Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
EFFECTIVE (September 14, 2020) - Thank you for your patience and continued support of California State Parks as we work to limit your risk for exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors.
As a reminder, Californians are encouraged to avoid road trips and stay close to home, maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering when a physical distance of six feet from others who are not from the immediate household members cannot be maintained, and avoid congregating. Everyone has the responsibility to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
Here are some additional guidelines for locals visiting Folsom Lake State Recreation Area:
What is open now?
What is currently closed?
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:
Statewide, California State Parks continues to work with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. Even though the department has increased access across the State Park System, the need for Californians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors remains critical.
For information on statewide current closures and available services, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
As a reminder, Californians are encouraged to avoid road trips and stay close to home, maintain physical distancing, wear a face covering when a physical distance of six feet from others who are not from the immediate household members cannot be maintained, and avoid congregating. Everyone has the responsibility to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
Here are some additional guidelines for locals visiting Folsom Lake State Recreation Area:
What is open now?
- Folsom Sector Office is open to the public.
- Beals Point Campground is open.
- Park entrances at Folsom Lake SRA are open to vehicular traffic at Granite Bay, Rattlesnake Bar and Beals Point in Placer County; Darrington Trailhead, Skunk Hollow, Salmon Falls, Old Salmon Falls, Brown’s Ravine including Folsom Lake Marina, Peninsula and Mormon Island in El Dorado County; Folsom Point, Negro Bar, Willow Creek, Nimbus Flat, CSUS Aquatic Center, Park Shore, Nimbus Dam Overlook and Shadow Glen in Sacramento County. The day-use facilities and restrooms at these locations are open. Please check Boat Ramp Status below for open launch facilities.
- To make a reservation, visit www.ReserveCalifornia.com or call 800-444-7275. For more information about camping visit www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping. We do not allow early registration prior to 2 p.m.
What is currently closed?
- Peninsula Campground
- Negro Bar Group Campground
- Concessions – a limited number remain closed please check with the park for specific locations.
- Visitor center and tours.
Are there any new visitor guidelines?
Yes, please see below:
- Stay Safer at 6 Feet: Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more. Gatherings, picnics and parties are not allowed. Visitors will be asked to leave if there are too many people at the park to allow for the required physical distance.
- Stay Clean: Be prepared. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash. Restrooms will be temporarily closed in order to keep up with cleaning schedules.
- Stay Covered: The state now requires you to wear a face covering in most indoor settings and public outdoor spaces when you cannot maintain physical distancing of six feet or more from people outside of your immediate household. For details, please visit CDPH’s guidance here. Visitors should also abide by their local county health orders.
Statewide, California State Parks continues to work with locals on a phased and regionally-driven approach to increase access to state park units where compliance with state and local public health ordinances can be achieved. Even though the department has increased access across the State Park System, the need for Californians to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the outdoors remains critical.
For information on statewide current closures and available services, please visit parks.ca.gov/FlattenTheCurve.
Phone Number
(916) 988-0205
Max. Trailer Lengths
Trailer: 31 Feet
Camper/Motorhome: 31 Feet
Park Hours
Dogs Allowed?
Yes
Dogs allowed on trails and in water. Dogs not allowed in swim area at Negro Bar, at swim area in Granite Bay, in swim area at Beals Point, in swim area at Nimbus Flat and on the turf area at Nimbus Flat.
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
Press Release: California State Parks Enacts 5 mph Limit Due to Low Water Levels at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
California State Parks announces the start of a major renovation project that will improve recreation facilities at the Negro Bar unit of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) beginning on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020.
Negro Bar Day Use Renovation Project Map
The renovation project will include:
- New interpretive panels that highlight the area’s historic, natural and cultural resources.
- ADA accessible walkways to the swim beach.
- New stairway access to the beach.
- A new restroom facility.
- A new paddle sport concession facility and Junior Lifeguard facility.
- Improved picnic facilities with picnic tables, shade ramadas, barbecues, trashcans, and additional group picnic sites.
- Converting an existing gravel area into additional paved parking.
The renovation project is expected to last through November 2020 and will impact access to the swim beach area and day-use parking facilities in the western portion of the park. The launch ramp, main parking area, horse assembly area, group campground facilities and trail access to the American River Bike Trail will not be affected.
For questions about this project, please contact California State Parks’ Gold Fields District Office at (916) 988-0205.
Folsom Lake SRA Closed Boat Launch Areas
Granite Bay Stage 1: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 2: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 3: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 4: CLOSED
Folsom Point: CLOSED
Rattlesnake Bar: CLOSED
Peninsula South: CLOSED
Peninsula North: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 1: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 2: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 3: CLOSED
Granite Bay Stage 4: CLOSED
Folsom Point: CLOSED
Rattlesnake Bar: CLOSED
Peninsula South: CLOSED
Peninsula North: CLOSED
Folsom Lake SRA Open Boat Launch Areas
Browns Ravine: OPEN
Nimbus Flat: OPEN
Negro Bar: OPEN
Willow Creek: OPEN
Browns Ravine: OPEN
Nimbus Flat: OPEN
Negro Bar: OPEN
Willow Creek: OPEN
Due to dry conditions, remote terrain characteristics and increasing fire danger, the following are prohibited Peninsula Campground and Day Use areas from August 14, 2020 until rescinded:
- All campfires
- Portable cooking devices fueled by wood, gas, charcoal, pressurized liquid fuel or jellied petroleum
- Liquid fuel torches ( commonly referred to as "Tiki Torches")
Please review the Penn Fire Order for additional Information.
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