Cronan Ranch Trails Park

I have been coming to this place for a little bit now and I love it they have so many different trails you can do around this area. The trails are marked and well paved so many different views of the river. Some of the trial can get dusty and muddy. I have been going to the one called the Gerle Loop trail it is pretty easy going loop trail kids can do it to. Part of the trial is shaded and some aren't. People are also can bring their dogs, horses, and bikes. Where I park you don't have to pay for parking and there is a bathroom you can use. The days I have come there is plenty of parking I haven't had no issues. They also have a picnic table you can use. They have small areas and you walk down and chill by the river. I love coming here to go a walk and to get outside with nature.

Some many great trails to hike with several levels of difficulty. Spacious parking. Bathrooms. You can't beat seeing the American River. You can have a picnic as they have benches.

Cronan Ranch Trailhead is in Pilot Hill, California. There are about 12 miles of loops and trails for hiking, dog walking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching, and even hang gliding. The trail can be easy, including gently sloped to difficult with serious challenging mountains. Most of the trail paths are exposed to the sun so make sure you are prepared with protective wears, hat, sunblock, and water. Cronan Ranch connects with the South Fork American River corridor trail that runs from Greenwood Creek to Salmon Falls. This place is super Epic! The best part of hiking here today was the art and seek event. I found a piece of art, a beautiful mushroom glass made by Lara. WOW. I just now have to make something and putting it back in the nature. Come, explore, experience nature, and fall inlove!

One of our bucket list hikes. We went Saturday Sept 16th 2023 around 11am. The weather was about 82 degrees, We came from Citrus Heights it was about a 40 min drive we came up Salmon Falls Rd very curvy road.When we arrived at the parking lot there was Free Parking, big area, but with all the many trails offered and Horse trailers, could see the lot filling up fast during the cooler months. Good idea to get there early. There is one vault toilet in the far corner of the parking lot. Looking at the maps at the information board, there are many trails available to go on in this 1,414 acre park. This trip our destination was the Movie set cabin and then down to the South Fork of the American River to rest and enjoy sitting by the water and let London cool off her paws. We took the Cronan Ranch Road to get down to the movie set cabin, its very wide as it is a closed service road. The trail is along the grassy rolling hills with clumps of oak trees, it was beautiful. Along the trail there are very few shade spots by the big trees. You are mostly out in the open and exposed to the heat and sun. Make sure to bring lots of water and sunscreen, if hiking in warm temperatures. The hike was mostly down hill into the valley to get to the cabin which is approx 1.5 miles. We stopped and looked around at the cabin which is gated off. Alittle about the cabin- The sole purpose of the cabin was to serve as a movie set for "Love Comes Softly". Stars Katherine Heigl, Dale Midkiff and Skye McCole Bartusiak.There are a couple of picnic tables opposite of the cabin under a huge tree which makes for a beautiful picnic spot. My husband and I will make many future trips to Cronan Ranch. Dogs are allowed off their leash, but make sure to control them around other people, horses and bikes.

Great place to go for a mild hike or aka a walk. Hard core hikers, you know those guys with hiking poles and hydration backpacks, would probably consider this a walk versus a hike. There are 12 miles of various trails. They got relatively flat ones, gentle sloping ones, and steeper ones. But all the better because the hikes (yes, I'm sticking to using the word hiking) means it's suitable for the kiddos and folks that don't hit the gym very often (I may or may not be speaking about myself). Better yet, parking and entry is free. Free! But this place is popular, the parking lot usually fills up quick especially on the weekends. Trails are shared by hikers, horses, mountain bikes, and dogs. There are restrooms in the lot and more along the river off Cronan Ranch Trail. To enter the trailheads, you have to walk over or under entry gate bars making it non-ADA accessible. I took the Cronan Ranch Trail all the way down to the river. Gorgeous views along the way. Each season will have different foliage. After all the recent rainstorms, the water run off from the hills were flowing down into the culverts by way of nature's created little streams. The sound of trickling water along the hike was relaxing. I went a bit overboard taking pics of the mini waterways. They were beautiful. The river was magnificent. However with all the recent rains and the time of year, the river is raging right now and the currents are strong. I hear in the summer, it's nice to stay in the shalllows along the river's edge for a dip. Another thing to note is that the trails aren't shaded. There are hardly any shade trees along the trails. There is no potable water sorce around. So take a note of that and plan accordingly in hotter months. There is a dilapidated wood cabin surrounded by a fence. After the hike I read some older Yelp reviews mentioning it was built in 2002 for a TV movie, "Love Comes Softly". Next to the structure were a couple of picnic tables under a big beautiful oak tree. But there are no trash cans around, you have to haul out your own trash. Another tip: don't stray to far away from the trails, there are rattlesnakes, ticks, gopher holes, and poison oak out there.

Located near Auburn Cronan offers multiple trails to hike. Our hike was about 5 miles round trip with some elavation lots of hawks and even sheep lol. The payoff was nice dip in the river before heading back. It was a bit hot on the trek back but survivable in the low 80's. There is a bathroom at the entrance and plenty of free parking. Overall a nice place for a day trip hike.

Awesome hiking spot about 50 mins drive from Sacramento. I got a little nervous on the way up because all the signs said parks were closed but once I got to the site, there was an open dirt road parking lot. Parking was busy but there were plenty of people coming and going. Once inside the park, there's wide open exposed trails which make it easy to be "physically" distanced from others. It's better to go in earlier in the morning since there's not a lot of shade on the flat trails. There's easy access to the river and really peaceful spot to relax. If you want shade, there's hilly trails with nice incline for a good workout. Dogs are allowed. There's lots of mountain bikers and they tend to be respectful.

Cronan Ranch Trails Park became a very busy trail for all the people wanted to have some exercise or just some fresh air. Many families come with their kids or their dogs. The main trail in the park is so wide and makes it easy to have the social distance.When we are there at around 11 am. The parking lot is completely full. We have to park our car on the side of the road. The trails are very easy and comfortable. Good for the whole family, any age with or without your dogs. So many kids with their families walking and they are happy. One of the good thing about this COVID-19 situation is it help families close together!

Lots of different levels of trails. Good place to go for a walk and take in the scenery. Parking is free, though arrive early as the parking lot fills up quickly.

Pedro hill trail. I bet it's a nice trail, but the dog crap all along the trail is really disgusting. People...pick up after your dogs! Headed back to the car and had to take my feces covered shoes off and throw them in a bag into the trunk.