Parks, Rivers & Trails Across Sacramento County
From the American River Parkway to City of Trees neighborhood parks — explore every regional park, river access point, trail, and nature preserve in Sacramento City & County.
Showing 36 of 36 places
⭐ Editor's Picks
Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail
Sacramento's iconic 32-mile paved multi-use trail running the entire length of the American River Parkway from Old Sacramento to Folsom Lake — one of the finest urban bike paths in America.
Discovery Park
The grand gateway to the American River Parkway — where the Sacramento and American Rivers meet, with 275 acres of riparian habitat, boat launches, and the start of the famous Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail.
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
A massive state recreation area anchored by 11,000-acre Folsom Lake with 75 miles of shoreline — featuring boating, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and the dramatic granite canyons of the American River forks.
American River Parkway Favorites
The spine of Sacramento's riverfront recreation — access points, trails, and parks along 23 miles of river corridor
Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail
Sacramento's iconic 32-mile paved multi-use trail running the entire length of the American River Parkway from Old Sacramento to Folsom Lake — one of the finest urban bike paths in America.
Discovery Park
The grand gateway to the American River Parkway — where the Sacramento and American Rivers meet, with 275 acres of riparian habitat, boat launches, and the start of the famous Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail.
William B. Pond Recreation Area
A popular American River Parkway access area with a sandy beach, picnic facilities, volleyball courts, and a beloved swimming and tubing launch spot during summer.
Paradise Beach
A sun-drenched sandy bar on the American River beloved by swimmers, inner-tubers, and sunbathers — one of the most popular summer swimming spots on the entire Parkway.
Sunrise Recreation Area
One of the most-used American River Parkway access points, anchoring a stretch of trail loved by cyclists, joggers, and paddlers, with a broad sandy beach and boat ramp.
Sutter's Landing Regional Park
A recently revitalized park where Sacramento's urban grid meets the American River — featuring a dog park, off-leash areas, a kayak launch, mountain bike skills park, and stunning riparian views just minutes from Midtown.
Gristmill Recreation Area
A quiet access point along the American River Parkway with riparian habitat, fishing pockets, and direct trail connectivity — a local favorite for weekend rides and morning runs.
Sailor Bar County Park
A scenic riverside park nestled in oak and sycamore woodland with a pebble beach, excellent fishing for salmon and steelhead, and miles of parkway trail on each side.
Rivers, Wetlands & Preserves
Cosumnes River Preserve, Deer Creek Hills, and Sacramento's wild open spaces
Cosumnes River Preserve
One of the most important riparian habitat preserves in California — 46,000 acres protecting the last major undammed river in the Sierra Nevada, with thousands of migratory waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and extraordinary seasonal flooding.
Deer Creek Hills Preserve
Sacramento County's most dramatic wild landscape — 4,300 acres of rolling oak woodland and blue oak savanna in the Sierra Nevada foothills, with 25+ miles of hiking and equestrian trails through stunning scenery.
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
Sacramento's finest nature education center — set within Ancil Hoffman Park with interpretive trails, live wildlife exhibits, and docent-led programs exploring the ecology of the American River riparian corridor.
All Parks, Rivers & Trails
Complete directory — Sacramento City & County
Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail
Sacramento's iconic 32-mile paved multi-use trail running the entire length of the American River Parkway from Old Sacramento to Folsom Lake — one of the finest urban bike paths in America.
Discovery Park
The grand gateway to the American River Parkway — where the Sacramento and American Rivers meet, with 275 acres of riparian habitat, boat launches, and the start of the famous Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail.
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
A massive state recreation area anchored by 11,000-acre Folsom Lake with 75 miles of shoreline — featuring boating, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and the dramatic granite canyons of the American River forks.
Ancil Hoffman Park
One of Sacramento County's crown jewels — 400 acres of oak woodland and riparian forest along the American River, with trails, picnic groves, a nature center, and access to the parkway bike trail.
William Land Park
Sacramento's grand green heart — 166 acres in the Land Park neighborhood with the Sacramento Zoo, Fairy Tale Town, Funderland amusement park, an 18-hole golf course, rose gardens, ponds, and shaded picnic groves under the City of Trees canopy.
Cosumnes River Preserve
One of the most important riparian habitat preserves in California — 46,000 acres protecting the last major undammed river in the Sierra Nevada, with thousands of migratory waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and extraordinary seasonal flooding.
McKinley Park
The beloved heart of East Sacramento — a classic neighborhood park with rose gardens, a public pool, playgrounds, a library branch, tennis courts, and stunning mature trees beloved by dog walkers and weekend picnickers alike.
River Bend Park
A beloved Fair Oaks destination set in a dramatic bend of the American River, featuring miles of trails through oak woodland, a boat launch, swimming areas, and outstanding fishing.
Deer Creek Hills Preserve
Sacramento County's most dramatic wild landscape — 4,300 acres of rolling oak woodland and blue oak savanna in the Sierra Nevada foothills, with 25+ miles of hiking and equestrian trails through stunning scenery.
Effie Yeaw Nature Center
Sacramento's finest nature education center — set within Ancil Hoffman Park with interpretive trails, live wildlife exhibits, and docent-led programs exploring the ecology of the American River riparian corridor.
Lake Natoma Recreation Area
A calm-water haven between Nimbus Dam and Hazel Avenue — ideal for rowing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking, with access to the American River Parkway trail and the historic Folsom Prison overlook.
William B. Pond Recreation Area
A popular American River Parkway access area with a sandy beach, picnic facilities, volleyball courts, and a beloved swimming and tubing launch spot during summer.
Land Park / Fairy Tale Town Area
The iconic storybook-themed playground within William Land Park — a Sacramento childhood institution since 1959, with elaborate fairy-tale play structures and adjacent to the Sacramento Zoo, Funderland, and a duck pond.
Elk Grove Regional Park
A sprawling 123-acre park in the heart of Elk Grove featuring a swimming lagoon, waterslide, picnic pavilions, athletic fields, and miles of paved trails — the summer destination for families across the south county.
Paradise Beach
A sun-drenched sandy bar on the American River beloved by swimmers, inner-tubers, and sunbathers — one of the most popular summer swimming spots on the entire Parkway.
Mather Regional Park
A 2,100-acre park at the former Mather Air Force Base featuring an 18-hole golf course, a small lake with fishing, equestrian trails, and expansive open grassland for wildlife viewing.
Sunrise Recreation Area
One of the most-used American River Parkway access points, anchoring a stretch of trail loved by cyclists, joggers, and paddlers, with a broad sandy beach and boat ramp.
Granite Regional Park
A major South Sacramento regional park featuring sports complexes, large picnic facilities, a community center, an impressive skate park, and a dog park — the outdoor hub for South Sacramento.
Sutter's Landing Regional Park
A recently revitalized park where Sacramento's urban grid meets the American River — featuring a dog park, off-leash areas, a kayak launch, mountain bike skills park, and stunning riparian views just minutes from Midtown.
Miller Park / Sacramento Marina
Sacramento's only public marina along the Sacramento River — with a boat launch, waterfront picnic areas, RV parking, and stunning sunset views across the river toward Broderick.
Curtis Park
A neighborhood staple in one of Sacramento's most storied historic neighborhoods — generous turf, picnic shelters, basketball courts, and a popular wading pool, all under the signature City of Trees canopy.
Gristmill Recreation Area
A quiet access point along the American River Parkway with riparian habitat, fishing pockets, and direct trail connectivity — a local favorite for weekend rides and morning runs.
Gibson Ranch County Park
A working ranch park experience in North Sacramento County — 325 acres with equestrian trails, a lake for fishing and non-motorized boating, a swimming lagoon, and farm animals that delight families.
Sailor Bar County Park
A scenic riverside park nestled in oak and sycamore woodland with a pebble beach, excellent fishing for salmon and steelhead, and miles of parkway trail on each side.
Howe Ave Park & Parkway Access
A popular central Sacramento Parkway access point offering direct bike trail access, riverside picnicking, and a launching pad for afternoon paddles on the American River.
Hagan Park
Rancho Cordova's largest park with competitive sports facilities, walking trails, a community center, and expansive open turf — the social anchor of this growing east Sacramento suburb.
Southside Park
A lively urban park adjacent to the South Side neighborhood and Oak Park, anchored by a scenic lake popular for duck feeding, with picnic areas, a community center, playgrounds, and sports courts.
Dry Creek Parkway
A linear riparian greenbelt running through North Sacramento along Dry Creek — popular for birding, dog walking, and jogging through willow thickets and native plantings.
Sacramento Bar
A broad gravel bar along the American River known for summer swimming, gold panning, and excellent steelhead and salmon fishing during fall runs.
Crocker Art Museum Park / Capitol Mall Grounds
The grand civic greenway stretching from the State Capitol rotunda to Old Sacramento — a tree-lined promenade of lawns, rose gardens, and park benches at the heart of California's government district.
Orangevale Community Park
The community hub of Orangevale with athletic fields, a community center, playgrounds, and picnic areas under a mature oak canopy — the social gathering point for this foothill-area community.
Rossmoor Bar
An access point at the upper stretch of the American River Parkway, popular for fishing in the riffles and hiking through riparian forest with views of the lower Sierra foothills.
Arcade Creek Regional Park
A riparian corridor park along Arcade Creek in Carmichael offering nature trails through oak woodland and creek habitat — a peaceful escape from suburban surroundings.
Cal Expo / Cal Expo Bikeway
A paved multi-use path skirting the Cal Expo fairgrounds and connecting to the American River Parkway — a key link in Sacramento's expanding urban cycling network.
Commonwealth Community Park
A family-centered neighborhood park in the Pocket area serving the vibrant south Sacramento residential community, with playgrounds, grass fields, and a community center.
Arden-Arcade Neighborhood Parks
A cluster of neighborhood parks serving the Arden-Arcade community corridor — providing shaded green space, sports fields, and family amenities in this established mid-county suburban area.
About Sacramento's Parks, Rivers & Trails
Sacramento County is one of California's premier destinations for outdoor recreation — anchored by the 23-mile American River Parkway, the legendary Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail (the "J-Street Bike Trail"), and a network of regional parks stretching from the foothills to the delta. The City of Sacramento maintains over 200 parks and greenways, earning its "City of Trees" designation through a remarkable urban canopy that shades parks, streets, and riverbanks alike.
From the rolling oak woodlands of Deer Creek Hills to the riparian wetlands of the Cosumnes River Preserve, from the riverside playgrounds of Discovery Park to the neighborhood splash pads of Curtis Park and Land Park, Sacramento's outdoor spaces cater to every kind of adventurer — whether you're pedaling the Parkway at sunrise, casting a line at Sunrise Bar, or picnicking under sycamores at Ancil Hoffman.
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River Access Points
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Trails
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