Sacramento’s Gem: The American River Bike Trail

Get to Know the Bike Trail

The Sacramento region is home to a world-famous paved multi-use trail that spans from the confluence of the American River with the Sacramento River in Old Sacramento to Beals Point at Folsom Lake. The trail parallels the American River and is a great resource for outdoor enthusiasts. The trail is best known by locals as “the bike trail,” but its formal name is the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail.  It is one of the longest bike trails with a paved pathway in the United States. The trail is maintained by the County of Sacramento.  It includes mile markers painted at half-mile increments.

Who Was Jedediah Smith?

Jedediah Smith was a grizzled “mountain man” and a famous fur trapper.  He was one of the first individuals to explore the great American west, searching for adventure and animal pelts.  He was also the first American to travel through the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and the first to enter California from the east, through the brutal Mojave Desert.

Key Facts About the American River Bike Trail

• It begins at Discovery Park and ends at Beals Point.
• The trail spans 32 miles.
• In 1974, it achieved national trail status.
• Trails.com voted the ARBT as the top bike path in 2006.

Access Points for the American River Bike Trail

The trail has numerous access points in the following parks located throughout the American River Parkway:

• Howe Avenue River Access
• Discovery Park
• Riverbend Park
• Paradise Beach
• Sacramento Bar
• Rossmoor Bar
• Sarah Court
• Sailor Bar
• Waterton Access
• Sunrise River Access (Upper & Lower)
• William B. Pond
• Watt Avenue Access

Activities Along the American River Bike Trail

Active nature lovers of all kinds enjoy the activities the Bike Trail has to offer, which include cycling, running, hiking, walking, and horseback riding.  Horseback riders are only allowed access to the paved trail surfaces at bridges and trail crossings.  Many people use the trail to bicycle commute to work.  Because the trail has so many access points, visitors often plan to spend the entire day and include a side trip off the trail for eating or shopping.  You will definitely see people fishing along the river banks or picnicking in the various parks. 

Bike Trail Events

The trail sees many events each year.  Many sponsored foot races include parts of the trail within their courses.  Some of the annual events put on by the American River Parkway Foundation include:

• Ride the Parkway (August 30, 2020)
• Summer Solstice (June 20, 2020)
• Run the Parkway (November 20, 2020)

American River Bike Trail Etiquette

Many cyclists will assert that the trail is for bicycles first and foremost and that all walkers or runners need to yield to all bikes.  This idea is supported by the trail’s posted rules.  Because a collision between a bicyclist and a pedestrian can result in serious injuries to both parties, the rules of the trail should be kept in mind and followed:

• Pedestrians should walk/run on the left “soft” shoulder
• Cyclists and roller skaters should remain on the paved path to the right of the yellow line.
• There is an enforced speed limit of 15 mph.
• Passing on the cement path should be executed only on the left, and a verbal warning should be given, such as “on your left!”