A Guide to the Perfect October in the Truckee Meadows

Hello fall! With the brisk weather rolling in, you may be searching for fun, cozy, seasonal activities to do throughout the month. Well, look no further. Below you will find a comprehensive list of local fall activities to keep you and your family busy this October.

Fall Plantemonium

What better way to start a new season than giving back to your community? On Saturday, October 7th Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation will be holding our annual fall planting event. We have a bunch of native plants and we need lots of hands to tuck them into their new homes by our wetlands! Interested? Click here to register.

Visit a pumpkin patch

Fall wouldn’t be complete without an annual visit to a local pumpkin patch. If you’re in the Reno area, check out Ferrari Farms. They have a wide variety of pumpkins and other seasonal produce, along with some cute farm animals and hayrides! Those closer to Sparks may enjoy Andelin Family Farms. On top of their pumpkin patch, they also offer Zombie Paintball and “Corn Creepers”, a haunted corn maze, on the weekends!

Wicked Wetland Movie Night

Friday, October 20th TMPF will be holding a Wicked Wetland Movie Night at Rosewood Nature Study Area. We will be screening Hotel Transylvania and will also have crafts, a costume contest, scavenger hunt, safe trick-or-treating, and more planned for the whole family to enjoy. Buy your tickets here!

Enjoy the changing colors along the river

How lucky are we to have a lush, flowing river running through our downtown area? The Truckee River is surrounded by beautiful trees that are starting to change colors and release their leaves down! Bundle up and take a gander down the Truckee River Walk, the views won’t disappoint you. Plus, if you’re in the mood for a warm beverage, Hub Coffee Roasters is located just steps away from the path.

Bowers Mansion Tour

Join us Friday, October 27th for a tour of the historic Bower’s Mansion in Washoe Valley! See how Comstock millionaires Eilley and Sandy Bowers lived the posh life back in the 1800’s. Plus, after the mansion tour, our Naturalist Educators will be leading a short trek up to the Bowers Family Graveyard, to talk about the diverse landscape, wildlife, and rich history of the surrounding area. Click here to secure your tickets!

Riverside Farmers Market

Celebrate the changing of the seasons with the new fresh produce it brings! Not only does eating in-season produce mean that it’ll taste fresher, science also says that it's more nutritious and provides vitamins and minerals you wouldn’t typically get. Plus, supporting local farmers at the market can feel incredibly rewarding, and promotes a sense of community, so it's a win-win. You can catch the Riverside Farmer's Market every Sunday from 8am to 1pm at Idlewild Park.

Breathe in the crisp fall air with a hike

This month for our Truckee Meadows Trails Challenge, we will be exploring McCarran Ranch Preserve, a lush, tucked away trail that runs along the river about 20 minutes east of downtown Reno. The Trails Challenge offers monthly guided hikes every second Saturday of the month to help residents of the Truckee Meadows explore their local trails. A one-time donation of $40 gives you access to this year-long program. Set a hiking goal for yourself, log your miles, attend the guided hikes you can, and win prizes for seeing your goal through!

Virginia City

Celebrate Spooky Season by visiting the Wild Wild West! This historic town rose to fame during the Comstock Lode, where thousands of people moved in hoping to strike it rich. While this is a cultural mainstay of Northern Nevada all year long, Virginia City has been crowned one of the top 3 most haunted places in America, making it the perfect October destination for spine-chilling thrill seekers! Plan your visit here.

Junior Naturalists

Explore Mad Science with us at Rancho San Rafael Park on Saturday, October 21st! Junior Naturalists is a free, outdoor program that encourages exploration of our local parks, all while learning something new about science or nature. Click here to register your kiddo today!

Nevada Day Parade in Carson City

As if October didn’t bring enough reasons to celebrate, it's also the month Nevada became a state! On October 31, 1864 to be exact. To celebrate our entry into statehood, check out the Nevada Day Parade in Carson City on October 28th. The day will start bright and early with a launching of hot air balloons, followed by over 200 community groups marching down Carson St. Once the parade is over, there will be a beard contest as well as live music and a bunch of local vendors. This is not an event you’ll want to miss!

In conclusion, fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the company of loved ones. Our region has a plethora of awesome, local offerings that are great for mixing up your routine. With the days getting shorter, October can bring many treasured moments before the cold of winter rolls in.

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About the Author

Born and raised in the Truckee Meadows, Dayna studied International Business Marketing at the University of Nevada, Reno. After graduating in 2021, she spent 2 months in India pursuing her passion by studying yoga and becoming a certified instructor. Now, Dayna is excited to join the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation promoting one of her favorite things, the outdoors! In her free time, Dayna can be found practicing yoga, exploring the world around her, or cozying up in her hammock with a good book.