Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is a diverse recreation area situated in the Sierra Nevada foothills, approximately 25 miles east of Sacramento. This expansive park encompasses over 19,000 acres of water and 75 miles of shoreline, featuring two main bodies of water, Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma. The terrain includes rolling hills, oak woodlands, grassy meadows, and rugged landscapes, providing a varied environment for several sports like hiking, jogging, mountain biking, touring cycling, and more.
127
Routes
4.6
(41)
Average rating
1602
People visited

9
hikers
10.7km
02:52
120m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
9
hikers
8.72km
02:42
350m
320m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
hikers
15.4km
04:26
370m
390m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
hikers
4.02km
01:01
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.9
(9)
74
riders
13.6km
01:11
120m
120m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(8)
67
riders
11.5km
00:58
80m
80m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
riders
11.8km
00:51
100m
100m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
33
riders
30.4km
02:45
410m
410m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

75
riders
22.4km
01:53
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
8.80km
00:42
70m
70m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
74
riders
19.2km
01:32
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
35
riders
16.7km
01:24
180m
180m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

41
runners
14.6km
01:35
210m
210m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

25
runners
11.8km
01:14
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

17
runners
10.4km
01:14
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
15.8km
01:41
130m
130m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

8
riders
43.7km
02:10
440m
440m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

37.6km
01:42
270m
270m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

52
riders
38.4km
02:18
340m
340m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
97
riders
28.3km
01:10
110m
110m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.5
(2)
26
riders
19.2km
01:10
120m
120m
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
26.9km
02:32
560m
560m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
riders
49.9km
03:16
460m
460m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
47.0km
03:16
720m
720m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, jogging, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and gravel biking. The park features over 100 miles of trails and 75 miles of shoreline across its 19,000 acres. It is a popular destination for both land and water-based recreation.
The recreation area provides over 100 miles of trails for hiking. Popular options include the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail and the Pioneer Express Trail. For more detailed information on routes, consult the Hiking in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Yes, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area offers trails suitable for beginners and all fitness levels. The Oaks Nature Trail, just over 0.75 miles (1.2 km) long, is considered easy and provides views of oak woodlands and the lake shore. Additional easy options can be found in the Easy hikes in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is suitable for families, offering various trails and recreational opportunities. The Oaks Nature Trail is an easy option for all ages. For specific routes, the Family-friendly hikes in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area guide provides suitable options.
Information regarding dog-friendly trails is available for Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. Specific routes where dogs are permitted can be found in the Dog-friendly hikes in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Mountain bikers have access to over 95 miles of trails within the recreation area. The challenging Darrington Trail is a popular option, extending nearly 16 miles (26 km) with views of the south fork of Folsom Lake. More options are detailed in the MTB Trails in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area guide.
Yes, the recreation area offers a 32-mile (51 km) paved bicycle path connecting Folsom Lake with Sacramento County parks and Old Sacramento. The Doton's Point and American River Bike Trail Loop is a popular touring route. Further cycling options are available in the Cycling in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area guide.
The area features two main bodies of water, Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma, surrounded by rolling hills, oak woodlands, and grassy meadows. Notable natural features include Chamise Chaparral and Vernal Pools. Historical landmarks include the Folsom Powerhouse and remnants of the California Gold Rush known as dredger piles.
Folsom Lake State Recreation Area is a highly rated destination on komoot, with over 16,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The area features 86 routes across various sports, which have an average rating of 4.56 out of 5 stars.
Komoot offers several guides for Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, covering various activities and interests. These include guides for Hiking, Running Trails, MTB Trails, and Cycling, among others.
For direct inquiries, Folsom Lake State Recreation Area can be contacted via their official website or phone number. The official website is http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=500. The park's phone number is +1-916-988-0205.
Specific permit requirements for hiking or general trail access in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area are managed by California State Parks. Visitors should check the official park website or contact the park directly for current regulations regarding permits, fees, or passes.
Trails in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area traverse diverse terrain, including oak woodlands, grassy meadows, and rugged landscapes. The area also features ecosystems such as Chamise Chaparral, Blue Oak Savanna, and Cottonwood/Willow Riparian habitats. This variety offers different experiences for hikers and cyclists.

