The Jo Smith Nature Trail is one of the best places to experience natural settings in Carmichael. 

The trail begins just south of the parking lot at Arcade Creek Park with a large grove of oak trees (which are home to a number of the area's families of wild turkeys.

During the early summer months, park visitors are frequently able to see salmon in some of the deeper (and cooler) parts of the creek.

After leaving the park, the trail passes beside the confluence of the Verde Cruz and Arcade Creeks and then continues to follow Arcade Creek downstream.

Along the trail, visitors will find signs identifying local plant and animal life that can be found in the park. There are also benches that allow you to enjoy the natural surroundings in the shade of large trees.

After approximately one-half mile, the nature trail crosses the creek to enter the American River College campus via the Jo Smith Nature Trail Pedestrian Bridge.

Once on the American River College campus, the Nature Trail continues for another half-mile past athletic practice fields, the softball field, and the stadium.

 About Jo Smith

The trail was named in honor of Jo Smith, an author and long-time advocate of the American River Parkway and nature in the Sacramento region. Smith, who died in 2008, was a resident of Sacramento for nearly fifty years and served on the boards of a number of civic organizations including the Arcade Creek Recreation and Park District.