It’s the first 3-day weekend after the school year began! If you’re trying to figure out what you can do this weekend, here are some beautiful places to visit. There’s so many hiking trails around the greater Sacramento area, even more if you’re willing to travel a couple hours. These are perfect to get in some exercise and relax at the same time. Although I tried to pick out trails that are within an hour's travel from Sacramento, there are plenty of other trails a little farther away. Here are some hiking trails of different difficulty levels near Sacramento!
American River Parkway - Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail
Although this isn’t like a traditional hiking trail, it’s perfect to go around Sacramento and enjoy nature. Spanning over 30 miles, it reaches all the way from Folsom to Old Sacramento. This trail is perfect for walking, jogging, and even biking. With access points in various points throughout the trail, this is most likely considerably close to you. Although it’s extremely long, it isn’t a strenuous trail. There isn’t a large elevation rise which makes this considerably less strenuous.
Parking Costs - $5
Picnics - Allowed
Clementine Lake
Offering stunning views of a waterfall, the Clementine Lake Trail is slightly more strenuous and farther away than the American River Parkway. This is a dog-friendly trail that is surrounded by waterways and lakes. It’s significantly shorter compared to the American River Parkway at only 4.5 miles in length. However, because of its larger elevation gain it’s considered more strenuous. This trail is located about an hour away from Sacramento. If you have time to travel an hour there and back, this trail would be totally worth it!
Parking Fee - None
Access Point - 139 Old Foresthill Rd, Auburn, CA 95603
South Fork American River Trail
The last and most strenuous trail is the South Fork American River Trail. Climbing nearly 3,000 feet in elevation over 17.5 miles, this trail is undeniably strenuous. Located only about an hour away from Sacramento, this is one of the closest hiking trails that is more strenuous and long. As with the other trails, there is stunning scenery throughout. You can stop at some points in the trail to have a nice picnic or take some pictures.
Parking Fee - None
When you’re going on these trails, make sure to bring certain items:
Water Bottle
Sunscreen
Trekking Poles
Breathable Hiking Cap
A brimmed hat or cap
If you’d like to check out some other hiking trails in the Sacramento Area, check out the link below!
- Srujana Poluri