Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

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Folsom Lake State Recreation Area A recreational area that includes Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma
Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Folsom Lake State Recreational Area includes the following areas:
Folsom Lake- Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, approximately 25 miles northeast of Sacramento. Folsom Lake is one of the most popular lakes in northern California. Attracting nearly three million people per year, the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is also one of the most visited recreation areas in the California State Park

system. Situated at the confluence of the north and south forks of the American River, Folsom Lake has approximately 75 miles of shoreline. The lake is formed by Folsom Dam, constructed in 1955 to control the flow of the American River, and it spans across three California counties; Placer, El Dorado, and Sacramento counties. The Folsom Lake State Recreation Area covers nearly 19,500 acres. Folsom Lake provides an abundance of recreational opportunities including swimming, fishing, boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing, and camping. Hikers, cyclists, equestrians, and nature enthusiasts alike enjoy the many miles of trails and wildlife within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Lake Natoma is an intermediate lake along the American River, located between Folsom Dam and Nimbus Dam in Sacramento County. The lake is located within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. It is a recreational lake for rowing, kayaking and swimming. Powerboats are permitted with a 5 mph "no wake" restriction. Lake Natoma includes the historic Negro Bar area in Folsom, the site of a gold rush era African-American mining camp. The Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park overlooks Lake Natoma in the city of Folsom. It is a California State Historical site, preserving an early hydroelectric powerhouse. A paved cycling and jogging trail encircles the lake along with unpaved equestrian trails. Several parking lots and boat launching ramps are also located around the lake

Coyotes, Bald Eagles, Phainopeplas, Oh My! We had a great time birding yesterday! Bird enthusiasts joined us from Stat...
09/12/2024

Coyotes, Bald Eagles, Phainopeplas, Oh My!

We had a great time birding yesterday! Bird enthusiasts joined us from State Parks and Sacramento Audubon Society Group to visit Beek's Bight to see what birds we could find and we found a TON! We also crossed paths with three coyotes on their own daily wanders.

Join us next time we go birding, sometime in January. Sign up for our newsletter to find out about it and make new friends!

See the top comment for a link to the full list of birds we found.

Salmon are still running up the American River! Join our State Parks Interpreters at the entrance of the new fish ladde...
07/12/2024

Salmon are still running up the American River! Join our State Parks Interpreters at the entrance of the new fish ladder to answer questions about the Chinook Salmon Fall Run now through mid-December. Come chat with us starting at 2 pm on December 7th, 14th, and 15th, to answer any fish queries you may have.

Parking is available at Nimbus Flat State Park for a day-use fee of $10 or with a State Parks annual pass/Library pass. Free parking is available at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. Both of these options are a short walk along the American River Bike Path to the entrance of the ladder. If you decide to park at the hatchery, check out their visitor center to learn more about these amazing fish!

State Parks will be out there light rain or shine! Need more directions to the ladder? Message us through Facebook with any questions!

Run, Salmon, Run! Last Sunday, folks came out and joined us to learn more about the Chinook Salmon that run up the Amer...
06/12/2024

Run, Salmon, Run! Last Sunday, folks came out and joined us to learn more about the Chinook Salmon that run up the American River to spawn. Our group learned about salmon life cycles, spawning, and the purpose of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery to track and maintain the population of these California staples.

If you want to know more about these impressive fish, keep an eye out for some upcoming events here on our socials! 👀

Last Friday, we opted outside and walked along the shores of the South Fork to the historic Salmon Falls Bridge, learnin...
05/12/2024

Last Friday, we opted outside and walked along the shores of the South Fork to the historic Salmon Falls Bridge, learning about the town of Salmon Falls and the bridges that serviced this region until the completion of Folsom Dam. While avoiding mud made by the recent storms, we were able to see wildlife along the way including a flock of Western Bluebirds and many little fungi growing!

Thank you to everyone who joined us this beautiful, bright, and crisp morning to learn about the history that is revealed when the water levels are low.

Despite a bit of a downpour, last Saturday some brave artists joined us for a trash clean up and painting activity at Bl...
01/12/2024

Despite a bit of a downpour, last Saturday some brave artists joined us for a trash clean up and painting activity at Black Miner's Bar. Some masterpieces were created and hopefully these snazzy reusable bags will go on to make a positive environmental impact by reducing plastic bag use (and looking pretty cool along the way).

Thanks to everyone who came out and painted. Clean up efforts like these make the park a better place for everyone who comes to visit.

We paddled to the wire! Thank you to everyone who made it to the Paddle up the Canyon program yesterday morning. We ta...
16/11/2024

We paddled to the wire! Thank you to everyone who made it to the Paddle up the Canyon program yesterday morning. We talked about the geology and human impacts that shaped the canyon into the landscape we see today. We also saw some neat birds, can anyone ID the bird in the third photo? Let us know in the comments below!

Calling all runners, joggers, and morning movement enthusiasts! Join us for a trail run next Sunday and get warmed up as...
12/11/2024

Calling all runners, joggers, and morning movement enthusiasts! Join us for a trail run next Sunday and get warmed up as fall brings us a little chill in the air. This program will be movement focused. You don't have to run the whole thing, but be ready for something a little more fast-paced!

Interested in getting moving this weekend? Get more information and sign up here-> https://forms.gle/ERqXpVrqpf53fKpi6

This morning we donned our binoculars and hit the trails to look for birds around Beek's Bight. We saw a beautiful Red-...
11/11/2024

This morning we donned our binoculars and hit the trails to look for birds around Beek's Bight. We saw a beautiful Red-shouldered Hawk (as seen in the second and third photos), as well as 7 Phainopepla (eighth photo), and many more!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a cool morning of birding along the lake!

P.S. There is another birding program like this one in December, so keep an eye out for more details soon!

Check out the eBird list for this hike, linked here: https://ebird.org/checklist/S202094666

**UPDATE 10/13: Event is now full! Any RSVPs will be waitlisted.** Looking to get outside and enjoy a crisp November mor...
10/11/2024

**UPDATE 10/13: Event is now full! Any RSVPs will be waitlisted.**

Looking to get outside and enjoy a crisp November morning? Join us Friday morning at 8:30 AM for a quest to find tracks, s**t, and other signs of the animals that call our park home.

Wanna join this program? RSVPs are required, sign up at https://forms.gle/atafowccupMfVNjz9

Have you made the trek "to the wire"? Whether its your first, or your fiftieth time, come out and join us for a paddle ...
10/11/2024

Have you made the trek "to the wire"? Whether its your first, or your fiftieth time, come out and join us for a paddle on Lake Natoma up the granite gorge, past the powerhouse and battle the current upstream (it'll actually be really calm though, no need to fret)!

Join us next Thursday at 9 AM for a paddle and enjoy a cool morning out on the lake with us. 😎
RSVPs are required for this event, sign up here
https://forms.gle/uowDp4HSzEP2BycH7

Last Sunday, we welcomed November with a breezy, clear, and beautiful morning stroll along the historic canal. Hikers l...
09/11/2024

Last Sunday, we welcomed November with a breezy, clear, and beautiful morning stroll along the historic canal. Hikers learned about how the canal connected the old Folsom Dam, Folsom Prison, and the Folsom Powerhouse, as well as their stories going all the way back to 1866! In addition to the history, we had a pleasant interruption by not one, but six Red-tailed hawks!

There was one other interesting species of bird flying over, can you identify it in the seventh photo? Let us know who you think it is in the comments below!

Thank you Jorge Zamudio for the photos of these awesome raptors!

Attention bikers, hikers, and walkers! The Lake Natoma bike path and American River bike trail routes around Lake Natoma...
09/11/2024

Attention bikers, hikers, and walkers! The Lake Natoma bike path and American River bike trail routes around Lake Natoma will be closed tomorrow morning, November 10th, from 6 AM - 1 PM (or until the event end, whichever is later). See the attached map for exact route closures.

This closure will serve to protect the runners of the Sacramento Running Association's 'Run the Parkway' event. Please note these closures when planning your Sunday morning outings. More information is available on our website, linked in the first comment. Thank you!

October 19th marked the 11th annual Electricity Fair held at the Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park. With many fun a...
08/11/2024

October 19th marked the 11th annual Electricity Fair held at the Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park. With many fun activities to learn about electricity and STEAM, and pumpkin carving to get into the Halloween spirit, this event was a great success!

Here are some favorite photos that we want to share and we are looking forward to next year!

Thank you to SMUD for helping us put this amazing event together every year, and to FFPA, FOLFAN, and all of the other agencies and organizations who came out to share their knowledge.

Attention Folsom Lake boaters: Starting Friday, November 8th, Folsom Lake will have a 5 MPH speed limit for boating. Be...
07/11/2024

Attention Folsom Lake boaters: Starting Friday, November 8th, Folsom Lake will have a 5 MPH speed limit for boating. Be safe on the water and watch your speed!

Currently Hobie Cove boat launch at Brown's Ravine is the only launch in the water. Once lake levels drop below 397' Granite Bay will reopen for boat launching once more. Visit our website for up-to-date information, we will also post an announcement once lake levels rise and speed restrictions are lifted.

**Update 11/1 10:00 AM- This Program is now full. Further RSVPs will be waitlisted. All participants that have RSVP'd a...
31/10/2024

**Update 11/1 10:00 AM- This Program is now full. Further RSVPs will be waitlisted. All participants that have RSVP'd at this time will receive an email with meeting details and more.**

Have you ever wondered what historic structures still exist around us in Folsom? Maybe you've paddled Lake Natoma and could see big granite blocks piled high and thought "who put those there?" Well wonder no more! Come join us this Sunday at 9 AM to answer these questions and more.

RSVP is required, sign up here -> https://forms.gle/EpTSJtNM9JKLL1Tr9

Happy Halloween (a day early, we know). Our District and Sector staff show off snazzy costumes and their best Halloween...
30/10/2024

Happy Halloween (a day early, we know). Our District and Sector staff show off snazzy costumes and their best Halloween outfits for the fall season. Oh, and has anyone seen a sasquatch roaming the trails? If so, please direct him back to the Folsom Sector Office, he left behind his car keys. Happy Halloween from Folsom Lake SRA and the Gold Fields District!

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https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=500

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Juneteenth is happening now at Black Miners Bar! Come enjoy the live music, beer garden, vendors, and food! All are welcome!

It is coming down today in Folsom! We hope everyone is staying dry and driving safely in this weather. #StormyWeather #Rain #Nature #Weather #FLSHP #FLSRA

Holiday Gingerbread Houses
Holiday Gingerbread Houses

Let's get building! Come out and join us for this FREE event, supplies included! RSVPs are required so send us an email at [email protected] to let us know you're coming and which session you will be joining. Bring your creativity and any decorations you want to add and we'll see you Saturday at 10 AM or 1 PM. Full event details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1708801619617900

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