Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Phone Number
(916) 988-0205
Max. Trailer Lengths
Trailer: 31 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: 31 Feet
Park Hours
Driving Directions to Folsom Lake SRA
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is located in the Sierra-Nevada foothills about 25 miles east of Sacramento, can be reached via either Highway 50 or I-80. Both Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma have many access points and entrances. The administrative offices are located at the base of Folsom Dam at the corner of Folsom-Auburn Road and Dam Road in Folsom, California.Park Entrances:
The park has multiple entrances most of which are fairly easily accessed by either Interstate 80 to Douglas Blvd.(east), or Highway 50 to Hazel Ave., or Folsom Blvd., (north).
Transportation to the Park:
A variety of transportation methods are available to park visitors at Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma. With its urban setting and the accessibility of the parks entrances, local bus services can be used reach Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma. Private vehicles as well as bicycles, horseback, and foot travel are the most frequently used methods of park entry.
Camping and Lodging
Visitors will be able to reserve campsites and lodging six months in advance from the current date. Bookings may extend from the arrival date to the desired departure date – based on availability and the park’s maximum stay rules.
Upcoming Park Events
No events scheduled at this moment.
BOATING
Boating
Boat Ramps
Boat Rentals
Boating
Boat Ramps
Boat Rentals
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
RV Sites w/Hookups
RV Dump Station
RV Access
Family Campsites
Group Campsites
RV Sites w/Hookups
RV Dump Station
RV Access
TRAIL USE
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
Bike Trails
Hiking Trails
Horseback Riding
DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Fishing
Beach Area
Swimming
Windsurfing/Surfing
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Fishing
Beach Area
Swimming
Windsurfing/Surfing
OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Food Service
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Food Service
Parking
Restrooms / Showers
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available
Wheelchair Accessible
Notices
A large landslide covered portions of the trail, located between Nimbus Dam and the Negro Bar recreation area of Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, during the winter storms of January and February 2017. In late August of this year, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in partnership with State Parks initiated repairs by removing the debris that covered the trail as a result of those storms.
The second phase of this project, which will start October 7, will utilize a geotechnical contractor to scale a portion of the bluff to remove loose rock from the face of the bluff directly above the trail. Following the scaling, crews will remove the additional debris from the trail and the trail will be repaired and reopened for public use.
The segment of trail by the northern shore of Lake Natoma and Nimbus Dam will remain closed during the work until the trail repairs are complete, which is expected before the end of the year. State Parks will announce the reopening of the trail opening once repairs are complete. Reopening this section of trail will be a major asset to the recreating and commuting public.
This closure will begin at American River Call Box #28, approximately 3.25 miles upstream of Hazel Avenue and continue to the southern end of Negro Bar. People using the bike trail access points located at the Hazel Avenue overpass, Sunset Avenue and Main Avenue intersection, the Mississippi Bar area, and the Negro Bar area, are advised that trail traffic will not be permitted through the closure area. Visitors are also strongly advised to avoid using the Jedidiah Smith Memorial Trail between Hazel Avenue and Negro Bar during the repair work, as they will likely encounter large construction equipment along that section of trail.
The American River Bike trail on the south side of Lake Natoma is unaffected by this work and will remain open as an alternate route.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to restore this popular trail for everyone’s enjoyment.
To view the closure order and map please visit: CA State Parks Temporary Closure of American River Bike Trail Negro Bar to Call Box 28
For additional information about the closure, please view our press release: Construction to Continue on American River Bike Trail along Lake Natoma.
Due to dry conditions, remote terrain and increased fire danger Folsom Lake State Recreation Area will implement fire restrictions at the Peninsula Campground and Day Use Areas, effective July 1, 2019 until further notice. All fires including those in the provided campfire rings will be prohibited. Portable cooking devices and lanterns fueled by gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be permitted in designated campsites and day use areas. For additional information about these restrictions, please contact the Folsom Sector Office.
California State Parks has recently become aware of suspected incidents of harmful algal blooms (HABs) within both the Auburn and Folsom Lake State Recreation Areas. As California confronts the realities of climate change, HABs have become increasingly common in rivers, lakes and reservoirs, and they can be especially dangerous to children and pets. State Parks is encouraging recreational users of all bodies of fresh water in Auburn and Folsom Lake State Recreation Areas to be aware of the potential for cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (HABs).
In recent weeks, two separate incidents of possible cyanobacteria poisoning in dogs have been reported at Moony Ridge (Folsom State Recreation Area) and Oregon Bar (Auburn State Recreation Area). The incident at Oregon Bar resulted in the death of the dog, although the actual cause of death has not been confirmed. Sampling by Water Resources Control Board staff on August 23, confirmed the presence of cyanobacterial mats growing on rocks in a side channel of the American River at Oregon Bar. Caution signs have been posted in these areas and additional signage has been posted throughout the parks to increase public awareness of the potential risks. Algal blooms can form and die off fairly rapidly and it is difficult to continuously test and monitor the many lakes and miles of our local rivers.
To learn more, view our entire press release here: https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/907
Folsom Lake SRA Closed Boat Launch Areas
Granite Bay Stage 1: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 2: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 1: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 2: CLOSED
Folsom Lake SRA Open Boat Launch Areas
Granite Bay Stage 3: OPEN
Granite Bay Stage 4: OPEN
Folsom Point: OPEN
Browns Ravine: OPEN
Nimbus Flat: OPEN
Willow Creek: OPEN
Negro Bar: OPEN
Rattlesnake Bar: OPEN
Peninsula South: OPEN
Peninsula North: OPEN
Granite Bay Stage 3: OPEN
Granite Bay Stage 4: OPEN
Folsom Point: OPEN
Browns Ravine: OPEN
Nimbus Flat: OPEN
Willow Creek: OPEN
Negro Bar: OPEN
Rattlesnake Bar: OPEN
Peninsula South: OPEN
Peninsula North: OPEN
Located at the base of the Sierra foothills, the lake and recreation area offers opportunities for hiking, biking, running, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, water-skiing and boating. Fishing offers trout, catfish, big and small mouth bass or perch. Visitors can also see the Folsom Powerhouse (once called "the greatest operative electrical plant on the American continent"), which from 1885 to 1952 produced 11,000 volts of electricity for Sacramento residents. For cyclists, there is a 32-mile long bicycle path that connects Folsom Lake with many Sacramento County parks before reaching Old Sacramento. The park also includes Lake Natoma, downstream from Folsom Lake, which is popular for crew races, sailing, kayaking and other aquatic sports.
Regular day use hours apply to all areas except the following:
- Campgrounds
- Overnight moorings for registered boat campers
- Folsom Lake Marina at Brown's Ravine
Lake Natoma is primarily managed for non-motorized and slow-speed aquatic recreation such as rowing, paddling, etc. There is a 5-mph speed limit enforced on the entire lake.
The following units are closed to vehicles until further notice:
- Nimbus Shoals
For any and all questions and the most current information, please contact the park at (916) 988-0205
Camping is available at Beals Point year-round and at Peninsula Campground beginning April 1, through the summer (Peninsula Campground closes October 1). Additional information about Camping can be found here or by calling (800) 444-7275.
Location
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is located in the Sierra-Nevada foothills about 25 miles east of Sacramento, can be reached via either Highway 50 or I-80. Both Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma have many access points and entrances. The administrative offices are located at the base of Folsom Dam at the corner. 
Park Entrances
The park has multiple entrances most of which are fairly easily accessed by either Interstate 80 to Douglas Blvd.(east), or Highway 50 to Hazel Ave., or Folsom Blvd., (north).
Directions to the Peninsula campground:
80 east Reno
From Hwy 80 take the Elm St. exit out of the city of Auburn, at the 1st light make a left, at your very next light you will make another left that is High St. High St turns into Hwy 49 you will travel on Hwy 49 for 10 miles towards the city of Cool. You will enter a small town called Pilot Hill from that small town you will turn right on Rattlesnake Bar Rd. that road will dead end into the campground in 9 miles.
Hwy 50 S.Lake Tahoe
From Hwy 50 you will take the El Dorado Hills Blvd. exit go north on El Dorado hills for about 10 miles (at some point the road changes names to Salmon Falls Rd.) you will enter the small town of Pilot Hill you will make a left on Rattlesnake Bar Rd. which dead ends onto the campground in 9 miles.
Directions to the Beals Point campground:
80 east Reno
From Hwy 80 you will take the Douglas Blvd. exit out of the city of Roseville. Go east on Douglas for about 6 miles make a right on Auburn-Folsom Rd. go about 2½ miles until you come to a stop light the sign will say Beals Point and you make a left.
Hwy 50 S. Lake Tahoe
Take the Folsom Blvd. exit go north on Folsom for about 7 miles (the road will change names to Folsom- Auburn) you will come to a stop light, the sign will say Beals Point and you make a right.
Transportation to the Park
A variety of transportation methods are available to park visitors at Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma. With its urban setting and the accessibility of the parks entrances, local bus services can be used reach Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma. Private vehicles as well as bicycles, horseback, and foot travel are the most frequently used methods of park entry.
Visit Recommendations
The primary recreation season coincides with the spring and summer months when temperatures are in the 80s, 90s and 100s.
Visitation is highest from April through September. In the spring months when school is still in session, evenings and weekends are the times of highest lake activity.
Climate, Recommended Clothing
Summers at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area are generally hot and dry. Dress lightly for high temperatures but be careful of over exposure to the sun.
Winters can be very cold with lengthy periods of central valley fog conditions. Dress in layers as the damp can bring on a penetrating chill.
Spring and Fall offer warm days and cooler evenings and nights. Dress in layers.
Good walking shoes are a must when exploring any of the park trails. Shoes or sandals are recommended on the lake's beaches and boat ramp areas.
Granite Bay Group Picnic Sites
Granite Bay Main Beach at Folsom Lake SRA offer two reservable group picnic sites with easy access to the lake and the Granite Bay Main Beach parking area. The group picnic sites are available year round during normal park hours. The group picnic areas can accommodate 100 people both sites include 11 picnic tables, 1 large BBQ station, flush toilets adjacent to site and 2 water faucets. All park day use fees apply. Reservations can be made 90 days in advance at our Folsom Sector Office at 7755 Folsom-Auburn Rd Folsom, CA 95630.
Group Picnic Reservation Application