Folsom Lake

Located just east of Sacramento on two branches of the American River, Folsom Lake is close enough to the capital city that people in the area can be on the water in less than an hour.

Folsom is one of those lakes that has something for just about everyone. Sure, there's water skiing and wakeboarding, camping and swimming, sailing and fishing. But there are also miles of great hiking trails around the lake, popular with horseback riders, mountain bikers, joggers, nature lovers, and day hikers. There are beaches and wake boarding instructors, jet ski camps for kids, bird watching walks, and ice cream vendors.

Vehicle Entry Fee: $12.

Folsom Lake Water Level

Folsom Lake is often busy with boats when the weather is nice. On summer weekends the launch ramps can generate both comedy and frustration. But once out on the water, wakeboarders and skiers have plenty of room in the main body. Boaters with self-contained sanitation and proper sleeping quarters can spend the night on their boats at designated mooring locations. Sailors can join one of the local clubs and complete in weekly races or just enjoy the steady breezes.

With only one Marina, things can get congested around the Folsom Lake Marina at Brown's Ravine. Wise boaters choose one of the more remote launch ramps. The marina has almost every kind of service you could want, including towing. The operators try their best to keep traffic flowing on the ramps by providing clear guidelines. The waiting list for slips at the single marina is years long.

Folsom Lake has great fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. Skilled bass anglers often hook 10-pounders. The lake also holds good populations of rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, crappie, bluegill and catfish.

Only two major campgrounds are located on Folsom Lake. The Peninsula Campground is more remote, while Beal's Point is adjacent to a beach, snack bar, and other amenities. Campers can access the Peninsula Campground by boat. Other than some RV Parks and some resorts at Coloma, there is little other camping in the area.

There is no lodging right at Folsom Lake, but because of its close proximity to the towns of Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Loomis, Auburn, and many other cities, lodging abounds within a ten mile radius. Some hotels are upscale, catering to business travelers. Because of the competition, however, prices are not exorbitant. With a little investigating, reasonably priced lodging can be found.

When Folsom Lake has plenty of water, it's a beautiful place. Early in the summer green hills surround it so that visitors hardly realize they are only miles from more than two million people in the greater Sacramento region. Low water during drought years and late in the season give the lake a much less appealing appearance.

Folsom is the nearest city, just downstream from the lake. It has a historical district, museums, and many other attractions. Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Roseville, Rocklin, Loomis, and El Dorado Hills are all within a few miles of the lake. Sacramento is only 25 miles to the west.