Sacramento County Regional Parks

Water is temporarily off at River Bend Park due to a water main break. We are working to resolve this issue and to get portable restrooms in place. Restrooms and drinking fountains are currently unavailable.

Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer in Sacramento County, and families and friends will head outdoors to enjoy our parks, rivers and open spaces.

As you make your plans, we want to share some important reminders to help everyone stay safe, protect our natural resources and enjoy a memorable holiday weekend.

Water safety should always come first. The American River and other local waterways remain very cold this time of year, and currents can be strong and unpredictable. Even experienced swimmers can be caught off guard. Always wear a life jacket on the river!

Open-flame fires are not allowed in Regional Parks. Barbecues may only be used in designated picnic areas. And all fireworks are prohibited in Regional Parks, including both “safe and sane” and illegal fireworks.

Possession of alcohol on the shores and in the American River from Hazel Avenue down to Discovery Park and at Sherman Island is prohibited from Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25. This applies to both open and unopened containers.

Parking rates will increase over the weekend to $10 for single vehicles and $16 for oversized vehicles and vehicles towing watercraft.

Step into local history and explore the natural beauty of the American River with guide Janice Kelley!

🗓 Saturday, May 2
⏰ 9 a.m. – Noon
📍 Starting at the Fair Oaks Bridge

Drawing from her blogs and book, Janice will lead a scenic walk along the river, sharing captivating stories, historic photos, and insights you won’t find on a trail sign.

You’ll discover:
• The history of Fair Oaks Bridge — and why it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• How the bridge helped grow the agricultural economies and community services of Orangevale, Citrus Heights, and Fair Oaks
• The Fair Oaks Bluff preservation initiative
• Fascinating geology of the area
• Salmon spawning along the American River
• Unique wildlife interactions happening right in our backyard

Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or just looking for a beautiful way to spend your Saturday morning, this walk is for you.

For more information, contact Janice at [email protected]

Learn more: https://naturelegacies.com/

Heads up: The SacFit Parkway Half Marathon will take place along the American River Parkway on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The event will begin at William B. Pond Recreation Area and finish at River Bend Park. Participants will travel upstream approximately 6.5 miles to Sunrise Recreation Area along the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail.

The trail will be closed from Sunrise Boulevard downstream to William B. Pond Recreation Area from 6 a.m. to noon.

Detour Routes:
South Side of the River:
Sunrise Blvd → Coloma Rd → Folsom Blvd → La Riviera Drive (Watt Ave Access)
North Side of the River:
Sunrise Blvd → Fair Oaks Blvd → Jacob Lane

The Friends of Sailor Bar are hosting guided and self-guided tours of Sailor Bar on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to noon!

Learn from experts about the wildlife that live along the American River Parkway and how we can help them thrive.

Enjoy the peace and beauty of river walks and scenic views. Check in and pick up your Sailor Bar Map at the Friends of Sailor Bar booth, located inside the large parking lot at the end of Illinois Avenue. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water to stay hydrated!

Maintenance teams have reported downed trees and branches in many of our parks, including:
-Ancil Hoffman
-River Bend
-Gristmill Access
-Sailor Bar

Some of these trees may be partially blocking roads and trails in the park. Please exercise caution while in our parks.

Parkway Maintenance teams will work as quickly as possible to remove these downed trees and branches, and any others they encounter in the coming days.

Discovery Park has reopened after being closed due to flooding. The restrooms are currently closed. Portable restrooms will be delivered on Monday and will remain in place until the park's restrooms reopen.