Spend the Day — or Night — at Brannan Island State Recreation Area
Located in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, Brannan Island State Recreation Area (www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=487) is a boater’s delight, as there’s no shortage of waterways, marshes and islands to explore. That said, the land-based facilities are also worth a visit, especially if you want to camp, hike or fish from the pier. Even better — a good portion of those facilities are accessible to wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Catch Your Limit
Surrounded by the Sacramento River on the west, Three Mile Slough on the southeast and Seven Mile Slough on the northeast, Brannan Island is an excellent choice for anglers. To get to the wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, follow the park road past the campgrounds and the boat launch to almost the end of the road. The pier is located on the right, just past the day use area.
There’s accessible parking nearby, with level access out to this secluded pier that overlooks Seven Mile Slough. Not only is it an accessible fishing spot, but it’s a fishing spot where you can hook everything from striped bass, sturgeon, and catfish, to bluegill, perch and bullhead. There’s also a nice accessible picnic table with a good water view, so pack along a lunch to enjoy alfresco .
Hit the Trail
If you’d like a little exercise, there’s also a nice three-mile wheelchair accessible trail through the park. It’s a slightly different route than the one depicted on the park map, but it’s still an enjoyable stroll. The trail begins at the end of the park road, near the accessible fishing pier. This wide paved trail climbs slowly to the top of a small hill, with level spots to stop and rest along the way. After that it’s a pretty level roll through the grassland area and around the eucalyptus grove.
At about the 1.25-mile mark, make a left, cross the park road and follow the signs to Willow Campground. Next, bear left and continue along the campground road past the restrooms, through the walk-in campground and past the boat berthing area.
At this point the route differs from the one on the park map, as the portion of the trail that runs through the picnic area is closed. So instead of following the trail to the right, make a left and head to the far end of the parking lot. Then cross the park road and reconnect to the original trail. It’s a pleasant stroll, with plenty of benches and picnic tables to stop and rest along the way.
Pitch Your Tent at Brannan Island
If you like to extend your stay, there are two campgrounds in the park. And the good news is, both of them include accessible campsites.
The Cottonwood Campground is located close to the entrance, and includes five accessible campsites — 55, 57, 74, 92 and 95. They all feature a level tent pad, an accessible picnic table and a raised grill. Accessible campsites 14, 28, 36, 43 and 44 include the same access features, but they are located in the adjacent Willow Campground. All of the accessible campsites are close to accessible restrooms; however campsite 14, 28, 43, 44, 55 and 57 are the closest to them. Campsite 14 is particularly attractive, as it also features a nice shade tree.
It should also be noted that the accessible campsites can only be reserved by people who have an accessible parking placard or license plates. Visitors will be asked to show their placards at check-in, and if nobody in the party has one, the reservation will be cancelled on the spot. No refunds will be issued for reservations cancelled for this reason, so double check to make sure you have your placard before you leave home.
The Brannan Island campgrounds are incredibly popular from May to October, so plan ahead to avoid disappointment. Reservations can be made at https://www.reservecalifornia.com/Web/ or by calling (800) 444-7275.
