Folsom Lake State Recreation Area RV & Campground Guide
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Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is located between the city of Sacramento and Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Mountain foothills of northern California. This recreation area was established in 1956, after the construction of Folsom Dam. The 19,500 acres encompasses two lakes that provide a variety of water activities and fun. Visitors enjoy hot summers, cooler temperatures in the spring and fall, and chilly winters. Peak season runs from April through September, and while camping here, you’ll want to check out nearby historic Old Sacramento.
Nearby Cities:
Sacramento, CA
El Dorado, CA
Folsom, CA
Rocklin, CA
Spring 45-80 F
Summer 51-94 F
Fall 45-58 F
Winter 38-64 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Campground Accommodations
Beals Point Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 31 feet
Other amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, dump station
Peninsula Campground
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 31 feet
Other amenities: Fire rings, hibachi-style grills, picnic tables, hot showers, dump station
Cal Expo RV Park
Cal Expo RV Park is located conveniently next to the Cal Expo Center in Sacramento. It is near the American River Bike Trail, and you can enjoy various outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, rafting, golfing and more.
• Number of sites: 197 pull-through sites
• Rates: $45 daily, $275 weekly
• Type of hookup: Full hookups
• Electrical amps: 30 and 50
• Wi-Fi: Available
• Pet-friendly: Dog park
• Showers: Restrooms but no showers
• Laundry: Yes
Stillman RV Park
Stillman RV Park is a gated community that has 24-hour security. The manager lives on-site and is available. Conveniently located off Highway 99, this RV park in the Sacramento, CA, area has a swimming pool open May 1 to October 1, a clubhouse with a fireplace and vending machines. It also has a fully equipped kitchen that can be used for special occasions.
• Number of sites: 83 back-in sites
• Rates: $35 per day, $180 per week, $500 per month
• Type of hookup: Full hookups
• Electrical amps: 30 and 50
• Wi-Fi: Free
• Pet-friendly: Pets on leashes except in dog park
• Showers: Restrooms and showers
• Laundry: Yes
49er Village RV Resort
49er Village RV Resort has a top Good Sam rating and is conveniently located just outside of Sacramento near the Amador Flower Farm. It features an adult-only pool and a children's pool. There is an on-site restaurant and plenty of outside activities like shuffleboard, horseshoes and several fishing ponds. You can visit wineries and golf courses that are located nearby and take a tour of Amador Flower Farm.
• Number of sites: 326 pull-through or back-in sites
• Rates: $45 – $83 per day with Good Sam discounts available
• Type of hookup: Full hookups
• Electrical amps: 30 and 50
• Wi-Fi: Available
• Pet-friendly: Pets are allowed on a leash
• Showers: Yes
• Laundry: Yes
• Other amenities: Clubhouse, playground, on-site store, cable TV
Placerville KOA
The Placerville KOA campground is located in the small hills between the Sacramento Valley and the Sierra Nevadas. From this central location, you can easily visit the Gold Country, Apple Hill, the American River and Old Town Sacramento. Wineries abound, and you can count on getting a delicious pie and a homey craft at one of the many apple orchards. Placerville KOA is a family-friendly park that features movie nights with popcorn, Sunday breakfast in the summer, an arcade, ping-pong and foosball. There are even miniature pet goats.
• Number of sites: 197 pull-through sites
• Rates: $45 daily, $275 weekly
• Type of hookup: Full hookups
• Electrical amps: 30 and 50
• Wi-Fi: Available
• Pet-friendly: Dog park
• Showers: Yes
• Laundry: Yes
• Other amenities: Seasonal water slide, toddler playground, large playground, 18-hole miniature golf, hand-dipped ice cream, group catering, snack bar
What to Do at
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Within Folsom Lake State Recreation Area you’ll find a variety of hiking trails to enjoy. The beautiful picnic areas throughout the park provide you with a wonderful place to take a break and have some lunch. Be sure to save a day for fishing, swimming, and boating on the lakes, or just spend some time relaxing along the shoreline.
Many of the hiking trails are also suitable for running or horseback riding. You’ll also find that Lake Natoma is the perfect spot for sailing.
Inside Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is a state park at the base of the Sierra Nevada foothills. Here, you can enjoy fishing, hiking, biking, running, horseback riding, and various boating activities. The lake has trout, big and smallmouth bass, catfish and perch. There is a 32-mile bicycle path that runs between Folsom Lake and several county parks before terminating in Old Sacramento. Lake Natoma, also located in the park, is popular for crew races and sailing.
Fishing
Both Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma offer fishing for anglers of all ages. Here, you’ll find trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, kokanee salmon, and perch. There’s an ADA-accessible fishing pier on Lake Natoma, which is known for its rainbow trout.
Geocaching
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area participates in this scavenger hunt game, which is a popular activity within the park. You’ll want to bring along your GPS device and geocaching gear to search for the several hidden treasures near the lakes.
Nature Watching
While exploring the area, you may come across gray foxes, black-tailed deer, coyotes, and raccoons. Near the water, you’ll find beaver, ducks, and Canadian geese. Bird-watching is a year-round activity. Migrating species are seen in the spring and fall. During the winter, there are 80,000 gulls that call the lakes home. The surrounding forests and flowers draw in hummingbirds, goldfinches, and small songbirds.
Flora and Fauna
Mountains and trees surround Folsom Lake State Recreation Area’s two lakes. This includes stately trees like the 400- to 500-year-old blue oak trees. Monkeyflower, Indian paintbrushes, and California fuchsia are only a sample of the colorful flowers in the area, which attract butterflies and dragonflies.
Hiking
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area has over 51 miles of hiking trails to explore. Among the nine trails, you’ll find the one-mile Doton's Cove Trail, which is rated as easy. The rest of the trails are intermediate. This includes the 18.7-mile Pioneer Express Trail that connects you to the nearby Auburn State Recreation Area and Beeks Bight.
Boating
Folsom Lake welcomes boats of all sizes. Bring your own or rent a watercraft from the marina. There are a dozen boat ramps around the lake and two boat launches at Peninsula Campground. Only non-motorized boats are allowed on Lake Natoma, which is a popular spot for crew racing, kayaking, and rowing.
Swimming
Swimming is allowed along the shores of both Lake Natoma and Folsom Lake. There are several beaches suitable for sunning and swimming. Granite Bay on the northwestern side of Folsom Lake is a popular swim spot with a designated swimming area and a lifeguard on duty.
Biking
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area has 95 miles of bike trails suitable for all ages. The 16-mile Darrington Trail is a favorite among mountain bikers with its scenic views of Folsom Lake. A 32-mile paved path circles Lake Natoma and extends into other nearby parks in Sacramento.
How to Get to
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
When coming from the east, take I-80. Take the Douglas Boulevard exit in Roseville. Head east. Take a right on Auburn-Folsom Road. Exit at Beals Point and turn left to enter the area.
By Car
Entering Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Parking lots are found off of Rattlesnake Road, at Folsom Lake, and on Salmon Falls Road. Fees for the day-use areas range from $5 to $12.
Any time you can take a road trip, fun memories are sure to follow. You will likely be taking lots of pictures during your travels, and the team here at RVshare would enjoy sharing them with you when you email your photos to [email protected]. RVshare may share your adventures on its own social media pages.
Frequently Asked Questions About Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Late spring is one of the best times of year to visit Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. The weather is warmer, but you avoid the heat of summer. Your evenings will be cooler for sleeping, and you’ll be able to enjoy the many wildflowers in bloom.
You’re likely to see raccoons, gray foxes, and black-tailed deer in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, and you’ll hear the coyote off in the distance. Canada geese, ducks, and beavers call the lakes home, and you’ll see trout, catfish, and bass in the water.
There are two campgrounds in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Peninsula Campground has 100 RV campsites and an additional 36 RV sites are located in Beals Point Campground.
Reservations are highly recommended for the campsites at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Fees range from $28 to $33 per night, depending on the time of year when you are visiting.
Yes. Dogs are welcome to enjoy the trails and water at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, but they are not permitted in the designated swimming areas. Owners are required to clean up after their pets.
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