Outdoor Activities

Find outdoor activities Rancho Cordova, from water sports to cycling to skydiving. With Lake Natoma and the American River Bike Trail, there are many options.

There are so many things to do in and near Rancho Cordova, a temperate city year-round! In the Spring, visitors and residents love to hit the trails, go cycling, or spend time soaking up nature's blooms. Our access to the American River and Lake Natoma offers a wealth of summer watersport activities for the whole family. Fall and winter foliage within the region truly show off, providing the perfect backdrop to community events and day trips to Apple Hill. Here are our favorite things to do, no matter if you love fun on the water, land, or sky!

Top Annual Events

Water

American River – Float, fish, and frolic in the American River, which winds through Rancho Cordova. American River Raft Rentals offers an opportunity (seasonal) to take a self-guided tour down this peaceful family-friendly section of the river. Check out Fish Habit Outfitters for fantastic guided fly fishing experiences on the American River, where, depending on the season, you can catch striped bass, shad, Chinook salmon, and steelhead.

South Fork American River – The most popular whitewater in California! Class II-III whitewater rafting is available seasonally through several companies on the South Fork of the American River. For big-time adrenaline-pumping adventure, the Middle Fork offers Class IV rapids, and the North Fork offers up to Class V whitewater.

Lake Natoma/Sacramento State Aquatic Center – SUP, kayaking, sailing, rowing, fishing, bird watching, people watching. Rentals are available.

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area – Waterskiing, wakeboarding, sailing, kayaking, swimming, hiking, and picnicking make this a favorite NorCal lake.

Cordova Community Pool – Find fun events, meets, and community swim times at the newest pool in Rancho Cordova.

Land

American River Parkway Trail – Well-suited for all ages, this 32-mile paved trail, officially known as the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail, follows the river along the American River Parkway. Rancho Cordova sits in the center of it all, making for a perfect place to access this scenic trail.

Rancho Cordova Barrel District – If you love local libations, you'll go wild for the craft beers, cocktails, hard kombucha, mead, and wine that you can find across Rancho Cordova! Many locations offer indoor and outdoor seating, food trucks, and pub trivia!

Prairie City State OHV Park – Tracks, turns, trails – Prairie City off-highway vehicle park offers miles and miles of fun.

Mather Golf Course – Play around on this serene Jack Fleming-designed championship course, which also happens to be a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

Murieta Equestrian Center – A facility that makes for many happy horses. Catch a horse, pony, or dog show here!

Shadow Glen Family Stables – Learn to ride a horse and enjoy a beautiful group ride along the trails of Rancho Cordova.

Sky

From romantic hot air balloon rides to a thrill-seeking leap from a plane, the sky is the limit.

Hot Air Balloon Rides – For a view up high, Sky Drifters is the Sacramento Valley’s only full-time operation. Great for individuals or groups.

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