Rancho Seco Recreational Area
Get back to nature at Rancho Seco Recreational Area
A short 25 minute drive from downtown Sacramento, you’ll find the 400-acre park that makes up the Rancho Seco Recreational Area. Take a short vacation and enjoy bird watching, boating, camping, fishing, hiking and even a sanctuary for rescued exotic animals and wildlife. Camp in comfort with recreation and concession buildings, shade structures, laundry facility, boathouse and newly renovated restrooms and showers.
Your health, well-being and safety are our top priority.
As we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic together, we’ve made some changes at our Rancho Seco Recreational Area to comply with the Sacramento County Public Health Officers new Public Health Order effective May 1 at 11:59 PM. To reduce the risks for the public and the park operators employees, we’re taking the following measures.
- Park hours restored to seasonal standard 7 AM – 6 PM (Monday – Sunday)
- Social distancing rules are in effect. Maintain 6 ft. between you and those around you.
- We’ve reduced the number of day use vehicles allowed in the park to 120. Park will close once this number is reached.
- Any type of group gatherings are not permitted.
- Most restrooms are open with the exception of the beach area.
- Beach is closed and fenced off. Swimming is not allowed.
- Showers are closed.
- No tent camping.
Permitted activities:
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Kayaking/Boating (Boat rentals are available)
- Dog Park
- Picnicking (BBQ)
- RV sites are active with reservations.
Our park operator has the authority to close or limit park access at any time.
Please, be safe and stay well.
More information
For information and reservations, call 1-800-416-6992 (Monday through Friday).
Hiking opportunities
Self-led hikes
Enjoy an easy seven mile round trip hike at the Howard Ranch Trail. The walk along the lake offers something special in each season – vernal pools in late winter, soft carpets of wildflowers in spring, contented cattle grazing on lush grass. It’s a working cattle ranch, so please leave your canine friends home.
Docent-led hikes
For those who would like to learn from local naturalist volunteers on docent-led hikes, the Cosumnes River Preserve offers springtime hikes on the Howard Ranch Trail. Each hike begins at 8:30 AM, takes 3+ hours and is taken at a casual pace.