A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Death Valley National Park vs. Reno for Backpackers, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Death Valley National Park or Reno?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Death Valley National Park and Reno can help you decide which place is right for you.

Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park is a striking, vast, and dramatic national park. Death Valley National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Death Valley National Park travel costs.

Reno

Reno is a energetic, growing, and vibrant city. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping. See Reno travel costs.

Death Valley National Park and Reno: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Death Valley National Park or Reno?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Reno. Although Death Valley National Park and Reno are popular destinations, Reno has more sights and attractions for tourists. Reno is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Death Valley National Park attracts visitors for its resorts, hiking, and impressive beauty. Death Valley National Park is more touristy than Reno and is popular for being the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the U.S. Reno is famous for its casinos and nightlife scene. It is also well known for the National Automobile Museum.

How is Death Valley National Park different from Reno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Reno and Death Valley National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Death Valley National Park or Reno?

Reno is very good for its sights and museums. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for its museums and history.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Reno. Museums in town range from art and history to local or quirky. The National Automobile Museum, the Nevada Museum of Art, Fleischmann Planetarium, and the Anthropology Museum are some of the favorites.

While most people don't head to Death Valley National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There are ghost towns and visitor centers with informational exhibits, but visitors spend most of their time exploring the outdoor environment.

Is the Food Better in Death Valley National Park or Reno? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Reno is very good for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Reno area. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.

Death Valley National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are restaurants at Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, and Panamint Springs, but most visitors prefer to bring their own food so that they can enjoy picnicking in a beautiful setting.

Is Death Valley National Park or Reno Better for Nightlife?

Reno is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for nightlife.

Reno offers plenty to do in the evening. There's a big nightlife scene with a huge number of bars and entertainment options. There are also a growing number of breweries in town.

Death Valley National Park doesn't offer many options. Beyond stargazing and relaxing around a campfire, there is no real nightlife in the area.

Is Death Valley National Park or Reno Better for Resorts?

Death Valley National Park is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Reno is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Death Valley National Park as a resort destination, but it has a few places. There are historical inns and lodges in and around the park. The privately owned Inn at Death Valley is a popular option in Furnace Creek. If you stay outside the park, you can expect long drives to get most places.

Reno is not a resort destination.

Is Death Valley National Park or Reno Better for Hiking?

Death Valley National Park is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Reno is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Death Valley National Park. Hikes will take you past desert landscapes, through canyons, and along sand dunes. The views are spectacular and the setting is other-worldly. Hiking is best between the months of November and March, as temperatures can be high other times of the year, particularly during the summer months.

Reno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Death Valley National Park or Reno?

Reno is very good for its shopping areas. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for shopping.

Many visitors go to Reno to go shopping. In addition to your standard suburban shopping malls and strip malls, there's the Midtown District, which has local retail shops and an eclectic and alternative vibe. The area has thrift shops, music vendors, and more.

Shopping in Death Valley National Park can be found for those interested. There are a couple of general stores where you can pick up items that you may need.

Is Death Valley National Park or Reno More Beautiful?

Death Valley National Park is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Reno is not a destination known for its beauty.

Death Valley National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The striking desert setting offers stunning beauty and breathtaking viewpoints. The park is at its most beautiful when the sun is low during sunrise and sunset.

Reno is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Death Valley National Park or Reno Better for Families?

Death Valley National Park is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Death Valley National Park. Kids will love hiking and exploring the vast desert. There are also ghost towns and abandoned mines that will fascinate kids and adults alike. Junior programs, operated by the National Park Service, also offer interesting and educational programming for kids.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Reno. You'll find some arcades and entertainment options for kids in some of the casinos. There's also the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum, which has kid-friendly, hands-on exhibits, and the largest zoo in Nevado, the Sierra Nevada Zoological Park.

Is Death Valley National Park or Reno Better for Couples?

Death Valley National Park is an excellent place to visit for couples. Also, Reno is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Death Valley National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The stunning desert landscape will take your breathe away, particularly during sunrise and sunset, when the colors are dramatic and striking. In the evening, the sky fills with stars and couples can enjoy a bit of stargazing.

Reno is a nice destination for couples. There are outdoor parks and scenic walks like the Truckee River Walk or the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. There's also several great museums and some interesting restaurants.

Is Death Valley National Park or Reno Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Death Valley National Park is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Reno is lacking in options for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Death Valley National Park, as it is a very popular national park for budget travelers. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and camping in a unique desert environment. There are several campgrounds in the area that range from primitive to developed.

Reno is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not really on the backpacker circuit so you won't find any real hostels in town.

Is Death Valley National Park or Reno Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Reno is a moderate city for its public transit. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Reno. There's a public bus system with routes around town.

Public transit is quite limited in Death Valley National Park. There is no public transportation within the park.

Is Death Valley National Park or Reno a more walkable city?

Reno is a moderate city for its ease of walking around. However, Death Valley National Park is not a good national park for its walkability.

Reno is generally not very walkable. While there are some reasonably walkable neighborhoods, you really need a car to get around town.

Death Valley National Park is not a very walkable national park. This is a huge national park that requires a car to get around.

For even more information, also check out Is Death Valley National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Reno Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Reno or Death Valley National Park?

How long in Death Valley National Park or Reno?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Death Valley National Park and Reno. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Death Valley National Park than in Reno. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Death Valley National Park, and 1-3 days is enough time in Reno.

Families should spend more time in Death Valley National Park than Reno. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Death Valley National Park, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Reno than Death Valley National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Reno.

One day in Death Valley National Park or Reno?

Visitors enjoy the when visiting the destination of Death Valley National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Reno, many people enjoy the museums and nightlife that this energetic destination offers. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Death Valley National Park or Reno?

Death Valley National Park is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Reno, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this destination offers. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Many people spend a weekend here. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Death Valley National Park or Reno?

You'll find around the dramatic destination of Death Valley National Park. This national park offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Reno. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. This city offers something for everyone.

A week in Death Valley National Park or Reno?

The striking national park of Death Valley National Park offers . Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Reno. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Death Valley National Park and Reno, we can see that Reno is more expensive. And not only is Death Valley National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Death Valley National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Death Valley National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Reno would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reno than you might in Death Valley National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Death Valley National Park Expensive? and Is Reno Expensive?.