Folsom Lake Area

To use the map above, click on any point. You’ll find the name and a brief description with a link to additional information. Alternatively, you can click on the square with an arrow in the upper left hand corner of the map to open a complete list of all the locations on this map. The map is easier to use if you enlarge it by clicking on the partial square in the top right portion of the map.

Fees and directions may have changed. If you have recommended changes for a location, please email them to the Web Committee.

Folsom Lake and other large reservoirs are magnets for water birds and can function almost like inland seas. As many as 100,000 gulls may be found roosting on the lake in winter. Most of them are California Gulls, along with many Herring and Ring-billed Gulls. With persistence, you can find Short-billed, Iceland, and Glaucous-winged Gulls. With luck you might find a Glaucous Gull or something truly rare. Common Loons are expected in winter, sometimes a dozen or more, while Pacific Loons are seen occasionally. Rarities have included all three species of scoter (fall, winter), Sabine’s Gull (fall), and Common Tern (fall). There are often huge rafts of Western Grebes, which usually include many Clark’s Grebes. Eared Grebes, and, more surprising for an inland location, Horned Grebes can be found in good numbers as well.

In addition to the lake habitat, there are large sections of oak woodland and chaparral ringing the lake, with many miles of trails to provide wonderful birding access. The lake and its surroundings are managed as Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (FLRSA) by California State Parks. Only a sampling of the sites available to visit is included below. Areas that were once accessible from the Folsom Dam Road, and the road itself, are now closed for security reasons.

Parking fees for the 16 different parking lots range from $10 to $12 depending on the location, except that Mormon Island lots fees are $5.

If you plan to visit multiple locations within FLSRA on the same day, purchase your one-day pass at the highest cost location so that you have access to all locations. Electronic payment stations have been installed at some access points. Unfortunately, they are not always working properly. For the latest on fees and other information, call the district office at 916-988-0205, or visit the FLSRA website.

Cars have been broken into at remote lots. Natural hazards include ticks, poison oak, and rattlesnakes. There are occasional reports of mountain lions.

The Nimbus Dam creates a narrow reservoir below Folsom Lake on the American River. It backs up water for nearly six miles, starting just upstream from the Nimbus Hatchery and the Hazel Avenue bridge. Open water attracts many water birds and the surrounding oak woodlands add to the species diversity.

Every winter, Common Loons are found on the lake and, on rare occasions, a Pacific Loon has been reported. Five species of grebes can often be found, with this site being one of the best places locally to find Horned Grebes. Rarities have included Red-breasted Merganser and Red-necked Grebe. A spotting scope is very helpful. Bike trails encircle the lake. There is a $10 parking fee. This receipt is valid at other $10 (or $5) state park areas accessed on the same day.

Birding the site: There are several access points managed by California State Parks. The place to check first for water birds is Nimbus Flat near the dam. Exit Highway 50 at Hazel Avenue and go north over the freeway. After the first light, make a quick right into Nimbus Flat. Drive to the water’s edge and park. From there, you have a good view of much of the lower end of the lake. There are often good numbers of gulls to study along the shore. eBird Sightings

You can continue north on Hazel, cross the river, then make a right at the top of the bluff into the Lake Overlook access. An informal dirt path near the north end of the parking area will take you down to the bike trail. The bluffs on the north side of the lake are good for Rufous-crowned Sparrows (listen for their House Wren-like song and “dear, dear, dear” calls). Also listen for the questioning whistle of Phainopeplas here and elsewhere around the lake. eBird Sightings

For another view of the lake, go to the Willow Creek access. Return to Highway 50 on Hazel Avenue, go east for 0.9 mile, and exit at Folsom Boulevard. Make a left on Folsom Boulevard, and go 1.5 miles to Blue Ravine Road. Make a U-turn and backtrack on Folsom for 0.7 mile and make a right at the sign for Willow Creek. There are good views of the lake, a cove where kayakers launch their crafts, and a nice section of the bike trail crossing the creek if you walk north along the trail from the northeast end of the parking area (always be alert for cyclists). There are also nice woods along the entrance road. From the far end of the dirt parking area, walk to the main lakeshore and look across to a Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, and Double-crested Cormorant rookery in the tall gray pines (March-July). eBird Sightings

Black Miners Bar (formerly known as Negro Bar) provides several viewpoints of the upper portion of the lake, as well as a nice mix of oak woodland, gray pine, and a small patch of chaparral. From Highway 50 and Folsom Boulevard, go north for 3.6 miles (from Willow Creek, make a U-turn at Natoma Station Drive, and take Folsom Boulevard north for 3.0 miles to Greenback Avenue). Turn left at Greenback Avenue, then in 0.3 mile make a left on the Black Miners Bar access road. The far parking lot and picnic area are reached by heading right once you reach the first large parking area. From here, you can walk down to the lake with your scope, walk the lakeshore along the bike path (the bluffs here are also good for Rufous-crowned Sparrows), or visit the small patch of chaparral between the parking area and Greenback Avenue. If you have the time, there are other roads and trails to explore. eBird Sightings

The Folsom Rodeo Grounds area provides access to the upper portion of Lake Natoma and the remaining scenic portions of the American River Canyon below the Folsom Dam. From Highway 50, take Folsom Boulevard north for 2.7 miles and turn right on Natoma Street. After one mile, turn left at Stafford Street. Continue 0.2 mile to a large parking area near the Rodeo Grounds. From the far right (northeast) edge of the parking area, walk between the Rodeo Grounds and the trees, take the trail down the slope to the left, and then head right, descending toward the river canyon. You’ll reach a set of stairs that takes you up on the old Folsom Powerhouse Canal Road. Head to the right along a marshy section of canal with nice views of the river canyon. A great area for Rufous-crowned Sparrow, sometimes Band-tailed Pigeon (very rare), Phainopepla, Varied Thrush, Purple Finch, Pine Siskin. The path ends at a fence for Folsom Prison. Back at the stairway, if you go downstream, you will come to a bridge crossing a small creek, then a bike trail. Turn left up the hill on the trail and left on Leidesdorff Street. Continue on Leidesdorff, and then follow a bike trail up the hill to the right as it winds back to the parking area. eBird Sightings

Directions: From Sacramento, at Interstate 5, travel east on Highway 50 for 17.5 miles to the Hazel Avenue exit (exit 21), or continue on Highway 50 for another mile to the Folsom Boulevard exit (exit 23). See above for directions to each access point.

Folsom Point juts out into the lake and is one of several good areas for scoping water birds. The open oak woodland usually harbors fair numbers of Western Bluebirds and other expected species for this habitat. Drive to the picnic area at the end of the road and scan the water. A spotting scope is beneficial in identifying any but the closest birds. eBird Sightings

Not far from Folsom Point is the Mormon Island Wetlands (see directions). From E. Natoma St, turn left and drive northeast for less than a mile on Green Valley Road, and just before reaching Sophia Parkway, the Mormon Island Wetlands will be on your right. From the parking lot, you can take the north path, behind the yellow fence, down to and along the ravine. Another path, east out of the parking lot, goes up and over the hill. Both these paths can see heavy bike traffic, so be alert. Alternately, a right turn on Shadowfax Lane, in another 0.2 mile, will take you to the Mormon Island Cemetery. You can park along the side of Shadowfax or in front of the cemetery. There aren’t many trees in the cemetery, but the old headstones are interesting, and there have been Red-breasted Sapsuckers here. You can check the Mormon Island Wetland by walking along Shadowfax Lane and walking the informal paths through the woods. It can be good for sparrows in winter and migrants in season. Wood Ducks and Hooded Mergansers (irregular) can be found in the ponds. Rubber boots might be needed since it is often soggy or partially flooded. eBird Sightings

Back on Green Valley Road head northeast to the intersection with Sophia Parkway, turn left to reach the Mormon Island lake access. From the parking area, walk up the hill to get another view of the lake, and continue on a trail toward Brown’s Ravine. Rock Wrens are often found in the rocks on and near the dike, and Rufous-crowned Sparrows may be present. The trail from here to Brown’s Ravine has proven to be an excellent location for Phainopeplas. Hairy Woodpeckers (perhaps just one pair), and Purple Finches are also regularly found. eBird Sightings

Another mile east on Green Valley Road will take you to Brown’s Ravine. Turn left. Immediately past the entrance kiosk is a road on the right leading to a small parking area. This is a trailhead that leads back across the park road, through nice oak woodland toward the Mormon Island access (about two miles). The trail goes for many miles in the other direction as well. Brown’s Ravine is also a good location for scanning the lake; pass the marina to the road’s end at the boat ramp. eBird Sightings

From Brown’s Ravine, continue east on Green Valley Road for 0.7 mile and turn left on Salmon Falls Road. Unfortunately, many of the good locations to check along Salmon Falls Road, such as New York Creek, are now marked with “No Parking” signs. One exception is the large dirt lot (no fee) at Falcon Crest Lane on the north side of Salmon Falls Road (2.9 miles from Green Valley Road). Currently, there is an old wooden sign, but the metal street sign for Falcon Crest is missing. You can park here and walk a portion of the Monte Vista Trail (it is 3.5 miles to New York Creek). You can also walk or drive down the nicely forested steep road for 0.4 mile to a fee ($10) parking area called Old Salmon Falls. If the water is low, there are good views of the Old Salmon Falls Bridge in the lake. With two cars, you could do a very long shuttle hike between here and Brown’s Ravine (12 miles). More detailed information on Falcon Crest can be found here.

There is still legal parking (no fee) at Sweetwater Creek. From Brown’s Ravine, continue east on Green Valley Road for 0.7 mile. Turn left on Salmon Falls Road and go 3.8 miles (0.9 mile beyond Falcon Crest Lane). Immediately after crossing the creek, park in the dirt lot on the left side of the road. The upstream portion of the riparian is private property and is conspicuously signed. From the parking area (be careful of the traffic), listen for singing California Thrashers and Yellow-breasted Chats. Mountain Quail may be heard on the chaparral slopes above. You can walk the park land on the north side of Salmon Falls Road down to Folsom Lake. The vegetation here is a mix of oak woodland and chaparral, with a thin band of riparian along Sweetwater Creek. It is best here in early morning. eBird Sightings Continue another 0.2 mile east on Salmon Falls Road (4.0 miles from Green Valley Road) to one of the few places where you can pull off the road. It is worth a quick stop to listen for more chaparral species. Unfortunately, enormous houses are carving up swaths of the habitat here.

Continuing 1.8 miles on Salmon Falls Road from Sweetwater Creek (5.6 miles from Green Valley Road) will lead to a sharp left turn to the large parking area for the Sweetwater Creek Trail ($10 fee). It is a nice walk-through oak woodland, high above the upper reaches of Folsom Lake.

Directions: To reach Folsom Point, from Highway 50, take the Folsom Boulevard exit (exit 23—18.5 miles east of Interstate 5). Go north for 1.5 miles and turn right on Blue Ravine Road. Go 4.6 miles to East Natoma Street. Turn left and go 0.5 mile. Turn right to reach the Folsom Point access.

If you go straight at the intersection of Blue Ravine Road and East Natoma Street, the road becomes Green Valley Road. From this point, it is 0.8 mile to the Mormon Island Wetlands, 1.0 mile to Shawdowfax Lane, 1.2 miles to the Mormon Island lake access opposite Sophia Parkway, and 2.2 miles to Brown’s Ravine.

To reach the Sweetwater Creek area directly, take the El Dorado Hills Boulevard exit (exit 30B) from Highway 50 (29 miles east of Interstate 5). Go north on El Dorado Hills Boulevard for 4.5 miles to Green Valley Road. Continuing straight, the road becomes Salmon Falls Road. From Green Valley Road, it is 2.9 miles to Falcon Crest Lane, 3.8 miles to Sweetwater Creek, and 5.6 miles to the Sweetwater Trail.

Beals Point is probably the single best location for viewing large numbers of gulls and water birds on Folsom Lake. From late October through March, this is usually the best spot to watch thousands of gulls flying in to roost on the lake. Bruce Webb reports that the show usually begins around 3 p.m. and lasts until dusk. Large groups will often stop along the shore, giving you a chance to identify them, before heading out onto the lake to spend the night. As many as 14 Common Loons have been recorded just from this site. Depending on the water levels, you can scan the lake from near the parking area, or you will want to walk up to a quarter-mile down to the waterline. A spotting scope is very helpful. Rock Wrens and Rufous-crowned Sparrows are often seen. The campground area is also worth checking. eBird Sightings

Directions: From Sacramento, take Interstate 80 east for 17 miles from Interstate 5 to East Douglas Boulevard (exit 103A). Head east on Douglas for 5.2 miles, and turn right on Auburn Folsom Road. After 1.8 miles, turn left at the Beals Point access.

Alternately, from Highway 50, go east from Interstate 5 in Sacramento for 18.5 miles to the Folsom Boulevard exit (exit 23). Go north for 3.6 miles. At Greenback Avenue, the road becomes Folsom Auburn Road. Continue 2.6 miles to the Beals Point access. Note that the road name changes to Auburn Folsom Road once it crosses from Sacramento to Placer County.

Granite Bay Entrance

To reach Beeks Bight, you will go through the Granite Bay entrance (see below). Along the way, you will encounter oak woodland habitat that can produce a species list similar to the Beeks Bight area. It is also worthwhile to check the lake for water birds. The shoreline near the boat ramps has produced local rarities such as Snowy Plovers and Sanderlings.

Chris Conard and Kimya Lambert

Recent construction near Beeks Bight may have affected accessibility. Please check information on the North Granite Bay Road Closure at the Folsom Lake SRA website for current access information.

The Beeks Bight area is typical California foothill woodland habitat dominated by interior live oak, gray pine, and blue oak. The spring season provides the greatest diversity. Dozens of migrating and resident hummingbirds can be found feeding on flowers of the snow-drop bush, California buckeye, bush monkey flower, and Indian paint brush. Five species of hummingbirds may be observed, including Calliope and Costa’s.

Birding the site: Granite rock outcroppings prevail throughout and offer excellent habitat for Rock Wrens, Canyon Wrens (uncommon) and Rufous-crowned Sparrows. On the east slope, overlooking Folsom Lake, Common Poorwills have been found nesting. Ash-throated Flycatchers, Black-headed Grosbeaks, Western Kingbirds, Lawrence’s Goldfinches (uncommon), Lazuli Buntings, Orange-crowned Warblers, Nashville Warblers, and Yellow-breasted Chats head the list of some of the more interesting spring and summer visitors. Western Tanagers have been seen as they pass through on their spring migration to the Sierra. Nesting species include Red-tailed Hawk, Violet-green Swallow, Lesser Goldfinch, Bewick’s Wren, Bullock’s Oriole, and Oak Titmouse. Lesser Goldfinch nests are often found in the new spring growth of the California buckeye. The nests suffer extensive depredation, but these small passerines have great tenacity—they rebuild and try again. Blue-gray Gnatcatchers and Chipping Sparrows can be found, especially in spring.

As one works through the area, it is worthwhile to “glass” Folsom Lake itself. The fortunate birder will find Common Loons, Canada Geese, Common Mergansers and Western Grebes. Western Screech-Owls can sometimes be heard at dusk from the Beek’s Bight parking area and along the road back to the Granite Bay entrance. It is possible to find about 80 species of birds in this small area, including Greater Roadrunner (very rare) and Bald Eagle. eBird Sightings

The mammal and reptile watching is just as interesting. Fence lizards, whiptails, and rattlesnakes are common. Cottontails, jackrabbits, and black-tailed deer are often flushed as you slowly work through the area. If you sit quietly for sustained periods, you may be rewarded with glimpses of California meadow voles and even a coyote. Bobcats have been found in the chamise chaparral not far to the north, which can be reached by following the Pioneer Express Trail that runs above the open grassy area on the far side of the bight. A map available at the park entrance shows this and other trails (the booth is often unstaffed, but the map is available at the California State Parks website. This same chaparral is excellent habitat for California Thrasher and Wrentit.

Directions: From Sacramento, take Interstate 80 east for 17 miles from Interstate 5 to East Douglas Boulevard (exit 103A). Head east on Douglas for 6.2 miles to the Granite Bay entrance ($12 parking fee); proceed on the main road along the shoreline for 3.2 miles. For Doton’s Point, almost to the road’s end, turn right and drive another 0.2 mile. Park on your left in the third and largest parking area. Back to the main road, it dead-ends shortly in a parking lot overlooking Beeks Bight. Following the trail straight ahead will lead to the Pioneer Express Trail.

Alternately, from Highway 50, go east from Interstate 5 in Sacramento for 18.5 miles to the Folsom Boulevard exit (exit 23). Go north for 3.6 miles. At Greenback Avenue the road becomes Folsom Auburn Road. Continue another 4.4 miles to Douglas Boulevard. Note that the road name changes to Auburn Folsom Road once it crosses from Sacramento to Placer County. Turn right on Douglas Boulevard, and go one mile to the Granite Bay entrance (see above).

Tim Fitzer

This trail north from the Rattlesnake Bar park entrance to Avery Pond generally follows Folsom’s lakeshore at an elevation of about 50-100 feet above the high water line. The hike to Avery Pond is 1.2 miles and mostly in shade, even in the heat of summer. Pack a picnic lunch, as there are several picnic tables at Avery Pond. The trail is narrow at  times with numerous steep drop-offs to the lake. It also has several up and down spots and some rocky areas, so good hiking shoes are recommended. Families with elementary school-age children can do this hike, if the children follow instructions to stay away from the poison oak and steep drop offs.

The habitat is principally oak woodlands and chaparral with some streamside woodlands and one pond. Interior live oak, valley oak, scrub oak, blue and black oak, gray pine, white alder and Fremont cottonwood are some of the trees that will be encountered along the trail. Among the shrubs will be toyon, California wild grape, blackberry, star thistle, and many varieties of ceanothus and manzanita. The poison oak can grow quite robust, and may overhang some areas of the trail after a particularly wet spring.

Birding the site (winter): An afternoon hike in this area on a clear day in the middle of January will reward the birdwatcher with sunshine, green foothill grasses, early blooming manzanita and coyote bush, and over 60 common species of birds. This is also the best time of year for sighting Bald Eagles and Osprey soaring along the lake’s shoreline.

Species easily seen at the edges of the oak woodland in winter include California Quail, Anna’s Hummingbird, Northern Flicker, Acorn, Downy and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, Black Phoebe, Yellow-billed Magpie, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, Bewick’s Wren, Hermit Thrush, Western Bluebird, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Spotted and California Towhees, Lark Sparrow and crowned sparrows.

Harder to find but still present are Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks, Wild Turkey, Band-tailed Pigeon, Red-breasted Sapsucker, Wrentit, Phainopepla, Hutton’s Vireo, and Purple Finch.

The boat ramp is a good place to scan the lake for Common Loon, Canada Geese, Horned, Eared, Western and Clark’s Grebes, Common Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Lesser Scaup, Common Merganser, and several types of gulls. Also check the water’s edge for Spotted Sandpipers and Greater Yellowlegs. The granite outcrops between the water’s edge and the high water line are reliable areas to find Rock Wrens.

Birding the site (spring and summer): The most distinct calls heard in spring are the Ash-throated Flycatchers and Bewick’s and House Wrens. The best place for Rufous-crowned Sparrows is just after passing mile marker 47 at the bottom of the hill, as nesting activity was recently observed here. Just before Avery Pond is a man-made rock trough filled with water from a natural spring. A small footbridge crosses over the dampest area. The abundant blackberry bushes and wild irises announce the closeness of Avery Pond. This is often the best spot for hummingbirds and warblers catching mosquitoes.

At Avery Pond almost anything is possible, especially during spring migration. Check the willows and cottonwoods carefully. Birds found in the spring and summer include Belted Kingfisher, Green Heron, Wood Ducks, Black-chinned Hummingbird, Western Wood Pewee, Pacific- slope Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Black Phoebe, Common Yellowthroat, Orange-crowned and Wilson’s Warblers. Other animal species seen around the pond include bullfrogs, turtles, deer, dragonflies and damselflies.

Continue around Avery Pond and north another 0.2 mile to the Newcastle Power House structure to see the best display of swallows, soaring Turkey Vultures and hawks. On the other side of the Power House is another footbridge, which crosses Mormon’s Ravine. Many locals also call this the “Whitewater Bridge,” as high water releases can occur here. After this bridge, the trail continues another 8 miles to Auburn. The trail becomes drier, rockier, and much less wooded, resulting in a decrease in the variety of bird species and numbers.

For photographers and those who enjoy wildflowers, April is the best month to see the finest display. Most numerous are the many types of purple vetch and lupine, and the orange bush monkey flower. There is also a kaleidoscope of color from brodiaea, paintbrush, milkweed, gilia, Indian pink, buttercup, iris, globe and mariposa lilies, and violets. The hill around the Newcastle Power House also has an impressive display of purple Chinese houses.

If you can time your outing to return at dusk, you may also enjoy some of the nocturnal species of the foothills. Listen and look for Western Screech-Owls, Northern Pygmy-Owls and Great Horned Owls, as well as bats. In years past, Common Poorwills were observed from April through October, but there have been no reports in recent years. eBird Sightings

Directions: From Interstate 80 East, take the Newcastle Road exit, which is 30 miles from downtown Sacramento. At the bottom of the off- ramp, make a right turn onto Newcastle Road. Follow this road southeasterly for 2.7 miles until it crosses Auburn Folsom Road. Continue on Newcastle Road for another 1 mile where the road name changes to Rattlesnake Bar Road. Continue southeasterly for 1 mile to the entrance to Folsom Lake State Recreation Area fee ($10) parking lot. After passing the ranger check-in station, take the first left turn. Go 0.7 mile to the large paved boat launch parking area. Go to the far south end of the parking area for the non-boater parking spaces. There is some shade here, a port-a-potty, and trash barrels.

At the north end of the parking lot, close to the boat launch ramp, there’s a small footpath, which leads uphill. Look for a sign that says, “Area Closed to Bikes and Motor Vehicles.” This footpath goes uphill for 0.1 mile until it intersects with the Pioneer Express Equestrian and Hiking Trail. Turn right at this intersection and continue to follow it uphill. At the Pioneer Express Trail sign, note the mileage: traveling to the right for 1.1 miles leads to Avery Pond (it is 9 miles to Auburn). Traveling to the left 0.8 mile leads to Rattlesnake Bar Assembly Area. The birding is best if you follow the trail to the right toward Avery Pond. It is now possible to get a cell phone signal in most of the areas described above.

Natalie Fenner

The peninsula between the north and south arm of Folsom Lake is the most remote portion of the recreation area. There are extensive stands of chaparral along Rattlesnake Bar Road before reaching the entrance station. Nearer the lake, there is nice oak woodland habitat mixed with pines and good opportunities for hiking and for scanning the lake for waterbirds. Bald Eagles are often found here in winter. A campground offers the chance to spend the night and really explore this interesting and under-birded area. For details on camping, check with California State Parks.

Birding the site: On the drive in, before reaching the state parks’ property, there are extensive stands of chaparral. A check of these areas early in the morning could yield California Thrashers, and, possibly, Bell’s Sparrows. Lewis’s Woodpeckers have also been found along this road and in the recreation area. The trees at the entrance station have proven to be very reliable for Phainopeplas.

The road between the entrance station and the campground often produces many sparrows (including Rufous-crowned Sparrows) in the brushy areas and riparian blackberry thickets. Parking for day use is limited and poorly signed. Perhaps the best plan is to follow the signs toward the campground and park in the lot for the boat ramp near the campground (not the large paved parking area for the boat ramp to the north). Rock Wrens have been seen near the boat ramp. Some of the nicest trees are in the campground itself. Backtrack through the campground and find a nature trail between campsites 80 and 83. It’s possible that the numbered trail markers have not been maintained. Take the trail south, and it will lead you to several trail options to the south and east that all provide a good mix of foothill oak savannah and grassland birds, as well as views of the lake. When the lake is low, the rocky exposed areas host many Rock Wrens. In some winters, Lewis's Woodpeckers and Varied Thrushes can be found, while in others, they are absent.

Keep an eye out for Bald Eagles. They are usually here in winter. Burrowing Owls have been found sheltering among the rocks on a few occasions, and a Northern Shrike was found near the very tip of the peninsula on the Folsom Christmas Bird Count in 2004. On the drive out, take the road (left) to the picnic area before you come back to the entrance station. This provides additional views of the lake, and the trees in this area often have Red-breasted Sapsuckers in winter. eBird Sightings

Directions: From Sacramento, take Interstate 80 east (32 miles from Interstate 5) to Auburn. Take the Highway 49 exit and turn right, toward Placerville. Continue on Highway 49 for 10 miles, through the American River canyon, and turn right on Rattlesnake Bar Road. It is about 9 miles to the state parks’ property, but look for good areas to stop and check the chaparral on the way in.

Alternately, take the El Dorado Hills Boulevard exit (30B) from Highway 50 (29 miles east of Interstate 5). Go north on El Dorado Hills Boulevard for 4.5 miles to Green Valley Road. Continuing straight, the road becomes Salmon Falls Road. From Green Valley Road, it is 12 miles to Rattlesnake Bar Road. Turn left and follow the directions above.

This is a 2008 update of the original version by Brennan Davis, with suggestions from Ed Pandolfino.

Adjacent to Folsom Lake, Falcon Crest sits on a peninsula on the south side of Folsom Lake and consists of pine and oak woodlands, grasslands and extensive lake floodplains.

Birding the Site: This is mostly easy walking with a few mild inclines. Stay on trails to avoid poison oak. Several hiking and horse trails can also be accessed from here. For more information on specific trails, visit MyFolsom.com.

The availability of birds depends on the time of day and season. Falcon Crest is best experienced in the fall, winter, and spring when over 50 avian species can be tallied within a few hours. Fall, winter and spring are best birding as summer temperatures can be intense and species numbers lower.

A few bird highlights: Lazuli Bunting, Black-headed Grosbeak, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wrentit, Phainopepla, Warbling and Hutton’s Vireos, Bullock’s Oriole, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, Anna’s Hummingbird, Black-chinned Hummingbird, White-throated Swift, Oak Titmouse, Bushtit, California Scrub Jay, Bewick’s and House Wrens and Rock Wrens at the mouth of Sweetwater Creek, Common Raven, American Crow, Western Wood-Pewee, Ash-throated Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Black and Say’s phoebe, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Red-winged and Brewer’s Blackbird, European Starling, Northern Mockingbird, House Finch, Lesser Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Wild Turkey, California Quail, Western Bluebird, American Robin, Rock Pigeon.

Swallows may include; Northern Rough-winged, Tree, Violet-green, Barn, and Cliff.

Warblers may include; Townsend’s, Hermit, Wilson’s, Yellow, Yellow-rumped, and Orange-crowned.

Sparrows may include; Savanna, Chipping, White-crowned, Golden-crowned, and Lark. California Towhee, Spotted Towhee.

Raptors may include; Osprey, American Kestrel, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, American Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, and Turkey Vulture.

Woodpeckers may include; Acorn, Downy, Hairy, Northern Flicker and Nuttall’s Woodpeckers, Red-breasted Sapsucker.

Lake birds may include; Mallard, Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon, Pintail, Green-winged Teal, Killdeer, Greater Yellowlegs, Great blue Heron, Great Egret, Double-crested Cormorant, Canada Goose, Common Merganser, Belted Kingfisher, Pied-billed Grebe, Eared Grebe, Clark’s Grebe, Western Grebe, American Coot, Common Loon, American White Pelican, and several gull species.

Wildflowers are abundant in spring: globe lily, blue-eyed grass, blue dick, golden brodiaea, shooting star, johnny tuck, several species of lupines, Douglas iris, and buttercup.

Directions: From Sacramento take highway 50 eastbound towards Placerville. Take exit #30B (El Dorado Hills Blvd). Go under the overpass and continue northbound on El Dorado Hills Blvd for 4.2 miles to Green Valley Road (El Dorado Hills Blvd becomes Salmon Falls Road). Continue on Salmon Falls Road for 3 miles to a large gravel parking lot on the left, with a large wooden sign reading “Falcon Crest.” Use caution when crossing oncoming traffic. Parking is free at this time (May 2023) in the gravel parking lot, but there is also a ($10 fee) paved parking area with a porta-potty down the single lane road to the right of the gravel parking lot.

-Craig DeMartini

Banner Photo Credit: Bald Eagle by Larry Hickey