Field guide
Sacramento running routes and local park trails
Find running routes in Sacramento for visitors. This guide covers the 32-mile American River Parkway trail, the jogging path at William Land Park, and hiking trails at Folsom Lake.
Sacramento offers several distinct areas for running and hiking. Visitors can choose from a long, multi-use parkway trail, a dedicated jogging path in a large city park, or shorter nature trails within a state recreation area.
The American River Parkway provides a 32-mile paved route for long runs. William Land Park is a more contained option for jogging. Folsom Lake State Recreation Area has unpaved trails suitable for shorter hikes or trail runs.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| American River Parkway | 32-miles | open year-round from sunrise to sunset | Not listed |
| William Land Regional Park | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| Folsom Lake State Recreation Area | 0.38 mile from Black Miners Bar to Hazel Avenue; 0.79 miles each way | Not listed | Compacted aggregate |
American River Parkway
The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail is a 32-mile trail that parallels the American River between Folsom and old Sacramento. It is a multi-use trail for jogging, strolling, and hiking, and can be reached from most parks along the parkway.
Rules are in place for trail users. People on foot should stay on the soft shoulder to the left of the paved path. The paved path is for cyclists and skaters. A speed limit of 15 mph is enforced, and those passing should give a verbal warning.
- Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail description
- world-renowned trail
- Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail route
- winds from Folsom to old Sacramento, paralleling the American River
- Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail length
- 32-miles
- Park hours
- open year-round from sunrise to sunset
- Vehicle parking fee
- $8 Vehicle
- Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail access
- accessed from most parks in the American River Parkway
- Bike/skater path rule
- Bike riders and in-line skaters should stay on the paved path, right of the yellow line.
- Pedestrian trail rule
- Those on foot should stay on the left “soft” shoulder
Sources: Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail (regionalparks.saccounty.gov), Regional Parks (regionalparks.saccounty.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Full notes: The American River Parkway trail for runners and hikers
William Land Regional Park
This 207.34-acre developed park contains a jogging path. The park provides off-street parking and has restrooms available for public use. Other features in the park include a rock garden, picnic areas, and an amphitheater.
- Park size
- 207.34 developed acres
- Address
- 3800 Land Park Drive
- Parking type
- Off-street parking
- Restrooms available
- Yes
- Amenity
- Jogging Path
- Amenity
- Adventure Play Area
- Amenity
- Amphitheater
- Attraction
- Fairytale Town
Source: William Land Regional Park (cityofsacramento.gov). Official page, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
This area offers several unpaved trails for hiking. The Oaks Nature Trail is 0.79 miles each way, and the Doton’s Cove Trail is 0.53 miles each way. Both are on compacted aggregate surfaces and have some sloped sections.
A separate 0.38-mile section of the American River Hike and Bike Trail is also located here. The recreation area has facilities including a floating restroom on the lake and accessible restrooms with showers at the Beals Point Campground.
- Park description
- 18,000-acre lake with opportunities for camping, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, water sports, biking and boating
- Administrative offices address
- 7755 Folsom-Auburn Road in Folsom, California
- American River Hike and Bike Trail length
- 0.38 mile from Black Miners Bar to Hazel Avenue
- Oaks Nature Trail length
- 0.79 miles each way
- Doton’s Cove Trail length
- 0.53 miles each way
- Oaks Nature Trail surface
- Compacted aggregate
- Doton’s Cove Trail surface
- Compacted aggregate
- Oaks Nature Trail slope
- Generally at less than 5% slopes with intermittent sections between 5% to 10%
Sources: Folsom Lake Floating Restroom (dbw.parks.ca.gov), Accessible Features at Folsom Lake SRA (parks.ca.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Before you go
- The American River Parkway is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.
- A vehicle parking fee of $8 applies at the American River Parkway.
- On the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, pedestrians use the left shoulder while cyclists and skaters use the paved path.
- The speed limit on the paved parkway trail is 15 mph for all users.
- Life vests can be borrowed at popular American River access points.
- Restrooms are available at William Land Park and Folsom Lake State Recreation Area.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.