Small parking lot at the beginning with restroom. Nice grassy field to picnic. Once you head out…read moreyou have three choices when you get about a 100 yards down the paved bike path. (1) Stay on the bike path (2) take the dirt trail towards San Juan Rapids which is what me and the fur baby do or (3) take the dirt trail on the left. All three choices end up at a nice picnic area with tables and benches. You can cool off in the river or cross Jims Bridge and continue the trail. Its fairly level on all three paths. There is some shade but be aware of occasional rattlesnake in the brush on hot days and coyotes.

I grew up near bannister park! It's a wonderful place to play with your kids or bring friends to…read morespend time together. You can ride bikes along the path or take a long walk to enjoy the scenery. There river access for you to float on the river or go fishing. There's tons to do at bannister park!

The parking is horrendous. There's less than 10 spots for a park & nature preserve. We've tried to…read moretake our kids twice & had to leave due to inadequate parking. It's pure luck that anyone is able to find a spot & is ever able to actually enjoy this place.

Super cool family park. Swing and play structures are cool. Shady walking trails. Kids had fun!read more

Char: "Daniel, why haven't you taken me here, sooner? I don't even feel like I'm in Sacramento…read more Everything is so lush and green!" This was my first impression as soon as we drove into Ancil Hoffman Park. I didn't realize that the golf course and park combination was so big and separate at the same time. It's truly a hidden gem, hidden behind such beautiful, large, custom homes and huge, gorgeous trees - after all its nestled in The City of Trees, Sacramento! I really enjoyed my first time visit. To be clear, the half dirt/half cement trail is a little over 3 miles (per Apple Watch) that outlines and circles the golf course. It's nice because most, if not all of the trail is shaded! You can hear so much birds and sounds of nature, but you're not somewhere in the center of the woods, you're literally just in the suburbs of FairOaks and Carmichael- it's crazy! Adjacent to a huge part of the trail is the American River. There are parts of the trail that lead you to the river where you can lay out by the water and just listen to the water, so Relaxing. The pro is clean, safe and has so much space. Great place to run, walk, ride your bike and or walk the fur babe! I highly recommend this park, for it has so much to offer!!!

I have been to this park a few times. I have walked the trails and seen deer, turkeys and a coyote…read moreas well as using this as a place to stage a second car when kayaking from Sailor Bar.

Great multi use park!…read more Location: Located in Carmichael off cozy side streets is this great little park with connections to the American River Bike Trail. For the longest time I did realize how extensive the roads and parking is into this area as generally my entrance into this park is off the Bike Trail. It makes a great stop for picnics or for a quick restroom breaks. Activities: There are a lot of open fields, picnic areas, and water areas to explore off the river. One thing is that I would caution exploring the waterways around here as they can be deceptively fast and dangerous. There is also a great handicap accessible fishing areas off the farthest parking lot. Great for working and watching the waterway from the Harold Richy memorial bridge. Cons: It is a self-pay park so important to keep in mind. Can be a little hard to find but is straight down Arden Way.

I recently started biking and had been researching long paved trails to try out. The American River…read moretrail runs from Sacramento to Folsom and William B Pond seemed like a convenient and safe place to embark from and park (I had hitched my bike to my car & drove out here from the East Bay.) The kiosk was staffed on a Saturday and the entry fee is $7 (cash only.) Lots of parking and the trail is easy to spot from the various lots they had available, There were a variety of picnic areas, bathroom facilities and walking trails. It's close to neighborhoods in Carmichael, which is nice for people who live nearby and can walk right over. Access to the bike trail was my main reason for visiting and the trail itself warrants its own review. Minus one star, as having an option to pay entry by credit card would be nice. I mean, who has $7 exact change that they carry with them these days? Anyway, I would likely use this park again for a jumping off point for trail rides. Nice, clean, scenic suburban park.

Beautiful, family friendly park with shade trees and stuff for kids to climb on. Paved trail along…read moreseasonal creek. Information on how to care for our environment.

The map here on Yelp shows the directions to Rusch park instead. The correct address is 7000 Auburn…read moreBlvd, Citrus Heights, CA 95610 as all the other reviews say it's behind Costco.

The trails in this area can be as easy or hard as you make them. The particular trail i took had…read morealot of rock. This area is near the bike trail.

Super busy but it was Fourth of July weekend. We got there around 9am and the rangers had closed…read morethe parking lot by 10am. The trail is nice with separate lanes for bikes and pedestrians. I think this is fantastic since there are always rude cyclists speeding on the American River Trail.

If you have never been to the Lake Natoma Recreation area, you are missing out on a very beautiful…read morelake. It is the place to Paddle board, swim in the water, look at sailboats big & small. There are kids learning to kayak in classes, families setting up day tents and people just enjoying a beautiful lake. The geese just paddle in the water and ducks fly low to the water as you paddle by. Right off of highway 50. This is my first paddle boarding experience. You take out the paddle board out of the bag, Lay it out. Blow it up, put on 3 fins on the bottom and you your paddle are ready to go. Have your life jacket, hat, water and a camera. I met really great people just floating and paddling today. This lake is really big. I stayed close to the main recreational area since I am new. I heard there is a cave you can explore. Natoma recreational park is a place for picnics, families, water sports, paddle boarding, sailing and fun in the sun. I am hooked on paddle boarding now. I love this lake! See you again. Bring the family or just yourself. Have an adventure. Julie A

Love Lake Natoma. Lots of water loving options for fun. Beach, picnic areas, connections to trails,…read moreand shade. No current is family friendly swimming for all. Love to take in a sunset on our stand up boards. You've got to check this place out for yourself. I am eager to return soon. Great place to beat the heat.

Such a lovely place to relax Clean, well-maintained, and…read morethe fresh air feels amazing. The river adds a special peaceful atmosphere, and the sweetest little ducks even swam right up to us Perfect for a quiet walk, sitting by the water, and recharging. We'll definitely be back!

Visited a couple weeks ago and launched some kayaks from here for a trip down the American River to…read moreAcil Hoffman Park. Nice small boat ramp and was not over crowded.