“When Regional Parks acquired this property in 1962, the goal was to retain the atmosphere of the ranch,” said Liz Bellas, Director of Regional Parks. “We are excited to continue working toward this goal, while also providing a large-scale regional park and offering facilities and unique recreational experiences not generally available in local or neighborhood parks.”
Gibson Ranch Regional Park is a 355-acre park that has an equestrian center and includes roughly 100 acres of pasture, a multi-use field and five miles of equestrian trails. Within the central core of Gibson Ranch are a Ranch House suitable for weddings and other gatherings; large stable and barn; numerous storage barns; paddocks; corrals; a horse arena and cabins, which can be used as overnight facilities for camp programs or other events. The park also contains group and family picnic facilities, restrooms and a large fishing lake.
In preparing for this management transition, Regional Parks has opened four full-time positions and awarded Trail Brothers, LLC a five (5) year contract for equestrian services.
Trail Brothers, LLC will operate and provide horse trail riding, lessons, training, and horse boarding services, at reasonable rates, to enhance park visitors’ recreational and educational experiences at Gibson Ranch Regional Park.
Regional Parks will be hosting a community volunteer event at Gibson Ranch on Sunday, Dec. 8. from 9 a.m. – Noon. The public is welcome to join Parks staff as we complete some volunteer projects around the park.
The history of Gibson Ranch goes back to the early 1800s when the area now known as Rio Linda was part of Rancho Del Paso Mexican Land Grant. At that time and in later years, the area began to be homesteaded by a few families and was called Dry Creek. Originally, the ranch was homesteaded by the Wood family who built a home there in the 1870s. The land passed through several owners until the 1950s when approximately 1,700 acres were owned by the R.H. Gibson family. The County of Sacramento purchased a portion of the property in 1962 from the Valley Investment Company and created Gibson Ranch Regional Park. Subsequent land acquisitions in the 1970’s and beyond brought the total acreage of the park to 355 acres.
The
vehicle entrance fee for Gibson Ranch Regional Park, and all other County Parks, is $5. Regional Parks Annual Pass holders receive free daily entry. For more information on parks passes, visit the
Regional Parks website.
