Fun Outdoor Activities for the Entire Family in the Sacramento Area

The sun’s out, school’s out, and we should be getting out, too! With the relatively mild weather, there’s no excuse for us not to be spending more time outside with our families. After all, the kids have been cooped up in the classroom for months, and some much-needed family time is in order.

The greater Sacramento area has every type of outdoor activity at our fingertips, from biking to hiking to tubing and rafting. There are plenty of other fun, family-friendly outdoor activities throughout the greater Sacramento area the whole family will enjoy. From ziplining to fishing, following are some unique things to do in the sunshine before the weather gets too hot.

Ziplining

Photo courtesy Mother Lode River Center

Ziplining is one of the best ways to get your adrenaline pumping! There are several spots in the Sacramento area where you can soar across the sky. Mother Lode River Center in Lotus offers ziplining as part of its high ropes challenge program and its “ropes and rafting” experience. Quarry Park Adventures in Rocklin also offers ziplining, as well as rappelling and rock climbing.

Wakeboarding

Photo courtesy Wake Island Waterpark

Located just west of Placer County, Wake Island Waterpark is a great place to learn how to wakeboard, as it features overhead cables that pull riders across a man-made lake. Velocity Island Park in Woodland has a similar setup. Both offer lessons, a bouncy aqua park and paddleboarding as well.

Ropes Course

There’s something for everyone at Tree Top Sac in West Sacramento. The aerial adventure course has varying ropes challenges through a grove of heritage oaks. There are hanging bridges, ladders, a slack-line, platforms and ziplines to work your way through, across, over and under. They also have evening climbs in the summer.

Railbikes

Photo courtesy River Fox Train

Trains are fun. Bikes are fun. Combining the two is double the fun! The River Fox Train in West Sacramento now offers railbikes, where you pedal down the tracks on a unique two-seat contraption taking in the views of the Yolo countryside along the way. Of course, if you’d rather go old-school, you can always hop aboard one of their excursion trains instead.

Urban Scavenger Hunt

An urban scavenger hunt is a great way to have fun while learning something about your city at the same time. Beginning in downtown Sacramento, Urban Adventure Quest takes you on a journey through the city’s historic heart. Your phone provides challenges and clues, and you work together to learn interesting facts and discover hidden gems.

Fishing

Photo courtesy Department of Fish and Wildlife

Sure, the greater Sacramento is surrounded by lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, and every other type of body of water that are ideal for fishing. But for the youngest anglers, it’s best to start small. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife hosts “Fishing In the City,” comprising beginner fishing clinics for kids as young as 5 (and their families) at stocked locations across town. Rods and reels will be provided, as well as bait and tackle. The 1-hour clinics will focus on fundamentals such as casting, bait presentation, reeling, conservation and more. They will be held June 15 at Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova; July 1 Granite Regional Park in Sacramento; and July 15 at Elk Grove Regional Park in Elk Grove.

Footgolf

Much like the railbikes, footgolf takes two popular activities and combines them to create one super-activity! A combination of soccer and golf, footgolf involves soccer balls on a traditional golf course. There are several spots to play footgolf in the greater Sacramento area, including Haggin Oaks Golf Complex, Emerald Lakes Golf Course in Elk Grove, and Woodcreek Golf Club in Roseville.

Horseback Riding

Photo courtesy Boarding on the Lake

Do you have a rider in your family? Horseback riding is a great way to take in the outdoors, and there are plenty of spots in the greater Sacramento to explore. In Granite Bay, Boarding on the Lake offers guided trail rides along Folsom Lake, Shadow Glen Stables in Fair Oaks has rides at Lake Natoma, and Gibson Ranch Equestrian Center in Elverta has trail rides, a petting zoo and a stocked fishing pond.

Waterslides

Photo courtesy North Natomas Aquatics Center

True, we have yet to experience the 100+ degree days that are common with Sacramento summers. Still, a ride down a waterslide is one of the best ways to cool off even on a mild day. Golfland Sunsplash in Roseville is the largest waterpark in the region, with over a dozen waterslides, a wave pool and a lazy river, not to mention land activities such as miniature golf and laser tag. You’ll also find waterslides (although on a smaller scale) at the North Natomas Aquatics Complex, the Steve Miklos Aquatic Center in Folsom and the Wackford Aquatic Complex in Elk Grove.