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    William B Pond Recreation Area

    4.4 (43 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 8:00 pm

    William B Pond Recreation Area Photos

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    American River after the storm
    Gillian A.

    Large nature-centric community park that has a little bit of everything. There's a very spacious picnic lawn but I'd say the main draw of this park is the woodland region that covers a part of the American River (river has been roarin' as of late due to the recent storm!). Park could be more well-kept as there are some areas that are full of weeds and branches. Not many paved walkways here but the park is relatively flat; great for beginner hikers! Park seems pretty safe since it's kinda nestled in a dense neighborhood and is gated. Overall a nice place for a relaxing outing if you're in the area.

    Whitney C.

    Today was my first time going to this area. I almost don't want to review it because it's a hidden gem! I don't want people crowding it! I went here during quarantine hoping that I could get outside and socially distance. This park was just the right place! It costs $5 to park and $8 on holidays. There is ample parking and the walk to the water is less than 5 minutes. The park had provided port-o-potties for Memorial Day Weekend. The water is very shallow but it IS flowing so it's clean and clear. Because the water is so shallow, it seems like it would be a safe place for kids. It is full of large, flat, shallow rocks that aren't slippery and I was able to walk safely barefoot. You can wade all the way across the river. It only ever came up to my waist. I'm sure it's deeper in some places. I highly recommend this for the hot Sacramento summers!

    There are plenty of unpaved paths that follow the river and lead down to it.
    Yousuf K.

    This is an awesome park, very family and dog friendly. Not sure why the hours say closed on weekends, but the park is definitely open. Great for mountain bikes, road bikes, running, jogging. This park does not have any strenuous hikes. Just go there to enjoy the river and the wildlife. The sunset views are beautiful too. Parking is $5/vehicle for the whole day.

    Park, picnic tables, bbq grills, trash bins
    Sam R.

    Saturday, 6/27/2020 - This is our 1st time visiting William B. Pond off Arden. It's $5.00 to get in. This is actually a cute little location for BBQ-ing, get togethers, and swimming. There's pathways for joggers and bikers right by the river. You see them everywhere biking and jogging. You see people at picnic tables having family time. Lots of shades everywhere. Pros: 1) lots of parking 2) lots of picnic tables and grills everywhere. 3) lots of shade. 4) plenty of pathways to walk through. 5) you see people everywhere walking, jogging or biking on the cement pathways. 6) everyone that I ran into was very friendly. 7) due to the COVID19 virus going around, people stayed their fisted distance. Not the kids tho. They don't know any better and you have to remind yours to stay 6 feet apart. Bit how can they when their having so much fun. Lol 8) roomy all around of course. 9) it wasn't so packed when we arrived. 10) river wasn't too cold. Once you jump in, it's actually perfect for swimming. Shallow where we were at. Great for the kids to swim. Current wasn't too strong. 11) there's bathrooms and/or porter potties close by. Cons: 1) by 4:30pm, the edge of the river got pretty packed and it was getting a bit crowded. So we left. 2) the pathway to the river is super rocky and uneven. So be prepare to balance and walk. It's about 1/2 mile walk from your car to the river. Not a bad walk. My conclusion? Great location, great place. I'd definitely go here again. The park was pretty clean. I hope people pick up after themselves to continue keeping the park clean. We made sure to bring extra bags for our garbage and made sure to take our garbage and toss it in the bigger trash cans available there. There's no bbq next to the river. So if you're planning to go swimming, bring easy ready foods to eat.

    Bike trail
    Hannah S.

    This is my favorite area in the neighborhood. The bike trail goes for miles and miles in both directions and it's perfect for a summer bike ride or run. Even in the colder days, there's a ton of people trying to keep that winter weight off! Serious bikers can go fast so be wary and stay to the side. We also saw a coyote last week!! It didn't seem interested in us and ran off when a biker zoomed by, but good to know they are around.

    Bench
    KM M.

    This is my go-to spot to access the river and walk on the trail. You can walk on a paved path to the ponds for a nice view or cross the bridge over to River Bend Park. It's fun to see the river change throughout the year at William B Pond Clay Banks. There is a small beach area called Camino Bambino Beach that is hidden, but you can find it if you look at Google Maps. Another option is to take the river trail 1 mile south to Harrington Way Point and back for a nice walk. This is a good place to have a picnic or hang out on the grass. There are several picnic tables here and not many seem to use them. Two public bathrooms are available and there is a lot of shade and large trees. This is a quiet and peaceful area and parking is always available. Buy the annual County Parks Pass for $50. You can buy this at Carmichael Bike Shop inside Five Points Shopping Center at Fair Oaks Blvd and Arden Way on the way to the park entrance.

    River

    I enjoy coming here with my boyfriend for long nature walks. We can spend almost an entire day out here just enjoying the nature trails and large park we can have picnics at. Very inviting place for all types of activities like biking, hiking, nature observing.

    Carol N.

    Pretty cool recreation area in Sacramento. it is in the neighborhood known as Arden, but in the better part of Arden. There's lots of hiking trails and you could easily spend hours exploring. It also seems to be a very popular spot for biking. I didn't see anyone swimming, but I know that water activities area known in this area too. It's pretty, as far as a park goes and a nice place to find some solitude in the city. I would come here for walking or biking. I don't know if I would really want to do any water activities here... the water seems stagnant for the most part... yes there are places where the water flows over rocks... but for the most part, it's stagnant and appears very dirty - not dirty like trash, but I saw lots of algae on the rocks and the water is greenish in color. I would venture to say that there are probably numerous questionable microorganisms in this water. I prefer to swim and do water activities in places where water really flows and looks clear. It's $5 to park here, but this park is in the heart of a residential area and so you can find free parking in the residential area. Just park 2 blocks out because the area within 2 blocks of the park is residential permit parking only. If you like to bike, I would highly suggest this place. LOTS of paved paths to bike on... and lots of miles to bike and hike. As far as water activities, I wouldn't... but it is part of the American River where water activities are bountiful. I'm guessing they are done in a different part of the American River because water in this section is stagnant and questionable... Great place to bike and hike. Also, plenty of table to picnic at and good for family functions. Just know that I only found one nearby bathroom but I didn't use it so I don't know how well kept it is. $5 for parking, but no entrance guard on duty. You put money in an envelope... I never saw anyone use it, so I'm not sure how often they check it.

    Jana C.

    I scarce can remember, in all my golden youth, the river area looking so inviting or so peaceful. 13000+ steps on my Fitbit, and for some muted, hushed moments, I was whisked away to a world only Thoreau could adequately detail.

    Canada Goose at the sandstone bar, William  B Pond Recreation Area
    Barbara D.

    This is a great place to walk, ride bikes, take photos, walk dogs, and explore a more natural world. I usually come several times a week. Until recently, you could park on a side street and walk in...but now there are "No Parking" signs all over the place and the walk in became too tiring...so I finally gave in and got a parking permit. It helps support the park, you can visit other parks as well (Gibson Ranch, Cliffhouse, etc), and you don't have to pay $5 every time you want to drop by. A vehicle pass costs $50 and is good for a year, which is a good deal...or you might consider splitting one with a friend or neighbor. Search "Sacramento County All Parks Pass" to find the order page. The red sandstone bar is a pretty spot; walk straight in, turn right once you reach the main bike path, then turn left on the first dirt road and head straight for the river. The pond can be reached by continuing on the dirt road in the downstream direction (right).

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    2 years ago

    Love this place! Great family walk. There are some unhomed people around, but we have never had any issues. I

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    Water is way too high to do anything, foliage surrounds the pond and there's no way to the water.

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    3 years ago

    Great place for events with big open green fields. Not the greatest for fishing but still enjoyable.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - William B Pond Recreation Area

    Is the parking lot currently open?

    Yes (at least it was over the weekend).

    Is there good fishing?

    I've been a few times with no luck gotta keep tryin

    Is there good fishing here?

    No there is not

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    Review Highlights - William B Pond Recreation Area

    The bike trail goes for miles and miles in both directions and it's perfect for a summer bike ride or run.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    Gum Ranch Park - Hard to see but there is a big gap between the older kids climbing structure and the rope bridge you have to crawl over to get to slide.

    Gum Ranch Park

    4.5(12 reviews)
    7.2 mi

    Our visit was in July 2025 to this cute Fair Oaks park within a small neighborhood. The park has a…read moresmall splash pad, and two playgrounds one for younger and older children. My granddaughter who is 8, loved the splash pad & the younger kids playground. The park is not gated and is adjacent to a walking path. Be careful if you have a little runner. The splash pad has a high water bucket dumping water in different directions. There was only one working water spout for the little kids when we came and the frog sprays water but you have to click the yellow button on the blue pole to make it work once it turns off. The older kids playground she loved the round rope swings but did get rope scrapes on back of both legs from swinging on them so be careful. Next time will use a towel under her legs. The big net play structure is fun if you want to just climb around but to get to the slides there is a big gap between the net structures that you have to go past in order to work your way across the rope bridge then to the slide. She was disappointed she couldn't get over to slides as a big gap she couldn't reach other side safely. Really wish there were rope stairs going straight up to slide area so kids can play on slide that can't do rope structure. The younger kids playground was nice. Multiple climbing structures that included a slide, rope hammock, a turning swing type activity. Parking is along the street only. Park has Drinking fountains and clean bathrooms. There are two picnic table areas. One down by the playgrounds and another by the splash pad.

    Solid kid's park in the Fair Oaks area with a splash pad perfect for kiddos. Would be nice if there…read morewere more splash pad-adjacent toys or interactive components, as well as more shaded structures or overhanging trees, as the summers get crazy hot with exposed grassy areas. There are 2 picnic bench areas where you can settle in with food/supplies, as well as an adjacent bathroom and pickleball court. Large grassy area to run around and a small walking trail as well. There's plenty of room to expand, so hopefully they can add additional amenities moving forward. Plenty of adjacent street parking in the community. Recommended.

    Photos
    Gum Ranch Park - 5-12 yr old structure

    5-12 yr old structure

    Gum Ranch Park - Two Round rope swings

    Two Round rope swings

    Gum Ranch Park - Little kid playground side, slide just past this but I didn't take a picture of it

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    Little kid playground side, slide just past this but I didn't take a picture of it

    Hagan Community Park, Dog Park, Center & Barn

    Hagan Community Park, Dog Park, Center & Barn

    4.0(82 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    We went yesterday for the train ride! Was donation $2pp. Train ride was soo cute. 15min ride…read morethrough Hagan park in Rancho. About 8min from KP international market. They have a tiny farm there, we saw 2 pigs. More animals available to interact w on Saturdays. Suggested donation $2pp. They take cash there. I thought u needed advanced tickets so bought online but it's really just whoever wants to ride can line up. https://www.svlsrm.org/ Duck pond: tons of duck and geese Water area: part of american river?? Not sure. Can fish there! Playground: With climate change, unpredictable weather, and summers with many days over 100F, would be nice if all parks in the sac area provided shade. This one has shade only over a small set of swings by a picnic area/ by the trains & barn. The main playground had shade near it but no shade over the play structures. Kids going down the slides could get burned- recommend putting up shade to avoid future liability issues. Overall a beautiful park w a good amt of shade, multiple parking lots and multiple picnic areas. Too far for us to come regularly but likely coming back for the train ride during holidays when I think they usually have a Santa there. (You need advance tix for this)

    September 24, 2025 - Rancho Cordova, CA…read more The fenced dog park is great! There's plenty of room for pups to run, with separate areas for big dogs and for small ones (under 15" in height). A few chairs are available for owners, plus a little swimming pool filled with water for the dogs. The grass and shade trees make it extra inviting. It's clear this park is very well cared for.

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    Hagan Community Park, Dog Park, Center & Barn
    Hagan Community Park, Dog Park, Center & Barn
    Hagan Community Park, Dog Park, Center & Barn

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    Jensen Botanical Gardens - 3/15/26 Stopped by today to see whether he Tulips are in bloom. They are!

    Jensen Botanical Gardens

    4.2(62 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    Very beautiful out door area with walking trails near by. Very small parking lot and a quick turn…read moreoff of the busy highway. My husband happened to notice the sign driving by one day. He kept saying he wanted to stop by. We visited in October cooler weather and in the morning. A few people were also enjoying the area. I posted a few pictures on Facebook another person said go back in March when more flowers are in bloom. We hope we can go back then or at least in the spring time.

    A little disappointing as I had read reviews about tulips in bloom around this time of year and…read morearrived to find none. Very easy to miss the entrance due to the fast-moving traffic on the main road. The gravel parking lot is a bit small, so it fills up fast. If full, the next best thing would be probably to circle around to the back where the Carmichael Community Garden is. It has a gravel lot, with a paved walkway connecting to the botanical garden. If you can, go on a weekday! I went on Sunday afternoon, and there were 3-4 small families and a large group doing photoshoots. Plenty of benches throughout and a huge grassy area perfect for picnics. Though I didn't see much, it would be best to keep an eye out for dog poop. It's a nice place to check out if you're already in the area. Depending on what you're hoping to see, it may not be worth the trek. Of all the flowers, roses make up the majority. Unless it's through your camera, you won't be able to see a small portion of flowers and bushes up close due to how the garden is arranged.

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    Jensen Botanical Gardens
    Jensen Botanical Gardens
    Jensen Botanical Gardens

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    William B Pond Recreation Area - parks - Updated May 2026

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