Thought I'd give a little different review from a winters point of view...Pics are at Folsom lake @ Granite Bay boat launch (multiple launch areas depending on water level). Folsom lake is awsome in summer for boating and water toys. Horse area for unloading and loading and lots of horse trails. Trails for biking, hiking and walking your dogs. Probably the go to for boat launching in summer with so much room. There are beaches to the East and picnic spots to the east that most people probably don't drive farther in to see
Today 12/28/20 I took the dogs out as the water level was lowest I've seen personally. You can drive down but I came to walk so parked at upper boat launch and ended up almost in the middle of the lake..lol..again attached pics are current look as of this date.. Awsome to walk it instead of being in a boat
Blue dot in the google maps pic shows how far out we had to walk out to get to waters edge..the rocks one of my dogs is standing on is a pile of old blasted out granite when the lake was built and obviously usually under a lot of water
P.s Quick tip; state park pass for a year $125, Good at most "State" parks including Folsom lake. Folsom $12 a day normally.. Has saved me a ton of money in long run for a years worth...
Read moreI have mixed feelings about this place. 5 stars for one of the cleanest parks I've ever been to. Was there in July ...and only dry brown grass everywhere. Maybe that's why there was NO ONE else ANYWHERE! Long winding road took 30 minutes (while driving as fast as the road would allow) ...and even tho it was 4:30 they charged me the whole $12.00 fee. Brought KFC to eat for dinner and had to feed the meat- eating bees so they would let us eat in peace. NONE of that was the problem. It was the fact that the rockhounding book I have said that there were agates there and after arriving I found that they were on the camping side ($33.00) of the park ...and when I went to investigate the road to that area it had a sign that said "no unauthorized vehicles"! Super frustrating, especially for my DD daughter that was looking forward to hunting for agates. Found some quartz pieces laying here and there to try to satisfy her; sorry the road was so twisty she threw up on the way out! (My fault there... trying to beat the sunset :( ). Got some nice pics tho lol. All in all a sweet park with a HUGE lake and in the spring when it's greener would maybe be a nice camping place? I don't know, that drive down in there...
Read moreWith the drought California is facing for 2 decades or even more. It's evident that we losing water. Parking at Beals Point is plentiful even on the Saturday we visited. From the parking It was trek downwards to the waterline where once it was considered a deep area. So if you are bringing a paddle board or any kind of floatie. Bring it last. Bring your other stuff first and setup your beach camp. I'd say pack light cause as I mentioned, its a trek. And going uphill in soft gravel sand can tire you out. Quickly.
There are picnic areas with a BBQ grill. Its first come, first serve. But its great to have any family outing or parties. But its far from the waterline. There is also a snack store. It was open when we were there.
Now this area is not just about swimming in the lake. You can bike on the trails and around the lake. Or reserve a RV and Camp sites. There is a entrance fee and you can also use that same ticket receipt at Granite Beach and Nimbus Flat all on the same day.
So if you don't mind the low water level lines. Its still a great...
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