Stopped by here during the trip to the Auburn area back in 2021 and absolutely loved the hike, and nature, great area to enjoy the views and spend some time in nature. Not a lot of parking, it gets super busy and crowded in areas and hard to find parking but its nature and everyone is trying to get some nature time read more

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"GET UP AND GET OUTSIDE!!!" Great place to get active not too far from Sac. Just off the 80 as you get into Auburn. -Parking SUCK BIG TIME - especially on a nice summer weekend. Get there early or you gonna have to post up and wait for someone to "Kick Rock" (leave). -Scenic trails along the river w/ accessible secret swim holes (ask anyone there, they'll tell u this place is a secret) LOL. -Clementine Trail: super cool. Takes u right under the tallest bridge in California "Forrest Hill." Amazing panoramic 360 views. Early summer is a great time to visit as the Clementine dam is flowing - "Waterfall effect." ***NEGATIVE: this is why u can't have nice things. Organic, free roaming pets dropping bombs w/ UNCULTURED owners fertilizing the land. Captain Planet's enemy leaving garbage (plastic water bottles, snack packages, etc...) all over the place. "PICK UP YOUR S#%* !!!!!!!" read more

American River Confluence - Hiking Near Me - Cool, California

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1/24/2019: The American River Confluence offers beautiful hiking and Mt. bike riding; however, this area is highly unsafe wading/swimming here; the American River is too treacherous-the H2O current is too swift! Foolishly, I drove to the upper end of the Park crossing over the North Fork of the American River overpass bridge, parked my truck via the bathrooms, walked onto the hiking trail heading down towards the river shoreline, and walked onto the beach side, wading my toes in the freezing, ice cold rapids . . . BBBBBRRrrrrr~Geez-The American River was freezing cold; surely, you would get hypothermia after being exposed in the cold H2O for just five minutes . . . Unfortunately, all the lifejackets were missing from the billboard via the beginning of the hiking trail; therefore, I highly suggest you bring your own lifeH2O vest and one for every person hiking with you. Please note: There are deep, rip currents here so if, you plan hiking along the river's shoreline, please WEAR your life vest: Inexplicably, from my countless experiences filming the American River, upstream might release a flash flood and sweep you away! Luckily and extremely blessed-"One time at band camp . . . ," I was floating along the river's shoreline-almost beached in my truck-size inner-tube: I constructed tethering, fashioning a thick, fishing net laced around the entire inner-tube so, I wouldn't fall through the inner-tube and attached a surfboard, bungie cord to my ankle onto the floating contraption upstream along the American River's shoreline-the river was calm, no waves, it was sunny, and bright . . . I know I must have appeared mentally insane~wearing my 7-millimeter wetsuit, scuba gloves, scuba boots, scuba hoodie, scuba life vest, snorkel, and scuba mask: All of a sudden, I found myself caught rushing down the American River in CLASS 6 RAPIDS!!!! OY-EVAY \('*o*')/-YIKES!!!! Wow~I'm so relieved I wore my scuba gear because: 1. I didn't succumb to hypothermia 2. I didn't drown due to wearing my life vest 3. Floating on a truck-size inner-tube with the inner-tube tethered to my ankle deflected crashing into underwater, hidden large boulders which saved my life! 4. Wearing my snorkel/scuba masked helped me breath when the Class 6 rapids washed over me! 5. I floated downstream by FIVE MILES until I found a slow eddy enclosed by several huge boulders reminiscent to a large hot tub where I found I may safely exit out of the American River! Anyway, I hiked back to my campsite with my truck-size inner-tube being carried like an oversized backpack! Every time I visit the American River Confluence, I'm always jettisoned into a time warp reliving that horrifying experience getting caught in the SUDDEN Class 6 Rapids! P.S. Since I'm a certified National Geographic, TDI NITROX, advanced PADI/SSI scuba diver and an USAF-trained military personnel in extreme survival, I was able surviving the terrible ordeal unscathed. Nevertheless, I'm always prepared for the worst survival experiences: Bring it on, Bay-BEE!!!!! read more

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The trails near the confluence (North Fork and Middle Fork of the American River) are my pace. Relatively easy hiking trails. It's less crowded in the early to mid afternoon versus the morning hours. Plus if you hike in the Summer, it's "hot as fish grease" as my Yelper bud Erika W stated in her review. So very true. There are parking spots along the side of the road and main lot. But day use is $10, cash only. You have to grab an envelope to pay at the ranger station, so be prepared to park and walk to/from the station. The views are gorgeous! If you don't wish to hike, at least drive on by if you're in the area. Take in the views of the confluence; you can see it off the road. Right now, the water levels are low near the confluence. But take due caution if you go into the water, even if you think it's safe to wade in...the water is cold and swift...the rocks are slippery. Be careful! read more

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I am an experienced hiker, but new to hiking around greater Sacramento. A friend posted a great Instagram photo from here, so I suggested that my fiance and his family meet us here to hike. It is easy to find: exit 80 at Elm, get onto 49, and follow 49 until you pass the park station on the left. One can either park there or descend further and park along the road by the park kiosk. Have accurate cash ($10) to place in the provided envelopes so that one doesn't get a ticket. We saw a park ranger placing warnings and tickets on parked cars on the Saturday afternoon that we visited. I didn't do too much research beforehand, so we winged it and chose a trail leading up to the woods from the ranger kiosk. It led us up up up on a trail that would eventually lead us to the Foresthill Rd bridge. My vampire fiance and in-laws appreciated the shade, of which there is none on the Clementine Trail on the other side of the river. We also walked down along the water, which was so rushing, and along the Stone Wall Trail. The nice park ranger gave me a free Auburn State Recreational Map at the kiosk, and I see now how extensive the park is. There were so many people using it when we visited, which made my heart happy. I hope to come here again soon! Why four stars? Because kiosks that accept credit cards are needed. Who has cash these days? read more

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Great hike, and very beautiful. Great for beginners, since the main trail is relatively flat. However, paying the $10 fee almost ruined it for me. The drive is a bit windy getting there, so watch out for slow drivers! read more

American River Confluence - Hiking Near Me - Cool, California

Perfect hiking weather and a nice hike along the river with a few access trails leading directly to the water. Kids enjoyed hearing cars swoosh by on the bridge above our heads as we hiked under. Trails generally well paved and wide but it does have small stretches that are very narrow. In itself that's not a problem but it can get tricky if you run into bicyclist right at those points. Lotsa people yet it didn't feel crowded - young families, people with their dogs as well as them mountain bikers - you got them all. Next time we want to have a nice little picnic by the riverside... looked fun! read more

Trails/River/forest is just a perfect combination for enjoying life & get some quiet time away from city life. Love to hike/run & simply enjoy personal or time with friends. Best to come morning, day, or evening, make sure you are out before dark. If you decide to go alone, expect to see wild life. read more

American River Confluence - Hike/run - Hiking Near Me - Cool, California

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Whooosawwwww.... that's the best word I have for this place. From the moment you hit Auburn and turn to go to the bridge/overpass- the beauty is purely overwhelming. Mountain ranges, the river- just amazing! Okay- the situ: You can park all along the road, but you do have to pay at the pay station so just know that you will have to walk back to your car so the closer the better. The price is $10. Have exact cash. Upon starting our trek- i saw that the Lake Clementine trail also starts there, but we opted for the Confluence this time. Love that trail though. So we went to get our hike on and we got about 2 miles in, well maybe not that far, but far enough. It was hot as fish grease so we opted to take the plunge down the hill and retreat in the river! YES!!!! The water was perfectly cold and moving ever so gracefully. I am a water bug so we found a spot where we could walk and wade in the river without risking our lives. It was perfect!! There are many spots to set up a tent, have a picnic (bring chairs) or just find a nice cove and just chill. The trail is very narrow so I wouldn't take young kiddos and it is mostly in the sun so be prepared. The beauty is, relief is always steps away so it's totally worth it! read more

American River Confluence - Hiking Near Me - Cool, California

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Well there is no shortage of natural beauty in Auburn some of the best views are by the rivers... just be on the lookout for your things or even people especially kids because the water level changes several times a day especially in the summer months read more

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Wow, I'm the first to review a place! Siiiiiickk. The Confluence is part of the Auburn State Recreation Area, but the area is rather large with several different entrances and features, so the Confluence definitely deserves it's own reviewing area. This place is an absolute. gem. in the greater Sacramento area. In spite of being inland, we too have our own gorgeous "beachside" location to bring family, dogs, picnic, beers, and to relax in the water. The beach is rocky, so chairs are recommended over blankets. The north side of the river is very slow moving and warmer than some of the other parts, perfect for lounging or playing with young kids. There are also nice hiking and mountain biking trails spreading all throughout the hills. Parking is $10, but if you plan to frequent this place (and other state parks SRAs, for that matter), the "150th Commemorative Vehicle" year pass will get you there, and to over 100 other places, for $150 for the year. http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049 * Oh, DIRECTIONS! The online directions are garbage and I've gotten lost a few times coming here. The easiest way is to just take the 80 to Hwy 49, and follow that South/East all the way to Old Foresthill Road. By that point you should see it easily. :) read more

It used to be a nice area to swim and hike. Too many people go there now. If you go to swim in the river there's a terrible stench of urine as the only restrooms are porta potty by where you pay the$10 fee to park. Once at the river your ten to thirty muinuts away from bathrooms so people pee and poop in the bushes. Also litter everywhere including ised diapers and used toilet paper rolls. Alot of broken glass so you can't take your shoes off to swim. I suggest avoiding this area. read more