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

Should you visit Reno or Redwood National Park?

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

Should I visit Reno or Redwood National Park? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Reno

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

Redwood National Park

Redwood National Park is a monumental, grand, and impressive park. Redwood National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the beaches and hiking. See Redwood National Park travel costs.

Reno and Redwood National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Reno or Redwood National Park?

Both Redwood National Park and Reno have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Reno is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Redwood National Park attracts visitors for its beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Redwood National Park is more touristy than Reno and is popular for being the home of the world's tallest trees. Reno is famous for its casinos and nightlife scene.

How is Reno different from Redwood National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Reno is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for its historical sights.

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.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Redwood National Park. There is little in the form of museums, but you can visit the Thomas H. Kuchel Visitor Center on the south side of the park and see exhibits about Yurok culture and the area's ecology.

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

Reno is a good destination for its restaurant scene. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

While Redwood National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There are no dining or grocery options within the park but there are some options just outside the park.

Is Reno or Redwood National Park Better for Nightlife?

Reno is well known for its evening party scene. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known for nightlife.

Reno is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. 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.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Redwood National Park The laid back setting offers little in the form of nightlife.

Is Reno or Redwood National Park Better for Beaches?

Redwood National Park is a popular place for the beach. However, Reno is not a beach destination.

Redwood National Park is a good option for a beach vacation. The park runs along the Pacific coastline and there are 70 miles of coastal trail in the park. Beaches are rugged and sandy and favorite sections include Gold Bluff Beach, Crescent Beach, and Enderts Beach, which has great tidal pools.

Reno is not a beach destination.

Is Reno or Redwood National Park Better for Hiking?

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

People visit Redwood National Park specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Hikes range from coastal trails to world-renowned hikes through the redwoods. You'll feel humbled in the presence of these grand and majestic trees. Several of the most well-known hikes include Fern Canyon, the Cathedral Trees Trail, and Redwood Creek Trail.

Reno is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Reno or Redwood National Park?

Reno is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known 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 Redwood National Park can be found for those interested. You'll find park stores at the visitor centers if you want to pick up a small gift or souvenir.

Is Reno or Redwood National Park More Beautiful?

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

Redwood National Park is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The majestic redwood trees will take your breath away. These ancient forests offer a truly unique experience and you'll feel small in comparison to their grand height.

Reno is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Reno or Redwood National Park Better for Families?

Redwood 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 Redwood National Park. There are plenty of kid-friendly hikes in the park and the kids will love exploring the varied landscapes and diverse ecosystems. Less than a mile long, Fern Canyon is the perfect hike for little kids and it's not-to-be-missed. Cathedral Trees Trail is three miles, and also a highlight of any trip to the park.

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 Reno or Redwood National Park Better for Couples?

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

Redwood National Park makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are historic lodges that make for a romantic getaway. You can fill your days with hikes through magical landscapes and breathtaking settings surrounded by the impressive redwoods.

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 Reno or Redwood National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

A large number of backpackers visit Redwood National Park, as it is a very popular park for budget travelers. There are miles of backcountry trails that let you can explore the park in relative peace and solitude. This is an amazing way to experience the park, but do make sure you purchase a permit in advance.

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

Reno is a city with a few options for its public transit. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known 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 Redwood National Park. There's no public transportation within the park.

Is Reno or Redwood National Park a more walkable city?

Reno is a city with a few options for its ease of walking around. However, Redwood National Park is not particularly known 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.

Redwood National Park is not a very walkable city. The park is large and spread out, so you'll need a car to get around.

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

Should I spend more time in Redwood National Park or Reno?

How long in Reno or Redwood National Park?

In either Reno or Redwood National Park, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Redwood National Park than Reno because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Reno, and 3-5 days is enough time in Redwood National Park.

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

One day in Reno or Redwood National Park?

In Reno, you'll find shopping and museums. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Reno, one day is sufficent for most.

Visitors enjoy the when visiting the destination of Redwood 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.

A weekend in Reno or Redwood National Park?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Reno. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city. It offers something for everyone.

Redwood National Park is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the hiking. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Reno or Redwood National Park?

Reno is a fun place to experience. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Visitors enjoy the when visiting the monumental destination of Redwood National Park. This park offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Reno or Redwood National Park?

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Reno. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

The monumental park of Redwood 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Reno and Redwood National Park, we can see that Reno is more expensive. And not only is Redwood National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Redwood National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Redwood 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 Redwood National Park.

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