The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Greenwood Creek River Access is a day-use area that provides the public access to the South Fork of the American River in California for free. Often used by boaters and rafters, especially those who like to float the river from Coloma to Greenwood, it also provides shoreline fishing and swimming opportunities. Also included in the access area are vault restrooms, and the area itself acts as a trailhead for multiple nearby trails.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages the Greenwood Creek River Access and ensures the land remains clean and safe for visitor use. Although overnight stays and camping are generally prohibited at this river access point, visitors who contact the BLM directly on behalf of an organized group may obtain consent to camp overnight in the area.
The Dutch Creek Falls Trail is a moderately short hiking trail that takes a route up an easy incline to a small waterfall over a rocky bank.
Length: 1.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
An easy to moderately intense trail, the Magnolia Ranch Trail is a loop trail that provides further access to the Cronan Ranch, Gerle Trail, or American River. This trail is popular with hikers, bikers, and horseback riders alike.
Length: 2.5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
The Gerle Trail is a dirt loop trail connected to the Magnolia Ranch Trail. As an easy hiking path, it's popular with local dog walkers.
Length: 2.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
A highlight of the Greenwood Creek River Access is its location along the American River, and many river floaters use this river access point as a place to put in or pull out their nonmotorized boats. The river beyond the access point is considered a Class III run of rapids, and some areas above the access point feature rapids ranging from Class III to Class V. Anyone who'd like to boat in the South Fork of the American River needs to obtain a boater tag annually for each boat in use and register groups of 18 people or more ahead of time with the Bureau of Land Management.
Anglers with a valid California state fishing license can also fish at Greenwood Creek River Access. Rainbow trout and brown trout are most commonly found in the South Fork of the American River, with some reports of trout found up to eight pounds. Fly fishing is the most popular method of fishing at this access point, and some less commonly caught fish species include Sacramento pikeminnows, Sacramento suckers, California roaches, Kokanee salmon, and riffle sculpins.
Many local California wildlife like to pass through or call the Greenwood Creek River Access location home, including year-round animals like deer, otters, turkeys, waterfowl, quail, mockingbirds, herons, hawks, and owls. In the spring and summer months, birds like bluebirds, cormorants, acorn woodpeckers, tree swallows, hummingbirds, orioles, and shorebirds can be spotted nearby the area. In the fall, sandhill cranes may be spotted during migration, and in the winter, coyotes, opossum, swans, bald eagles, white pelicans, and geese are often spotted. To see any wildlife at Greenwood Creek River Access, be sure to remain quiet, and keep your distance from any animals you do encounter.
There are no picnic shelters placed at the Greenwood Creek River Access area for visitors to use, but there's a wide beach area with plenty of cleared space to have a picnic. Visitors may want to bring towels, blankets, or beach chairs to sit on while enjoying a picnic, and, since trash bins aren't always available to use here, bringing a small bag for collecting trash may be a good idea, too.
When you're looking for camping with full hookups, consider staying at a privately owned campground since most BLM campgrounds don't have any hookup options. You can try RV camping at Camp Lotus Lodge & Campground, a campground with electrical and water hookups, plus private fishing points along the South Fork of the American River. You may also like Ponderosa RV Resort, an RV campground with a pool and free Wi-Fi on top of hookups.
Although dispersed camping with a BLM camping permit is allowed at Greenwood Creek River Access, you can also stay at nearby Bureau of Land Management campgrounds. One option you have is staying at Cowboy Camp, an organized campground with vault toilets and great views of the surrounding hills and waterfalls. Another Bureau of Land Management free camping option is Hunting Creek Camp, which also has vault toilets as well as fire rings and picnic tables at each campsite at the campground.
When you're planning to enjoy Greenwood Creek River Access, be sure to pack essentials you'll need near the river like insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses, and towels. You will also need to bring plenty of drinking water since there are no water outlets at the river access point.
Whenever you decide to stay at a BLM campground, be sure to pack battery-operated equipment since there are normally no electrical outlets for you to use. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.
In order to help keep the Greenwood Creek River Access area clean for both visitors and the wildlife, the BLM asks everyone Leave No Trace principles. These principles are easy to follow and include steps like picking up trash and taking care of pet waste.
To reach the Greenwood Creek River Access location from Auburn, California, take Highway 49 south. Travel on this road for 14 miles, and then the parking lot for the access area will be on the right.
Ready to visit Greenwood Creek River Access? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
