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Open Spaces

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Your gaze can scan the horizon for miles and not see anything but wildlife and undeveloped land. Animals and plants thrive in their natural habitat, and you can explore on horseback or foot, often blazing your own trail. The value of Sacramento County's protected open space cannot be measured in dollars and cents. The recreational opportunities, aesthetics and tranquility of open land greatly add to our quality of life. Sacramento County is dedicated to preserving the wildlife and natural vegetation of open space for generations to come.

American River Parkway

Popularly known as the "jewel of Sacramento," the 23-mile American River Parkway has more than five million visitors who 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 often just steps away from the paved trails. Access to the Parkway is available at various points off of Highway 50.

Cosumnes River Preserve

Located just off of Interstate 5 at the Twin Cities Road exit between Stockton and Sacramento, this wetland habitat is a haven for tens of thousands of rare and endangered animal and plant species. The Cosumnes River Preserve River Walk & Wetlands Walk Trails are open dawn to dusk everyday. Kayaking tours are available during the spring and summer months.

Deer Creek Hills

Deer Creek Hills' 4,060 acres of rolling grasslands and oak woodland preserves the heritage of working ranches and provides endless opportunities for public recreation. The oaks and grasslands also provide habitat for approximately 170 species of birds, 105 mammal species, 58 amphibians and reptiles, and an estimated 5,000 kinds of insects. Deer Creek Hills is located south of Highway 50 near the City of Folsom, and reaching almost to the El Dorado County line. It was purchased by the County in partnership with the Sacramento Valley Conservancy. Currently money is being raised to develop a master plan and the Conservancy is operating the site under a management agreement with the County.

Dry Creek Parkway

The Dry Creek Parkway provides boundless recreational opportunities for its surrounding communities including a golf course, horse trails, picnic facilities, fishing, soccer fields, and hiking trails. You can find the 6-mile Dry Creek Corridor in the northern part of Sacramento County, just below the Sacramento/Placer County line.

Mather Regional Park Vernal Pools

A million years of geology and evolution have produced the spectacular vernal pools at Sacramento's Mather Field. The vernal pools in Mather Regional Park are some of the rarest and most threatened ecosystems in the world because of the rare flowering plants and invertebrates that live in them.

North Stone Lakes

More than 18,000 acres of protected land in the southern portion of the county near Elk Grove are one of the few urban refuges in the nation. Grasslands, vernal pools and diverse wildlife and plant life make this a year round destination.