Looking for family-friendly hikes in Sacramento? Trails, hiking groups and tips
Looking to pass along a love for hiking to your children but don’t know where to start? The Sacramento Bee gathered information on five family friendly hiking trails in the Sacramento area according to All Trails.
Additionally, we added what to bring along before heading out with your kids along with a list of local hiking groups to surround yourself with a community of like-minded people.
Here’s what to know:
San Juan Rapids Trail
Use this easy hike along the San Juan Rapids Trail to spark a love of hiking to your children, according to All Trails. The hike is about 3 miles long with minimal elevation gain of just 69 feet and takes about 1 hour and 26 minutes to complete.
Address: 3820 Bannister Road, Fair Oaks
Parking: The trail has convenient parking along with free three-hour parking for trail users.
Levee Path and American River Bike Trail Loop
Enjoy a moderate hiking loop along the American River. The hike is 6.69 miles long with an elevation gain of 65 feet and can be completed in about 2 hours and 43 minutes.
Address: 5700 Arden Way, Carmichael
Parking: Parking is available at this trail for a fee
McKinley Park Loop
Take an easy hike on the McKinley Park Loop. The hike is 1.31 miles long with an elevation gain of just 4 feet and takes 31 minutes to complete.
Address: 601 Alhambra Blvd, East Sacramento
Parking: Street parking is available near the park.
Effie Yeaw Nature Loop
Go on a short family-friendly hike at Effie Yeaw Nature Loop. The hike is 1.6 miles long and 36 feet of elevation gain and takes up to 1 hour to complete.
Address: 2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael
Parking: A parking lot is available at the center
William Land Park Loop
Enjoy a short hike at William Land Regional Park. This hike is 2 miles long with 19 feet of elevation gain and takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete.
Address: 3800 West Land Park Drive, Land Park
Parking: The park features multiple off-street parking and a paved parking lot.
Hiking groups in Sacramento
Looking to join a Sacramento hiking group? Here are Sacramento hiking groups:
- Women of Sacramento Hiking Group
- Sacramento Hikers and Backpackers
- Trail Mix Hikes Sacramento
- Sierra Club (Mother Lode Chapter)
- Folsom Area Hiking Crew
- Fleet Feet Sacramento
What to bring before going hiking with kids
Before you head off on a great adventure with your children here is a list of items to bring in your backpack in order to have the best time, according to Raising Hikers.
- Bring snacks: Make sure to bring snacks that are easy to carry and provide energy and long-lasting fuel such as oranges, fruit snacks, almond butter packets and granola bars
- Bring enough water for everyone; A good general recommendation is about one half-liter of water per hour of moderate activity in moderate temperatures, according to REI
- Warm hats and gloves if hiking during the fall or winter
- Extra socks for all hikers
- Extra clothes including jackets, sunhat and sunglasses
- Take a trail map and a compass and understand how to use them
- Driving directions
- Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, tissues and doggy poop bags in order to pick up any litter; Remember: ‘Pack it in, pack it out’
- Bug spray and first aid kit that includes tweezers, waterproof Band-Aids, blister pads, disinfectant spray, Ibuprofen and allergy cream
- Emergency kit including pocketknife and a rain poncho. For longer trips -water treatment tablets, matches, a whistle and emergency heated blanket
- Make sure to bring a charged phone and ID
