American River Bicycle Trail
American River Bicycle Trail
4.5
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Part of the American Discovery Trail, this path is exclusively for non-motorized use, and it extends throughout the city.
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vliger
Oxford, MI307 contributions
Jun 2022
American Bike Trail – Sacramento/Folsom. 6/13/22 Access to the American River Bike Trail is off Tribute Road behind the Fairfield Marriott Cal Expo hotel. On this Monday morning the trail was nearly empty except for a few bike riders. The paved trail was in good condition with a few areas shaded. The restroom, near junction of the American River Parkway, was in poor condition however. The nearby port-a-john was not much better. Also, the sign here with directions and mileage was marred by graffiti and unreadable. So, without directions, we took a gravel route that appeared closer to the river. It led to more overgrown area and nothing scenic so we followed it until we got back to the main trail. There was lots of trash off this gravel portion. We continued west along the trail and then over the American River on the Sacramento Northern Bikeway Bridge to tour downtown Sacramento. There were quite a few blue tarp tents where homeless live just yards off this trail on either side of the bridge. On our way back from Sacramento we saw several fire trucks with lights flashing were near the junction to the American River Parkway. We were not sure if they were practicing or actually putting out a brush fire. The American River Trail section near Folsom, which we rode the previous day, is more well maintained, and cleaner. We did not see any homeless tents along that section near Folsom. For travel to downtown Sacramento by bike we recommend the American Bike Trail – Northern Bikeway Bridge. However, more mile markers, more directional signs and biker friendly water fountains would be helpful. For a more scenic tour we recommend the same trail but near Folsom.
Written 22 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CPaM68
Texas781 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We only walked a short distance on the trail, right on the waterfront behind Old Town. It seemed rather quaint and charming and then a surprise. Between the Tower Bridge and the Delta King River Boat, we saw seven or eight large Sea Lions lounging on a concrete embankment in the river. Come to find out, they regularly make their way to Sacramento, swimming up the Sacramento River from the Pacific Ocean, looking for salmon in the river. Looking on the internet, I found that technically Sacramento is only thirty-two miles from the Pacific.
Written 28 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Previa1994
Chicago, IL6 648 contributions
Jul 2022
I spent about half a day biking on the American River Trail in July during my vacation in Sacramento. I rode about eight miles west from Folsom and back to Folsom on a rented bike. The trail is paved and runs mostly along the American River. There are many dirt spur trails down to the river but I did not go there on the rented road bike. The is well-maintained path that offers a variety of scenic views. I found trail mile markers or maps to be lacking for such a beautiful trail. So, first timers beware. The ride itself is beautiful with scenic views of the river and landscape. If I am in the area again, I will certainly plan to ride the other sections of the trail.
Written 17 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer C
San Francisco, CA37 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We rode 12 miles round trip from River Bend Park to Sunrise Rec Area. It’s a smooth trail through fields and trees with lovely views of the river. We saw deer, turkeys, rabbits, raptors, ducks, egrets, and herons. Many bathrooms, drinking fountains, picnic spots, and places to access the river. Fabulous!
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William L
22 contributions
Jun 2021
Had our bikes with us on an overnight in Sacramento. Used part of the trail to travel to a couple of breweries and also checked out Discovery park area which is nice. Trail was level with good exit ramps and not too busy when we were there on a Friday evening.
Written 12 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DaronC
Orem, UT48 contributions
Feb 2019 • Business
The trail itself is in good shape and the natural scenery as the trail winds along the river is very pleasant. But, there is a major negative.
I have nothing against the homeless, but it's important to understand that most people in that situation either have a drug issue or mental health issue --- that's why they are homeless. These issues can result in sometimes erratic or threatening behavior.
I'm a fit male in my 50s. I was recently in Sacramento and ran about five miles on the trail one morning. It was bordered by a lot of homeless camps and there were many homeless individuals on the trail or nearby. I was not comfortable from a safety standpoint and would NOT ever recommend this as a running option.
I spent the rest of my time in Sacramento running in the morning in the park around the capitol and felt very safe.
There's a lot of great things to do and see in Sacramento, but in my opinion, the trail should be avoided.
I have nothing against the homeless, but it's important to understand that most people in that situation either have a drug issue or mental health issue --- that's why they are homeless. These issues can result in sometimes erratic or threatening behavior.
I'm a fit male in my 50s. I was recently in Sacramento and ran about five miles on the trail one morning. It was bordered by a lot of homeless camps and there were many homeless individuals on the trail or nearby. I was not comfortable from a safety standpoint and would NOT ever recommend this as a running option.
I spent the rest of my time in Sacramento running in the morning in the park around the capitol and felt very safe.
There's a lot of great things to do and see in Sacramento, but in my opinion, the trail should be avoided.
Written 3 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Calyn S
Tallahassee, FL64 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
My husband and I must have been riding in a different area than the other people who reviewed this trail. We rented bicycles in Old Town and attempted to ride the trail north. The trail was mostly deserted and Discovery Park had recently flooded, so there were no tourists or cyclists anywhere. What there was, however, was tents and homeless people everywhere. We saw junkies every couple hundred feet. It was pretty scary. Nothing was landscaped and the fences along the trail had barbed wire all them, which made it seem even more ominous. After we passed a man with no pants on, we felt like we had to turn around and go back. We thought for sure we had read the map wrong or that we misunderstood the woman at the bike shop who gave us directions. Sadly, no. I think the trail must be nicer in other areas, but if you are starting from Old Town, you should avoid it in that area. If we had had our kids with us, I would have been terrified.
Written 16 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jamie1692
Las Vegas, NV35 contributions
May 2012 • Business
Beautiful place to walk or ride your bike or horse. However, due to the enormous homeless and criminal population that live and hang out on the bike trail, it is a dangerous place for anyone, particularly women, to be alone. Also, there is a dangerous pitbull population owned by the homeless and criminal element and this is a constant threat to the well being of legitimate users of the trail, their children, and their own dogs.
Written 30 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
159bryanm
West Sacramento7 contributions
Jul 2019
Beautiful nature area that once was safe for all. High crime area now with muslitple homeless camps, nudity, drug obuse, and sex offenders roamming the woods and along the river. Used drug syringes, piles of trash, dogs not leashed, human excrement/smells abound. Homless shouting obcentities at you or following you along the trail if you come upon them. thye are also using water craft if they have a camp along the river. Visit at you own risk!
Written 7 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vbendig
2 contributions
Oct 2018 • Family
I have been riding this trail from past 8 months since I moved to Sacramento. I love biking and found an apartment near to this wonderful trail so that I could bike to work in Mid-town. Below is my account of my experience riding at different times in the past 8 months:
The first time I rode this trail to work (in feb 2018), I was appaled by the concentration of homeless camps on the trail. There were literally hundreds of them on the trail. Many were walking to mid-town for work and they were walking in hundreds. Coming from Florida, I was not used to seeing something like this. I felt really sad but also very unsafe. I decided that day that I would not ride this trail again as I felt really scared. I tried to take other routes to my house near cal expo and they were too long to ride and also unsafe as I had to ride with the vehicles.
I educated myself about any incidents in that area and learnt about mugging and people being bitten by the dogs of homeless people. I brought pepper spray and stun gun for my own safety and thought to give this trail one more shot after my CEO talked to some folks in the city to clean up american river trail. I was surprised to see all the homeless camps being evacuated from the trail. It was clean and safe. Although there was a lot of litter and it did not smell pleasent, I definately did feel much safer out there.
I happily started biking, however, with in a week or two, again homeless people started coming back to trail and started camping. I started getting used to this and did not stop biking. Two months later, the park rangers again evacuated all the homeless. I learnt that this is a cycle that keeps on going.
Below are my tips form my 8 months of experience:
1. I have never had any issues with homeless people. They never bothered me. I was yelled at once, but other than that, it is pretty safe.
2. Always have pepper spray with you and a stun gun for your own safety. I once had to pull my pepper spray when a dog came near me but it was called back by the owner and I went my way.
3. I always see commuter traffic. There is safety in numbers. Some bikers have become familiar as I cross paths with them during commute. Nothing to worry if you are riding with someone.
4. I have an electric bike so that I cruise through this stretch as fast as I can to reduce my exposure time.
5. I have been seeing a lot of rangers in the past 3 months patrolling this part of trail between expo and mid-town. I have also seen a lot of homeless getting busted during my time riding this trail. Its assuring to see law enforcement in this area for my safety.
I belive, more commuters would make this stretch safe. It would also encourage the city to keep it clean and tidy for commuters. It is not as unsafe as some comments here. I understand your concerns. I did feel the same when I first rode this. But it has been made safe lately. So do not let the condition discourage you from biking.
The first time I rode this trail to work (in feb 2018), I was appaled by the concentration of homeless camps on the trail. There were literally hundreds of them on the trail. Many were walking to mid-town for work and they were walking in hundreds. Coming from Florida, I was not used to seeing something like this. I felt really sad but also very unsafe. I decided that day that I would not ride this trail again as I felt really scared. I tried to take other routes to my house near cal expo and they were too long to ride and also unsafe as I had to ride with the vehicles.
I educated myself about any incidents in that area and learnt about mugging and people being bitten by the dogs of homeless people. I brought pepper spray and stun gun for my own safety and thought to give this trail one more shot after my CEO talked to some folks in the city to clean up american river trail. I was surprised to see all the homeless camps being evacuated from the trail. It was clean and safe. Although there was a lot of litter and it did not smell pleasent, I definately did feel much safer out there.
I happily started biking, however, with in a week or two, again homeless people started coming back to trail and started camping. I started getting used to this and did not stop biking. Two months later, the park rangers again evacuated all the homeless. I learnt that this is a cycle that keeps on going.
Below are my tips form my 8 months of experience:
1. I have never had any issues with homeless people. They never bothered me. I was yelled at once, but other than that, it is pretty safe.
2. Always have pepper spray with you and a stun gun for your own safety. I once had to pull my pepper spray when a dog came near me but it was called back by the owner and I went my way.
3. I always see commuter traffic. There is safety in numbers. Some bikers have become familiar as I cross paths with them during commute. Nothing to worry if you are riding with someone.
4. I have an electric bike so that I cruise through this stretch as fast as I can to reduce my exposure time.
5. I have been seeing a lot of rangers in the past 3 months patrolling this part of trail between expo and mid-town. I have also seen a lot of homeless getting busted during my time riding this trail. Its assuring to see law enforcement in this area for my safety.
I belive, more commuters would make this stretch safe. It would also encourage the city to keep it clean and tidy for commuters. It is not as unsafe as some comments here. I understand your concerns. I did feel the same when I first rode this. But it has been made safe lately. So do not let the condition discourage you from biking.
Written 27 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the trail from Folsom to SAC mostly downhill? I did the trail about 10 yrs ago... so I do recall, but prefer to confirm. It is a great ride thats for sure.
Written 21 April 2023
Vanessa L
Sacramento, California
Do the bike rentals have a extra seat for small child? know of any accessible trails for 10- 11 yr olds not to long\??
Written 30 October 2021
Im having trouble seeing where to get on the trail.
#noobie #pitbulladvocate #sacramentorocks
Written 3 August 2020
There are many access places many with parking. Do a search for American River Bike Trail. You will find a link for a map of the access points. Some are at the Sunrise bridge, Sailor's Bar, Hazel Ave. near Winding Oak Way, Hazel Ave. at the Park and Ride and Negro Bar. Good luck.
Written 4 August 2020
Is this a safe area to bring older kids? Can they swim or explore the water? Thank you
Written 9 September 2019
The park on the east side of Arden Way has a nice park and a beach for swimming. Also each side has a parking/lot.
Written 13 September 2019
My partner is wheelchair bound and I can’t take him out of the car by myself. Is there a place to park where you can still see the views?
Written 27 January 2018
There are a few boat ramps along the American River Parkway. Some details can be found at these websites (weel I would have posted URLs but TripAdvisor doesn't allow it):
So do a Google search for "American River trail boat ramp" to get a list of several locations. Information includes fees for each location.
Hope you have a great visit.
Written 27 January 2018
We would like to ride on the trail for about 1.5 hours somewhere near Sacramento. There has been rumors that some parts of the trail are not safe due to crime and vagrants. We would ike to avoid areas like this. Also, it would be nice to have easy parking that was free. Any suggestions on where to start on their trail for our needs?
Written 23 September 2017
I concur with each of the comments. They only bothersome area is around Discovery Park, the area near downtown Sacramento as there are a lot of homeless encampments.
While the homeless may directly harass or attack you, they can at times be unkempt, boisterous, rowdy, partially clothed, and just seem to make that portion of the ride less than enjoyable.
Don't get me wrong, everyone needs some space, but the major are untidy and make the whole experience a disappointment. Head east toward Folsom as suggested by other authors and make your ride a great one.
Written 25 September 2017
Thank you to everyone who responded to my question; all very helpful. I noticed in the map the Sacramento River bike trail, which runs on the east side of the river, and south of the I Street Bridge. Is this considered the same Trail?
Written 15 September 2017
Since the trail runs from Folsom to Sacramento, I believe it is still the same trail.
Written 16 September 2017
Thank you to everyone who responded to my question; all very helpful. I noticed in the map the Sacramento River bike trail, which runs on the east side of the river, and south of the I Street Bridge. Is this considered the same Trail?
Written 15 September 2017
Yes. Most of it is beautiful. Yes there are homeless people living along this section. No, I didn't perceive it as dangerous. Most of them ignore you, some say "Hi". I am a 53 year old female and I never felt in danger there. I felt a little in danger passing some homeless who appeared to be on crack roaming the city, and on the train.
Written 15 September 2017
A lot of the reviews claim that the trail is dangerous, with homeless roaming the trail at will. Is there a part of the trail that's better. If so, which part? Also, is it better on the weekends? I'm staying by I-5 and the Tower Bridge.
Written 14 September 2017
If you are staying near the Tower Bridge, head up through old town and make sure the river is on your left. You will pass under the first bridge which is called the I street bridge, the next bridge about 1.2 miles up will be the Discovery Park bridge. Cross over this bridge on the left hand side and you will automatically connect on to the trail. Every half mile is marked on the trail with yellow paint. You might encounter a few homeless people here and there, but the trail is frequently traveled by other runners, walkers, and cyclists. You might see a few homeless people, but they mainly keep to themselves. I've never had a problem with them, and I've been running on the AR Bike Trail for years and at all different times of the day. The other alternative if you are staying near the Tower Bridge, would be to head the other way down the bike trail on the boardwalk towards Miller Park. From the Tower Bridge make sure the river is on your right side and head down the boardwalk. At around 0.8 mile you will see the Hwy 80 overpass, keep going under this and you will almost be at Miller park. Go through Miller park, down a slight hill towards a boat ramp and parking area, and towards the end of it near the left you will see the bike trail continue up a short hill. This part of the trail extends for a few miles and there are almost no homeless people up there. Have a great run, and I hope this helps. : )
Written 14 September 2017
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