Arcade Creek Nature Area

Easy trail and connects to American River College, which has a very nice new track. Lots of extensions into the nearby suburbs. Wildlife you might see includes ducks, many other birds, squirrels, occasionally mule deer. Good for dogs. Arcade Creek runs thru it so it will occasionally flood the trail and the bridges that cross it. Lot of trees downed in recent windy storms. Lots of Miner’s Lettuce in early Spring! Try some, it’s delicious!

Nice park walking trails, also trail from park to American River College

Nice area. A true spit of nature in an urban area. Great for dogs.

Jo Smith Nature Trail
Distance: Just under 1/2 mile one way
Wheelchair accessible: Not the nature trail, but the Arcade Creek Park trail is.

When you want to get out of the city in the city. Follow a well used, yet peaceful dirt trail down a beautiful riparian corridor along Arcade Creek. Replace the sounds of cars with the sounds of bird songs and the breeze in the oaks overhead. There is a bench along the trail, interpretive signage, garbage cans, and a receptacle for doggy poop bags (stocked by the community and not always a sure thing so bring some to share!). After some good rain, wear rain boots or you'll need to carefully skirt around large puddles. There's plenty of shade for those hot summer days. The trail is mostly flat with minor sections of incline. It also narrows greatly in some sections.

Logistics:

The trail begins at Arcade Creek Park and continues west underneath Garfield Ave. It is also accessible by foot (no street parking) from the west side of Garfield. The trail ends at the concrete no-hands bridge. Turn around, or cross the creek and head left to the college sports fields and track, or to the right to the college parking lot "A" where Myrtle Ave becomes Hemlock St.