River Bend Park, American River Parkway

Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 8:30 am to 10:00 am; RSVP CNPSchris@gmail.com

Description: This Saturday walk will head upriver along the bluff overlooking the river and return along another path.  We’ll identify some plants, discuss the wildlife and Indigenous uses of each.

Leader: Christina Lewis, CNPSchris@gmail.com

What to bring:  Water, hat, snack, walking stick might be useful and warm weather protection.  There is a risk of exposure to poison oak, Chris will point it out so you can be on the lookout!

Amenities on-site:  There are rest facilities at the meeting area and a few other spots within River Bend Park.  There are restroom facilities at the meeting location and 2 other locations with the final one a little over halfway through the walk.  We will keep the group together.

Waiver:  Sign upon arrival – We try to start walking promptly once waiver has been signed.

Meet up spot:  Meet in the long parking area visible on the linked map or use the directions below.  If you haven’t been to River Bend Park before, check the linked map as newcomers often miss the turn into the large picnic and parking area which is just upriver for the bike and pedestrian bridge between River Bend Park and William Pond recreation Area.

Parking info:  Parking is $7 or purchase a yearly $70 Parks Passport pass which supports the Sacramento County Parks system.  There is also a $35 Senior Pass (over 65) per year.  More Pass information is on-line.

Directions from downtown Sacramento:

• Travel East on Highway 50 to Exit #13
• Take Bradshaw Rd North
• Right at Folsom Blvd, just past the Light Rail tracks
• Left at Rod Beaudry Dr and continue into the park. There is a Papa John‘s Pizza on the NE corner of this intersection.
• Pass the entrance Kiosk if unmanned. There is an electronic payment station about 80 feet after the kiosk on your right.
• Continue on the road after the stop sign for the bike trail. The road curves right after the stop sign.
• Left at the large brown “River Rafting Exit and Main Picnic Areas” on your left.
• Follow this road around to the large parking lot close to the river where we will meet.

If you live on the north side of the American River, it might be quicker and easier to park at William Pond Recreation Area and walk over the bridge to River Bend Park.