Valley Oak Park: A Hidden Gem in North Natomas

On the surface, Valley Oak Park might seem like a typical park in Sacramento with a playground, but it stands out for one very unique feature. Basketball fans will especially appreciate this park!

With two toddlers who love basketball, I had been searching for parks in Sacramento with small, outdoor hoops for young children. This search led me to Valley Oak Park in North Natomas, where I discovered that the park had a whole bankshot basketball court, and included a few short and small hoops that toddlers can actually reach.

Besides the bankshot basketball court, the two playgrounds are nice, featuring a tire swing and a massive horse statue that doubles as a seasonal water mister for hot summer days.

Check out a preview of Valley Oak Park in my Instagram Reel.

The Hidden Gem: Bankshot Basketball

Truly, the most unique aspect about Valley Oak Park is the bankshot basketball court. If you’ve never heard of bankshot basketball, hoops come in all sizes, with backboards in various shapes. The intent is to bank the basketball off the various styled backboards and bank the ball in the hoop. It’s a colorful court where people of all ages can have fun playing on the different bankshot basketball hoops.

The bankshot basketball court has two small hoops that toddlers can reach, which is exciting if you have toddlers who love basketball but can never play when they walk by typical basketball courts at a playground.

When I was growing up, we had a bankshot basketball court, but to play, you had to pay. So it’s pretty awesome that this is free for the public in a park.

The bankshot basketball court could use some love—nets are missing on some hoops, and paint is wearing off, but it still makes for a fun family activity. Don’t forget to bring a basketball with you!

Playgrounds at Valley Oak Park

Valley Oak Park has two western and ranch-themed playgrounds. The older kids’ playground has a large shade over it. There are regular swings and a tire swing.

The toddler playground also has a shade over it. There are bucket swings, and over fun features like horses they can ride and bounce on.

These are fun playgrounds that stay true to their western theming and add to the fun experience in the park.

Seasonal Horse Mister

You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see a gigantic horse statue on its hind legs. This horse isn’t just for show and is actually a seasonal water mister at the park. It’s a fun extra feature for kids to splash around when the temperatures start heating up after playing bankshot basketball or climbing on the playgrounds.

Interested in more water play for kids? Discover the best splash pads in Sacramento for kids.

North Natomas, Wild Rose and Valley Oak Loop Bike Trail

Valley Oak Park is an access point on a bike loop trail in North Natomas. This trail is 3.5 miles long and is a family-friendly, flat, and easy bike trail. It passes by several North Natomas parks, including Valley Oak Park, Magnolia Park, Wild Rose Park, and North Natomas Regional Park. Not only do all four of these parks have playgrounds, but they also have water misters or splash pads!

View the North Natomas, Wild Rose, and Valley Oak Loop bike trail on AllTrails. Plus, bookmark these other spots for kids to ride bikes in Sacramento.

Restrooms & Picnic Tables

Valley Oak Park has restrooms next to the playground for older children. There is a large shaded picnic area at the center of the park between the playgrounds and the horse water mister.

Other Park Amenities

Additional amenities at Valley Oak Park include:

• Ball wall court
• 1/2 basketball court
• Tennis courts
• Volleyball courts

Where is Valley Oak Park?

Valley Oak Park is in North Natomas, a neighborhood in Sacramento. While North Natomas Regional Park is the most popular park in North Natomas, there are many other parks worth checking out in this Sacramento neighborhood.

There is another park in Sacramento with the same name as Valley Oak Park. Plug in the address below on Mabry Drive to reach the correct park in North Natomas.

Valley Oak Park Address: 2661 Mabry Drive, Sacramento, CA