American River Parkway

To use the map above, click on any point. You’ll find the name and a brief description with a link to additional information. Alternatively, you can click on the square with an arrow in the upper left hand corner of the map to open a complete list of all the locations on this map. The map is easier to use if you enlarge it by clicking on the partial square in the top right portion of the map.

Fees and directions may have changed. If you have recommended changes for a location, please email them to the Web Committee.

The American River Parkway preserves approximately 5,000 acres of open space and wildlife habitat in the middle of a highly urbanized area—the parkway is five times the size of New York’s Central Park. It stretches for 29 miles along both sides of the American River from the confluence with the Sacramento River to Folsom Lake. The upper 6 miles is managed by California State Parks while the downstream 23 miles is managed by the Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks with assistance from a coalition of citizens’ groups. The Parkway is a model of civic planning and community action, though, like open land everywhere that is adjacent to urbanization, it faces threats of encroachment from numerous sources, as well as financial shortfalls.

Most access points currently require a $7 entrance fee per vehicle, but there are many sites accessible by foot, bicycle, or public transportation. A $70 annual vehicle pass ($35 for seniors 65 and over) can be purchased from the Sacramento County Department of Regional Parks.

A pocket-sized map of the parkway can be purchased on the website of the American River Parkway Foundation. A pdf of this map can be viewed here. Another valuable resource is Biking and Hiking the American River Parkway, published by the American River Natural History Association.

Birders should be mindful of bikes speeding along the trail, homeless camps, especially on the lower third of the parkway, and lush stands of poison oak throughout. Rattlesnakes are fairly common, especially on the upper half of the parkway, and mountain lions have been spotted on a few occasions. If leaving a vehicle unattended, it is wise to park in areas that get regular traffic from other park visitors; break-ins are more likely to occur in isolated lots where there are no witnesses.

Opening and closing hours change seasonally and are posted at each access. Generally, the sites are open from sunrise to sunset. The Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail (also known as the American River Bike Trail) is a paved bike route that runs the length of the parkway and continues past Lake Natoma to Beal’s Point at Folsom Lake. There are additional paved bike routes, a hiking and horse path that parallels the bike trail, and countless informal trails and park service roads to explore. Despite its proximity to over one million people, the parkway is surprisingly under-birded. There are many access points to the parkway in addition to those listed below. We hope that the following will encourage you to explore this wonderful area in Sacramento’s backyard.

Where to Bird Along the American River Parkway

Featured

fall, winter

Upper Sunrise and the Nimbus Hatchery

fall, winter

The main Chinook salmon run begins in October, and hundreds of gulls as well as large numbers of Turkey Vultures arrive to feed on the dying fish. This feast may bring in an occasional Bald Eagle. Ospreys are also often seen in winter along with flocks of Common Goldeneye, Common Merganser and the occasional Barrow’s Goldeneye.

fall, winter

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spring, winter, fall, summer

Sailor Bar

spring, winter, fall, summer

Walk the trails along the river and you may find Spotted Sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs, Great Blue Herons, and Great Egrets hunting at the water's edge while Wood Ducks and Common Mergansers float along. Black Phoebes, Bushtits, and Acorn Woodpeckers are seen year-round. In the spring and summer Ash-throated Flycatchers, Western Kingbirds and Bullock's and Hooded Orioles are all possibilities.

spring, winter, fall, summer

spring, fall, winter

Lower Sunrise Area

spring, fall, winter

In the fall and spring, migrating songbirds such as Townsend’s, Hermit, Nashville and Wilson’s Warblers, as well as Bullock’s Orioles, and Black-headed Grosbeak may be spotted. In winter, California, Herring, and Ring-billed Gulls are the most common species. One might also see less common Glaucous-winged, Iceland, or Short-billed Gulls.

spring, fall, winter

Sacramento Bar and Bannister Park

This is a large area on the north side of the river across from the Lower Sunrise Area that can easily satisfy a half-day of birding. There is a similar mix of habitats—cottonwood and willow riparian, interior live oak forest, and open areas with gravel tailings—but there is a wider corridor of habitat and numerous trails to get away from the crowds.

Rossmoor Bar

Wild Turkeys and black-tailed deer can be seen along the road, while patches of vegetation hold common species such as Anna’s Hummingbird, Bewick’s Wren, and Spotted Towhee. A few large cottonwoods have managed to grow in the otherwise gravelly and hard soil; they have been known to hold raptor nests.

spring, fall, winter, summer

Effie Yeaw Nature Center at Ancil Hoffman Park

spring, fall, winter, summer

More than 70 acres of riparian woodland adjacent the Effie Yeaw Nature Center (EYNC) have been preserved as a nature study area within the American River Parkway. Because this birding spot is easy to reach and includes a variety of habitats, it is possible to sight more than 100 species during the course of a year. In the spring, migrating warblers move through the woods. The crowned sparrows return each fall, and winter brings the goldeneyes back to the river.

spring, fall, winter, summer

summer, fall, winter

River Bend Park

summer, fall, winter

Riverbend Park has a variety of habitats with trails throughout. You can walk along the American River in search of goldeneyes or sandpipers; search the woods for woodpeckers, sparrows, and wrens; or explore the open areas for raptors soaring in the sky and hummingbirds flitting among the bushes.

summer, fall, winter

fall, winter, spring, summer

William B. Pond Recreation Area

fall, winter, spring, summer

Known for its diverse habitats, William B. Pond has fast flowing water where riffles and gravel bars are present, sandy riverbanks, riparian woodlands, a nesting rookery, open areas and woodlands edges, plus a wonderful urban park. All these habitats draw in a great variety of birds making it one of the most popular birding locations along the American River Parkway.

fall, winter, spring, summer

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spring, fall

Gristmill Recreation Area

spring, fall

An amazing number of rarities have been found here in the spring and fall: Eastern Wood-Pewee, Red-eyed Vireo, Tennessee Warbler, Northern Parula, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackpoll Warbler, Black-and-white Warbler, Hooded Warbler, and Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

spring, fall

spring, fall, winter

Howe and Watt Avenue Accesses

spring, fall, winter

Throughout the year informal trails provide access to the riparian forest. In the winter this is a good area for sparrows and wrens. During spring and fall migration, look for warblers, vireos and flycatchers in the oaks, willows, and cottonwoods.

spring, fall, winter

spring, winter

California State University, Sacramento

spring, winter

In spring, look for migrating warblers, vireos, flycatchers, and grosbeaks. In winter, look for Dark-eyed Junco, crowned sparrows, winter warblers, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Cedar Waxwing, Red-breasted Sapsucker, and Hermit Thrush.

spring, winter

Glenn Hall Park, Paradise Beach

Bank protection levee work, removing all vegetation along the levee from the J Street Bridge to Paradise Bend (Site 2-1) is ongoing. Bird habitat occurs away from the construction area towards the water and to the west. To avoid possible dust and noise, you may wish to plan evening, weekend, or holiday visits.

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Bushy Lake and Cal Expo Floodplain

Birding this area can be especially good in the spring and fall because the riparian habitat around the lake, especially willows and cottonwoods, attracts many migrating warblers, vireos, flycatchers, etc., and from the levee, you are looking down on the area.

Banner Photo Credit: Common Merganser Image by Daniel Lee Brown