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A vista from a hilltop at Salmon Falls Ranch, looking across rolling chaparral to the South Fork American River canyon.

Protected lands · Recreation

Acorn Creek Trailhead at Salmon Falls Ranch.

757 acres of chaparral ridge and oak woodland on the South Fork American River corridor — built and maintained by ARC, BLM, FATRAC, MLTS, REI Co-op, and the volunteers who show up every workday.

  • Trailhead

    Salmon Falls Road, El Dorado Hills

  • Parking

    Large gravel lot · day-use fee

  • Trail miles

    Several miles, expanding annually

  • Dogs

    Leashed at all times — protect cattle and dogs

Current notice

Trail closures planned for pile burning at Salmon Falls Ranch.

After a successful season of thinning work, vegetation piles will be burned through late fall and winter. Trail closures will happen with little to no notice when weather and humidity are right. Burning protects long-term access to this land and the nearby community.

Burn questions: stewardship@arconservancy.org · Pass questions: info@arconservancy.org

The land

Two phases. One willing seller. Then thirteen years of trail.

In 2011 and 2012, ARC purchased the 757-acre Salmon Falls Ranch in two phases from a willing seller using grant funds and private donations. In 2017, the trailhead and the trail east connected to the South Fork American River Trail through partnership with BLM. From 2020 to today, trail design and construction has continued in partnership with FATRAC (Folsom Auburn Trail Riders Action Coalition) and Motherlode Trail Stewardship — designed, funded, and built by volunteers, season after season.

A view across pine and chaparral to the river canyon at Salmon Falls Ranch.

  • 757

    Total acres protected

  • 2011

    Year of first acquisition phase

  • 2017

    Trailhead opened to the public

    Connection to SFART

  • $30

    ARC member discount on annual pass

Trip planner

What you need to know before you go.

  • Hikers

    Multi-use trails depart east toward Cronan Ranch and west under Salmon Falls Road through a large culvert.

  • Cyclists

    Trails accommodate mountain bikes — please yield to hikers and equestrians, especially on blind corners.

  • Equestrians

    Designed with FATRAC and equestrian groups. Roll-over cattle guards protect a small herd on the west side.

  • Cattle & gates

    A small herd grazes on the west side under a successful lease. Keep all gates closed and give cattle the right of way.

  • Dogs leashed

    Protects cattle, your dog, and the grazing lease. No exceptions.

  • Plan ahead

    Limited cell service. One portable restroom. No potable water. Visit the trailhead kiosk on arrival.

Day pass · Annual pass · Workdays

Pay your way in. Or build the trail yourself.

Day-use parking fees fund the trailhead. ARC members get $30 off the annual pass. New trails are being designed and built every season — sign up for a workday and be part of it.

Get an annual pass Volunteer for a workday