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Credit 1 Pam Starr
2 Alyn Robert Brereton
3 Julie MacKinnon
4 Linda Pittman
5 Parham Pourahmad
6 Larry Whiting
7 Randall Finley
Area: 20,000 Acres
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Lon: 
Nearby Services
Gas-Folsom, 1 to 5 mil MilesFood-Folsom, 1 to 5 mil MilesLodging-Folsom, 1 to 5 mil Miles
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Visitor Center/Ranger Station
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Top Banner Photo Credits
Pam Starr
Alyn Robert Brereton
Julie MacKinnon
Linda Pittman
Parham Pourahmad
Larry Whiting
Randall Finley
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area - Site # 80

Background: This vast foothill lake, created by Folsom Dam, has 75 miles of shoreline and arms that extend up the north and south forks of the American River. Toyons, California buckeyes, and oaks shelter resident wild turkeys, black-tailed deer, and coyotes. Resident wrens, western scrub-jays, and California quail are joined by many migratory sondbirds. Beavers and muskrats live at Mormon Island, a wetland that attracts Canada geese, American white pelicans, and western grebes. Great blue herons nest among trees on Anderson Island. The American River Parkway bike and equestrian trail follows the river from Folsome Lake to Discovery Park in downtown Sacramento.

The Habitat: chamise-chaparral(6%); interior live oak woodland(49%); blue oak woodland (24%); California annual grassland (14%);cottonwood/willow riparian (5%);freshwater marsh (0.1%); seasonal wetlands (0.06%);vernal pools(<1%); shoreline drawdown/ruderal (na)

The Experience: This park has the greatest number of acres of blue oak trees in the Sierra Nevada foothills in the State Park System and in public ownership. Ancient blue oak trees have been aged from 500 to 600 years old. Any blue oak tree with a diameter at breast height greater than 10 inches could have a cored age greater than 500 years. Lake Natoma has unique bluffs.

Wildlife and Where to Find It: All methods can be used.

Viewing Tips: High probability of seeing waterfowl fall, winter, and spring; songbirds in fall and spring. Explore the area by bicycle, boat, horseback. Approximately 80 miles of trails. Very hot in the summer.

Site Notes: Most trails and trail heads have views of the 8,000 acres shallow lake with exposed granite rocks. Beautiful native interior live oak and blue oak grow throughout the park. Spring wildflowers. On a clear smog free day you can see the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range to the East.

Nearby Viewing Sites: The are several trailheads and boat launches around the reservoir. The more remote locations are 30 - 90 minutes from gas or lodging. Oak woodlands occur throughout the park.

Visitor Information: Folsom Chamber of Commerce - 800-377-1414 - myFolsom.com or 2chambers.com
Viewing Site Hours of Operation are:
Staff On-site: Yes
Open: Everday
Hours: dawn to dusk
Year Round: Yes

Road Information:   Paved.  Gravel.  Dirt. 
Road Hazards: Wildlife
 Number of Parking Spaces: 0
Parking Fee: Yes
Proximity to viewing area:many locations
 Pull-Through Parking: No
Parking Danger: Parking available in the various entry points and parking lots through out the Folsom Lake SRA

How to Get There: As of 2008 new construction will alter information however the main office is visible from Folsom Auburn Road. From Sacramento, take Highway 50 east to Folsom-Auburn Road. Exit North or left; drive approximately 5-6 miles north. Just past Folsom Dam Road make a right turn. The Folsom Sector Office is visible from the road. From HWY 80 drive south on Folsom Auburn Road pass Douglass Blvd continue 1 mile to the Folsom Sector Office. New bridge construction and road construction makes exact directions impossible at this time.

Contact Information
Managing Agency: California State Parks
Agency Site URL: http://www.parks.ca.gov
Physical Address:7806 Folsom-Auburn Road
Folsom, CA 95630
Agency 2:7806 Folsom-Auburn Road
Folsom, CA, CA 95630
Manager Phone:
Site Phone:(916) 988-0205
County: Sacramento; Eldorado; Placer
Addition Website: