lake natoma

Lake Natoma is a lake near Folsom, California. The lake lies next to Old Folsom and along the American River bike trail. The entire lake is encircled by an oak lined paved bike path about 12 miles around. Near Folsom a good place to enjoy the lake is at the Lake Natoma Inn, the New Folsom Bridge and Negro Bar. Negro offers swimming. From Gold River at the Hazel/Hwy 50 exit has the state park entrance with great parking and an amazing beach. The hazel site also has the Sac State University Aquatics center offering boat, kayak, paddle boat and many others, and the Lake Natoma fish hatchery. They also offer many classes and lesson throughout the year. This is on of the places that make me TRULY love the Sacramento area.

Lake Natoma is home to the CAL STATE SACRAMENTO Aquatic center which serves both its students and the greater Sacramento community. You can rent kayaks, paddle boats or bicyles mounted on a catamaran-type thing for an hour or more. They also offer a multitude of sailing and jet ski lessons as well as specialty boating camps for kids all summer. Lake Natoma is a local gem.

I love Lake Natoma for swimming. You can pretty much go anywhere (no constraining boxes here) and the water is nice and refreshing. There are no powerboats or jet ski hazards; no gasoline, diesel, or noise pollution, although there can be a lot of "traffic" on the lake in late afternoon. There are great picnic spots and you can run or bike along the American river trail.

this is actually the premier paddling lake in northern california.rest rooms are usually clean, BBQ areas are nice, lots of parking. there are 3 areas, the one of Hazel is the best. there is also and aquatic center where you can rent boats.

The recreation area entrance (day) fee is a bit high ($10) vs. another area in Orinda I had been to, but there are nice restrooms, walkways around the lower edge of the lake, and a large parking lot, plus a small fishing "deck" with railing. The venue was a nice area for an invitational junior rowing event hosted by Sacramento Aquatic Center. There were also some picnic tables there. It was very convenient to start a bikeride down the American River Bike Trail and also I saw several people visiting the fish hatchery as I rode back. This part of the lake is quite nice in Spring and it was a very enjoyable day/bikeride.

We stumbled across this great park during a recent trip. Despite the drought, the lake was pretty and the area a lovely speing green. The bike path is paved, flat and runs alongside the lake. Walkers/runners can use the sides of the path and there seems to be room for all if you're alert and considerate. The picnic area is roomy, but lacks alot of tables. The bathroom was spotless.

This is the time of year to visit the Natoma Fish Hatchery to see the salmon and steelhead arriving to spawn. Situated on the American River which is East of Sacramento and below the Natoma Dam, this facility is operated by the State of California Fish and Game Department. It is truly a magnificent experience to visit the hatchery to see the not so patient salmon attempted to reach their adopted spawning ground. Fun for the whole family with many fish to see at the fish ladder, an fascinating natural history museum as well as a wealth of birdlife.The hatchery can be reached by traveling east on Hwy 50, turning off at Hazel Avenue. The area has signs directing you to the area.Also visit Lake Natoma where you can rent a boat or bring a bike and visit the American River Bike Trail which can connect you between Sacrament and Folsom Lake.

Lake Natoma was created by placing a small dam downstream from Folsom Lake Dam on the American River Parkway, and it's a fantastic place for kayakers to test their flat water endurance skills over a fairly long distance. To the east lies old Folsom and if you continue up river going under and past the two Folsom bridges (Folsom Crossing Bridge and Rainbow Bridge) you'll eventually see a steel cable strung over the river with a sign saying "Do Not Enter" as you approach Folsom Prison's grounds. Nobody is allowed on the river past that cable point, and if you keep going, the armed guards in the right side tower on the river canyon at the prison will show you his rifle, get on the bull horn, and tell you to turn around and go back the way you came. Don't press your luck! You won't get near enough to see anything.The Sacramento State Aquatic Center is entered at Hazel Avenue, and they run many programs from that facility on the lake, including competitive oaring. They also rent various types of watercraft. The east end of the lake at Folsom is best entered at the launching ramp located at the State Park entrance at Negro Bar. This pay entrance ($12 for a car without any trailer) entrance is just west of Folsom-Auburn Road on the south side of Greenback Lane. At this location there is a new boat docking ramp where small boats may be launched, although power boats are rare. Also located at Negro Bar is a broad curved dirt beach that has kayak rentals in the summer months only, with picnic tables and barbeque areas, a typical State Parks set up that families enjoy because little kids can play there in the shallow water. Parking can get crowed in the summer months, though. There's a 5 mph speed limit on the entire lake, and there's rocky areas where you wouldn't want to take any power boat. We love going here on bicycles, the American River Parkway bike trail runs here along the river.

I love the lake for its beauty and great paved bike/hiking trails on both the North and South side, as well as dirt trails for horses. Although I haven't taken the tour, I know there are organised raft trips originating at the Lake. Sacramento State Aquatic Center is on the Lake and you can often see rowing teams practicing and racing, as well at paddle boarders, fisherman from the side of the lake as well as from boats. Some parts of the lake are good for swimming.Nimbus Damn is at the West side of the lake and below that is the Nimbus Fish Hatchery home to the annual Salmon migration. Here you can get up close with the fish and learn a lot about the importance of the hatchery to the survival of Salmon and Steal-head. In the fall you can often see a wall fisherman, below the hatchery, catching huge Salmon as they swim upstream to spawn.The lake is a great place to get away from it all and still be withing about 10 minutes of anything!

This is our favorite lake in the area for kayaking. You can paddle all the way up to Folsom Prison, if you choose. The lake is about 5 miles long and typically very calm. Lots of wildlife in the area and great for picking blackberries in the summer. The aquatic center hosts several competitions throughout the year. Kayak rentals and picnic tables are available at the aquatic center and at Negro Bar entrances.

This is a great lake with a wonderful picnic area, place to bike on trails nearby, geese, kayaking, boat launch and an aquatic center to rent boats and paddle boards. Across the lake is a series of waterways to paddle through containing wildlife and aquatic plants. Go there, great time and low entrance fee.Dont miss the fish hatchery across the street. This is really wonderful when the salmon are running and climbing the ladder.

Wonderful place to spend with your family. I believe it is free. Great for bike riding, water sports, kayaking too. Picnic tables on the water for a beautiful view.

Lake Natoma is great for its variety of activities. There are well maintained bike trails. There are sailing lessons, kayaking, paddle boats and nice picnic areas. There is plenty of shade and areas for sunbathing. Go across the street and see the fish hatchery for something different.

Distance around lake from Lake Natoma Inn is around 13 miles..Great for biking or hiking. The trail has beautiful views of thelake, and about 7 miles from the hotel there's a place to rentboats to paddle around the lake.

Two of us, one Kayak and one paddleboard. The staff was friendly, no waiting in line on a tuesday late morning. You must give them a id each and your keys to hold for your rented items. We ended up on the water about 50 minutes total and they only charged us for half an hour, very nice. We wanted to go back the next day to sail but found out you must be checked out way in advance in you know how to sail, about two weeks and then you can go out on your own. Did not have that much time, perhaps next visit. Its inexpensive and fun for a sunny day. You can hit the beach and trade boards/kayak with a few people and enjoy more than one sport at a time. We will be going back.