Bird's eye view of the park

Marshall Gold Discovery SHP

The BLM, Mother Lode Field Office administers river recreation on the North
and South Forks of the American River.

VISIT North Fork American River

VISIT South Fork American River

Return To: BLM, Mother Lode Field Office

The BLM, Mother Lode Field Office administers river recreation on the North and South Forks of the American River.  <p><a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/search-details/16832/2" rel="nofollow">VISIT North Fork American River</a><p><a href="https://www.blm.gov/visit/south-fork-american-river" rel="nofollow">VISIT South Fork American River </a><p></a><p>Return To: <a href="https://www.blm.gov/office/mother-lode-field-office" rel="nofollow">BLM, Mother Lode Field Office</a>

American River North Middle South Forks

Bird's eye view of the campground

Boat-In Sites 1-16

Mineral Bar

Auburn SRA

Settlement of the basin began about 1844. In 1848, discovery of gold near the
present site of Coloma precipitated a great influx of gold seekers from all
parts of the country. At the height of the gold rush, the American River
foothill area was one of the most populous in the State. Early miners quickly
recognized the potential of riverflows to help in dredging, panning, and
sluicing for gold. Diversion dams began appearing on the river in the 1850's.
As mining activities declined, two of the dams were used to divert water for
use in suburban Sacramento areas and remained in use until the completion of
Folsom Dam in 1955. In December 1964, the last of those early diversion dams
was breached by floodwaters. Currently general public tours of the dam are on
indefinite hold.

Settlement of the basin began about 1844.  In 1848, discovery of gold near the present site of Coloma precipitated a great influx of gold seekers from all parts of the country.  At the height of the gold rush, the American River foothill area was one of the most populous in the State.  Early miners quickly recognized the potential of riverflows to help in dredging, panning, and sluicing for gold.  Diversion dams began appearing on the river in the 1850's.  As mining activities declined, two of the dams were used to divert water for use in suburban Sacramento areas and remained in use until the completion of Folsom Dam in 1955.  In December 1964, the last of those early diversion dams was breached by floodwaters.  Currently general public tours of the dam are on indefinite hold.

Folsom Dam

Averys Pond

Beals Point Campground (sites 1-49)

Beals Point Campground (sites 50-69)

Black Miners Bar

Granite Bay

Peninsula Campground (sites 1-57)

Peninsula Campground (sites 58-96)

Folsom Lake SRA

Beals Point Campground Glamping

Peninsula Campground Glamping

Folsom Lake SRA Glamping

Recreation at Folsom Reservoir is managed by the California Department of
Parks and Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Central
California Area Office. The reservoir was created by Folsom Dam across the
American River. The dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project - American
River Division - Folsom and Sly Park Units. Folsom Lake offers 75 miles of
shoreline. Usually open 7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., contact the
park office for seasonal variations. Facilities include 3 public campgrounds,
2 with showers, 60 miles of equestrian trails, 10 miles of paved bicycle
trails, 8 miles of advanced mountain bike trails, and excellent year-round
bank or boat fishing. Several launch ramps provide continuous boat launching
access throughout the lake fluctuation zone. At capacity, Good fishing for
both cold- and warm-water species including rainbow trout, brown trout, black
bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill. The American River Water Education
Center at Folsom Dam contains exhibits that promote water education directly
related to the American River Watershed.

Recreation at Folsom Reservoir is managed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation under agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation, Central California Area Office.   The reservoir was created by <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/mp/sod/projects/folsom/" rel="nofollow">Folsom Dam</a> across the American River. The dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project - American River Division - <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=Folsom+and+Sly+Park+Units+Project" rel="nofollow">Folsom and Sly Park Units</a>. Folsom Lake offers 75 miles of shoreline.  Usually open  7 days a week, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., contact the park office for seasonal variations.  Facilities include 3 public campgrounds, 2 with showers, 60 miles of equestrian trails, 10 miles of paved bicycle trails, 8 miles of advanced mountain bike trails, and excellent year-round bank or boat fishing.  Several launch ramps provide continuous boat launching access throughout the lake fluctuation zone.  At capacity, Good fishing for both cold- and warm-water species including rainbow trout, brown trout, black bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill.  The American River Water Education Center at Folsom Dam contains exhibits that promote water education directly related to the American River Watershed.

Folsom Lake

Folsom Powerhouse SHP

Recreation at Sly Park Reservoir is managed by the El Dorado Irrigation
District under an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation's Central CA Area
Office. The reservoir was created by Sly Park Dam across Sly Park Creek. The
dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project, American River Division. Sly
Park offers an abundance of public use facilities and is open seven days a
week during the summer months from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Facilities include 159
public camp sites, 9 miles of equestrian trails with an equestrian staging
area and campground, a museum, 8.5 miles of multiple use trails, 5 group use
areas, two youth group areas, and two launch ramps. Good fishing for both cold
and warm water species including rainbow trout, brown trout, black bass,
catfish, crappie, and bluegill.

Recreation at Sly Park Reservoir is managed by the El Dorado Irrigation District under an agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation's Central CA Area Office.  The reservoir was created by Sly Park Dam across Sly Park Creek.  The dam is a feature of the Central Valley Project, American River Division.  Sly Park offers an abundance of public use facilities and is open seven days a week during the summer months from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.  Facilities include 159 public camp sites, 9 miles of equestrian trails with an equestrian staging area and campground, a museum,  8.5 miles of multiple use trails, 5 group use areas, two youth group areas, and two launch ramps.  Good fishing for both cold and warm water species including rainbow trout, brown trout, black bass, catfish, crappie, and bluegill.