Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is a popular outdoor destination in California, known for its expansive reservoir, scenic beauty, and wide range of recreational activities such as boating, camping, hiking, and picnicking.

The lake and a recreational area are at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, perfect for outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, boating, waterskiing, and horseback riding. Trout, catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and perch may be caught here.

Folsom Powerhouse was “the greatest operative electrical plant on the American continent” and provided 11,000 volts of energy to Sacramento citizens from 1885 to 1952. A bike trail stretching 32 miles connects Folsom Lake and other parks in Sacramento County with Old Sacramento.

Trail At Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

The trail is slightly over 3/4 of a mile long and can be found in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. It’s a flat, natural path suitable for wheelchairs and easy for hikers of all abilities. The route is littered with informational plaques. Oak groves, vistas of the lake, and various habitats along the creeks are sure to please ecotourists. Deer, foxes, wild turkeys, and several reptiles are just some wildlife that frequents this area.

Picnicking At Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

Folsom Lake is lovely for picnics in the fall and winter. All seven of the park’s designated family picnic areas have charcoal grills. Accessible picnic tables, restrooms, and parking are available at Beals Point, Nimbus Flat, and Peninsula Campground.

There are two large picnic areas on Main Beach at Granite Bay, each with space for up to a hundred people. Each site has 11 picnic tables, a huge charcoal barbecue, flush toilets, and a drinking fountain.

Biking At Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

There are several biking trails, so cyclists should bring their bikes along. Throughout 95 miles, trails in Folsom Lake State Recreation Park that cyclists of all ages can enjoy. Darrington Trail is about 16 miles long and features vistas of the south branch of Folsom Lake and Salmon Falls; it is a favorite route for mountain bikers.

A 32-mile bike path connects Folsom Lake to other parks in Sacramento County and loops around Lake Natoma for those who prefer paved trails or street bikes.

Photography At Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

Remember to throw your camera inside the camper when planning a trip to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Gorgeous lake vistas and photo ops with several majestic trees, including some blue oaks estimated to be between 400 and 500 years old, await you at this park.

The woodland is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including black-tailed deer, raccoons, grey foxes, and three types of squirrels. You may get some fantastic macro photographs here, as well as breathtaking panoramic shots of the area’s lakes, mountains, and forests.

Horseback Riding At Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

The slopes around Folsom Lake are best experienced from atop a horse. The park’s roads are broad and constructed for towing, and parking is available outside the lake area.

Hitch rails and water troughs are available across the park at various equestrian staging places. The largest of them can be found in the Granite Bay hiking area. There are 95 miles of paths for horseback riders, cyclists, and hikers to enjoy, all while taking in the stunning scenery of the lake.

Birdwatching At Folsom Lake State Recreation Area

Folsom Lake State Recreational Area is a great place to go bird watching any time of year, especially in the fall and spring when large migrating birds pass through the area.

Around 80,000 gulls and other waterfowl spend the winter in this state park, which has two lakes. Beginning in February, large waterbirds such as great blue herons, great egrets, and the endangered double-crested cormorant establish nesting territories and proudly display their young as early as March.

Address: 7755 Folsom-Auburn Rd, Folsom, CA 95630, United States

Departments: Folsom Point State Park

OpensClosed: 6 am- 10 pm

Phone: +1 916-988-0205

Management: California State Parks

Area: 79.17 km²

Established: 1956

Author

  • Laurence Smith

    I became interested in travel from an early age, and have since been fortunate enough to travel to many corners of the world. I love sharing my experiences with you, please Join me to discover some of the must see destinations the world has to offer.

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