Auburn State Recreation Area

So lucky to have such a great outdoor recreation area near home. Numerous trails along the North Fork of the American River. From easy short walks to all day of hiking, it's all here. Free parking along Highway 49 at the American River and a large and free parking area at the American River Overlook Park across from Railhead Park in Auburn. Perfect access point to the Western States Trail that takes you down to the American River as well as a large assortment of trails that cover the north side of the American River Canyon. Paved as well as natural trails for every skill level. Bikes are welcome on several of the trails as well as horses. The Western States Trailhead at the Overlook has a staging and parking area for horse vans. Regular parking for about 150 cars at the Overlook and no charge for parking.For the advanced hiker you have a well marked trail that will take you from Overlook Park all the way to Folsom. In the late afternoon you might catch deer roaming the hillside. A couple of waterfalls in the area that are worth a visit. Beautiful views of the American River as you hike along the canyon trails. Most trails are well marked. The free app. "All Trails" provides a detailed map of the trail system in Auburn and makes it easy to determine the length of time it will take to hike to most scenic spots.

I luv hiking the multitude of trails in the Auburn State Recreation Area (ASRA). The area covers 40 miles of the north and middle forks of the American River. Lots of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horse riding. It is a beautiful area with hills, Foresthill bridge, lake, and the river. I am not an avid hiker. More of a leisurely stroller. There are various trails with different elevation gains, distance, and difficulty. Most of the time that I came out to this area is to just hike near the confluence and sit along the river bank and take in the sights and sounds. If you go in the summer, just be aware that the temperatures can hit triple digits during the day and there can be very little shade on the trails. There is no potable water stations on the trails. Parking is limited to what is available along the side of the road near the trailheads. The spots fill up quickly on the weekend. The fee is $10. But from April 1- October 1 on the weekends 9am-5pm, there is a transit bus rides from designated areas in Auburn to the Ranger station at the confluence crossing (near Highway 49 and Old Foresthill Road). The rides need to be reserved though, details on the ride program (cost, reservations, route) are on the state parks website. The ASRA is managed by the State of California Parks Department.

Beautiful State Park in the Auburn area, well traveled and well maintained. Went to the Quarry Trail which is super easy and marked out. The Ranger Station is very helpful w/ logistics and parking if needed.You can park along highway 49 for free, but if you park in the Quarry Trail lot it's a $!0 use fee for the whole day. Of course the yearly State Park passes are valid here too!Trail is wide and easily walkable, plenty of parents w/ strollers out for the walk, as well as joggers/dogs. Trail goes along the American River and is nicely shaded in the mornings.Restrooms located at multiple spots, and there's even a nice rest area at the end of the main trail w/ multiple shaded picnic structures and restrooms if you decide to picnic.If you hike up the small hill next to the rest area, you'll see the cave where mining used to happen. It's locked and you can't go in, but it's pretty cool to see even from the outside.

We love the hiking trails that Auburn State Recreation Area has to offer. Absolutely stunning views. You have your pick of easy , moderate, or hard trails. We usually go for the semi long, moderate to hard trails. This particular trail that we recently did was not our first choice. We were supposed to do a different trail but since we came a little late, which mind you, it wasn't really late (8am) but hiking time on a warm weathered day, well 8am is considered late. lol So looking for parking was not fun. We were lucky to find a parking spot but unfortunately it was too far from the trail that we had intended to hike, so we decided to just hike the trail that was conveniently close to us. No regrets at all! Absolutely stunning views! We even got a treat at the end of the trail to watch a group of rock climbers climb a pretty good sized rock wall. We ended up adding a few steps in to get a little more workout I would definitely go back to this trail again. The trail is called Quarry Trail to Limestone Rockwalls. FYI: There is a $10 parking fee

One of my favorite places to go run and train. I love coming out here and running the trails, when I want to get in a varied terrain training session in. Beginning at base below Forrest Hill Bridge, where the trail will take you under and around the bridge and to the waterfall. I personally like taking the "road less travel" and making my way to the fire break area. So an extremely stem climb up to and across the bridge. And then back down the winding trail on the other side of the bridge, for a good 2.5 mile loop. You can however take the more moderate trail up to the top, which is more for the average trail walker.If our looking to just travel more distance as a easy to moderate degree. Along the road where you can park for free (IF you get there early enough to find a spot). Are a serious of trails off into the hills that very in degree of distance and difficulty. One of the trails will literally take you from Auburn to Lake Tahoe which is 91 miles!If you want to hike or do some walking but stay along the water, there's a trail that will take you about 7 miles out or so. Where you'll pass by a cave that's been closed off, but is apparently the discovery sight of the some extinct animals once native to California.Parking near the ranger booth is $10, and everywhere else is free. But if you get here later in the day expect that you might be going back on forth. Hoping a free spot opens up.

Numerous trails in this area, today's hike was Quarry Trail. $10 fee or bring your annual Poppy Pass. Beautiful 3-mile round trip hike (additional if you continue past the Quarry)that follows the south fork of the American River. Mostly level hiking. Water was flowing the day we went & the falls were plenty. Bathrooms at the beginning & the end of the trail. A spooky closed-off tunnel .1 mile above the foundation of the old mill. Picnic tables at the end,so pack a lunch.

Beautiful trail to hike! Spent part of my Saturday hiking this awesome trail. Very clean and well maintained.

Love love love!!! We will definitely be returning! Probably one of the coolest & prettiest hikes our family has done in a while Also it was baby Amani's first hike! So happy she did well! Easygoing & not too difficult. My brother in law is disabled & this was perfect for him but still exciting for the kids!

Came here in a Sunday morning to walk the Quarry Trail. Pretty busy in the area but we were lucky enough to find a parking spot in the parking lot even though the sign said full. Fee is $10. Great walking paths, fairly easy, not too steep and follows the river which is beautiful! Gravel paved and mostly shade. About 1.5 miles in you can check out the Hawver Mine which is pretty cool! There's also a great rock climbing area where you can simply watch and gave lunch or climb yourself about another .5 mile. Round trip was about 3.5 miles and is a great place to visit with kids and leashed dogs. Restrooms are available along the way, doggie bags and life jackets. Amazing place and worth a visit!

The area of Sacramento is full of trails but I somehow keep finding myself gravitating toward this one when we say, "Lets go out for a hike!". I really do love this place just for the number of trails in such a small area. Sure it has a lot of the same issues you find in other areas. Trash left by inconsiderate hikers, busy, it can get insanely hot during the summer and the traffic around the confluence of the Middle and North American River can be downright bad, but most of that speak to the quality of the area. I love being able to park close to the river, take one of the trails for a decent sweat inducing hike and then cool off at the river just before heading back into my suburban sadness.One of the key things is to try to visit this place during a weekday and if you must go out during the weekend, come early. There is also an entrance fee of 10 dollars so keep that in mind. Second, I would be very aware of the changing river conditions if you here in the afternoon. From what I understand is that from 1 to 4 PM that the flows increase from the damn and the water could start moving quickly, so keep that in mind with the Kiddos. It can get extremely HOT out here!Third, there was many people wearing masks out there on a Friday. I would hate to see how it is on a weekend but I guess there are those who can't seem to spend a little more caloric energy breathing through a mask. Keep that in mind if you are out here at times and do not like hanging out with people not wearing masks. The upside is that we are outside but a lot of people did not seem to care for social distance either.