Great multi use park! 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. read more

I recently started biking and had been researching long paved trails to try out. The American River trail 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. read more

Much appreciated for your support for my friends and family who had passed away and we had an honor candlelight memorial to the lost one, and we will never forget this forever! I wish that I could find their name (the staff) but they allowed us to stay for more than 30 minutes which is supposed to be closed after 7 pm, which we really appreciated and be remembered a lot! Thank you, William Pond. read more

William B Pond Recreation Area - Honor lost one of our family and friends - Parks Near Me - Carmichael, California

Beautiful park in the Carmichael area, well maintained, great for hosting groups, picnics, BBQs - attended a corporate family day event here and it was great - plenty of space for multiple bounce houses for kids, shaded awnings, large grassy areas. Parking isn't free but it's also very reasonable. Park is maintained clean and the bathrooms are good. Parking can be a little tricky if there are multiple events going on at the same time, but overall manageable. Not too far from much of East Sacramento and beyond - a solid place for an afternoon walk or outing w/ the family/kids. read more

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. read more

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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! read more

William B Pond Recreation Area - Parks Near Me - Carmichael, California

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

William B Pond Recreation Area - Bike trail - Parks Near Me - Carmichael, California

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

Upstream from Sacramento is the Willam B Pond Recreation area. If you've been to Sacramento Airport, then you have an idea of how quickly civilization gives way to nature here -along the American River. The Pond Rec area is part of the larger river natural area complex--a series of protected wild areas serving as hiking, biking, fishing, birdwatching, swimming, and in some cases, boating areas for folks. At the same time, the area serves as a rest stop for migratory birds and fish, as well as other creatures who spend their lives here. With lots of small paved trails, cycling is a popular activity here. There are a few places like small piers and docks for fishing, and seasonally some places to wade in and take a dip. Birdwatchers will enjoy geese, egrets, herons, coots, loons, and dozens of other species. Unfortunately, the impact of Stupid Humans (Homo sapiens dumbasseis) is evident here: trash, crap in the bushes, litter on the ground near trash cans, tagging... it's all here in lovely Arden. And that's too bad. Relax, enjoy, but keep your wits about you, here. Parking is $5, or you can park a couple blocks away past the permit-only neighborhoods, and walk/bike ride in gratis. read more

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

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. read more

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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. read more

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

Big area with a nice paved trail along the river (suitable for biking, jogging, walking). This park gets a good amount of use because it's a pleasant place to be. I do wish there was a bit more shade along the trail (there's lots of trees but they aren't really tall to cast long shadows), but it's not a problem. Plenty of parking and areas to picnic or swim/small-boat read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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Me and my mom have been here several times and have always had a good time. It's great for a walk or to hang out at. It's also a nice place to take pictures of the the river. I have always enjoyed taking pictures here, as well as going on a walk. read more

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). read more

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Our family has enjoyed coming here for more than 20 years. There is no longer free parking along the street in the neighborhood outside of the park. It is definitely worth buying a season parking pass, not only to support our local park but also for the convenience of parking close to trails and picnic areas. You can also use the pass at many other parks. There are many wonderful areas for family barbecues or small picnics. There are so many trails for those who want short OR long walks. Great place to feed ducks and see other wildlife. We love bringing our dogs for long walks and water play in the river. read more

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Lots of parking $5 per vehicle. Restrooms near the dock and trails. Many different spots to set up a picnic. Great climbing trees for kids. Open grassy areas for some football, soccer, kickball games. Easy walking trails to water. Really easygoing get to fishing areas. No play structures mostly a nature park good for outdoor fun with access to pond for kayaks and walking and bike trails. Not real hiking and paved and unpacked trails to the water. No beach access nearby. read more

This is a great spot to be if you want to spend few hours by the river, picnic, kayaking or swimming. It's very peaceful on weekdays because that's when we went and we the the entire place to ourselves. There is a bike trails as well. I didn't even know it existed until referred by a friend. Give it a try!! read more

It's hard to NOT like a park these days. This is as good as it gets. Park on the street outside to avoid the $5 fee. However, I still go in just to pay the fee and think of it as a donation to the park. There are grills and picnic areas within the park. Bathrooms are located right by the entrance, near the parking lot. I like hiking or running along the trails that are between the river and the paved bike trail. The trails making it slightly more challenging and you get off the crazy fast paved trail. There are bikers going 15 mph down that trail and when you have wandering toddlers, you have a heart attack whenever these Lance Armstrong wannabes goes by. As an alternative, I will run along the levee a lot of times. I use it when I want to go for a brainless run - don't need to watch my step or find my way, just keep running, just keep running.... read more

Ive spent so many years at this park. It's a part of my life. They charge $5 for parking, but you can park outside the park and walk in. Fishing and feeding ducks with my family as a kid. Rafting down the river. Perching up on rocks during the summer. Nature walks. Sloshball. They allow BBQ, and Alcohol. Great bike trail. Family friendly. Event friendly. Sport friendly. Win win win. Doesn't get much better then that. read more

The short: One of the stops on my trips along the American river bike trail where one can relax, kick back, and put your feet in the water. The long: I've been coming to this park a lot recently while I am biking down the bike trail. It has plenty of all the things one would need in a park for the day including tables, benches, restrooms, shade, grills, and views. There are a few really nice spots where you can get down to the river so you can jump in or just throw your feet in and relax. During the week there is almost nobody here and on the weekend it is packed with families and groups. I even went through recently and there was a massive party going on where they had 3 of those giant bounce houses in the park. The park is always clean and from what I can see it is pretty safe. What works: Nice family park that sits along the river with plenty of necessities. What to improve: Nothing really read more

Having lived all my life next to a river and then went away to college to live in a beach town, i must say that I love being outdoors. I happened to find this park since the hubby comes from a huge metropolitian city that considers a river to be a concrete canal with a tiny stream of water running through it and thought he would love this place since we live nearby. This park is very well kept and very big so you can go have a picnic and relax without having other people that are doing the same thing all up on your business. The entrance fee is $5 which I don't think is expensive but I grew up in a town with a river and a state park so maybe I'm used to. They also have an annual pass $50 which is a good deal since you can go whenever you want and picinic, fish, jog or ride your bike without paying everytime. read more

When I first started coming here over 20 years ago this area was pristine and the people who came here were respectful toward each other and to mother nature. Nowadays the heaps of garbage and all the rude A- holes keep me from coming here. Especially in the summer time! If you don't believe me then come check it out around the month of July! I call it the month of the river heathen! They throw trash everywhere, start fires and cause drunken brawls! read more

A Great park at the very end of Arden Way. I enjoy taking my dog walking on the various trails at the end of the park. There's a nice one that loops around the pond that takes you between the pond and the river. The other advantage of this park is the bike trail bridge that connects this park to River Bend Park. This gives us a lot more access to the many trails in that park. read more

Me and my daughter love exploring areas like this. The river as low too so we had lots of extra areas to look at. Looks like it would be a good park for a picnic too. There are tables with grills and a bike path too. read more

William B Pond Recreation Area - Parks Near Me - Carmichael, California

This pond located by the American River use to be a planter pond for both trout and catfish but the stocking have ceased for quite a while now. Fishing in the pond isn't so productive on the shore because only 1/4 of the shoreline is accessible to fishing. What I recommend is some sort of watercraft that can get the angler out there to search the water. The pond itself is infested with carp!!! Carp outnumber bass 5:1 but the pond can be quite rewarding for bass fishing during late March till September. Some "hawgs" can still be caught every year though the number is dwindling... Other species that can be found in the pond are Pikeminnows, catfish (holdovers), Bluegills, Tule Perch, and occasionally a crappie due to the fact that they are stunted by the other sunfish. Fishing techniques vary a lot in this pond because of it's underwater terrain. An angler on a float can be fishing over a bed of vegetation then all of a sudden find himself fishing a solid rock floor or drop. Anglers fishing for bass can find some success tossing soft plastics, cranks, and top water early morning and dawn. Carp anglers find some success by tossing dough mixture with corn early morning and sitting till noon. Sunfish can be caught with small chunks of crawlers, hot dogs, wax worms, etc. Fishing grade overall would be "decent".... Not the best but isn't the worst. read more

I love Williams pond. Lots of wildlife, picnic areas, fishing, and much more. Awesome place to just relax and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. read more

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Nice park located at the end of Arden Way. Many parking spots available, as well as picnic tables, covered areas, 2 bathroom buildings, water fountains, and bike tools. It is home to the American River Parkway Foundation and is connected to River Bend Park by the Harold Richey Bridge. I enjoy the small trails around the pond, as well as the secluded beaches behind it. I've tried fishing here and have seen large fish in the pond, but have yet to land one. This park is a large grassy area with many trees, but no playground for the kids. Good for family gatherings, but bring your own entertainment (volleyball, badminton, etc). During the busy season, there is a ranger to take your $5 parking fee. If they're not there, you put $5 in an envelope and write your license plate # on it. I have seen rangers ticketing vehicles, including the parking lot in the back by the pond. read more

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In addition to the paved American River Bike trail, this area has tons of dirt paths that wind around. So for a slightly more strenuous walk, it's a great spot. And the river is just beautiful here. read more

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Beautiful park. There have been some arson attacks on the park as of late, and so there are a few areas that were burned and smell smokey still. Very sad, but still lots of park to enjoy. Many running clubs and bikers use this trail, so it is very busy. Be sure to pay attention and never walk in the middle of the bike trail, stay to the dirt path off the trail for your safety. Buy the annual pass for parking, it is so worth it and helps maintain the park. Come out for the American River Parkway Half Marathon and support the park that way too. read more

Having grown up near the river, it has a special place in my heart. I now live in Kansas City and the river is really the only thing I miss. This is the best thing that Sacramento has to offer and the first place I want to go when I arrive. Park on the street. read more

Our family and friends love coming to William B Pond in Sacramento (we were just here this past weekend). It is really nice here and clean, with so much to do so it's hard not to like. They have picnic and bar-be-que areas (some of which are covered to provide shade) with bathrooms nearby within walking distance. You can fish and swim, and the water is pretty clean. There are areas where the water is really pretty and clear that you can see the rocks below. Plenty of biking and hiking trails if you want to explore or work out. read more

Highly irritated. This is the second time I've tried to just go take my toddler to throw some rocks in the water only to find I have to pay five dollars to even park and walk to the water for 15 minutes. I'm not trying to camp or fish or have a massive BBQ and party and stay for hours. Also, you can't just park outside and walk in like a previous reviewer said because there are no parking signs all over. No thanks. read more

My dad and. I had a great time we caught so many channel catfish we thought our little blowup raft was going to sink. But all in all it's a great place to take family. read more

This is the most magnificent place to 'get away from it all'. I ride my adult-sized tricycle there and while I'm pedaling I tend to forget about my worries and/or problems. Those who I've met there are very friendly and the way it's kept so pristine I leave smiling. I love triking there. read more