Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is Folsom Lake to provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping olsom Lake’s to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological F State Recreation Area diversity, protecting its most valued natural and miles of shoreline and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. waterside trails attract millions of boaters, equestrians, cyclists and California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who hikers each year. need assistance should contact the park at (916) 988-0205. This publication can be made available in alternate formats. Contact [email protected] or call (916) 654-2249. 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 Discover the many states of California.™ Folsom Lake State Recreation Area 7755 Folsom-Auburn Road Folsom, CA 95630 (916) 988-0205 © 2008 California State Parks (Rev. 2013) F olsom Lake State willow, redbud, tule, milkweed, sedge grass Recreation Area offers and native grapevines. PLANTS AND WILDLIFE scenic panoramas After the 1848 gold discovery, most of Blue oaks, interior live of open grasslands, the Nisenan lands were given away as part oaks, foothill pines and rolling hills, the Sierra of a land grant. The native people were annual grasses dot the open Nevada, Sacramento overwhelmed by the loss of their food sources woodlands. In the spring, Valley and the Bay and by diseases like smallpox. The Nisenan blooming wildflowers include Area’s Mount Diablo. people were nearly decimated, but today Indian paintbrush, larkspur, lupine, Folsom Lake State their descendants live in nearby communities brodiaea, fiddleneck, dutchman’s pipe Scenic views Recreation Area or on reservations. and monkey flower. covers 19,500 acres. Its two reservoirs, Folsom Black-tailed deer, raccoons, skunks, FOLSOM DAM and Natoma, attract about two million visitors opossums, gray foxes and coyotes are often annually. Folsom Lake was created in 1955 by the seen in the park. Mountain lions and bobcats The climate dictates dressing in layers. For construction of Folsom Dam, a concrete may occasionally be seen. Beavers and river hot summers, dress lightly, wear a hat, and dam flanked by earth wing dams and dikes, otters live in the Mormon Island Wetlands, a use sun block. In winter, fog brings a chill. with a total length of about nine miles. perfect area for bird watching. Spring and fall offer warm days with cooler The shoreline extends about 15 miles Nesting egrets, herons and cormorants up the forks of the American River. Lake evenings and nights. may be observed from the Willow Creek level normally varies from 460 feet in early access. Year-round residents include Canada PARK HISTORY spring to less than 400 feet by summer. geese, blackbirds, scrub jays, quail, wrens, Downstream, behind Nimbus Dam, smaller Native People bushtits and towhees. Wrentits and California Lake Natoma has about 500 surface acres of For thousands of years, the land near thrashers sing in the chamise-chaparral. Look water. Built by the Bureau of Reclamation Folsom Lake belonged to the Southern for kingfishers and grebes near the water. as part of California’s Central Valley Project, Maidu or Nisenan (“from among us”). Red-tailed hawks, kestrels, ospreys and Nimbus and Folsom Dams control the waters The Nisenan lived in temporary summer eagles might be seen soaring over the lake. shelters made from peeled tree bark. In of the American River and provide flood winter they dwelled in permanent villages protection, household water supply, on the American River. These villages had power and irrigation. community buildings, including a kum THE FOLSOM POWERHOUSE ceremonial and guest structure. Nearby Folsom Powerhouse was built The Nisenan traded with other native to harness the water power of the groups, exchanging local acorns for black American River at the original Folsom oak acorns, manzanita berries and sugar Dam, completed by Folsom Prison pine nuts. Coastal people traded with the laborers in 1893. The Powerhouse Nisenan for oyster shells, shell beads and landmark, listed on the National basket materials. The Nisenan are still known Register of Historic Places, is a state worldwide for their woven baskets made from historic park. Folsom Lake and Dam RECREATION south from the town of Pilot Obtain a map of the mooring areas when Fishing—Folsom Hill on Highway 49. registering for boat camping at the Granite Lake waters hold Beals Point Campground— Bay entrance station or the marina at Brown’s trout, catfish, Just north of Folsom Ravine. If no one is available when you largemouth and Dam, 49 family campsites arrive, contact park headquarters. Your boat smallmouth bass, accommodate trailers and must have self-contained sanitary and gray- perch and kokanee motor homes up to 31 feet. water systems with sleeping accommodations salmon. A valid Hookup sites and a sanitation for all aboard. You may camp ashore at the California fishing station are available. Piped Peninsula Campground only in a designated license is required. drinking water and wheelchair- campsite. Beach the bow of your boat Lake Natoma’s accessible restrooms with hot and anchor off the stern. A secure tie-up accessible pier and showers are available. is essential, as the wind may rise during fishing platform is at the night. Boat camping is limited to two Nimbus Flat. consecutive nights. Boating—Launching Picnicking—Family picnic sites are located Photo courtesy of Sacramento State Aquatic Center facilities are located Windsurfing on Folsom Lake at Nimbus Flat and Negro Bar on Lake at several places Natoma, and at Beals Point, Granite Bay, the around the lake (see map for details). Peninsula area, and Folsom Point on Folsom The marina at Brown’s Ravine also features Lake. Beals Point, Nimbus Flat and Peninsula boat slips, a towing service, a gas dock and have accessible picnic tables, restrooms and snack bar. parking. All sites have barbecues; bring your CAUTION: Boaters should be alert or floating own charcoal. debris. Watch carefully for underwater The group hazards, especially when the lake level picnic area at lowers in summer. Horseback riding trails at Folsom Lake Granite Bay Camping holds up Peninsula Campground—A hundred family Negro Bar Group Campsites—On the north to 200 campsites—some accessible—accommodate shore of Lake Natoma, three group campsites people. trailers up to 18 feet and motor homes up to are available. Two can accommodate up to 50 Reserve by 24 feet. A sanitation station is provided. No people each and one can accommodate up calling site hookups are available. Accessible flush to 25 people. (916) 988- toilets, hot showers and piped drinking water Reservations—Reserve campsites at all 0205. are available. Two launch ramps and a day- campgrounds by calling (800) 444-7275 or Horseback use area are near this secluded campground visiting www.parks.ca.gov. Riding— at the end of the Peninsula between the Boat Camping—You may camp overnight Horse trailers north and south forks of the American River. aboard your self-contained sailboat or can unload powerboat only in designated mooring areas. and park Lake Natoma accessible Reach the area by boat or drive ten miles picnic area Darrington Trail is a popular mountain bike NEARBY STATE PARKS trail on the south fork of Folsom Lake, near • Folsom Powerhouse SHP Salmon Falls. 9980 Greenback Lane Beach/Shore Access—Call to reserve Folsom 95630 a beach wheelchair for two hours (916) 985-4843 at the Beals Point or Granite Bay • Auburn SRA day-use areas. 501 El Dorado St. Auburn 95602 (530) 885-4527 ACCESSIBLE FEATURES Nimbus Dam Accessibility in California State Parks is PLEASE REMEMBER continually improving. For specific details, visit at several equestrian staging areas. Granite • Grass, brush and trees become tinder-dry. www.access.parks.ca.gov. Bay has hitching rails, a water trough, and Wildfires are a serious threat. Fires are allowed only in the camp stoves or fire chemical toilets. EXHIBITS/PROGRAMS rings provided. Other staging areas are located at Negro The American River Water Education Bar, Rattlesnake Bar, Brown’s Ravine, Old • Poison oak is present Center interprets water conservation and throughout the park. Even Salmon Falls, the American River when dormant, poison oak Falcon Crest and Watershed. For can cause a serious rash. Sterling Pointe. information call (916) • Rattlesnakes, mountain Trails—The park 989-7100 and tours call lions or bobcats may be has 95 miles of (916) 989-7132 or see present in the park. Do not trails for hikers, www.usbr.gov/mp/arwec. walk alone in isolated areas. Poison Oak bicyclists, runners Report sightings to park staff. and horseback AQUATIC CENTER • Floating debris, an uneven lake bottom, riders. The trail The Sacramento State and rock outcroppings are hazards for system includes Aquatic Center offers boaters and swimmers. Swim only in a portion of the boat rentals and boating designated areas. No diving is permitted. Western States/ safety classes. The • All cultural and natural features are Pioneer Express facility is cooperatively Photo courtesy of Sacramento State Aquatic Center protected by law and may not disturbed Trail between operated by California or removed. Sacramento and State Parks, Associated Carson City, Canoeing at Lake Natoma Students of California Nevada. Oaks State University This park receives support in part Nature Trail is designated as accessible. Sacramento, and the Department of Boating from a nonprofit organization. A paved, mostly accessible bicycle trail and Waterways. Call (916) 278-2842 or visit For more information, contact loops around Lake Natoma, linking to Beals www.sacstateaquaticcenter.com Friends of Lake Folsom and Natoma PO Box 257, Orangevale, CA 95662 Point and the American River Bike Trail.