the year, with an average of 300 sunny days annually.
  • What are the seasons like in Reno?
    • The city has mostly warm temperatures all year long, with hot summer months in June, July, August, and September, and a short winter.
  • What are some things to do in Reno?
    • Reno has a lot of options to suit visitors and residents of all kinds. The city is best known for its hotels and casinos, offering a vibrant nightlife with flashing lights and entertainment.
  • What kind of entertainment is available in Reno?
    • Like Las Vegas, Reno comes alive in the evenings with various shows and entertainment, alongside a wide range of casino games such as slot machines and blackjack tables.
  • What natural attractions are near Reno?
    • As well as city attractions, Reno is close to various areas of natural beauty, including:

Plan Your Trip


Table of Contents: