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

Should you visit Joshua Tree National Park or Reno?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Joshua Tree National Park and Reno can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is a unique, fascinating, and adventurous national park. With stunning beauty, Joshua Tree National Park attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking. See Joshua Tree National Park travel costs.

Reno

Reno is a energetic, growing, and vibrant city. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Reno travel costs.

Joshua Tree National Park and Reno: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Joshua Tree National Park or Reno?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Reno. Although Joshua Tree 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 Joshua Tree National Park attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Joshua Tree National Park is more touristy than Reno and is known for its unique vegetation and large boulders. Reno is famous for its casinos and nightlife scene. It is also well known for the National Automobile Museum.

How is Joshua Tree National Park different from Reno?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Joshua Tree National Park or Reno?

Reno is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Joshua Tree National Park is lacking in good options for its museums and landmarks.

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.

Joshua Tree National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that display local art or cultural and historical items.

Is the Food Better in Joshua Tree National Park or Reno? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Reno is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Joshua Tree National Park is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Reno is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The food scene has been growing in recent years and you'll find plenty of casual restaurants that serve hearty and filling comfort foods.

While Joshua Tree National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There aren't any restaurants inside the park, so you'll want to pack your own food and eat at one of the picnic areas.

Is Joshua Tree National Park or Reno Better for Nightlife?

Reno is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Joshua Tree National Park is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Reno has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Joshua Tree National Park. Stargazing and gathering around campfires are the most popular activities during the evening.

Is Joshua Tree National Park or Reno Better for Hiking?

Joshua Tree National Park is renowned for its hiking trails. However, Reno is not a hiking destination.

People visit Joshua Tree National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are a wide range of hikes that include easy, moderate, and strenuous options. Some of the best hikes include Discovery Trail, Boy Scout Trail, and Black Rock Canyon Panorama Loop.

Reno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Joshua Tree National Park or Reno?

Reno is a city with good options for its shopping areas. However, Joshua Tree National Park is lacking in good options for shopping.

Reno has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Joshua Tree National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There is a park store where you can pick up gifts or other items.

Is Joshua Tree National Park or Reno More Beautiful?

Joshua Tree National Park is an excellent place to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Reno is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Joshua Tree National Park attracts visitors from all around. There are unique Joshua Trees throughout the park as well as beautiful rock formations and striking views.

Reno is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Joshua Tree National Park or Reno Better for Families?

Joshua Tree 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 Joshua Tree National Park. With its giant boulders that kids can scramble on and its Dr. Seuss-like Joshua Trees, this really is nature's best playground. There are also kid-friendly hikes and Junior Ranger Programs that will both educate and entertain the 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 Joshua Tree National Park or Reno Better for Couples?

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

Joshua Tree National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy the outdoors, adventure sports like rock climbing, and hiking through spectacular landscapes will find this to be the ultimate romantic destination.

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 Joshua Tree National Park or Reno Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

A large number of backpackers visit Joshua Tree National Park, as it is a very popular national park for budget travelers. There are campgrounds and hiking trails that are popular with backpackers and nature enthusiasts.

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

Reno is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Joshua Tree National Park is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Joshua Tree National Park. There's no reliable public transportation in the park.

Is Joshua Tree National Park or Reno a more walkable city?

Reno is a decent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Joshua Tree National Park is lacking in good options for its walkability.

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

Joshua Tree National Park is not a walkable national park. You need a car to truly explore the park.

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

Should I spend more time in Reno or Joshua Tree National Park?

How long in Joshua Tree National Park or Reno?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Reno than Joshua Tree National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Reno that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Reno than Joshua Tree 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 Joshua Tree National Park or Reno?

Visitors enjoy the when visiting the destination of Joshua Tree 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.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the growing city of Reno. So, one day is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A weekend in Joshua Tree National Park or Reno?

Joshua Tree National Park is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. 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.

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Reno. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. Because of this, a weekend is usually enough time for a trip here.

Five days in Joshua Tree National Park or Reno?

You'll find around the adventurous destination of Joshua Tree 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.

Reno is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. It offers something for everyone.

A week in Joshua Tree National Park or Reno?

The fascinating national park of Joshua Tree 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.

Reno is a popular choice for travelers. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Joshua Tree National Park and Reno, we can see that Reno is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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