We sort of happened upon this historic site while taking a walk in Folsom. I was honestly surprised…read moreat how fascinating the site is. It's intact and been really well preserved. There was a docent named Tom that gave us a short tour and he definitely made the experience more enjoyable. I would absolutely return to the site. I'd love to take more photos, it's super cool.

Who knew the engineering that went into supplying Sacramento with hydro-power! It's not typically…read moremy "go-to" type of history but my granddaughter was really wondering about the place so we stopped in. I've lived in the area for 50 years and this honestly, sadly, was the first time I experienced the old powerhouse. Just go, you won't be disappointed and do bring a picnic and enjoy river views under the trees!

Amazing trail in scenic the Folsom SRA…read more Folsom lake gets a lot of attention as Lake Natoma is technically part of Folsom Lake's Recreation area but it couldn't be more different. Location: Lake Natoma is located downriver from Folsom damn and is held back by the Nimbus Dam. The major difference is that there is no motorized boats allowed on the lake and the water level is pretty consistent. This makes it much better for kayaking and paddle boards. It also make it great for waterfront trail that runs around the entire lake. Activities: With the recent renovations this trail is great for biking, walking and jogging. With the scenic view of the water and the scenery. Vibe: Besides the main trail, there are side trails and single tracks that run along the man trail. Lake Natoma has many activities and the multiuse trail is just one part. It's great to have something so great in Sacramento's backyard

Like it or not, the Lake Natoma waterfront and trail enhancement project was completed several…read moreyears ago. The result is the Lake Natoma Waterfront Access Trail. It provides ADA access to Lake Natoma area that's next to the Folsom historic district. The trail is a loop that cuts a path down closer to the river's edge and connects the current American River trail. It was my first time exploring the waterfront access. It was within a hour before dusk (in the winter) so I didn't venture far out. There are no lights out. I used the Gold Lake Drive access point behind Lake Natoma Inn that's also near the Lake Natoma Bridge Crossing pedestrian walk. The upper path is an ADA trail. The trail loops in an oval. It's shared with cyclists and pedestrians. So if you have mobility issues and/or children, please be vigilant and watch out for those cyclists. The lower trail hugs the river which the body of water is called Lake Natoma in this particular area. Not to be confused with the Lake Natoma recreation area off Hazel Avenue. There is a variety of foliage and wildlife to observe. Nearby parking maybe hard to find. You might have to park further away and walk over. But the plus side is that parking is totally free in and around Historic Folsom. Just be aware of the posted time limits.

We attended the first docent-led hike of the year on Saturday, 2/1/2020. It was a "history" hike,…read morefocusing on the Deer Creek Gold Rush. We learned about the gold in the area, the miners, the mining district, and the fate of the local natives. The leader, David, was very knowledgeable. We enjoyed a beautiful 3-mile hike over gentle hills. It was an easy hike, although some of the terrain was rocky and uneven, and we had to find a path through a couple of small streams. Not a problem for most, but some older folk were glad they had their hiking poles. I was glad I had my waterproof hiking shoes. The Preserve is open to the public on Saturdays from Feb - May, and then again in the fall. Check the website for access hours. You can hike on your own, or register for one of the docent-led hikes. Also, the road to access Deer Creek Hills is not paved, and there is a small stream you have to drive through to get to the hiking area, so a four-wheel drive is a good idea. Those without high-clearance vehicles parked their cars along the side of the road before the stream, and hiked to the trailhead.

Beautiful Blue Oak ecosystem. They sponsor hikes with themes: fungi & mushrooms, native Indian or…read moresettler history, yoga, geology,etc. Self guided hikes of 3 to 6 miles. SacramentoValleyConservacy.org

Ever since moving to the Sacramento area back in 2001, I have yet to conquer all the hidden trails,…read morecreeks and nature surrounding it. This takes me to the city of Folsom where I stumbled across "Hinkle Creek Nature Area", a place I had not even heard about until making an actual visit. Located in a residential part of Folsom alongside Baldwin Dam Rd., this park/nature preserve is closest to Oak Ave and Folsom-Auburn Rd while being just west of the American River. I came here with my lady during the afternoon of Sunday 2/1/2026 at around 1:00pm. Much to my surprise, parking was free and easily accessible. What I particularly liked about this nature area was that you may enter through either a paved or unpaved trail as the entire walk stretches in just under a mile. And much to my surprise, the 36-acres that accommodates this park actually made me feel as if I was more in the open air wilderness. Since we came during a comfortable day, we witnessed a ton of fresh green grass and the absence of leaves on many of the trees. During my walk, The overall nature area is the perfect spot for relaxed, leisurely walks that even the most non-skilled person can do while it is stroller and pet friendly. I also wanted to add that the trail can also be used for mountain biking and even horseback riding even though we did not witness that on our walk. I also encourage everyone to pay a visit to the actual Hinkle Creek Nature Center that offers useful information and educational programs to children. All in all, this is an excellent and well-maintained nature center that caters to all walks of life. My rating, a unanimous five stars.

What a find! I have to say that the Hinkle Creek Nature Area is one of our most favorite suburban…read morenature areas in the Sacramento region. The one-mile loop, partially paved and all easily marked, truly makes you feel that you aren't in the middle of a neighborhood. For the most part, it's quiet, and serene -- even when homes are nearby. The only real noise is when you walk beside a road for a few 100 feet.The small creek and pond provide a beautiful setting to walk by or sit and relax. Dog are allowed, but keep in mind that if your dog is a barker or not totally canine-friendly, there are few places to let others pass when you are on the unpaved portion of the trail. Go in the spring time when the grass is green and lush. This is a gem of a find.

This bridge is connected to trails around downtown historic Folsom and makes for a great…read morewalking/running trails. Plenty of spots along the way to enjoy the lake and nature.

The Historic Truss Bridge is the bridge over Lake Natoma that runs parallel to, and can be seen…read morefrom, the Rainbow Bridge in Historic Folsom. There are a lot of cool bridges in Folsom, but the Historic Truss Bridge probably has the neatest story of them all. Built in 1893 by the San Francisco Bridge Company, the Historic Truss Bridge was supposed to be "replaced" by the adjacent Rainbow Bridge, which was built in 1917. In 1930, the Truss Bridge was purchased by Siskiyou County, which placed the bridge over the Klamath River in Walker, where it remained until the 1990s. When Siskiyou County decided to replace the Historic Truss Bridge, Folsom decided to purchase it back, and to return it to its original location. Most of the original construction elements were kept, but some of the parts that had to be replaced were used to construct the nearby walkway down to the gazebo below the bridge. The bridge is now mainly used as a bicycle and pedestrian pathway. Technically part of the Jedediah Smith Memorial section of the American River Bike Trail, it connects the latter trail to the Johnny Cash Trail and Historic Folsom, where the terminus to the Lake Natoma Bike trail is located. My favorite thing about this bridge are the funny signs on either side, which read: $ 5 FINE FOR DRIVING OVER THIS BRIDGE FASTER THAN A WALK $ 25 FINE FOR DRIVING MORE THAN 20 HEAD OF HORSES, 50 HEAD OF CATTLE OR 200 SHEEP, HOGS OR GOATS OVER THIS BRIDGE AT ONE TIME The bridge is within walking distance of Folsom's Historic District and Sutter Street, and is accessible via the bike path. Pedestrians should always face bike traffic in Folsom, but virtually no one follows these rules on the Truss Bridge, so watch out. Lots of people come here to just wander around and pose for photos. The Historic Truss Bridge is the best place to view the Rainbow Bridge from, since it is only a couple hundred yards away. There is a (non-accessible) walking path between the two. It's also a fantastic place to get a view of Lake Natoma, especially looking towards the prison and the dam. The best time to visit the bridge is either sunrise or sunset, when the views over the river are spectacular.

The American River Parkway is a gem. Nice paved trails are patrolled and kept in great shape. Dirt…read moretrails veer off the main paved trail for additional biking fun. I regularly ride from Hazel (Nimbus( to Beale Point and back, about 20 miles. On weekdays the trails are sparsely populated; on weekends very crowded. Get a Poopy Pass to park at a State Rec Area. And don't bother trying to park on the weekend, likely the lots are full and you'll be turned away. Nice picnic areas along the way, some with toilets.

Running along the American River Parkway trail delivers a seamless mix of natural beauty and…read moreoutdoor convenience. The clean, paved trail is ideal for all activity levels, offering shaded pathways and stunning views of the river throughout. Whether you're getting in a serious workout or just taking a relaxed weekend walk, it provides a quiet, refreshing environment.

Pretty good place for wildlife viewing and taking a stroll. Many bird species present and great for…read morecasual birding/birdwatching, and there is pretty good fishing too. There is a resident Belted Kingfisher (bird species) that likes to eat the fish. Some places are a bit overrun with invasive weeds and but it is still immensely enjoyable. A nice little gem in the middle of a very urban area, and also nice for running or a little day trip with kids.

Another reviewer mentioned how this property used to belong to the Folsom Cordova school district,…read moreand was used for the kids to run cross country. Once upon a time, I was one of those kids. Technically, I was only on Folsom High's cross country team for a few weeks, but that was long enough to run around this pond several times. Back then, it was just a bunch of barely developed running trails around the water. When I recently visited, I was surprised to find that it had been expanded into a real, official park. These days, there are restrooms, picnic tables, a play area, exercise equipment, and even a fishing and docking ramp on the pond. A few bridges have been added to the paths to help protect the wetlands. The play area is small, but it's cute, and unique. It's really mainly just a bunch of nets for climbing. A short walk down the path away, there is a small cross-fit jungle gym, complete with instructions, set up right in front of the pond. (Note that users must be at least 14 years old to use the equipment.) During my most recent visit, I saw lots of birds, including a couple of geese with five baby goslings in tow. While it wasn't quite as rural as I remembered it, it was still very peaceful and picturesque. I can definitely see myself coming back sometime to try cross-fit by the pond.

The Earl J. (Ranger Jack) Koobs Nature Area is a little slice of sanctuary nestled in Carmichael,…read moreCA. It is part of what is now the La Sierra Community Center. Earl Koobs was a science teacher at La Sierra High School which closed in '83. The area is a preserve, supported by local community organizations, businesses and volunteers. Within the area is the La Sierra Vietnam Memorial, which hosts events to honor all Citizen warriors who served and often sacrificed serving our nation. There is a lot going on here beyond honoring our heroes. This is an awesome learning environment open to all.

I attended a beautiful and touching ceremony today to Honor and Remember with Respect and…read moreGratitude Veterans Day November 11, 2019 at La Sierra High School Veterans Memorial known as the Earl J. Koobs Nature Area. The Earl J. Koobs Nature Area is one of the first known Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the area. It was originally dedicated in 1973 for 14 young man who gave their lives serving our country. Many others have yet to be recognized. The plaque was crafted by fellow metal shop students at La Sierra. The large metal wheels were built by inventor R. Marcus Robbins McKinney. The nature area is a place to remember those we have loss. Thank you to all who have kept this quiet nature area cleared and the up keep of the walking trails.