HomeCaliforniaFair Oaks › Bannister Park

Bannister Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 714 Google reviews · Running trail in Fair Oaks, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
1 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Bannister Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Paved1 miScenicDog-friendlyHillyRestroomsTrailhead parking

City park with a playground & sports fields, along with hiking, dog-walking & cycling trails.

What runners say about Bannister Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (714 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Trails and river access are well maintained .”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“Beautiful community park with a 1 mile paved path the American River - 2 miles to the river and back.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“What a peaceful walking (or running or biking) trail surrounded by trees and animals.”

Love the walk from Bannister!! Bannister to the fair oaks bridge is a 2.7 mile out and back..it's a great after work walk...

★★★★★ — Scott , Apr 2025

What a peaceful walking (or running or biking) trail surrounded by trees and animals. Keep an eye out for your small animals, there are coyotes!

★★★★★ — Lauren , Aug 2022

Beautiful community park with a 1 mile paved path the American River - 2 miles to the river and back. It's a great place to enjoy the outdoors and get your steps in!

★★★★★ — Nina , Dec 2022

Awesome neighborhood park with huge fields for soccer and other sports. Playground equipment, clean toilets!! and free parking. Want to get in some steps? Walk from Bannister to the Sunrise Bridge over the Anerican River on a bike path or wooded trail. Round trip is about 2 miles! Plenty of wildlife and adventure!

★★★★★ — Elizabeth , Sep 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 714 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🛣️ Paved surface 9 mentions

“Nice paved trail that is about two miles from the Parking lot at Bannister to the middle of the walking bridge at Sunrise.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 7 mentions

“Beautiful community park with a 1 mile paved path the American River - 2 miles to the river and back.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 7 mentions

“Nice paved trail that is about two miles from the Parking lot at Bannister to the middle of the walking bridge at Sunrise.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 7 mentions

“Great place for dogs, horses, kids and people.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“Great for trail running and hills.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Bathrooms are fairly clean .”

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Plan your run at Bannister Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • Distance1 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websiteforpd.org
  • Phone+1 916-966-1036

Hours

Monday 7 am–8 pm
Tuesday 7 am–8 pm
Wednesday 7 am–8 pm
Thursday 7 am–8 pm
Friday 7 am–8 pm
Saturday 7 am–8 pm
Sunday 7 am–8 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Bannister Park

3820 Bannister Rd, Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Get directions

Running trails near Fair Oaks

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

San Juan Rapids

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Riverside area for hiking, swimming, fishing and cycling amidst trees and rocks.

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Sunrise Recreation Area

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Waterfront stretch offering scenic hiking, biking & equestrian trails, river rafting & BBQ grills.

under a mile away

Schweitzer Grove Nature Area

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Relaxing park featuring green grass in the spring and benches, plus a network of footpaths.

under a mile away

Moose River Court River Access

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Sunriver Park

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ScenicDog-friendly

Green space featuring playgrounds, picnic tables, basketball and river access.

under a mile away

All running trails in Fair Oaks, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.