The Best Hiking Trails Near Sacramento CA

The Sacramento area is home to wetlands, rivers, parks, and hills, making it a great hiking destination. Wonderful trails and paths are scattered about, with many options for hikers of all levels. There are many different hiking trails that can be found near Sacramento. Here are a few of the best.

South Fork American River Trail

The South Fork American River Trail comprises 25 miles of trails, spanning from Sacramento to Coloma, with paths for all levels of hiking. No matter which trail you decide to take, the scenery is spectacular. South Fork offers rushing river views, tumbling hills, forests, and chaparral canyons so bringing your camera is an absolute must. These hiking trails account for almost a fifth of California’s native plant life. As an attempt to leave these plants undisturbed, most paths were paved nice and wide. South Fork American River Trail offers the perfect hiking experience for groups who share the love of the outdoors.

South Fork of the American River at Sutter’s Fort, Coloma, California Ι

The Quarry Trail

Sacramento Recreational River, California

The iconic Sacramento River is a wonderful place for hiking. The paths along the river give way to wonderful rolling hills, deer, songbirds, salmon, and even a bald eagle or two. Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at one of the many scenic areas. In the warmer months, hikers can even wave to the water-lovers that wade down the Sacramento River.

Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail

This entirely beautiful trail, completing after 32 miles, is accessible through multiple parks throughout Sacramento. Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail is incredibly popular amongst Sacramento hikers. All along the trails, happy outdoor-lovers can be seen. This is another great hike for both expert hikers and beginners who are just breaking in their new hiking boots. The trails are paved and run along the lovely American River Parkway.

Auburn State Recreational Area

Another favorite trail located just outside Sacramento goes through the Auburn State Recreational Area. The trails here run from the recreation area to the base of the wondrous Auburn Dam, through the North and Middle Forks of the American River. It can make you work up quite a sweat, as the path’s steepness varies along the way. Either way, the hike will be absolutely breathtaking as you catch glimpses of the wildlife scattered across the 40 acres of land that the trails runs through. What’s even better is that the hiking path is open all year-round which is perfect for those devoted hikers that are ready to go, come rain or shine.

North Fork American Wild and Scenic River, California Ι

Blue Heron Trail

The Stone Lakes National Wildlife Rufuge’s relatively new Blue Heron Trail loops through the protected and lovely wetlands of Elk Grove. The surrounding lake and marshes are a great place to observe the wildlife native to the land. Be ready to see shore birds, hawks, cranes, and waterfowl as the area is the natural migration place of many bird species. The trail itself is wonderfully smooth and short, only about a mile long. It’s an ideal trail for strollers and wheelchairs.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.