Photo of the Johnny Cash Trail courtesy of Coruscating Images.

With Sacramento becoming ever more bike-friendly by the day, there are lots of ways to enjoy pedaling through California’s capital city.

The successful launch of Jump bikes in Sacramento last spring has further increased the popularity of bike-riding in a city already spinning with enthusiasm for it. And development projects, like The Railyards, are taking cycling access and walkability into careful consideration when planning for city growth.

Here are 7 Sacramento bike trails you’re gonna love:

7 Swoon-worthy Sacramento Bike Trails to Love

1. Sacramento River Parkway Trail

Connecting Jibboom Street to Freeport Blvd, the Sacramento River Parkway Trail meanders along 9.3 miles of the Sacramento River.

The trail carries riders through Old Sacramento and past The Railyards, with plenty to see and do along the way. Linking to both the Two Rivers Trail and the American River Trail at its northern end, the Sacramento River Parkway Trail makes it easy to extend your ride for as long as you’d like.

2. Two Rivers Trail

Running adjacent to the American River, The Two Rivers Trail connects Jibboom Street to State Route 160 in northern downtown Sacramento.

Providing a connection to the longer Sacramento River Parkway Trail at its western end, the 2.5-mile trail offers scenic views of the American River at every turn.

There is currently a project underway to extend the trail farther east along the southern bank of the American River, eventually connecting it to California State University in Sacramento. The project also aspires to create easier access to the trail for to those who’d like to enjoy it.

3. Sacramento Northern Bikeway

The Sacramento Northern Bike Trail begins at C Street in Sacramento and runs to Elverta Road in Rio Linda.

The 12-mile paved route takes riders through very rural areas as well as several historic neighborhoods.

With plenty of natural beauty to enjoy as you ride alongside Dry Creek, the Sacramento Northern Bikeway is a quiet trail with fewer bikers and runners than other area trails.
 

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4. Yolo Causeway Bike Path

Extending from West Capitol Avenue at I-80 in West Sacramento, the 3.7 mile Yolo Causeway Bike Path connects to County Route 32A, just east of Davis.

This trail runs parallel to I-80, carrying riders over the Yolo Bypass floodplain. On the west portion of the trail, cyclists can ride CR 32A a short distance to connect to the Old Highway 40 Bike Path, which carries them right into the heart of Davis.

5. American River Trail (Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail)

This trail runs all the way from Jibboom Street in Discovery Park – near Old Sacramento – to Beal's Point near Folsom Lake.

Also known as the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, the 32-mile long American River Bike Trail is used by around 5 million people annually.

Dating back to the 1800s, the original trail was created by Jedediah Smith who broke a trail running from Old Sacramento to Folsom.

After automotive travel took over as the main mode of transportation, the trail was abandoned for many decades to be rediscovered by cyclists and paved for riding in the 1970’s.

The two-lane American River Trail passes many places to stop and eat, swim, or just take in the scenery. There are also plenty of restrooms and drinking fountains along the trail.

6. Johnny Cash Trail

If you’re riding the American River Bike Trail from Sacramento to Folsom, you’ll want to connect with the Johnny Cash Trail.

Running from Greenback Lane at the Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park to the American River Bike Trail at Folsom Lake Crossing, the 2.5 mile Johnny Cash Trail was created to celebrate the Man in Black’s historic 1968 performance at Folsom Prison.

The two-lane trail meanders through grassy vistas of majestic oak trees, running directly alongside Folsom Prison grounds and past the iconic prison itself.

Coming soon! The City of Folsom is currently fundraising to complete the trail experience by installing 8 larger-than-life Cash-inspired statues along the trail, including a 40-foot tall statue of the Man in Black himself.

7. Lake Natoma Trail

Running from Gold Lake Drive east of Folsom Boulevard to the American River Bike Trail at Hazel Avenue & Gold Country Road, this 6-mile trail offers a beautiful ride along the southeast side Lake Natoma.

Offering plenty of shade in the heat of summer, this picturesque trail is a lovely offshoot of the main American River Trail and features an abundance of both wildlife and scenic beauty.

With plenty of options for you to put the rubber to the road, jump on your bike and explore all the trails that Sacramento has to offer.