General Contact Number: (530) 621-5567

Parks and Trails

Image of the El Dorado TrailEl Dorado County Trail 

The County is actively developing this trail within the old Michigan/California Railroad right-of-way. The old railroad ran from Placerville east through Smith Flat and up to Camino. The first 2 miles of this trail corridor through Placerville has been developed by the city and is used by many residents and visitors. The county constructed a trailhead in Smith Flat and a bridge over Highway 50 that allows trail users access to another 4 miles of trail to Los Trampas in Camino Heights. A new section of the trail is scheduled for construction from Los Trampas Drive to Halcon Road in the fall of 2018.  The trail is proposed to continue with the new Camino interchange which trail will connect to the National Pony Express Trail Route and the proposed Sacramento-Placerville Rail Trail, which ultimately links the communities of South Lake Tahoe and the Sacramento Valley region. Western El Dorado County offers many bike opportunities for visitors and locals.  Click here to get more information on El Dorado County bike routes.

 

News and Upcoming Events

Please read the attached El Dorado Trail Access Improvements notice from the Department of Transportation. 

El Dorado Trail - the new Class 1 section of El Dorado Trail from Missouri Flat Road to the town of El Dorado is now open. 
For questions or concerns, please contact staff at (530) 621-5900, option 3.

El Dorado Trail - the new Class 1 section from Los Trampas Drive to Halcon Road is now open
For questions or concerns, please contact staff at (530) 621-5900, option 3.

Western Placerville Interchanges Project
This project includes the US Highway 50 eastbound off ramp to Ray Lawyer Drive, local road improvements to Forni Road and Ray Lawyer Drive, pedestrian facilities and the connecting of two segments of the El Dorado Trail Class I Bike Path.  Construction has begun and is anticipated to continue over the next two years.  When the construction schedule requires trail closures, public notices will be posted on the trail as well as on the Parks Division web site.  The project remains on schedule for completion by Summer 2019. Please see the Construction Updates listed below for more information.

El Dorado Trail - The City of Placerville has reopened the El Dorado Trail at Ray Lawyer Drive for through use! A couple of friendly reminders from the City of Placerville: 

  • The trail is open to through use only.  Please remember this is a 2-way trail and please use safely.
  • The trail will be striped at a later date and will experience temporary closure for that limited activity
  • Access to Ray Lawyer Drive and parts of Forni Road remain closed for construction activity, please respect the fencing for your safety.

If you would like to access more information about the City of Placerville's Project, please visit their website: https://www.cityofplacerville.org/capital-improvement-projects.

Trail Rental Information


Please call the Parks and Trails office at (530) 621-6052 or send an email to check rental availability.