Folsom Lake

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Folsom Lake’s miles of shoreline and waterside trails attract millions of boaters, equestrians, cyclists, California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (916) 988-0205. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact interp@parks.ca.gov. CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service www.parks.ca.gov Folsom Lake State Recreation Area 7755 Folsom-Auburn Road Folsom, CA 95630 (916) 988-0205 © 2008 California State Parks (Rev. 2022) and hikers each year. F olsom Lake State Recreation Area offers scenic panoramas of open grasslands, rolling hills, the Sierra Nevada, Sacramento Valley, and the Bay Area’s Mount Diablo. Folsom Lake State Scenic views Recreation Area covers 19,500 acres. Its two reservoirs, Folsom and Natoma, attract about two million visitors annually. The climate is typical of Sacramento area. Hot summers require a sunhat and sun block. In winter, fog brings a chill. Spring and fall offer rainy or warm days with cooler evenings and nights. PARK HISTORY Native People For thousands of years, the land near Folsom Lake belonged to the Southern Maidu or Nisenan (“from among us”). The Nisenan lived in temporary summer shelters made from peeled tree bark. In winter they dwelled in permanent villages on the American River. These villages had community buildings, including kum ceremonial and guest structures. The Nisenan traded with other native groups, exchanging local acorns for black oak acorns, manzanita berries, and sugar pine nuts. Coastal people traded with the Nisenan for oyster shells, shell beads, and basket materials. The Nisenan are still known worldwide for their woven baskets made from willow, redbud, tule, milkweed, sedge grass, and native grapevines. After the 1848 gold discovery, most of the Nisenan lands were given away as Spanish land grants. The native people were overwhelmed by the loss of their food sources and by diseases like smallpox. The Nisenan people were nearly decimated, but today their descendants live in nearby communities or on reservations. FOLSOM DAM Folsom Lake was created in 1955 by the construction of Folsom Dam, a concrete dam flanked by earth wing dams and dikes, with a total length of about nine miles. The shoreline extends about 15 miles up the forks of the American River. Lake level normally varies from 460 feet in early spring to less than 400 feet by summer. Downstream, behind Nimbus Dam, smaller Lake Natoma has about 500 surface acres of water. Built by the Bureau of Reclamation as part of California’s Central Valley Project, Nimbus and Folsom Dams control the waters of the American River and provide flood protection, household water supply, power, and irrigation. THE FOLSOM POWERHOUSE Nearby Folsom Powerhouse was built to harness the water power of the American River at the original Folsom Dam, completed by Folsom Prison laborers in 1893. The Powerhouse landmark, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a state historic park. PLANTS AND WILDLIFE Blue oaks, interior live oaks, foothill pines, and annual grasses dot the open woodlands. In the spring, blooming wildflowers include Indian paintbrush, larkspur, lupine, brodiaea, fiddleneck, dutchman’s pipe, and monkey flower. Black-tailed deer, raccoons, skunks, opossums, gray foxes, and coyotes are often seen in the park. Mountain lions and bobcats may occasionally be spotted. Beavers and river otters live in the Mormon Island Wetlands, a perfect area for bird watching. Nesting egrets, herons, and cormorants may be observed from the Willow Creek access. Year-round residents include Canada geese, blackbirds, scrub jays, quail, wrens, bushtits, and towhees. Wrentits and California thrashers sing in the chamise-chaparral. Look for kingfishers and grebes near the water. Red-tailed hawks, kestrels, ospreys, and eagles might be seen soaring over the lake. Folsom Lake and Dam Photo courtesy of Sacramento State Aquatic Center RECREATION from the town of Pilot Hill on Highway 49. Fishing  —  Folsom Beals Point Campground   Lake waters hold Just north of Folsom Dam, trout, catfish, Beals Point has 49 family largemouth and campsites and 20 RV hookup smallmouth bass, sites for trailers and motor perch, and kokanee homes up to 31 feet. A salmon. A valid sanitation station, piped California fishing drinking water, and wheelchairlicense is required. accessible restrooms with hot Lake Natoma’s showers are available nearby. accessible pier and fishing platform is at Nimbus Flat. Boating  —  Launching facilities are located Windsurfing on Folsom Lake at several places around the lake (see map for details). The marina at Brown’s Ravine also features boat slips, a towing service, a gas dock, and snack bar. CAUTION: Boaters should be alert for floating debris. Watch carefully for underwater hazards, especially when the lake level is very low. Observe speed limits. Horseback riding trails at Folsom Lake Camping Black Miners Bar Group Campsites  —   On Peninsula Campground  —  A hundred family the north shore of Lake Natoma, three group campsites  —   some accessible  —  accommodate campsites are available. Two can hold up to trailers up to 18 feet and motor homes up to 50 people each and one can accommodate 24 feet. A sanitation station is provided. No up to 25 people. site hookups are available. Accessible flush Reservations  —  Reserve campsites at all toilets, hot showers, and piped drinking water campgrounds by calling (800) 444-7275 or are available. Two launch ramps and a dayvisiting www.parks.ca.gov. use area are near this secluded campground Boat Camping  —  You may camp overnight at the end of the Peninsula between the north aboard your self-contained sailboat or and south forks of the American River. Reach powerboat only in designated mooring areas. the area by boat or drive ten miles south Obtain a map of the mooring areas when registering for boat camping at the Granite Bay entrance station or the marina at Brown’s Ravine. If no one is available when you arrive, contact park headquarters. Your boat must have self-contained sanitary and gray-water systems with sleeping accommodations for all aboard. You may camp ashore at the Peninsula Campground only in a designated campsite. Beach the bow of your boat and anchor off the stern. A secure tie-up is essential, as the wind may rise during the night. Boat camping is limited to two consecutive nights. Picnicking  —  Family picnic sites are located at Willow Creek, Nimbus Flat, and Black Miners Bar on Lake Natoma, and at Beals Point, Brown’s Ravine, Granite Bay, the Peninsula area, and Folsom Point on Folsom Lake. Beals Point, Nimbus Flat, and Peninsula have accessible picnic tables, restrooms, and parking. All sites have barbecues; bring charcoal. The group picnic area at Granite Bay holds up to 200 people. Reserve by calling (916) 988-0205. Lake Natoma accessible picnic area Darrington Trail is a popular mountain bike trail on the south fork of Folsom Lake, near Salmon Falls. Beach  /  Shore Access  —  Call ahead to reserve a beach wheelchair for two hours at the Beals Point or Granite Bay day-use areas. Nimbus Dam ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Accessibility in California State Parks is continually improving. For specific details, visit www.access.parks.ca.gov. Photo courtesy of Sacramento State Aquatic Center Horseback Riding  —  Horse trailers can unload and park at several equestrian EXHIBITS  /  PROGRAMS staging areas. Granite Bay has hitching rails, The American River Water Education Center a water trough, and chemical toilets. Other interprets water conservation and the staging areas are located at Black Miners Bar, American River Rattlesnake Bar, Watershed. For Brown’s Ravine, information, Old Salmon Falls, call (916) 989-7100; for Falcon Crest, and tours, call (916) 989-7132 Sterling Pointe. or see www.usbr.gov/ Trails  —  The park mp/arwec. has 95 miles of AQUATIC CENTER trails for hikers, The Sacramento bicyclists, runners, State Aquatic Center and horseback offers boat rentals riders. The trail and boating safety system includes classes. The facility is the Pioneer cooperatively operated Express Trail, by California State Parks, which is part of the its Division of Boating Canoeing at Lake Natoma 50-mile Western and Waterways, and States/Pioneer the Associated Students of California State Express National Recreation Trail. Oaks University, Sacramento. For schedules, call Nature Trail is accessible. (916) 278-2842 or visit A paved, mostly accessible bicycle trail www.sacstateaquaticcenter.com. loops around Lake Natoma, linking to Beals Point and the American River Bike Trail. NEARBY STATE PARKS • Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park 9980 Greenback Lane Folsom 95630 (916) 985-4843 • Auburn SRA 501 El Dorado St. Auburn 95602 (530) 885-4527 PLEASE REMEMBER • Grass, brush, and trees become tinderdry. Wildfires are a serious threat. Fires are allowed only in the camp stoves or fire rings provided. • Poison oak is present throughout the park. Even when dormant, poison oak can cause a serious rash. • Rattlesnakes, mountain lions, or bobcats may be present in the park. Do not walk alone in Poison Oak isolated areas. Report sightings to park staff. • Floating debris, an uneven lake bottom, and rock outcroppings are hazards for boaters and swimmers. Swim only in designated areas. No diving is permitted. • All cultural and natural features are protected by law and may not be disturbed or removed. AUBURN ’ - m lso M ad Ro ai du 14 Drive ’ 49 STATE Au bu r 0’ RECREATION 60 AREA a 800 600 E on ee r Pi 1200 ’ ’ 800 Trail Express r ee on rk Pi or th N es Tr ail Ra ttl Blvd Folsom Main Avenue Ro ad Salm o 0’ ’ 60 oad ll s R 800’ Fa on Sal m 1200’ Road Creek 800’ Deer Food Services Trail: Accessible Horse Staging Area Trail: Hike & Bike Marina to Placerville 0’ 50 d Accessible Feature d Park Headquarters Trail: Hike & Horse Trail: Multi-Use Point Roa Ro a Scott Road Nimbus Flat P Fishing Paved Road Ro ck 200’ ik e Trail 20 a 800’ York New Mo et This park receives support in part from a nonprofit organization. For more information, contact Friends of Lakes Folsom and Natoma P.O. Box 257, Orangevale, CA 95662 www.folfan.org Campground: RV ad m to Placerville Major Road Ro to 1200 er ica n m h Sou t rma n Isl r tre ty 0’ G et Main Avenue Hazel Avenue Avenue lS Iron Ci k a eN Willow Creek Darri ngt on 600’ 800’ 600’ Auburn - Folsom Road 0’ 40 Ro Fo rra S ie Sierra College Boulevard rie Hazel el ’ Freeway oad hR FOLSOM dw Legend c Ran k Cree 400’ Bi Ro d Blv st y ills Ea pire Em 200’ River American 0’ 40 0’ 20 0’ 20 vin do H El Dora Ra d eR t w ’ EL DORADO HILLS ee illo 00 400’ Va 600’ ai Blv e MORMON ISLAND WETLANDS NATURAL PRESERVE Natoma Street y ad 1200 Pr d m lso lle en lle S tr et re St ey to Rancho Cordova l Sib rB Alder Creek Fo ue Bl t ive ican R Amer La Sacramento State Aquatic Center Va 60 Mississippi Bar Nimbus Dam Overlook Nimbus Dam 50 yS W Shadow Glen Riding Stables Winding Way can River eri Am le FAIR OAKS n ma Nato Ri Sunset Avenue Str Rainbow Bridge Folsom Powerhouse SHP 0’ Greenback Lane Madison Avenue a tom Na ee Va re T ra il ad y Ro ay rkw Pa Black Miners Bar 20 Greenback Lane y Co ve ’ Creek lle Sophia 0’ wa Folsom Point in 1400 er G P FOLSOM PRISON n Priso Road 20 rk 12 ORANGEVALE Pa 0’ 1400’ at etw Mormon Island g k 60 ail and Folsom Folsom La ke C ro ss Brown’s Ravine Folsom Lake Marina m Oa Skunk Hollow River Access Swe Revine Tr Lake Oak Avenue Salmon Falls Raft Take-out New York Creek Cove Folsom Da Oak Avenue Salmon Falls Bridge 800’ 600 800’ ’ P Old Salmon Falls Brown’s il Tra ss pre Ex Beals Point Park Headquarters South Fork Trail P 600’ k F or 600’ 0’ Darrington Trail ’ ’ A American River Water Education Center 20 800’ 600 River P r ee on Pi ’ ’ Douglas Boulevard 00 Granite Bay Granite Bay Activity Center 1400 00 4 Kilometers lls 14 3 Fa 0’ Peninsula Campground Dotons Point n C re e k 2 80 k 1 ad ke na C r ee 0 Bar Oaks Nature Trail Oak Point to Sacramento ’ 600’ P GRANITE BAY 2.5 Miles 1 ’ ANDERSON ISLAND NATURAL PRESERVE 12 400’ 2.0 800 1200 Beeks Bight RECREATION AREA 1.5 Wild Goose Flats Hancock 600’ STATE 1.0 Brown’s Ravine Staging Area .............. 3.2 New York Creek ........................................ 9.7 Old Salmon Falls .................................... 14.2 Sweetwater Creek ................................ 14.8 Salmon Falls Bridge .............................. 17.4 Peninsula Entrance Rd (Rattlesnake Bar Road) .................................................. 27.0 Springs 600’ FOLSOM LAKE 0.5 From Folsom Point to: Indian College B oulevard Lomida Lane ’ oad ’ ’ 00 14 Sterling Pointe 00 aR 16 ’ Horseshoe Bar 400’ 0 SOUTH FORK ARM TRAIL MILEAGE 600’ Black Miners Bar Staging Area ............................4.5 Rainbow Bridge........................................................5.0 Beals Point..................................................................9.2 Pioneer Express Trail Historic Monument ......9.5 Douglas Boulevard ............................................ 13.1 Granite Bay Staging Area.................................. 14.2 Beeks Bight ............................................................ 16.7 Horseshoe Bar ...................................................... 20.1 Rattlesnake Bar Staging Area.......................... 23.7 Auburn Staging Area ........................................ 34.4 65 lom to Coloma Rattlesnake Bar 0’ From Nimbus Overlook (Hazel Ave.) to: to Lincoln 12 Co 49 1400 P ROCKLIN PILOT HILL ’ ad 40 Bar Road ’ ’ 1400 sn a King Road PIONEER EXPRESS TRAIL MILEAGE 80 Rattlesnake 800’ o 600’ 50 Folsom Lake SRA 16 600’ R ke 5 99 to Lake Tahoe Folsom Powerhouse SHP s Road 0’ e m lso Fo lvd B 80 60 Trail 1200 tt l Douglas Blvd Folsom Sacramento Folsom Lake ’ ’ res xp Ra 80 Madison Ave 5 astle 49 Blvd to Redding wc 65 Roseville Ne Auburn SRA 1400 800 Road Auburn College Lincoln to San Francisco 0’ rra Sie 65 70 800’ 80 15 Km 10 600’ 5 0 Wh ite 99 to Reno 49 10 Mi 5 60 60 0 Rattlesnake Marysville 20 ’ ’ Road ’ 0’ 1200 80 1200 m lo Co State Recreation Area 00 AUBURN n Folsom Lake Fo ’ 00 80 800’ 12 800’ 1200 600’ Auburn Dam site 1400’ to Truckee 193 400’ Boat Launch: Hand Boat Launch: Vehicle Bridge Campground Campground: Group P Parking Picnic Area Picnic Area: Group Restrooms Restrooms: Floating RV Sanitation Station Swimming Trailhead © 2010 California State Parks (Rev. 2022)