The Sacramento drains approximately 26,300 square miles of land, carrying nearly one third of the total annual runoff of all California streams. It is fed along its way to the Pacific Ocean by the McCloud, Pit, Bear, Yuba, Feather and American Rivers.

As farmers and ranchers settled the Sacramento River Valley in the mid-1800's, the river began to serve as a highway for transporting goods and people as well as supplying water for irrigation and drinking water. Today, the Sacramento River supports a variety of recreational activities including all types of boating, fishing, water-skiing, hiking, picnicking and camping. There are fishing resorts, public parks, boat ramps, and various access sites along the length of the river. Lands along the river are owned and managed by various public and private entities. The majority of the land is private property. Please do not trespass. Get permission from the owner before using private land. Some portions of public lands are fragile riparian (river-side) forest or wildlife preserves which should not be disturbed. The courteous boater should use riverbanks specifically designated for recreational purposes.

Navigating the Sacramento River can be an enjoyable experience if you familiarize yourself with its special characteristics. Between Woodson Bridge and Colusa State Park, the channel has not been dredged and there are no nautical charts to show its water depths. Numerous powerboaters and non-powerboaters will be sharing the river with you. The most common boats used on this part of the river are fishing boats, canoes, rafts and other inflatable craft.

River Access

There are two access points around Woodson Bridge: the Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area, with restrooms, picnic tables, camping facilities, and parking 1/2 mile from camp, and the Tehama County River Park, with parking, a boat launch, restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, beach, and telephones.

Four access points near Hamilton City have a variety of facilities. Irving Finch River Access offers parking, boat launch, restrooms, drinking water, and picnic tables. The Pine Creek Landing has parking, picnic tables, and "car top" boat launching only during high flows. Scotty's Boat Landing provides parking, boat launch, restrooms, drinking water, and telephones. Further downstream, Big Chico Creek Day Use Area offers 4-wheel drive boat launching and parking, restrooms and a beach. Just south of Hamilton City, near the town of Ordbend, at Ordbend Park, one will find parking, boat launch, restrooms, drinking water, and picnic tables.

North of Princeton, near Butte City, the Butte City Launch Facilities offers parking, boat launch, restrooms, drinking water, and picnic tables. The Princeton Ferry connects Road 67 with Highway 45. The Princeton access point, which is located at the end of an unmarked 4-wheel drive access road across from State St. and the Princeton High School, provides gravel parking, launch area, and a beach.

Colusa Weir Recreation Area has parking and "car top" launching for seasonal use, with an 1/8 mile trail to the river. Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area provides parking, boat launch, restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, a beach, telephones, ranger station, and camping. Colusa Levee Scenic Park offers parking, picnic tables, and "car top" launching down a steep slope. Downstream from Colusa, Ward's Boat Landing has parking, boat launch, restrooms, drinking water, picnic tables, telephones, and camping.