American River Parkway Parks
The American River Parkway has over a dozen access points. These access points feature areas to fish, swim, kayak, bike, or run, as well as paint, relax, or watch a sunset. The paved Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail runs the length of the Parkway and beyond while a separate multi-use dirt trail meanders near the bike trail from Discovery Park to Nimbus Fish Hatchery and into the Folsom Lake SRA.
Ancil Hoffman Park
- Effie Yeaw Nature Center
- Equestrian staging area
- Golf course
- Picnic areas
- Ancil Hoffman Park, 6700 Tarshes Dr, Carmichael, CA 95608
Discovery Park
- Archery range
- Bike trail access
- Boat ramp
- Equestrian staging area
- Horseshoe pits
- Picnic areas
- Picnic areas for reservations w/ BBQs & hot coal pits
- Discovery Park, 1600 Garden Hgwy, Sacramento, CA 95833
Harrington Way River Access
- Bike trail access
- Water trail – popular take-out spot for rafters and kayakers
- Harrington Way River Access, 950-960 Harrington Way, Carmichael, CA 95608
Howe Ave River Access
- Boat ramp (small watercraft)
- Bike trail access
- Picnic areas
- Howe Ave River Access, 7929 La Riviera Dr, Sacramento, CA 95826
El Manto River Access
- Bike trail access
- Picnic areas
- San Juan rapids
- El Manto River Access, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Ethan Way River Access
- Bushy Lake
- Pilot mountain bike loop
Gristmill Recreation Area
- Boat ramp (small watercraft)
- Rocky beach
- Gristmill Recreation Area, 9517 Mira Del Rio Dr, Sacramento, CA 95827
Paradise Beach
- Picnic areas
- Sandy beach
- Walk-in access, no parking fees
- Paradise Beach, 5211 Carlson Dr, Sacramento, CA 95819
River Bend Park
- Bike trail access
- River Bend Outdoor Educational Site
- Equestrian staging area
- Horseshoe pit
- Picnic areas
- Water trail – popular take-out spot for rafters and kayakers
- River Bend Park, 2300 Rod Beaudry Dr, Sacramento, CA 95827
Rossmoor Bar River Access
- Bike trail access
- Picnic areas
- San Juan rapids
- Rossmoor Bar River Access, 1903-1901 Rossmoor Dr, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Sacramento Bar Park
- Bike trail access
- Picnic areas
- Water trail – popular put-in spot for rafters and kayakers
- Sacramento Bar Park, 3936 Pennsylvania Ave, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
Sailor Bar Park
- Boat ramp (small watercraft)
- Equestrian staging area
- Picnic areas
- Turtle Pond
- Sailor Bar Park, 4253 Illinois Ave, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
- Sailor Bar Park Olive Ave River Access, 8266 Olive Ave, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
Sunrise Recreation Area
Lower Sunrise (West side area)
- Bike trail access
- Equestrian staging area
- Horseshoe pit
- Picnic areas
- Water trail – popular put-in spot for rafters and kayakers
- Lower Sunrise Recreation Area, S Bridge St, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Upper Sunrise (East side area)
- Bike trail access
- Boat ramp (small watercraft)
- Picnic areas
- Upper Sunrise Recreation Area, Old Fair Oaks Brg, Fair Oaks, CA 95628
Watt Ave River Access
- Boat ramp (small watercraft)
- Bike trail access
- Picnic areas
- Watt Ave River Access, 8690 La Riviera Dr, Sacramento, CA 95826
William B. Pond Park
- American River Parkway Foundation office
- Equestrian staging area
- Bike trail access
- Fishing pond
- Picnic areas
- Picnic areas for reservations w/ BBQs
- William B Pond Park, 5700 Arden Wy, Carmichael, CA 95608
Discovery Park
William B. Pond
River Bend Park
Sunrise Recreation Area
- Park Passes: Access all parks in the Sacramento County Regional Parks system with an annual pass! Includes Parkway access points and seven additional Regional Parks. Passes are valid for a 12-month period from month purchased. Buy one from the Sacramento County Parks Department
- Park Status: Check the status of a park or trail on the American River Parkway for closures or construction. To contact a Sacramento County Parks Ranger please call 916.875.PARK (7275).
- Parkway Map: View a PDF of our American River Parkway map! Purchase a copy online or in our office during business hours (M-F, 8:30am-4:30pm).
- Use SacRT: Many of these locations are served by light rail, fixed-route buses, and SmaRTRide shuttles. Relax on your way to the park, instead of dealing with the headache of traffic or finding parking and let SacRT get you there!
- To find accommodations near the American River Parkway, visit HotelsCombined.
