Best Hiking Spots Near Sacramento
The Sierra Nevadas have a lot of hiking trails to choose from. Spring is a great time of the year to enjoy them. The hills are lush and green. If you know Northern California well, you know that won’t be the case for much longer. Summer temps dry everything out and it gets too hot to hike. I have compiled a list of the best spring hikes near Sacramento.
🥾Buttermilk Bend Trail
Buttermilk Bend trail offers spectacular views of the South Yuba River State Park Area and is a showcase of color during Spring wildflower season. Located about a half hour from Nevada City.
📍17660 Pleasant Valley Road, Penn Valley, CA 95946
🗺️The trail starts across the river from the Visitors Center just on the opposite side of the Historic Bridgeport Covered Bridge. It’s one of 9 covered bridges remaining in California and was built in 1862.
🅿️ Parking for the hike is available at the trailhead parking lot or along the road. Parking cost $5. They take cash or credit cards at the machine.
🔁 The trail winds up river about 1.2 miles. You return down the same trail when you come to the end of this parcel of public property.
👶🏼 Kid Tip: For the most part you are on an exposed hillside high above the river. You’ll want to hold little kids' hands in areas and make sure they stay far enough away from the edge.
☀️This is also a very popular area in the summer when the weather warms up and the water levels go down exposing a sandy bank to swim at Kneebone Beach.
🥾Deer Creek Tribute Trail
A beautiful trail, located about 1 hour from Sacramento, tucked just outside historic Nevada City. The major attraction here is the suspension bridge - Nisenan Tribute Bridge (honoring the early contributions of the native Nisenan and Chinese people)
📍There is not an exact address or trailhead for this hike. Here is the nearest address that will get you the closet: Nisenan Tribute Site Trail Head, Deer Creek Tribute Trail, Nevada City, CA 95959
🗺️ Visit this link for Driving directions & map (provided by Inn Town Campground)
🔁 It’s 3.4 mile out and back trail.
👶🏼 Kid Tip: We usually just hike to the suspension bridge, walk across it and head back. There is a loop that takes you around the mountain and comes back to the bridge if you want a longer hike or you think your kids can handle it.
🥾 Lake Clementine Trail
This is one of the most popular hikes near Sacramento, located in the Auburn State Recreation Area. You will pass under the Foresthill Bridge, the tallest bridge in California. It also has a swimming spot, called Clark’s Pool and a really cool dam at the end.
📍139 Old Foresthill Rd, Auburn, CA 95603 - Right off Highway 49 / Old Foresthill Road (Confluence area)
🅿️ $10 per vehicle. Parking fills up very quickly, especially on the weekends.
🗺️ The trail is 4.5 miles round trip.
👶🏼 Kid Tip: There isn’t much shade on this trail, make sure to bring sunscreen and water. It also might not be suitable for kids under the age of eight. Be cautious when exploring the dam.
🥾Hidden Falls Regional Park
Another popular hiking trail along a creek leading to a waterfall with a viewing deck. There is also access to wade in the water. Located outside of Auburn near Lincoln.
📍7587 Mears Pl, Auburn, CA 95603
🅿️ A parking permit is required to park at the trailhead on weekends and holidays. Here is the link to purchase your permit. All-day is $8 and half day is $4.
🗺️ There are several different trails available at this park. Grab a map before you go to help you navigate. We took the one to the waterfall which is about 3 miles, taking us 40 minutes to get to the falls. At the start of the hike you can go down one of two ways. One is a switch back to the bridge, the other is a downward hill. Both will take you to the bridge. From there follow the signs to the hidden falls.
👶🏼 Kid Tip: This hike is downhill on the way down and uphill on your way back. Might be too hard for kids under 8 years old. Be prepared to carry your toddler on the way back up!
🥾Western States Trail to Calcutta Falls
This trail is located in the Auburn State Recreation Area, right next to the Clementine Trail. This is a great option if you have younger kids or don’t want to do that long of a trail. There is a little waterfall at the end of this hike.
📍139 Old Foresthill Rd, Auburn, CA 95603 - Right off Highway 49 / Old Foresthill Road (Confluence area)
🅿️ $10 per vehicle. Parking fills up very quickly, especially on the weekends.
👶🏼 Kid Tip: This is a very easy and simple trail. You will cross over a no-hands bridge which used to not have a guardrail or fence, they have since added that making it a lot safer!
