Folsom – A Popular Spot For Camping and Recreation
A popular spot for camping and recreation, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is located in the heart of California’s Sierra Mountains. It includes open grasslands and two reservoirs: Folsom and Natoma. Read this first!
The 20,000-acre recreation area spans parts of Placer, El Dorado, and Sacramento counties. It offers a wide range of activities like hiking, biking, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, water skiing, and boating.
Camping
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers a variety of camping opportunities. From a few simple tent sites to RV campsites, there is something for everyone at this sprawling California state park.
The park features two lakes, Folsom and Natoma, and it is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts for its water sports and hiking trails. It also has a 32-mile bike path that connects to Old Sacramento, making it an ideal spot for cyclists.
Camping is a great way to get away from the bustle of everyday life and enjoy nature in its natural form. You can take your camera with you and snap photos of the gorgeous scenery and animals in the park, including black-tailed deer, gray foxes, and raccoons.
Picnicking
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is a great place to picnic with the family. There are seven family picnic sites at different locations throughout the park, all featuring charcoal grills and accessible picnic tables.
There are also two group picnic areas at Granite Bay Main Beach that accommodate up to 100 people. These sites feature 11 picnic tables, a large barbecue station, and restrooms.
There are plenty of other outdoor activities available at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, including hiking trails, camping, and boating. The lake also offers fishing for trout, catfish, and big and smallmouth bass. A great place to also visit is Hagan Community Park.
Hiking Trails
Whether you’re looking for an easy hike or a more challenging one, there are plenty of trails to choose from at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Some of the more popular trails include the American River Trail and Brown’s Ravine.
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is nestled at the base of the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills, with opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, picnicking, horseback riding, and boating. It also features two reservoirs, Folsom and Natoma, which draw millions of visitors each year.
Beals Point Campground, just north of the dam, offers 49 family-size campsites that accommodate trailers and motor homes up to 31 feet. There are also hookup sites and a sanitation station.
Boating
A short half-hour drive east of Sacramento, Folsom Lake is a popular recreational waterway. This man-made reservoir offers boating opportunities at a variety of shoreline access points and a marina.
The lake spans about 20,000 acres and is surrounded by the enormous Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (FLSRA). Multiple entrances lead to boat ramps, shore fishing sites, campgrounds, and day-use areas all around the lake’s shoreline.
The marina at Brown’s Ravine offers hundreds of wet slips, dry storage areas, and boat fuel. Also nearby, a four-lane boat ramp and shore fishing access are located at Folsom Point.
Fishing
Located at the base of the Sierra foothills, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is a popular destination for fishing and other outdoor activities. It offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, picnicking, water-skiing, and boating opportunities.
Fishing for trout, catfish, and largemouth bass is a favorite pastime at the 11,500-acre lake that surrounds the park. Guests can also enjoy non-motorized water sports at Lake Natoma, which is downstream from Folsom Lake.
Anglers can expect to find a variety of species in the lake’s fluctuating waters. Smallmouth bass is the most common quarry, but spotted bass also thrive here. In addition, king salmon, rainbow trout, and shad inhabit the water. Click here for the next blog post.
Driving directions from The Lighting Geek to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Driving directions from Folsom Lake State Recreation Area to Stone Creek Community Park