Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park is 1,418 scenic acres laced with 12 miles of dog-friendly hiking and riding trails leading from two staging areas to the South Fork of the American River. The terrain is rolling and mostly open, with oak woodlands crowning the hilltops and providing shade along the river.
The Long Valley Trail, part of which is a dirt ranch road, is perhaps the easiest route, although lacking in shade for most of its 2.2. miles. The Up and Down Trail, as the name suggests, rolls over hill and dale, while a pair of ridge trails offer sweeping views of the river racing through its canyon. A loop utilizing any combination of trails is about 5 miles with elevation changes of no more than 600 feet.
Dogs are permitted off-leash and you’ll share the trails with equestrians, mountain bikers, anglers, gold panners and families with small children, so good canine manners are important. Be aware that cockleburs are prevalent and that this is prime rattlesnake habitat. Hunting for deer, turkey, dove and quail is allowed in season.
Please note that a large picnic area on the river is leased by rafting companies for group use during the summer season. This site is closed to the general public from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but there are plenty of other shady areas on the water for hikers and dogs to take an idyllic break. You’ll even find picnic tables scattered here and there.
Getting there:
Two trailheads and parking lots are accessible from Highway 49 between Auburn and Coloma. The staging area for horses is a large lot on Pedro Hill Road off of Highway 49 in the community of Pilot Hill, 6.5 miles north of Coloma. Please park close to the information signs at the trailhead and leave the larger spaces in the back for horse trailers. The smaller Magnolia Ranch trailhead parking lot is on Highway 49 about 5 miles north of Coloma.
