🌞 Ways to Enjoy the Sunshine
The American River Parkway offers a paved two-lane path and a dirt path that follows the American River for 32 miles. Perfect for cyclists, walkers, and runners of all ages and experience levels, the trail includes mile markers, maps, water fountains, and restrooms. You can also find white water rafting tours along the American River.
Sacramento State Aquatic Center on gorgeous Lake Natoma is home to watersport rentals galore in the warmer months, a great fit for the family who loves peaceful paddles or the thrill of an inflatable obstacle course. Water safety trainings, summer camps, and all-age classes are available!
Explore the many local parks in and around Rancho Cordova for more outdoor fun. White Rock Splash Park is one of the largest splash parks in Northern California and Village Green Park includes a splash pad plaza. Hagan Community Park is our largest park at 80 acres boasting dozens of family-friendly amenities including an educational barn.
The Effie Yeaw Nature Center in nearby Carmichael is an award-winning environmental and cultural education center located within a 100-acre nature preserve on the beautiful American River Parkway. Explore on your own, enjoy a guided wildlife walk, tour the replica Maidu Indian summer village, see rescued animals inside the visitor center, explore interactive exhibits in the museum, and browse the discovery shop for books, toys, and unique gifts.
![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Rafting-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d4fba5d3daa5b937f2081a7ad486291e 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Rafting-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=bb480015710e28b07356e190e4a2104f 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Rafting-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=0223116966e568d8a9e36094cd63775f 768w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Rafting-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=744fc0b4cfb0cf7e4b5246a94f6b169b 1024w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Rafting-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=491adb28ca2df3473b00e9d0e617523f 1200w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Rafting-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=31e4b9a7580650bc5e8c4d884c70b856 1440w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Rafting-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=2a36cdfd878eff5b0aa4eb3da62da565 1920w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Rafting-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=34102a3b3cf2e96580eb85e8a36d97ef 2560w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/Rafting-7.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=77b2cd67a8d6e9302c44a312c72fc278 3840w)
🧪 Keep Cool Inside & Get Curious
Sacramento Children's Museum is a welcoming, inclusive learning space for elementary aged children and younger. You'll find lots of hands-on play, artsy creation stations, guest performances, and exciting year-round events here!
Mills Station Arts & Culture Center (The MACC) engages your child's sense of creativity and awakens their thoughtfulness with free rotating art exhibits, performances, and workshops. This hidden gem has even hosted a traveling Smithsonian exhibit! This stop is best for middle school aged kids and older.
Sac Town Family Fun is the very definition of variety, offering glow-in-the-dark mini golf, an exhilarating arcade, and the latest and greatest virtual reality gaming experiences for the whole family. Pro tip: wear white so everyone can glow under the blacklights!
Granite Arch Climbing Center is a great choice for adventurous kids and teens who beg for active road trip pit stops. Offering a wide variety of indoor climbing experiences for all ages and experience levels, the climbing center features 20,000 square feet of wall area. You can boulder, top rope climb, or lead climb.
![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/arcade-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=53f0aa94a320c0d4edd25bfbc7c09025 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/arcade-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=1450d24c0d0fe3c9a9535c02a7a46efc 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/arcade-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b0d433a49308c9129ac7f8ded1d46a7a 768w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/arcade-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=eeff156b6b802fdd70c99f733f8ce9cc 1024w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/arcade-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=bbdd1be977ac29982683e1164d4490db 1200w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/arcade-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=b2f86db5bc19d9f96362542ec822e84e 1440w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/arcade-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9ceaa740eca619eb3968ef9f3338ef84 1920w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/arcade-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=05a4baf2a7e0c4424bca1889cfbf9914 2560w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/arcade-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=d3a455d165f8179740bd9563337a00fe 3840w)
✈️ Jaw-Dropping Major Events
The California Mermaid Convention is a swim-ply amazing annual event that happens every May. Most convention events take place at Cordova Community Pool in Hagan Community Park. The convention features underwater mixers, exciting vendors, photo shoot opportunities, and interesting workshops for mermaid enthusiasts of all ages. It’s always a flipping good time! This event includes kids and adult programming for safety purposes.
Hangtown Motocross Classic is the perfect choice for adrenaline lovers in early June of each year. At this 3-day national motocross series, amateurs take to the track for a few days to rev up audience excitement before traveling professionals sling some mud for the televised event.
Pride Month activities occur every June in and around Rancho Cordova, a region that is proud to be welcoming and accepting of all kinds of families. Sacramento Children's Museum puts on some of the only family-friendly Pride events in Northern California. Older kids and their families can head just 15 minutes west to Sacramento to enjoy a stellar Pride festival with performers, vendors, and merch.
California Capital Airshow attendees are fascinated year after year watching talented jet teams soar across the skies performing dangerous aerial stunts. Climb through aircraft displays on the ground, meet real pilots, enjoy tasty food trucks, and cover your ears with some strong headphones... The fun is simply explosive! This event is held on a different weekend each year, so check our event calendar for upcoming dates. This event is noisy, so it's best for kids who can handle some volume.
Murieta Equestrian Center is the place to be for those who love horse shows, expos, dressage, and dog agility! Animals and their handlers travel from all over to compete in this nearby location. You'll also find plenty of shopping and great food to make your weekend of competition viewing complete. These events happen year round, from January through December.
![](https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/DSC06437-1-5_2024-07-30-172106_rmqk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=c3043288d2eb304a7202d2aa076d412d 320w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/DSC06437-1-5_2024-07-30-172106_rmqk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5b4c23eca3004eefc6f06e733787b684 540w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/DSC06437-1-5_2024-07-30-172106_rmqk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=de7dc609ddb7ea1897a1aee5e39e10c2 768w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/DSC06437-1-5_2024-07-30-172106_rmqk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=f5469ad11ac191594d55f092c12a753f 1024w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/DSC06437-1-5_2024-07-30-172106_rmqk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=7569179e9a62c8307400b1d493985fb6 1200w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/DSC06437-1-5_2024-07-30-172106_rmqk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=54cb0bd3f00922217a643dfd225d63d3 1440w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/DSC06437-1-5_2024-07-30-172106_rmqk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=929c53097d0b618a87c945ee902d8295 1920w, https://rancho-cordova.imgix.net/images/DSC06437-1-5_2024-07-30-172106_rmqk.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=66ac287908d7562f4ef0d490a7ee4b96 2500w)
⚠️ Water Safety ⚠️
Getting out on the river is fun, but it's important to be prepared! Strong currents, cold water, uneven river bottoms, changing water levels, and possible debris can impact your splash session in and around Rancho Cordova. Buckle up and don't forget to wear a life jacket. Kids under 13 MUST wear a life preserver according to local ordinance SCO 13.08.301 (a).
For more water safety rules, regulations, and recommendations, read the Regional Parks Water Guide for Sacramento County.