The Sacramento State Aquatic Center is the perfect place to spend a day if you love being outdoors. You can rent a canoe or kayak for a family outing or take part in urban agriculture lessons at Soil Born Farms. If you want your child to learn more about the environment, enroll them in a youth class at Nimbus Hatchery on Lake Natoma. The best time to see salmon running up the fish ladder is November or December. Stop by the free visitor center to explore the kid-friendly museum and learn about the fish life cycle. The museum is open every day from 3 p.m.
Let’s learn more about Sacramento State Aquatic Center.
The Sacramento State Aquatic Center is a place where students, staff, and the general public can come to learn and have fun. The Aquatic Center is operated by Associated Students Inc. of California State University, Sacramento, and the University Union of Sac State. The California Division of Boating and Waterways and the California Department of Parks and Recreation also help support the Aquatic Center. In addition to funding boating facilities, the Department of Boating and Waterways also provides boating safety education and supports boating law enforcement in California.
The center was established in 1981 as a place where people could come to learn about kinesiology and how to apply it in their everyday lives. The center offers a series of progressive summer camps and youth programs.
- Find the best summer camps for your children
The Aquatic Center covers eight acres of land and boasts features such as a beach area, picnic tables, barbeques, four docks, classrooms, and convenient parking. This year, the Youth Camps have served over 3,500 children and teens in a variety of Aquatic Activities for children between the ages of 7-17. These activities include Sailing, Windsurfing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Wakeboarding, Water Skiing, Jet Skiing, Rowing, Stand-up Paddling, White Water Rafting, and motorboat safety.
The department provides a portion of the equipment at the center to enhance boating safety education in California. The Aquatic Center has been involved with youth programs for over 30 years and is recognized as the benchmark for boating safety. When the first Summer Aquatic Camp was started, no one could have imagined the tremendous response. The Aquatic Center offers a variety of courses, from beginner to advanced, that help boaters of all levels stay safe on the water.
Every Thursday during summer camp, they host a Parent’s night on the water. This is an excellent opportunity for families, guests, and campers to participate in some free boating.
- Equipment Rental
Enjoying beautiful Lake Natoma does not require owning your equipment. The Aquatic Center rents canoes, sit-on-top kayaks, hydro bikes, and beach cruiser bicycles to the general public so that you can spend an afternoon on the water. Rental rates are hourly and prorated to the nearest quarter hour; please see our boat rentals page for pricing.
- Youth Programs
The youth camps cater to a wide range of age groups, from 7 to 17 years old. They offer a variety of bases, including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, wakeboarding, water skiing, jet skiing, and rowing. No matter what your interests are, they have a camp that’s perfect for you.
Other great places to check out nearby include Nimbus Fish Hatchery, Sacramento State University, Discovery Park, and Lake Natoma – all of which are home to the unique Sacramento State Aquatic Center. Let’s take a dip at Nimbus Fish Hatchery in detail.
Nimbus Fish Hatchery
Situated on the banks of the American River, Nimbus Fish Hatchery was designed to replace the salmon and steelhead runs stopped by Nimbus and Folsom dams. By raising and releasing young fish into the Nimbus Dam tailrace, the hatchery staff hopes to create a self-sustaining population of salmon and steelhead in the American River.
Things to do at Nimbus Fish Hatchery
The Nimbus Hatchery is a great place to spend time outdoors if you’re looking to explore the Sacramento region. It’s free to enter, and there’s always something interesting going on. The hatchery raises around 4.2 million salmon fingerlings each year, which are eventually released back into the Sacramento River-San Joaquin Estuary. In addition to salmon, the hatchery also raises steelhead trout, which are released into the Sacramento River near Rio Vista.
The salmon hatchery is a great place to visit for both children and adults. You can view the baby salmon and buy fish food from several gumball-like dispensers to feed them. There are also several other areas to visit, including the Visitor Center with its interactive fish fact displays and exciting info about the Sacramento region. Next door to the visitor center, you’ll find two fish pens with hatchlings and fish of different sizes that you can feed.
- The American River Bike Trail is a magnificent 30-mile trail running from Old Sacramento to Lake Folsom. It’s a popular destination for hikers, walkers, joggers, and bikers who enjoy the safe and serene environment, complete with lively squirrels and birds shaded by various trees, flowers, and foliage.
- The William B. Pond Park area is worth a visit while you’re in the area – you might even spot some deer, wild turkeys, or jackrabbits! Plus, loads of wild raspberries and blackberries are growing along the trail. Other great places to check out nearby include Sacramento State University, Discovery Park, and Lake Natoma – all of which are home to the unique Sacramento State Aquatic Center.
- Renting kayaks to explore the lake is a popular activity for adventurers. The kayaks allow you to get up close to fish swimming nearby and see the different plants in the swampy areas. You can also drop your line in many spots along the trail to try your luck at fishing.
The Nimbus Fish Hatchery is a great place to learn about salmon and steelhead trout, and the American River Bike Trail is the perfect way to experience everything the incubator offers. If you plan your visit for mid-October, you’ll be able to attend the annual American River Salmon Festival. This event features music, art, food, and recreation, focusing on educating attendees about the life of the Pacific Salmon.
