Cosumnes River

 
View of the Cosumnes River and riparian woodlandGeese in flight on the Cosumnes River PreserveSunset view of Staten Island

General Information

Three segments of the last undammed river in the western Sierra offer cool spots for swimming and plenty of oak shaded relief from the unrelenting Central Valley summer. Another river option is a trip back through time at the Cosumnes River Preserve and Visitor Center. This mullt-partner preserve is a cooperative including BLM, Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Sacramento County and others. This venture also protects one of the finest remaining valley oak riparian forests left in California.

When to go: Year-round

Getting there: Swimming sites are off Aukum and Bucks Bar Roads, East of Highway 49 and Southeast of Placerville.  The Cosumnes River Preserve and Visitor Center, from Sacramento South on Interstate-5 exit near Sacramento-San Joaquin County lines.  See their website at:  www.cosumnes.org

Put-in: No public access from Highway 49 to Rancho Mureitta

  River Class: I

River Recreation