The William B. Pond Park is part of the American River Parkway and across the river from the American River Bend Park. It’s a large manicured park with lots of picnic areas, access to a boardwalk and viewing platform, the American River, and the Jedediah Smith bike trail .

• Easy to Locate? Yes
• Pet Friendly? Yes. Dogs MUST be on a leash
• Easy to Walk? Yes.
• Is there a Fee? You can get a day-pass at the kiosk by the front gate or get an annual pass which is good for all Sacramento County parks along the American River Parkway.
• Are there Restrooms? Yes.
• Is there Accessible Parking? Yes
• Other Notes: Watch out for the cyclists; they generally don’t stop for pedestrians.

See my FLICKR account for more albums of photos taken at this location throughout the last several years.

I don’t go to this park often because it’s “too manicured” for my taste. I like nature parks developed primarily for nature not for humans. But, I do go out here in the early mornings to watch for otters in the river; and I also like to go here in the summer to look for galls on the oak tees.

How to Get to the Park

The Park is located at:
5700 Arden Way, Carmichael, CA 95608
Phone: (916) 875-6961
CLICK HERE for the park’s official website

From Sacramento:

• From Highway 50 East exit on Watt Avenue
• Turn LEFT onto Watt Avenue
• Take Watt Avenue to Fair Oaks Blvd.
• Turn RIGHT onto Fair Oaks Blvd.
• Take Fair Oaks Blvd. to Arden Way
• Turn RIGHT onto Arden Way
• Take Arden Way through residential areas until it ends at the gate to the park. Drive into the park and pay the fee at the kiosk