When will fall colors arrive in the Truckee Meadows? If you look to the skies, they’re showing up this week.
The 44th Great Reno Balloon Race is set for this Friday through Sunday. And while hot-air balloons will be visible on the horizon throughout most of the Truckee Meadows, the best views are from up close at Rancho San Rafael Park, which draws thousands of spectators every year.
Planning to go? Set your alarms early. Here’s what you need to know.
Great Reno Balloon Race 2025 schedule
The top must-see events each day are the Glow Shows, in which balloons tethered to the ground light up in sequence; Dawn Patrol, during which a small number of balloons ascend before sunrise; and the Mass Ascension, when all balloons take to the skies after sunrise. Here’s the complete schedule.
Friday, Sept. 5
- 3:30 a.m.: Gates open
- 5 a.m.: Super Glow Show
- 5:30 a.m.: Dawn Patrol
- 5:50 a.m.: Remote-controlled hot air balloons
- 6:45 a.m.: National Anthem
- 7 a.m.: Mass ascension launch
- 8 a.m.: Tethering activities
- 9:30 a.m.: E.L. Cord Foundation Tissue Paper Balloon Launch
Saturday, Sept. 6
- 3:30 a.m.: Gates open
- 5 a.m.: Super Glow Show
- 5:30 a.m.: Dawn Patrol
- 5:50 a.m.: Remote-controlled hot air balloons
- 6:45 a.m.: National Anthem
- 7 a.m.: Mass ascension launch
- 8 a.m.: Tethering activities
Sunday, Sept. 7
- 3:30 a.m.: Gates open
- 5 a.m.: Super Glow Show
- 5:30 a.m.: Dawn Patrol
- 5:50 a.m.: Remote-controlled hot air balloons
- 6:45 a.m.: National Anthem
- 7 a.m.: Mass ascension launch
- 8 a.m.: Tethering activities
Where to park for the Great Reno Balloon Race
The event itself is free, but the limited parking spots near Rancho San Rafael cost $25 each — cash only. The lot entrances are on Sierra Street just south of McCarran Boulevard, and on Coleman Drive; RVs, buses and other oversized vehicles will not be allowed to park at the site.
Once you park, expect a bit of a walk over rolling hills to get to the field.
Need handicapped parking? Those with handicapped placards or license plates can enter the park at any entrance. Event organizers note that the handful of handicapped spots typically fill up by 4 a.m. each day.
Drivers also can park for free in the Green and Blue 1 lots on the northwest side of the University of Nevada campus, but cars will be ticketed if not removed by 11 a.m.
Free transit to the Great Reno Balloon Race
RTC Washoe is providing free transit service on the RAPID Virginia Line between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. each day of the event. Those parking at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center may ride the RAPID Virginia Line to Rancho San Rafael Park, with buses running every 15 minutes.
What balloons will be at the Great Reno Balloon Race in 2025?
This year’s special shape lineup:
- Darth Vader
- Mango the Seahorse
- Mario the Race Car
- Milton the Fish
- Montie the Black Sheep
- Peanut the Elephant
- Reach for the Stars
- Smokey Bear
https://renoballoon.com/pilots/ are set to participate this year, including the patriotic Eagle and Dee IV balloons and the Nevada flag balloon, Battle Born.
This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Great Reno Balloon Race 2025 guide: Schedules, parking, balloon lineup and more
Reporting by Brett McGinness, Reno Gazette Journal / Reno Gazette Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
