American River Parkway
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Welcome to the "jewel of Sacramento," the 23-mile American River Parkway. More than 5 million visitors enjoy this unique wildlife and recreation area annually. Fishing, boating and rafting opportunities lure water enthusiasts. Picnic sites, golfing, guided natural and historic tours and much more are often just steps away from the paved trails. Access to the Parkway is available at various points off of Highway 50. Specific activities, features and directions for many of our popular Parkway access sites are located in the links below:
Preserving and improving the Parkway for future generations is our highest priority. Learn about the needs of the Parkway and the plan to ensure its longevity.
This map shows the location of a variety of the recreation areas along the Parkway. For a more detailed explanation of all the recreation areas, please refer to the list of parks below.
Parks and Recreation Facilities along the Parkway
Ancil Hoffman Park, located in the community of Carmichael, is home to the renowned Effie Yeaw Nature Center, Sacramento’s only nature center. Dotted with ancient oaks and bordered on two sides by the American River, you can walk among reconstructed Maidu Indian huts at the nature center, or hit a bucket of golf balls at the award-winning Ancil Hoffman golf course.
One of Sacramento County’s best boat launches, Discovery Park is where the American River meets the Sacramento River. This 302-acre park is located in the middle of downtown Sacramento and is a green-and-blue haven from the buildings and bustle of the city.
The Effie Yeaw Nature Center, in Ancil Hoffman Park, is an award-winning environmental and cultural education center within the American River Parkway. The center offers a wide variety of hands-on educational activities and exhibits for all ages.
Just off of U.S. HWY 50 at Bradshaw, C.M. Goethe Park, is one of Sacramento’s oldest county parks. A long central road paralleling the river links you to this park’s many recreation facilities. Wild turkeys and deer rustle in the grass beneath young oaks, while the bright green, carefully cared-for picnic area is a luscious place to stop for lunch.
Howe Avenue River Access, where the water is deep and swift, and blue-green as a gemstone! Though the river looks inviting it is deep and swift so swimming and diving are not encouraged. A car-top launch allows small boats and rafts to be launched into the American River.
Recognized as a national trail in 1974, and named the nation's
No. 1 bike path for 2006 by www.Trails.com, this thirty-two mile long trail
winds from Folsom to Old Sacramento, paralleling the American River and stopping
at many key places along the way.
Just off of U.S. HWY 50 at Howe Ave, Paradise Beach is a popular destination for swimming families and young adults. With sand dunes and a gently sloping beach, Paradise Beach is an excellent lazy-day summer destination.
Rossmoor Bar is a peninsula bordered on three sides by the American River. Located in Rancho Cordova, this park provides easy access to the American River. Gold miners and early farmers found this area fruitful, while today's visitors enjoy the natural surroundings for their historic and ecological importance.
Located just across from the Lower Sunrise Recreation Area, this river access adds a special touch to the uniqueness of the American River Parkway during every season. Winter and autumn find salmon fishermen elbow-to-elbow in the chilly water. Spring brings wildflowers, animals and nature-seeking hikers to the area while summer finds legions of rafters and picnicking families.
Just off of Hazel Ave, this park has a lot of history and wonderful present- day opportunities. Settled by gold-seeking sailors it was dredged for gold during the Gold Rush. Today, visitor activities such as rafting, fishing, horseback riding and nature gazing, have replaced the adventures of historic explorers.
This small riverside area is tucked between private properties just off of Fair Oaks Blvd. An access ramp and steps provide narrow river access to nearly everyone. Secluded and little known, this quiet spot may seem at times like your very own private beach.
Located just across from the Lower Sunrise Recreation Area, this river access adds a special touch to the uniqueness of the American River Parkway during every season. Winter and autumn find salmon fishermen elbow-to-elbow in the chilly water. Spring brings wildflowers, animals and nature-seeking hikers while summer draws legions of rafters and picnicking families.
Just off of U.S. HWY 50 at Watt Ave, Waterton Access is a small site providing access along the river. Deer, coyotes and jackrabbits can sometimes be seen as they take on their
traditional roles of hunter and hunted by the river’s edge. The nearby S.A.R.A. Access offers similar opportunity.
Located just off busy Watt Ave, this American River access point is a popular take-out spot for rafters, canoeists and kayakers. Fishing is popular here due to the range of shallow and deep water. Though swimming and wading are also popular, they should be done with great care in this area. A small ramp makes launching and take-out easy.
Located off of Arden Way, this park is named in honor of the first director of the County of Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation. Mr. Pond intended the American River Parkway to be a place where all people could recreate and enjoy nature's bounty, and this park is one of the better examples of his realized goal. Physically handicapped anglers can access the large, man-made fishing pond via a specialized fishing pier and ramp. Paved walking trails gently slope around the park, leaving no barrier between enjoyment of nature and every park visitor.
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