The American and Sacramento rivers converge at Discovery Park, just north of downtown Sacramento, and whichever way you trek along the 32-mile, multi-use Jedidiah Smith Memorial Trail (also known as the American River Bike Trail), you’ll enjoy lots of scenery and wildlife. If you’re a first-timer to Sac, we suggest starting out your hike in the Old Sacramento historic district just across Interstate 5 from downtown.
Head north along the banks of the Sacramento River and pause to watch the birds, look for otters, beavers and maybe even a sea lion that’s chased steelhead up from San Francisco Bay. You’ll cross the I Street Bridge to get to Discovery Park and the confluence. Above the park, the American River is an entirely different animal than the Sacramento. It runs clear and cold, fed by snowmelt rushing down from the Sierra.
Looking for something closer to your dog-friendly hotel or other lodging? William Land Park, just south of downtown, is a green and lush landmark looped by 2-mile trail. You’ll pass a city-owned golf course, a pair of fishing ponds, two amusement parks and also the Sacramento Zoo, where the roars of lions will arouse your dog’s curiosity, to say the least!
Dog-friendly Sacramento: two rivers run through it

Related stories from Sacramento
New for you: DogTrekker’s ulti-mutt spring event guide
The start of spring brings warmer days, golden sunlight and brilliant wildflowers that brighten the...
Read More
Plan your perfect Sacramento daycation
For best-in-show fun, it’s hard to top California’s sunny capital city. Sacramento is a pup-culture...
Read More
Paw-some road trips from Sacramento
Sacramento’s big backyard offers more adventures like chasing waterfalls in Placer County, tracing old mining...
Read More
Sacramento DIY tasting tours with an artsy twist
With a thriving craft beer scene and easy access to top wine producers, Sacramento is...
Read More
The ulti-mutt in farm-fresh dining in Sacramento
Sacramento’s status as “America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital” comes from its proximity to more than 1.5 million...
Read More
On the go in pup-centric Sacramento
DogTrekker readers love Sacramento’s parks and multi-use trails. The 32-mile American River Parkway might be...
Read More
DogTrekker® 15th anniversary
DogTrekker.com launched 15 years ago, guided by a mission to leave no dog behind – whether...
Read More
California’s housing crisis is overcrowding animal shelters
California’s housing crunch isn’t just affecting people—it’s taking a heavy toll on pets, too. With...
Read More
Planning a pet getaway? Airlines just changed the rules
Taking your dog on vacation used to be unusual, but these days, especially here in...
Read More
Capitol Corridor’s pet-friendly rail program marks successful first year
When the Capitol Corridor launched its “Pets Onboard” rail service a year ago, many Northern...
Read More
California’s best dog-friendly sports bars to cheer on your team
From the mountains to the coast to the south, California has no shortage of sports...
Read More
48 hours of tail-wagging fun in Sacramento
Kick off your Sacramento weekend with a Saturday morning walk through the colorful gardens and...
Read MoreRelated listings in Sacramento
Urban Roots Brewing & Smokehouse
Urban Roots Brewing & Smokehouse is an independent craft brewery and smokehouse located in Sacramento,...
Read MoreGranite Regional Park
Granite Regional Park is an 80.45 acre park with picnic areas, BBQ grill, horseshoe pits,...
Read MoreRossmoor Bar
Rossmoor Bar is a peninsula, bordered on three sides by the American River. Located in...
Read MoreParadise Beach
Paradise Beach is located near California State University, Sacramento, on an oxbow bend in the...
Read MoreHowe Park Dog Park
Howe Park's dog park was the very first dog park constructed in the Greater Sacramento...
Read MoreSacramento River Parkway Trail
The dog-friendly Sacramento River Parkway Trail stretches for more than 9 miles along the Sacramento...
Read MoreGranite Regional Park Dog Park
Find this dog park within Sacramento's Granite Regional Park. Located near the skate park, the...
Read MoreBlackbird Park
Blackbird Park is a 9.9‐acre community park in the North Natomas area of Sacramento. The...
Read More