Skip to ContentWingfield Park, an island in the Truckee River, began as the Belle Isle resort and was given to Reno in 1920. Beside it is the downtown whitewater course, rated Class 2 to 3.
Checked November 2, 2026. Dates, prices and hours change; the official page wins.
- 1920given to the city by George Wingfield
- 2,600 ftwhitewater course
- 11drop-pools
- Class 2-3rating
An Island Park
Reno Historical (authors Nicholas Caparso and Alicia Barber) says attorney Lewis Hinckley bought a small natural island in the Truckee River before 1909 and named it Belle Isle. By 1911 it was a pleasure resort with a dance hall, a 700-seat open-air theater and boat rentals, and aviator Eugene Ely used part of it as a runway that July. A roller rink was added in 1912. The owners went bankrupt around 1916. In 1920 George Wingfield bought it and gave it to the city with no conditions, and the council named it for him. The Reno Municipal Christmas Tree was planted there in 1925, and a flood hit the park in 1928. The amphitheater was named the Wingfield Park Glenn Little Amphitheater in 2013.
The Whitewater Park
The Riverwalk District says the Truckee River Whitewater Park opened in 2004 as a redevelopment agency project. It is about 2,600 feet long (1,400 in the north channel, 1,200 in the south) with 11 drop-pools and about 7,000 tons of boulders, rated Class 2 to 3 on a 1-to-6 scale, so beginners and experienced paddlers can both use it. Water runs 50 to 70 degrees and does not freeze, and the pools are habitat for Lahontan cutthroat trout.
What We Could Not Confirm
These items were not read on an official page when we checked, so we do not state them as fact. Who can confirm each one is named.
- The whitewater park opening year: Riverwalk District says 2004; other sources we saw say 2003 (City of Reno).
- A reported reopening of the park after bridge work in June 2026 (City of Reno).
- Season and flow limits for paddling.
More to Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a helmet at the Reno whitewater park?
Yes. The Riverwalk District says every user must wear a helmet and flotation jacket.
Sources
Cite this page: It’s Reno editorial team, “Wingfield Park and The Whitewater Park,” itsreno.com, checked November 2, 2026.