I love coming here in the mornings to go paddle boarding. I've already been out twice this week, usually arriving between 9-10 a.m., and there are hardly ever many people out on the water at that time. The water is calm, making it perfect for beginner paddle boarders. I even brought my mom out with me yesterday she was a little nervous about falling in, but since the water was so smooth, we had no issues. We ended up paddling for about an hour and a half, and it was such a relaxing experience. Since I've been coming out so often, I went ahead and bought a Poppy Pass for $135 online, which covers parking at parks all over California. It's a much better deal than paying the $10 parking fee each visit. If you're a beginner paddle boarder, or just want a peaceful lake to enjoy on a weekday, I definitely recommend Lake Natoma. read more

Lake Natoma - Paddle boarding - Lakes Near Me - Folsom, California

Lake Natoma is a wonderful place to paddle on some calm flat water in the Sacramento area! Bring your paddleboard, kayak, canoe or pool floatie-thingy out to the lake (it's really a reservoir), tote along some food and friends and don't forget your sunscreen! read more

A fantastic place to paddle. There's really neat things to see in every part of the river. It's a perfect flat water lake read more

Lake Natoma - Upper slough - Lakes Near Me - Folsom, California

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Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills just 15 miles north of Sacramento, Lake Natoma offers a picturesque and serene paddling experience along the Lower American River. Though overshadowed by the larger Folsom Lake, this smaller yet more scenic body of water provides a tranquil haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Surrounded by rolling, lush hills and miles of preserved wetlands, Lake Natoma's breathtaking scenery and motorized boat restrictions make it an ideal destination for kayaking, canoeing, and other non-motorized water sports. Camping is available nearby at Folsom Lake. A popular place to paddle. https://www.paddlingcalifornia.com/Lake_Natoma.html read more

Beautiful and relaxing, the perfect place to relax on a hot day. Parking is right next to the water, places to sit and eat, there are lots of families and people walking their dogs. Close and accessible trails to find a spot on the water away from the crowds. Lots of things to see, ducks, butterflies, paddle boards. The water was warm and the lake was so pretty. read more

When my wife and I were getting there quite a few cars were leaving. But they turned us away, they wouldn't even let us in to drop stuff off. So, I dropped my wife off with our kayak at the entrance and as I turned around a park ranger was walking towards my car and I rolled down my window to ask her something and before I even said a word she yelled at me in a very aggressive tone "we are closed keep moving". When I finally found parking in an overflow spot I came back and there were plenty of parking spots open. We found a sitting spot near the water and I went to go complain about what just happened and they were letting cars back in to park. So I ran back to my car and parked so I didn't have to haul my kayak back a mile to my car. The other thing that happened to us is the lifeguard was picking and choosing who he was stopping and telling to put a life vest on or to have on the kayak or paddle board. A group of older white people paddled by with out life vests on their kayaks and he said nothing but as soon as I, a 30 year old former swimmer, and my wife (also a former swimmer) paddled by he stopped us and said that we had to have a life vest on our kayaks. I can't tell you how many times I have been out here to lake Natomas and I have never been stopped and told to have one. I would also like to point out (and I usually don't because I like to think that people aren't racist anymore but) I am a brown man, and he was letting a lot of white people go without. If I had a child with me that's one thing, if there were signs everywhere saying that life vests are required on all vessels then I wouldn't be complaining, but there weren't any signs and we don't have children. I am also 30 years old and can make my own decisions and we payed money to be there. I understand that some people are just plain stupid and they have those rules for everyone because people are stupid, but if you going to stop me stop everyone! And put "Life vests must be on every vessel for 13 and older, and must be worn by children 13 and younger" signs everywhere. Also, this park makes so much money, clean the freaking bathrooms more often! They are absolutely disgusting! read more

A couple years ago, we owned an 18 ft For Winns boat. Because Lake Natomas has a boat ramp, we decided to take a cruise on the lake. It turns out to be very shallow as you make way towards the Rainbow Bridge to the end that we encountered a gravel bar and got stuck. Fortunately. A guy on a paddle board saved us by pushing us off of it. This lake is not for heavy boats!!! Just a warning if you want to go boating here. Take you big engine boat to Folsom LKe. Much more fun for that! read more

Okay, so the review that I'm writing is for Lake Natoma, which is the entire portion of the American River between Folsom Dam and Nimbus Dam. The address on this business page is for Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, which is different, and which there is already a dedicated Yelp page for. There is no State Recreation Area named "Lake Natoma." Rather, there are actually several different state recreation areas from which one can access Lake Natoma. Off the top of my head, these include Folsom Lake SRA, Nimbus Flat, Hazel Overlook, Willow Creek, Beal's Point, Mississippi Bar, Folsom Powerhouse, Negro Bar, and more. Several facilities offer kayak rentals on Lake Natoma. The most popular ones that I know of are the Sac State Aquatic Center on Hazel, and Adventure Sports Rentals in Folsom. My daughter and I have gone kayaking on Lake Natoma from the aquatic center many times, and every single time has been a wonderful and memorable experience. Lake Natoma is surrounded by trails. For cycling, these include the American River Bike Trail, Lake Natoma Trail, and Johnny Cash Trail. For hikers and equestrians, there are the Pioneer Express and Jedediah Smith Memorial Trails. While popular hiking websites state that the hike around the lake is only about 12 miles, it's actually more like 18, if you go around the entire lake. However, it's easy to split into an 11 mile and a 7 mile portion. The 11 mile loop, starting in Historic Folsom, would include Lake Natoma Trail, crossing the river at Hazel to the American River Bike Trail, and finally crossing the river again at the Historic Truss Bridge to close the loop in Old Folsom. The 7 mile loop, starting in Historic Folsom, would cross the Historic Truss Bridge to the American River Bike Trail to Folsom Dam, then cross that dam to the Johnny Cash Trail, back to Historic Folsom. This loop is pretty easy, and usually takes just over two hours to complete. Optionally, one can add a few miles by extending the hike/ride up to Beal's Point, which is about a mile and a half up the American River Bike Trail from Folsom Dam. While the hiking trails run roughly adjacent to the cycling trails, they are much longer, overall. Hiking around the lake on the Pioneer Express and Jedediah Smith Memorial Trails takes about 20 miles. As to flora and fauna on Lake Natoma, there is way too much for me to name. Folsom is a popular nesting spot for bald eagles, which rest in the ancient blue oaks on the bluffs high above the river. California wild grapes, blackberries, and figs line the lower shores. Just a few miles away from the aquatic center, near Mississippi Bar, there is a protected heron rookery. Kayaking past this area, one is rewarded with views of white and blue herons and egrets. When I first moved to Folsom, I was so confused by the term "Lake Natoma." As I've mentioned, it's actually just a segment of the American River. As the crow flies, it's only about 6 miles long, but a hike all the way around, including crossing over both dams, is closer to 18-20 miles. read more

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Lake Natoma offers a wealth of different activities and honestly is becoming one of my local favorite waterways. All of the waterways in this area falls under the Folsom SRA but I really wouldn't consider Natoma in the same way I think of Folsom Lake. One of the best things to do out here is to bike or walk the perimeter of Lake Natoma. You can park at the hatchery for free and bike all the way up to Folsom and back. There is a lot of elevation changes but it is quite a picturesque loop and hard not to stop when you visit early in the morning or later in the evening. Another activity that I have been enjoying lately is kayaking on this lake. The two man beaches seem to be along the Nimbus Flat or Black Miners Bar Beach areas. You can enjoy the beaches or even better take a kayak and explore the lake. Dont sleep on this place if you have younger kids, even with the high water level along the American River, this area is still slow moving and there are quite a few places to visit! read more

Nice area located near shops and restaurants. Hotel is warming and inviting. Television and channels need updating

Beautiful and very clean, got to relax while my kids did some paddle boarding. Talked to a bunch of kayakers who fished for bass and they gave me some great pointers and places to fish. Going back soon to do some bass fishing. read more

Folsom area is a once a summer journey. For the second straight year I biked the area...the paths are set up nicely and the beach/picnic area and trails at Lake Natoma seemed the nicest of them all. We went before the dangerous heat and had a great time. read more

Lake Natoma - Late summer - Lakes Near Me - Folsom, California

Could be the best place for water rec in the area... almost. The good: perfect place to paddleboard, kayak, fish or swim. Huge floating area that can easily accommodate lots of people without feeling too crowded. Lots of inlets to explore and nature (deer, bald eagles, etc.) to see. Hardly any current and (usually) no boat wake so it's easy enough that kids can have a blast. And friendly rangers and lifeguards on beaches. Now the disappointing: I have yet to go when there is not a handful of people that bring speakers and blast music from their boards. I'm fine if people want to listen to music just for your small board radius, but the volume they set seems to be for the benefit of the whole lake. And unfortunately it's often the people with the most questionable taste in music that seem to crank it the loudest. The level of explicit lyrics and zero shame even when kids are nearby is pretty sad. Nobody wakes up and hauls all their gear out onto the water to hear somebody else's music. If they did, they wouldn't bring a speaker, they'd just enjoy their fellow boaters broadcasts. And there is quite a bit of beer etc being consumed so it's possible some people are too faded to realize how loud they have it? But noise carries extremely well over still water unlike the ocean so less is seriously more in this case. So if you go and you're actually there to enjoy nature, maybe pack some earplugs. And a last heads up for swimmers, there is supposedly a no wake or low speed boat rule but twice now I've seen boats flying down the channel and almost hit a swimmer in the water. I had to quickly paddle in front of a swimmer so the boat would change course, and the guy had just been staring at his phone. He also was blasting music so wouldn't have heard anyone warning him anyways. Definitely use the neon floats for distance swimming and hopefully they'll start patroling the boat traffic before someone gets hurt. Good luck! read more

Lake Natoma - Lakes Near Me - Folsom, California

Great place for fun family picnic or to beat the heat in the summer time. If you also, are looking to Paddle board, kayak's or fishing with an easy convince boat launching area this place is for you. You can purchase yearly parking pass to enjoy all year round. The park does get pretty pack during the summer. Have mind It's a first come first service bases. Security comes by to check often which is great. Sac State aquatic center right across the lake rents out water equipments if you don't have your own. read more

Lake Natoma - Calm water, great for paddle boarding and kayaking. - Lakes Near Me - Folsom, California

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Beautiful park where you can bike, hike, swim, and do all sorts of water activities. Clean and safe. Has picnic tables and bbq grills. Bathrooms are private and clean. Just a great place to visit. They also have a life guard on duty and free life vests to borrow. A rental company has been set up for renting kayaks and paddle boards. Close to Old Town Folsom and the American River. read more

Lake Natoma is truly a gem spot in Sacramento that epitomizes the beauty of this area and the many recreational activities that may be enjoyed here. Paddle-Boarding, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, swimming...you name it! This is a gorgeous, flat-water area for safe water sports. There's no need to drive far away for paddling sports when you can just go here. I recommend meeting friends here with a picnic basket and have fun during the many hot summer days here. Spending time on the water makes it easier to enjoy summers here. read more

Great lake to go with family and spend all day. It is a perfect combination for picnic spot, bbq day at the lake, beach for kids and adults, water activities like kayaking, peddle boats and sail boats. The lake has cute ducks as well. Great parking which is close to the set up spot so it's easy to load and unload your stuff. read more

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Beautiful place to come out and get away and enjoy some vitamin D and some good times. Parking is $10, but if you're over 60 it is $9 dollars ....woo hoo you save a dollar... Gorgeous place to hang out. There are picnic tables and Sandy Beach for the kids to play and you can rent kayaks or stand up boards. I don't know how much the rentals are because we own ours... get out and start enjoying nature and the beauty in California... read more

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I go cycling by lake Natoma year round, place is very well maintained. Trails are clean. Nice place to get out.

Muy bonito lago para ir con la familia, sus baños muy limpios . Me gustó el lugar para ir con niños pequeños.

Who needs paying for a gym membership when you can take your kayak rowing at peaceful Lake Natoma, eh? Nope~you won't find me sweating pumping iron at a local gym; I prefer the tranquility, the solitude, and watching the wildlife . . . Surely, kayaking at Lake Natoma beats the smell of stinky sweat, right? Imagine, rowing your kayak, the gentle breeze wafting through your hair, and seeing birds gracefully flying overhead; this is the place visiting undoubtedly eliminating daily stressors! Sometimes, I like strolling visiting the dam nearby; a few years ago, I was able driving my 4-Runner Truck to the dam but, the park officials placed a barrier where vehicles are no longer permitted-sad. Overall, Lake Natoma is my peaceful, tranquil, happy place; I'll return often since, I live nearby. read more

Lake Natoma - I like kayaking on Lake Natoma! - Lakes Near Me - Folsom, California

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This park & lake is beautiful. Nice area to take short walks, ride bikes, or do some paddle activities on the water.

Lake Natoma is a beautiful place to kayak, sail and have a picnic with family. I first came to this place with my boyfriend and his kids to go kayaking over the summer of 2019. We came regularly almost twice or three times a month. Sometimes it would be every weekend. You can get a pass for a year and it cost approximately $100+ (I dont know exact price). I do know that if you dont have the pass you pay $10 for parking. I didnt have the pass so when I did come with friends I paid that $10 each time. Now that I know I will come in regularly, I will definitely buy the annual pass. I loved coming here so much that I even bought a kayak and the whole nine yards. I even thought about it possibly investing in a paddle board too. Theres so much you can do here. I loved it so much that I even suggested this place so that my coworkers can celebrate an end of the summer picnic. I have a friend who regularly swims in Folsom Lake and when he first came to Lake Natoma, he said he likes that theres no people with motors on boats and such. He said its a lot less problematic especially while hes training for triathalons. Theres trails nearby to do some bike riding. Theres also the Sacramento State Aquatic Center to rent out kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and those hydrobikes. You can also take classes there and learn sailboating and all kinds of activities. I didnt know about this place until my boyfriend took me here. Now I am looking forward to the summer and really make every weekend fun with my kayak. I NOW HAVE A KAYAK! So much fun! read more

Greatly disappointed. Went and the rangers said it was full and they were turning away people. Lots of cars. Leaving. You could hear them talking at their little setup and they even acknowledged that there were cars leaving but they decided they didn't want to figure it out so to just keep turning people away. Disappointing for taking my daughter there for the first time. read more

Plenty of parking and they refuse people . I have pictures of open parking places. Put soap and paper towels in bathrooms.

Beautiful day at Lake Natoma, west of Folsom. The park is well kept and this is great place for families. The Rangers do a good job of discouraging rowdiness, drunken foolishness and homelessness. read more

Each of my visits to Lake Natoma has been for a club rowing event. The facility is always clean, great friendly staff and clean restrooms. The area is surrounded by large lovely trees and trails. My last visit I spotted two bald eagles fishing for food! A great spot for large Regattas! read more

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(No stars) Do not go here if you plan to go get lunch for your wife and small child. If the parking lot is full they will not let you back in to retrieve them. My wife and small child were stranded inside the park with our paddle boards and other gear. I was basically told too bad and to come back later. read more

I was here for a date. We were looking for something to do that was definitely out of the ordinary! We were also looking for a adventure instead of a regular sit down dinner date. We decided to rent a tandem kayak and give it a try. The price was actually very reasonable at $16 per hr. There was some paperwork that we got online. We found that the process went very fast when we printed it at home and filled it all out before we got to the the rental stand. We got up to the front and got straight through the line. We had to pick up our life vest beacuse of course safety first! Then we went over to the dock and jumped in. Once we were out on the water, we started to have fun! We were out for about 3 hours paddling and finding places to explore along the river. Overall it was a great experience and it was defiantly a great way to keep in shape! The staff was super friendly and we had a lot of fun. What a great way to get out during a covid outbreak! read more

Lake Natoma - Kayaking is my new thing! - Lakes Near Me - Folsom, California

I put my board in at Nimbus Flat portion of Lake Natoma around 7PM. I actually parked at the park n ride and walked from there with my SUP (5 minute walk) because I did not have cash for the envelopes at the pay station. I'm not sure if this is strictly allowed but many others did the same and I ran into no issues this time though I will be sure to bring cash in the future. What I loved about this paddle is there are many portions of the shoreline along the lake where you can bring in your board and go out for a swim. Even when busy it's not hard to find a spot on the lake like this where you'll feel you have a decent amount of privacy to just relax. The paddle was calm and easy, a good spot for a beginner to practice standing up on their board. The only thing I noticed is that from some of these shore areas, the drop off is fairly sudden and the water temperature decreases a significant amount the further you swim out from the shore. Something to consider if you're not a strong swimmer. read more

I go here often from different entry points. My main spot is Black Miner's Bar but Nimbus flats is also pretty good. I'd go here over Folsom lake any day. The water doesn't seem to be low and dried up and there's lots of area to cover on a kayak or paddle board. Definitely a great place for different occasions such as picnics, BBQs, family get togethers, or just relax on the water. There's a small beach front at Black Miner's Bar and even a bigger one at Nimbus flats. Me and my family always have a great time here. Because I go so often, I purchased the annual pass. There are different annual passes but I picked the Golden Poppy one which was $125. You can purchase one online if you Google it or get it at the gates. Otherwise entry is $10 every visit. If you do get an annual pass, I'd suggest showing it for entry at the gate but then asking for a day pass to hang in the window, then hiding your annual pass in your glove compartment. This is to ensure nobody tries breaking in your car for the annual pass displayed on the mirror of your car. read more

Great time by and in the waters! Facilities and grounds are well maintained. Beach and waters are clean. Plenty of spots throughout the park to set up "camp" for the day. Some spots have the park's grills already installed, just like some benches. We saw folks bringing their own grills, coolers, food, etc. No alcohol allowed in the park and the sign is posted. You can also rent kayaks and paddle boards by the hour. Bring your kayaks, paddle boards, tents for shade, and inner tubes. Most importantly , bring your sunscreen and positivity! Stay safe and be safe. "Kids don't float. Wear a life jacket." read more

Lake Natoma is a small lake in Folsom that has much to offer.It's part of Folsom Lake and its the home of the CSUS aquatic center and Negro Bar. This is a wonderful lake for bike riding, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and is awesome for wildlife watching! We are so fortunate to live in an area that has city life so close to outdoor activities. This place is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of our every day working lives. I personally, love to bring my kayak out here either morning or evening and just paddle away my troubles. There are so many little nooks and crannies that can be explored. I have seen so many neat birds and ducks (w/babies) as well as raccoons! The park fees/launching fees are reasonable and the park itself is a blessing to have. The area is usually open from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. in the Summer. read more

Lake Natoma - Aquatic Center - Lakes Near Me - Folsom, California

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Lake Natoma and all of it's surroundings is beautiful. Plenty of things to see and do while Biking, walking, running or even water recreation. I recommend this area for anyone looking to get out but still be close to home. There is a wonderful kayak rental on this like at Negro Bar State Park. Their pricing is low, staff is easy going and their equipment is practically brand new! They have all kinds of kayaks to try out as well, and they all come with a back support. So if you are ever riding or running by this spot stop by and check them out! read more

Lake Natoma - Walking down the stairs at the picnic area inside of Negro Bar State Park - Lakes Near Me - Folsom, California

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BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO BE AT. I think it would be very ideal for a picnic. They do provide benches here, but a lot of families like to set up their own tables, chairs, and even tents. Great for a barbeque and so a lot of people do bring their grills! The lake was glistening and very clear where I was at. I drove here from South Sacramento, taking the Hazel exit, made a left and the entrance was on the right. Easy to find because it was so close to the freeway exit. There are no swimming allowed, although I did see some divers. Perfect place to just unwind and enjoy a free day. There is a $10 entrance fee and plenty of parking space at different parts of the lake. read more

I've been biking, hiking, running, kayaking and paddleboarding for a long time now. There are 3 lauch points, negro bar, willow point and main entrance point for people who want to launch their kayaks, paddleboards, and etc. Each launch is a cement launch with a dock so it does make it convenient. There are 3 rental areas the aquatic center 7 days a week, willow point which is only on weekends and has a limited supply of paddleboards, and negro bar which has more of a supply than willow point. Although I've seen an increase in the seaweed that mucks up the lake lately it is still an awesome lake to swim or play in. If you launch from willow point you will avoid most of the people as the aquatic center side and negro bar access points get flooded with people in the summer. Also you can ride your bike around the entire lake as the american river bike trail goes along side lake natoma. It is about 5 miles from the aquatic center to the american river bridge. read more

This is a great place to kayak and the handicap Area for fishing is nice. I wish they would mark the area in front of fishing pier so swimmers realize they may become hooked by fishing hooks. Several times my uncle's line was snagged by people passing by. read more

My new spot for trailing running, and getting ready for the Reebok Spartan Races. I've been coming out here routinely since last summer. Before that I'd been looking for a good place to get out to and to be able to run some trails but varying terrain (hills, sand, steep slopes). So what better area to do all that at, then by the lake? From the 1st time I'd come out here I knew I'd found my spot. For cyclists, horseback riders, and the general patrons. There's a paved path for the 1st portion of route around the lake. With an off beaten path to the side of it, which is where I like running. At one spot there's a really steep hill that I like running up in full stride to work on my sprinting and cardio. The rest of the trail is dirt and small hills speratically with houses to the left and the lake to the right. The main trail around the lake goes a good ways, I'm not exactly sure how far as I haven't tracked it. But I've gone out one way daily 4 miles, for an 8 mile round trip run/walk. If not of that is for you, you can also just go down to the lake and have some fun in the water. Or stay over night and you can do some camping in the nearby areas. Also when you first enter there's a large parking area, which isn't packed. And there's also an rest area to change and use the bathroom. read more

Love this area and all the trails! Runners you can do a lot of training for marathons because the options are endless! You can run towards discovery park (downtown) for flat terrain or to Beils point in granite bay for hills and climbing. Just follow the rules, runners/walkers stay left and the cyclists will be nice... There are plenty of bathrooms, and water fountains. Enjoy! read more

Lake Natoma - Lakes Near Me - Folsom, California

Beautiful walk around the lake at sunset. It was peaceful and gorgeous. It's not a very long walk or hard. It's new for relaxing and enjoying nature. read more

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