Sailor Bar offers public river access via the Illinois Avenue entrance, which features a boat ramp for launching and parking facilities.

The 144-acre natural area provides multiple trail access points (Illinois, Olive, Kenneth, and Emperor Drive) for paddlers and anglers to reach the American River, with walking paths that have become popular among recreationalists since vehicle roads were closed in 2009.

Note: Sacramento County Regional Parks has temporarily paused plans to reopen interior gravel roads while developing an ADA accessibility plan for the site.