Folsom Lake SRA
5 Reviews for Folsom Lake SRA
This past year has truly become a major disappointment camping at Beals Point Campground. Also, I had a real difficult time trying to launch my kayak at Beals Point and Peninsula Boat Launch in Granite Bay. Why?
To my utter dismay, Folsom Lake's water level was seriously too low to launch my kayak! Please keep in mind that I have been boating and camping at Folsom Lake for many years, since 1993.
I was simply disheartened and astonished physically seeing how low the water level at Folsom Lake was this year. Just look at my pics and weep! I wanted to cry!
As a result of Folsom Lake's water level being too low, I had to drive to Lake Natoma to launch my kayak. Lake Natoma is over nine miles away from Folsom Lake/Beals Point Campground.
At least at Lake Natoma, the water level is not low and it was easy launching my kayak right from the shoreline. Viewing the wildlife from my kayak was truly enjoyable, despite having to drive to get to Lake Natoma to launch my kayak.
There is ample parking, a boat launching dock, picnic areas, hiking, and biking areas at Lake Natoma for all to enjoy. There are plenty of shady trees and a few, very clean bathrooms all may use, too.
Below Lake Natoma Dam is a . . . shhhhh! "Secret Fishing Spot" to catch some trout, but there are no bathrooms at this very poorly maintained, dusty, pothole drive-down access. Please do not drive your nice passenger car on this access road-you will get stuck!
Please drive in a 4 WD SUV to get to the bottom of the access. You can fish here all day. But no camping allowed because there is a plausible danger this fishing access area could be severely flooded should the dam break or the water from the dam is released.
BTW . . . I wanted to launch my kayak at old Negro Bar, but the boat launch was under construction. At Negro Bar group campsite campground, you couldn't launch a boat because the entire campsite is too far from the shoreline.
You must schlepp your boat on wheels, walk down a very long pathway at the old parking lot which is now closed off preventing cars driving on the road in order to launch your boat onto the American River. It is just so terrible how the State Park messed up the boat and shore access to the American River!
All I wanted to do was paddle my kayak for a couple days, go camping at Beals Point, and just chill out from traveling half way around the planet. Frustrating me beyond belief-my camping trip turned out to be stressful driving here and there just so I can go kayaking and camping?
O=:-o Oy-Evay! The State Park planning commission who designed these stupid, obstructed pathways, roads, and waterway boat access at Negro Bar is surely meshugginna! Why I oughta yell at Ah-nold, complain about Folsom Lake SRA, and Ah-nold better repair that entire infrastructure for Folsom Lake ASAP!
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A friend asked if I would like to go to the lake with the girls on Sunday. Finally, a decent chance to get some color on my backside. I was looking forward to a lake with boats, umbrellas, people, fun. Uh...as a dear friend put it, after looking at my photos from the day- he's seen more inviting images from Iraq.
We had to park, oh approx 2 miles from the water and hoof it, dragging coolers, bags and towels. 2 of my friends were brave enough to actually go into the water and neither of them has tested positive for any communicable diseases...so far, so good.
I have a few recommendations: bring a 4wd, go towards the beginning of the season so the water level is still decent, bring your own shade (there is nothing down by the water) and bring your own soap. The bathrooms are GROSS. At least they have bathrooms.
2 stars for the nice guy from the rental shop that gave us free ice cream bars.
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The family and I went up to Folsom lake one time to just relax and hang out. Beware: wear water shoes since the "sand" is tough and grainy. We had a good time wading in the water, tanning, and building sand castles. I'd rather make an hour and a half drive to the beach, but it's a nice place to visit if you wanna just hop on by to be near the water.
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My friends and I were too cheap to use quarters to pay for the timed showers while camping.
So we went out like savages and each took our turn squatting below the camp faucet using a tupperware storage container as a mini-bucket for rinsing off.
We each looked like poor youth you'd see in a third world country, and we each saved a dollar.
NO SHAME.
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Folsom Lake has 2 main campgrounds: Beales Point and Peninsula.
Peninsula is very isolated, has tons of sites, and is perfect if you have your own boat -- there is a boat launch right at the campgrounds.
Beales Point has a nice sandy beach, lots of nearby biking trails, and a small selection of campsites.
If you're going with a group, I would suggest you make a reservation for Beales Point. It is extremely easy to get to, and it has a little bit of everything for everyone.
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