Mather Regional Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Mather Regional Park is a 1,600-acre park located in Sacramento, California.


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Summary

It is a popular destination for camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and boating. There are several good reasons to visit the park, including its scenic beauty and diverse wildlife. The park features several points of interest, including a lake, a nature center, and several hiking trails. The lake is stocked with fish, making it a popular destination for anglers. The nature center offers educational programs for visitors of all ages, and the hiking trails provide opportunities to explore the park's diverse plant and animal life.

Interesting facts about Mather Regional Park include its history as a former military base and its designation as a wildlife refuge. The park is home to a variety of animals, including deer, coyotes, and beavers. Visitors can also spot a variety of bird species, including bald eagles.

The best time of year to visit Mather Regional Park depends on the activities you are interested in. The park is open year-round, but temperatures can be quite hot in the summer months. Spring and fall are good times to visit for hiking and fishing, while winter offers opportunities for birdwatching and other wildlife viewing activities.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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