Reno RV Rental, Nevada USA
Campervan Hire and Motorhome Rentals in Reno NV
Often billed as the Biggest Little City in the World, Reno, Nevada’s real attractions lie beyond its doorsteps. Its central location between California and Utah means that there is plenty to do in the surrounding areas. The activities do not even mean visiting just the casinos and have a diversity that is suitable for all ages, so if you are keen on seeing the US Pacific Northwest, there is no better way to start a vacation than with a Reno RV rental, campervan hire or motorhome rentals.
Motorhome rentals in Reno, four words that may sound daunting if you’ve come across this page looking to rent a campervan, motorhome or RV in Reno without any prior knowledge of how this may work. Enough already, you’re in the best place to discover everything you need to know about hiring the right motorhome, from the best company, right through to places to stay and top things to see and do while you’re on your self-drive holiday in Reno. Furthermore, we’ll take into consideration your budget, travelling companions and everything else in between.
There is so much stuff on the internet about hiring a vehicle, so much to wade through to get even a basic grasp of the best way to proceed when it comes to campervan or motorhome hire. But if you knew that the easy-to-follow advice comes from a trusted source based on years of hands-on experience, with local knowledge courtesy of the people that live and work in and around Reno, you’d be wise to take heed.
We’ll start with the best motorhome rental company in Reno from which to hire the perfect motorhome rental, before moving on to recommended campgrounds and parks for great places to stay overnight. Last, and by no means least, the top attractions in and around Reno, handpicked to ensure that you and your travelling companions, irrespective of age or experience, enjoy the very best of Reno and Nevada in the northwest section of the U.S.A.
El Monte RV Rentals in Reno
Welcome to the part everyone frets about, usually about two seconds after they’ve decided to try-out a self-drive holiday in Reno, indeed, this may even furrow the brows of more experienced motorhome rental holidaymakers if they don’t follow this simple trick. And that’s the trick, keep it simple. By recommending just one tried and tested motorhome rental company in Reno you can do away with hours of price comparison and relax into a world of row rates and no-fuss, low-cost insurance.
El Monte RV Rentals have been in business for over 50 years (and in the motorhome/campervan/RV rental game it’s short shelf-life if you’re not up to scratch) with a fleet of vehicles to suit absolutely anyone, from solo thrill-seekers to a bunch of mates, a romantic couple to the whole, extended family, all within a decent price range. None of their fleet is over two years old, that’s quite re-assuring to know when you’re in the middle of the Black Rock desert surrounded by a horizon, and they’re so close to Reno-Tahoe International Airport you could virtually walk from the plane to their office in Kietzke Lane.
Reno RV Rental: Class C
Just to quickly clear up any confusion, Class C Motorhomes are the vehicles that you’d normally associated with the moniker ‘motorhome’ or ‘campervan’: prefabricated living accommodation attached to a chassis that reaches over the cab (hence ‘cabover) and in the case of their Class C Family Sleeper, available in El Monte’s branch in Reno, capable of sleeping as many as 7.
It comes with a decent bathroom and well-appointed kitchen; all you have to do is decide on how many people you want to join you on your Reno road-trip adventure.
Reno RV Rental: Class A
This is the class that resemble buses, bespoke motorhomes built from the ground-up that allow passengers access throughout the vehicle without having to step outside.
El Monte’s Reno branch has one Class A option for 6 of you, specifically designed to add a touch of luxury to your self-drive vacation.
Reno RV Rental Depot: El Monte RV Rentals, 2575 Kietzke Lane, Reno NV 89502
Located about 2 miles/3 km from Reno-Tahoe International Airport or 3 miles/5 km from downtown Reno.
El Monte Salt Lake City office hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9am to 4pm
- Pick Up: between 1pm and 2pm
- Drop off: between 9am and 11am
- Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Included with Standard Rate:
- 24-hour assistance
- 0-2 years old
Top 12 Natural Attractions near Reno
We’re assuming you’ll have intentions of visiting Reno itself, to not do so would be doing a great disservice to your RV rental self-drive holiday. Reno sits in between the Nevada Desert and National Forests that run parallel to the west coast. Reno is probably best known for its casinos, but dig a little deeper and you’ll find museums, ski resorts and numerous top spots for a bite to eat.
Plan your visit to Reno before or after checking out our top 12 natural attractions close to what the locals call ‘the biggest little city in the world’.
Lake Tahoe
Join up the US 50, NV 28 and US 89 and you’ve one of the best scenic drives in Nevada and California (it straddles both borders) in fact, this 68-mile loop that circumnavigates Lake Tahoe has even been dubbed the best scenic drive in America.
Carson City is the capital of the state of Nevada and is located just 30 miles south of Reno. It is also a popular destination for those wishing to explore the nearby desert or mountains. For water sports aficionados, Lake Tahoe, a large body of water that has California on one shore and Nevada on the other, is a perfect place to pitch a campervan hire in Reno.
Just 48 miles from Reno; the shoreline abounds with attractions such as Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm Castle.
Loneliest Highway
Your Reno RV rental will also equip you to experience the ‘The Loneliest Highway’ US Route 50. This is a scenic drive that’s as fascinating as its profound, stretching 408.82 mi (657.93 km) from West Sacramento, California to Ocean City, Maryland, the huge Nevada section was dubbed the loneliest road in America by Life Magazine. An American road trip that pulls no punches.
The highway crosses Nevada to the state of Utah; and offers some spectacular scenery of ochre desert, high mountains and deep valleys along the way. This is the route that leads to the Great Basin National Park. As you drive your Reno campervan hire, you will pass by some notable attractions like the old mining towns of Ely, Eureka and Austin.
Carson City and Eagle Valley
The ‘valley’ in question is Eagle Valley, home to Carson City, the capital of Nevada and just south of Reno. The city itself is steeped in history, it was one of the first frontier towns in Nevada, but it’s the sheer beauty of the valley that makes the trip worthwhile.
Eagle Valley Resort and RV Park has water and electricity full hook-ups available, as well as propane gas re-fills, showers and fully equipped laundry for your Reno RV rental On site is a small store an fully equipped bar.
Virginia City
A late 19th-century mining boom was the foundation for Virginia City, but by the 20th century, it became, for all intents and purposes, a ghost town. These days, Virginia City is a glimpse into the past aided and abetted by tourist operatives, but it’s still definitely worth your time.
Virginia City RV Park has 50 mainly back-in sites available with full hook-ups including power, water, sewer, wifi and cable. There is one pull-through site.
Eldorado National Forest
Deep in the Nevada Sierra mountains lies Eldorado National Forest, an area of outstanding natural beauty that’s a must for fans of hiking, cycling and camping: in fact, it may even be worth parking up the motorhome rental, grabbing a tent and going old school for a night or two.
Hickison Petroglyphs
A what? Well, a petroglyph is an image created by cutting into rock, the Hickison examples (or Hickerson, named after the ranch owner in which they exist) are reckoned to date back as far as 10,000 BC. A fascinating day out that’ll linger with you throughout your vacation and beyond.
There is a free campground that an be used by RV rentals and campervan hires. There is no drinking water, power, sewerage or trash service available. The Hickison Petroglyphs campground has a vault toilet as well as picnic tables and barbeque areas, so is suitable for short stays.
Las Vegas
There isn’t much to be said about Las Vegas that you don’t already know, to the degree that vising the casino capital of the world feels oddly familiar. Top tip, head up Highway 95 from Reno at night, seeing Vegas coming closer in the dark from the desert is unforgettable.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
The scenic drive at Red Rock National Conservation area has become so popular you need to book it in advance between 8 am and 5 pm from May 2021. Stark evidence that this is one of the best self-drive rental, scenic drive road trips in Nevada. Bon Voyage.
Red Rock Conservation camping area has RV campsites suitable for overnight stays. Facilities are basic without electricity. There is drinking water available, as well as picnic tables, BBQ, accessible vault toilets and a trash/rubbish collection.
Great Basin National Park
Do you like the dark? Then this one is for you. Park up your motorhome rental and witness the mind-blowing star show at night (the Great Basin is an International Dark-Sky Park) then, during the day, head into the beautiful limestone Lehman caves for more eye-popping action.
Lower Lehman Creek campground has a limited number of pull-through RV sites. The campsite is 2.5 miles from Lehman Caves and reservations are essential.
Burning Man Festival
Probably the best festival in the world? Burning Man Festival is located in the Black Rock desert, a three-hour North-east drive from Reno, offers self-drive festival-goers an esoteric experience that’s guaranteed to stay with you for a lifetime that famously (or notoriously) concludes with the burning of a huge wooden effigy.
Lamoille Canyon
Yet another scenic drive courtesy of Nevada that’ll leave you grinning for days, this one is a 12-mile, 8800 drive up the side of Lamoille Canyon, which includes inspired views of the Canyon itself and the 11,249 Ruby Dome at the summit, and all the way back down again.
Iron Horse RV Resort at Elko is about 30 minutes drive from Lamoille Canyon, with wide RV sites that have powered pull-through sites, suitable for even the biggest rigs. Facilities include a swimming pool, jacuzzi, laundry and clean showers. Site includes a playground, shop, restaurant and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Yosemite National Park
Let’s conclude with probably the most famous National Park in the USA. Continue driving south for 150 miles with your motorhome rental from Reno and you will reach the eastern entrance to the Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite is typified by the monolithic granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome, the awesome Bridalveil Fall and ancient Sequoia Trees. You could visit Yosemite every day for a lifetime and still see something new. You’re welcome.
The park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the top three most visited national parks in the United States, is more popularly known for its striking valley and equally renowned for its giant sequoia groves, thousands of lakes and ponds, spectacular granite cliffs, raging waterfalls, and clear streams that run for 1,600 miles.
There are also 800 miles of hiking trails and astounding biodiversity contained in its 750,000 acres.
Though there are 10 campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, RV rental sites are usually fully booked from April to September. Camping on the road or in parking lay-byes is not allowed, so planning your visit and booking early over this period is essential.
Experience the Old West
About 25 miles to the north in your RV rental in Reno is Pyramid Lake; which is renowned for its fishing and beaches. The lake is also home to Anaho Island, a sanctuary for the American white pelican; so bring your binoculars and tick the bird off your life list. Also north of Reno is the National Wild Burro and Horse Center; where you can learn about or even adopt one of these magnificent animals.
To the south, about an hour’s drive by Reno RV rental in Nevada, you have Washoe Lake State park which is always a popular destination for enjoying water activities. If you would like to see how the “Old West” looked like, drive your motorhome hire or campervan rental to Virginia City, (population 1,000) which has managed to cling on to its frontier past, at least as far as several saloons and other Victorian buildings you can see lining its main street.
Best Campgrounds & RV Parks near Reno
This section takes newbies by surprise. Why would you need a campground when you’ve hired a campervan? I mean they’re a self-contained mobile home, you can stop when you want, cook-up some food and sleep anywhere, right?
Well, that depends entirely where you are and how much you need to dump that grey or black water, re-charge gas bottles/batteries or give the kids, or yourselves, a safe place to properly kick-back -and did we mention that campgrounds they’re great places for local information and top tips?
So, without further ado, here are our top four campgrounds and RV Parks near Reno.
Sparks Marina RV Park
1200 East Lincoln Way, Sparks, NV 89434
Pet, kid and traveller friendly, Sparks Marina RV Park has a spa, pool, putting green, pet run and 204 level sites that cater for every-sized motorhome, including El Monte’s 7 berth Class C Family Sleeper and their Class A Motorhome which comes in at 35 feet long.
Victorian RV Park
205 Nichols Boulevard, Sparks, NV, 89431
Victorian RV Park has 60′ pull-through sites, back-in sites, 30 and 50 amp service, cable TV and free WiFi, but you’d be wise to book in advance as its popular with long-term residence and, as such, feels more like a home rather than a holiday park.
Shamrock RV Park
60 Parr Boulevard, Reno, NV 89512
A large park with spaces for every-size of campervan, motorhome or RV, Shamrock RV Park is a great place for an overnight stay or two. Shamrock RV Park has got a pool, spaces to walk the dog, showers and laundry blocks, but parents with young children might want to look elsewhere.
Desert Rose RV Park
3285 US Highway 50-ALT E, Fernley, NV 89408
Family-run and family-friendly, Desert Rose RV Park has pull-thru sites with full hookups and, despite being located by the freeway, set in peaceful grounds with plenty of trees to soak up the sun. It may lack amenities (pools, spas etc) but it’s worth checking out.