I raced the 8 Mile at PaddleSplash on Lake Natoma in September 2026, out of Black Miners Bar, on a 4-mile-long lake with a 5 mph speed limit. Lake Natoma sits between the Folsom and Nimbus Dams in Sacramento County, California, on the lower American River, and it is one of my favorite lakes in California to paddle. The lake is also a spot for wildlife watching, picnicking, and other non-motorized water activities.
Key Takeaways
- Hand-launched craft only: Lake Natoma has a 5 mph speed limit and, since April 2025, bollards at all boat ramps that keep trailered boats from launching. Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, rowing shells, and hand-launched electric trolling motors are allowed.
- Rentals available: The Sacramento State Aquatic Center rents kayaks ($15/hour), canoes, and SUPs. Lake Natoma Paddle Rentals operates near Black Miners Bar in summer. Sunset and Full Moon paddles are also offered.
- Four launch areas: Nimbus Flat ($10, lifeguard beach), Willow Creek ($10), Black Miners Bar ($10, camping, kayak rentals), and Gold Lake Dr. Put-In (free, stairs required).
- Ranked #3 rowing lake in the US: Lake Natoma hosts the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Championships, Pac-12 Conference rowing championships, and USA Canoe Olympic Team Trials.
- Bald eagle nesting site: A nesting pair lives between Willow Creek and Black Miners Bar on the north side. Best viewing is April through May at sunrise.
- Dogs allowed on leash: Dogs are welcome on trails and in picnic areas but are prohibited from swimming beaches.
- 25 minutes from Sacramento: Nimbus Flat on Lake Natoma is about 19 miles from downtown Sacramento via Highway 50.
Quick Reference: Launch Areas Compared
| Launch Area | Parking | Facilities | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nimbus Flat | $10 | Beach, lifeguard (summer), BBQ, restrooms, Sac State Aquatic Center | Families, swimming, beginners, rowing events |
| Willow Creek | $10 | Restrooms, rocky beach spots | Wildlife watching (heron rookery), mid-lake access |
| Black Miners Bar | $10 | 3 launch points, camping, kayak rentals, beach, restrooms | Paddlers, campers, exploring northeast toward Folsom Prison wire |
| Gold Lake Dr. Put-In | Free | Stairs to water, limited parking | Quick paddle, bike trail access, budget-friendly |
Accepted passes: Golden Poppy Annual Pass ($125/year), California Explorer Annual Pass ($195/year), Disabled Discount Pass (a $3.50 lifetime pass good for 50% off), Distinguished Veteran Pass (free), the Golden Bear Pass (free for CalWORKs, SSI, and Tribal TANF recipients, plus income-qualifying residents 62 and over), and the $20 Senior Golden Bear Pass (62 and over, non-peak season). All of them cover vehicle day-use entry at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. The “Limited Use Golden Bear Pass” name you may still see quoted around the web was retired.
Helpful Links:
- CA State Harmful Water Reports
- Lake Natoma Trail Map (State Parks PDF)
- Sac State Aquatic Center Rentals
- Nimbus Fish Hatchery
- Golden Mussel Prevention Program
- Paddle Boarding Accessories
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen
- Coolers
Hours, Fees & Access
Summer Hours (from the start of daylight saving time to its end): 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Nimbus Flat, Nimbus Overlook, Nimbus Shoals, Parkshore, and Willow Creek. Black Miners Bar runs an hour later, 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Winter Hours (from the end of daylight saving time until it resumes): 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM at every Lake Natoma unit, Black Miners Bar included.
The seasons follow daylight saving time, so the switch moves a little each year. Outbound gates lock at the posted closing hour, and inbound gates may shut 30 minutes before that. Get off the water with time to spare.
Fees:
- Day Use: $10 per vehicle at Nimbus Flat, Willow Creek, and Black Miners Bar. Same price at all three, no seasonal tier. Gold Lake Dr. is free.
- Boat Launching: $10, though that fee no longer buys you anything at Lake Natoma. Trailered boats have been barred since April 2025.
- Drivers 62 and older get $1 off vehicle day use at State Parks operated units.
Getting Here: About 19 miles from downtown Sacramento, which is roughly 25 minutes on Highway 50 outside of commute hours. Exit at Hazel Avenue for Nimbus Flat and the Aquatic Center. For Black Miners Bar and Gold Lake Dr., exit at Hazel or Folsom Boulevard and follow Greenback Lane to the entrance station. Coming from I-80, take Greenback Lane rather than Douglas Boulevard, which drops you at Granite Bay on Folsom Lake instead.
2025 Change: No More Trailered Boats on Lake Natoma
As of April 14, 2025, bollards have been installed at the top of the boat ramps at Nimbus Flat, Willow Creek, and Black Miners Bar to prevent the launching of trailered boats. This is part of California State Parks’ Golden Mussel Prevention Program, responding to the discovery of invasive golden mussels in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (first detected at the Port of Stockton in October 2024).
What’s still allowed: Hand-launched, non-motorized watercraft including kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, outrigger canoes, rowing shells, and hand-launched boats with electric trolling motors (including fishing kayaks and eFoils). The existing 5 mph speed limit remains in effect.
State Parks requires every boater, “including paddlers and rowers,” to arrive with their craft clean, drained, and dry. Empty the hatches, rinse the fins and leash, let it dry out between lakes. Questions go to GFD.GoldenMussel@parks.ca.gov.
Trailered and motorized boats at Folsom Lake and Lake Clementine must go through a 30-day quarantine or a hot-water decontamination, with a serialized seal checked at the ramp. At Lake Natoma, where trailered boats cannot launch, neither step applies. State Parks confirmed in 2026 that the program changes at Lake Oroville do not change anything at Folsom, Clementine, or Natoma.
A Brief History of Lake Natoma
Lake Natoma was created in 1955 when Nimbus Dam was completed as part of the federal Central Valley Project. The 87-foot dam regulates water releases from Folsom Dam upstream and generates hydroelectric power. During the Gold Rush, miners worked the riverbanks here, and the name “Black Miners Bar” is a direct reference to that era. Nearby, the Folsom Powerhouse (built in 1895) was one of the first hydroelectric power plants to transmit electricity over long distances, sending power 22 miles to Sacramento. Today, the powerhouse is a State Historic Park you can visit near the lake.
Lake Natoma Activities
The 4-mile-long lake sits within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, with four launch areas for kayaks and stand-up paddle boards and well-maintained biking trails that meander along the water at points.
A group of outdoor enthusiasts hosts frequent meetups on Lake Natoma, launching from Black Miners Bar and Willow Creek for both afternoon paddles and night excursions. It’s a great way to make friends or get more comfortable in the water with your gear.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Since April 2025 Lake Natoma has been exclusively hand-launched recreation. If you don’t own your own SUP or kayak, there are three main rental options:
Sacramento State Aquatic Center (Nimbus Flat, off Hazel Ave)
- Hours: 8 AM to 8 PM, with the last rental going out at 6:45 PM. Hours shift outside summer, so call ahead in the shoulder seasons. (916) 278-2842.
- Rental rates by the hour, prorated to the quarter hour: stand-up paddleboard $18 general public and $12 for Sac State students, single kayak $15 and $10, tandem kayak or canoe $20 and $12. Alumni and staff fall in between.
- Life jackets are included in the rental price, and the Aquatic Center requires you to wear one on the water. They also run a free Division of Boating and Waterways life jacket loaner program if you brought your own board.
- No pets on the facility or in the rental equipment.
- Offers a Sunset Paddle and a Sunset Stand-up Paddle, plus private lessons in kayaking, canoeing, and SUP. If you’ve been curious about competing, check out Your First Paddle Board Race.
- Check their website before visiting, as school events sometimes close the lower part of the lake
Lake Natoma Paddle Rentals (Black Miners Bar Beach, 9698 Greenback Lane, seasonal)
- Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10 AM to 5 PM; Friday through Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM. Closed Tuesdays. The 2026 season opened May 2, weekends only that first month.
- First-hour rates: paddleboard $20, solo kayak $20, canoe $30, tandem kayak $30. Additional hours cost less, though the rate card and the product pages quote different numbers, so confirm at the kiosk.
- Sit-on-top kayaks, inflatable kayaks, decked kayaks, Pungos big enough for one adult and a small dog, hard and inflatable SUPs including yoga boards and kid sizes, and canoes. Safety gear included.
- Runs the Full Moon Paddle, three hours for $99, timed so the sun sets as the moon comes up. Booking: (530) 626-3435.
SUP California (Folsom store, pickup rentals for Lake Natoma and Folsom Lake)
- Inflatable paddleboards, inflatable kayaks, and BOTE water hammocks. The nearest launch ramp is about half a mile from the store.
- The shop supplies soft racks, straps, and foam pads for the drive, and inflatables can be deflated to fit in the car.
- Overnight rentals run $70 for 24 hours. Book online, or call (916) 294-0048 for same-day availability.
- Jaime Johnson, who owns SUP California, is a friend. Her shop has sponsored my race entries and provided gear, and I earn a commission on purchases made through links to her store.
The water is slow-moving along most of the lake, and there are great spots for wildlife watching and swimming. Willow Creek Cove is a nice place to paddle if you are an absolute beginner because it’s sheltered by a small island. *A life jacket must be worn or attached to every SUP and kayak.
*The only motors you’ll see are the small hand-launched electric trolling motors that survived the 2025 trailered-boat ban, and the 5 mph limit applies lake-wide. Personal watercraft are prohibited, and boating after the posted closing time is too.
Alcohol is prohibited in every day-use area and along the entire shoreline of both Folsom Lake and Lake Natoma. And diving or jumping into unfamiliar water here is a violation of California Code of Regulations Title 14, section 4656. The lake bottom is uneven and the debris moves with the release schedule.
If you don’t have your own board yet, an inflatable SUP is the easiest way to get started. They pack down into a backpack, so you don’t need a roof rack, and the calm water here is forgiving for beginners. I’d also recommend keeping a waterproof dry bag clipped to your board for your keys, wallet, and phone.
SUP California’s inflatable collection in Folsom includes boards from Red Paddle Co, SOL, and Pau Hana.
More paddleboarding guides: Paddleboard Accessories, How to Choose the Right Paddleboard for Your Skill Level, SUP Stretching Guide, and Paddleboard Exercise and Recovery.
“The Wire” marks the Folsom State Prison boundary, as far northeast as you are allowed to paddle.
Rowing
Lake Natoma is considered the third-best lake in the United States for rowing. A lot of competitive races happen here, closer to Nimbus and the CSUS Aquatic Center. You’ll also see quite a few rowing teams just out practicing on the big long stretches. The USA Canoe Olympic Team Trials also happen on this lake.
Stand-up paddling has its own race on this water. PaddleSplash, run by the Nor Cal SUP nonprofit and presented by Visit Folsom, ran September 11 through 13, 2026 out of Black Miners Bar, with an 8 Mile, a 2 Mile, a kids sprint and a four-person relay alongside SUP yoga under Rainbow Bridge. Proceeds fund Nor Cal SUP’s Groms programs for foster and at-risk youth. I wrote up the 8 Mile in my PaddleSplash race report.
Fishing
Lake Natoma holds rainbow trout, brown trout, black bass, largemouth bass, crappie, carp, and bluegill. The cold waters flowing through the rocky and deep upper areas are known for fostering giant, well-fed rainbow trout. A few folks have said the fishing here is tough, but the trout can be worth the patience.
Nimbus Flat Fishing Area is a pier fishing access point with restrooms, picnic areas, and equipment rentals, but there are plenty of banks to set up camp along the lake too. You can fish by boat or from shore.
Nimbus Fish Hatchery (Free to Visit)
At the Nimbus Fish Hatchery you can watch salmon swim up the fish ladder and feed young trout in the raceway ponds. Admission is free.
The hatchery and visitor center open to the public only from Labor Day through Memorial Day. Through the summer, Memorial Day to Labor Day, the gate is closed to visitors even though the hatchery keeps raising fish year-round.
Nimbus has historically released roughly 4 to 4.5 million young Chinook and 430,000 yearling steelhead a year. In October 2025, CDFW announced it would cut both figures roughly in half after federal funding from the Bureau of Reclamation fell short of what the hatchery costs to run. Colin Purdy, a CDFW fisheries environmental program manager, called the funding situation atypical.
- Season: Labor Day through Memorial Day. Closed to the public all summer.
- Hours (in season): Mon-Fri 8 AM to 3 PM, Sat-Sun 9 AM to 3 PM. The raceways, which are the little fish ponds where you feed the trout, close around 2:00 PM. Parking lot open 7 AM to 3 PM.
- Address: 2001 Nimbus Rd, Suite F, Gold River, CA 95670
- Best time to visit: November through mid-December for salmon running the ladder, January through February for steelhead trout
- Phone: (916) 358-2884
Picnicking
The designated launch areas along Lake Natoma offer plenty of parking, shaded picnic tables, BBQ grills, and restrooms.
My guide to things to do in Folsom covers the rest of the town.
Swimming
Nimbus Flat Beach, just off the Hazel Ave exit from Highway 50, is the one beach on the lake with a lifeguard, posted near the Sac State Aquatic Center during the summer. The sandy shore is close to the parking lot and the restrooms, and it is a popular family-friendly spot for swimming and picnicking.
Black Miners Bar has some sandy banks to relax on between swimming, paddling, and kayaking. People also jump off the rock formations there, which I’d skip: State Parks warns about the uneven bottom and submerged debris, and diving or jumping in a state park is a Title 14 violation. Swim in the designated areas.
Water Temperature
Winter drops Lake Natoma to the low 50’s, and summer warms the water up to just past 65. That is great for cooling off in the middle of summer and too cool for swimming for long periods of time.
Statistics for May 1, 2024 based on 7 years of data
Temperature, water, °F (calculated)
- Low (2018): 53.42 deg F
- 25th percentile: 53.60 deg F
- Median: 54.50 deg F
- 75th percentile: 59.36 deg F
- Mean: 56.30 deg F
- High: (2021) 60.98 deg F
Biking & the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail
Lake Natoma has 11 miles of paved bicycle trails and 6 miles of multi-use trails around it. The Lake Natoma American River Trail is a relatively easy 11.5-mile loop trail in Folsom. On average, it takes around 3 hours 43 minutes to complete and is mostly flat. If you’re biking in the scorching summer months, make sure to bring extra, extra water.
The Lake Natoma trail also connects to the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail (also called the American River Bike Trail), a 32-mile paved path that runs from Folsom Lake all the way to downtown Sacramento. It’s one of the longest paved trails in the country and follows the American River the entire way. The Nimbus Fish Hatchery is a great starting point for your ride.
Bird & Wildlife Watching
Wildlife shows up along the entirety of Lake Natoma, with more birds and turtles in the secluded areas. Turtle Alley and Cattail Cove is an offshoot of the lake that is only accessible when the water is high enough, but you are guaranteed to see many sunbathing turtles in this spot.
You may also spot deer, egrets, and other bird species. To access Turtle Alley, you have to go past blackberry cove, where blackberries grow thick and are easily accessible by boat, and then make your way through the culvert or tunnel.
Duck Lagoon across the lake from the Ranger’s House is a great place to bird-watch or paddle over to pick some blackberries. Between Black Miners Bar Slough North and South is a section of vegetated channels dubbed the “Jungle Tour”, where you can explore and spot wildlife.
On the north side of the lake between Willow Creek and Black Miners Bar, look for the bald eagle nest high up in the trees on the bluff. From Black Miners Bar, paddle northeast and you can spot plenty of birds up until the prison wire limit. I’ve also spotted rattlesnakes and skinks, and late April through May is when you can spot baby ducklings and goslings.
Camping
Black Miners Bar on the north shore has three group campsites, labeled A, B, and C. Two hold up to 50 people each and one takes 25. It’s a nice dirt camp along the lake with flush toilets and piped drinking water. Quiet hours run 10 PM to 6 AM, generators are allowed 10 AM to 8 PM, checkout is noon, and no ground fires are permitted. Reservations go through ReserveCalifornia or (800) 444-7275.
Nearby Lake Clementine offers boat-in camping in a secluded canyon setting about 30 minutes from Lake Natoma. For more NorCal paddling destinations, check out Jenkinson Lake at Sly Park (about an hour east), Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe, Fuller Lake, and New Bullards Bar Reservoir.
Dogs at Lake Natoma
Dogs are welcome at Lake Natoma but must be on a leash at all times on trails and in picnic areas. Dogs are not allowed on or near swimming beaches. However, there are plenty of other shoreline spots where your dog can take a dip. Dogs ride along on kayaks and SUPs here. The Lake Natoma Loop Trail works well with a dog, with water access along the way.
Launch Areas for Kayaks, SUPs & Boats
Nimbus Dam Boat Ramp
The boat ramp within the Nimbus Flat State Recreation area sits right across from the Sacramento State Aquatic Center and the Nimbus Dam, so this is the end of the lake where you can watch school aquatic events such as rowing. Nimbus Flat Beach has a designated swimming area with a lifeguard for children, plus BBQ pits and tables for a picnic.
Weekends and school events crowd this popular area off of Hazel and Highway 50, so check the Sac State Aquatic Center events page before heading over. Parking costs $10 per car, and public restrooms are available.
Willow Creek Boat Ramp
Just across the lake from the Willow Creek launch is the rookery at Willow Creek, a seasonal nesting ground for herons, egrets, and cormorants, where you can watch these large birds come and go from the treetops. The Willow Creek Boat ramp itself is a medium-sized launch within the Willow Creek Recreation Area that drops you in the middle of Lake Natoma.
The water near the launch can be a tad murky because of all the geese that frequent the area, but it becomes cleaner as you paddle out of the cove. Paddle to the right of the launch and continue upstream and you are in riparian habitat. Right around the corner from the boat launch, there is a small island where people sometimes jump off the rocks. There are rocky beach spots along the river here to bring a chair and relax, and public restrooms. Get there early, before the parking spaces fill up.
Black Miners Bar
Black Miners Bar is the best place to launch if you want to kayak up to the Folsom Prison waterway, and it has three launch points. The southernmost is a day-use area with beach access, tables for picnicking, three group campsites, and stairs or ramps to get your kayaks and SUPs down to the water. This area can be crowded in the summer, when there are Kayak/SUP Rentals near the beach. Parking costs $10 for the day. A hiking and horse trail also meanders through the area.
The Lake Natoma Northern Boat Ramp, the middle launch, has plenty of parking. The northernmost is the North Shore Put-In, with a steep hill between the lot and water. Nearby is Mosquito Cove and many boulders in the water.
Gold Lake Dr. Put-In
This is the free launch spot, across from Black Miners Bar. You park along Gold Lake Dr., where spaces are somewhat limited, and carry your equipment up and down stairs to the water. Karen’s Bakery and Sociology Coffee Bar are nearby for a before or after-paddle pick-me-up. Karen’s sits at 705 Gold Lake Drive and runs Tuesday through Saturday 7 AM to 3 PM and Sunday 8 AM to 1 PM, closed Mondays. Sociology’s Folsom location is open daily 7:30 AM to 4 PM. This is also a great place to start your bike journey along the Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail.
Paddling Distances and Points of Interest
The longest of these routes is 4.15 miles one way, far enough to plan your nutrition. If you’ve ever felt dizzy or hit a wall on a long paddle, read about why you bonk on long paddle board sessions. The Parks Department publishes a map of trails surrounding Lake Natoma.
This Google Maps list created by Brent Andrew Körner is also an excellent resource.
Paddling From Black Miners Bar
Going Northeast (One way):
| Landmark | Distance |
|---|---|
| Rainbow Bridge | 0.47 mile |
| Jumping Rock and Cove | 0.64 mile |
| Cliff Jumping Rocks | 0.8 mile |
| Sandy Beach | 1.05 miles |
| The Wire (prison boundary) | 1.25 miles |
Going West (One Way):
| Landmark | Distance |
|---|---|
| Lake Natoma Paddle Rentals | 0.43 mile |
| The Jungle (Middle) | 0.57 mile |
| Orange Buoy | 0.8 mile |
| The Island | 1.46 miles |
| Willow Creek Launch | 2.41 miles |
| Yellow Island | 3.37 miles |
| Turtle Alley Tunnel Entrance | 4.06 miles |
| Nimbus Flats Docks | 4.15 miles |
The Wildlife: Flora and Fauna
Flora Around Lake Natoma
Valley, blue, and black oaks grow around the lake, interspersed with occasional oracle oaks. Digger pines are also common, along with shrubs like toyon and California buckeye. Pineapple-Weed and Rough Cocklebur are native to the region.
Spring Wildflowers
Spring wildflowers here include Indian paintbrush, California poppy, larkspur, lupine, brodiaea, fiddleneck, Dutchman’s pipe, and monkey flower. My California Super Bloom article covers the wildflowers of California.
Fauna in the Park
Common sightings include black-tailed deer, ground squirrels, raccoons, skunks, opossums, gray foxes, rabbits, and coyotes. Mountain lions and bobcats are more elusive, and beaver and muskrat live in some of the more secluded and covered areas, also a prime spot for birdwatching.
Birdlife
Bald Eagles have a nest overlooking the lake, just about in between the Willow Creek and Black Miners Bar areas, on the North Side. Coordinates are 38.669089, -121.191230. You can view the nest and the babies in April and May either by driving to a nearby street ( 38.669753, -121.191893 ) or from down on the lake. You can also walk around the opposite side ( 38.671935, -121.186535 ) of the lake around sunrise and watch the eagles hunt for prey.
Canada geese overwinter at the lake, with heron rookeries on Lake Natoma’s south shore. Blackbirds, scrub jays, quails, bushtits, wrens, and towhees live here year-round.
Flycatchers inhabit the dry chaparral, while kingfishers, grebes, and gulls are often near water. Raptors like red-tailed hawks, kestrels, eagles, and other birds of prey soar above.
Reptiles
Snakes include the Western Rattlesnake, California King, Gopher, North American Racer, Coast Night, Sharp-tailed, Ring-necked, Sierra Garter, Western Terrestrial Garter, and Common Garter.
Safety Note Regarding Rattlesnakes: Rattlesnakes are important to the local ecosystem. While they typically avoid confrontation, they will defend themselves if threatened. You should maintain a respectful distance to ensure safety.
This was the first time I have ever seen a rattlesnake floating in the water like this. It was curled around itself, and the water temperature was in the 50’s. My guess is that it fell in and curled up to float and stay warm.
Where to Stay
If you’re visiting Lake Natoma from out of town, these hotels put you near the Folsom Historic District or a launch.
Lake Natoma Inn
Located right in the Historic District, the Lake Natoma Inn is within walking distance to a ton of great restaurants and bars, including a personal favorite of mine, The Backroom at Gaslight, a speakeasy. You can also walk down to Lake Natoma from here.
Larkspur and Hilton are right next to each other and are closer to the Willow Creek launch. They are walking distance to movies and outlets for shopping, but other than that you’ll need to drive to get anywhere interesting.
Larkspur Landing Inn
Hilton Garden Inn Folsom
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim in Lake Natoma?
Yes! Nimbus Flat Beach has a sandy shore with a lifeguard on duty during summer months. Black Miners Bar also has swimming access, though diving and jumping off the rocks is against state park regulations and the bottom there is uneven. The water stays cool year-round (50s to mid-60s °F) since it flows from Folsom Dam, so it’s refreshing but not warm.
Is Lake Natoma open to the public?
Yes. Lake Natoma is open year-round as part of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. The seasons follow daylight saving time rather than calendar dates. Summer hours are 6 AM to 9 PM at Nimbus Flat, Willow Creek, and the other Nimbus units, and 6 AM to 10 PM at Black Miners Bar. Winter hours are 7 AM to 7 PM everywhere. Outbound gates lock at closing and inbound gates may shut 30 minutes earlier. Day use parking is $10 per vehicle at all three fee lots.
Can you bring a motorized boat on Lake Natoma?
Since April 2025, trailered boats are no longer allowed on Lake Natoma. Bollards have been installed at all boat ramps as part of the Golden Mussel Prevention Program. Only hand-launched watercraft are permitted: kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, rowing shells, and hand-launched boats with electric trolling motors. The 5 mph speed limit remains in effect.
Where can I rent a kayak or paddleboard on Lake Natoma?
The Sacramento State Aquatic Center at Nimbus Flat rents stand-up paddleboards ($18/hour general public, $12 for Sac State students), single kayaks ($15 and $10), and tandem kayaks or canoes ($20 and $12). It is open 8 AM to 8 PM with the last rental going out at 6:45 PM, and it runs a Sunset Paddle and a Sunset Stand-up Paddle. Lake Natoma Paddle Rentals sits at Black Miners Bar Beach, 9698 Greenback Lane, open Friday through Sunday 9 AM to 6 PM and Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 10 AM to 5 PM, closed Tuesdays. Paddleboards and solo kayaks start at $20 for the first hour. Their three-hour Full Moon Paddle is $99.
Are dogs allowed at Lake Natoma?
Yes, dogs are allowed on leash on trails and in picnic areas. Dogs are not permitted on or near designated swimming beaches. Dogs ride along on kayaks and SUPs here. The Lake Natoma Loop Trail is a popular dog-friendly route with water access along the way.
Is there a lifeguard at Lake Natoma?
Yes, during summer months there is a lifeguard posted at Nimbus Flat Beach near the Sacramento State Aquatic Center. Other swimming areas such as Black Miners Bar do not have lifeguard coverage.
How cold is Lake Natoma water?
Lake Natoma water is fed by releases from Folsom Dam and stays cool year-round. Winter temperatures drop to the low 50s °F, while summer warms the water to just past 65 °F. The median temperature in May is about 54.5 °F. It’s great for cooling off on hot days but not ideal for extended swimming.
Can you fish at Lake Natoma?
Yes, with a valid California fishing license. The lake holds rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth and black bass, crappie, carp, and bluegill. The cold, rocky upper areas are known for large rainbow trout. Nimbus Flat has a fishing pier, and there are plenty of bank fishing spots along the shoreline.
Where is the bald eagle nest at Lake Natoma?
The bald eagle nest is on the north side of the lake, roughly between the Willow Creek and Black Miners Bar areas (coordinates: 38.669089, -121.191230). You can view the nest from a nearby street (38.669753, -121.191893) or from the water. The best viewing is April through May when eaglets are in the nest. Sunrise is the best time to watch the eagles hunt.
Is Lake Natoma the same as Folsom Lake?
No. Lake Natoma is a separate, smaller lake located downstream from Folsom Lake. Folsom Dam creates Folsom Lake, and Nimbus Dam (downstream) creates Lake Natoma. Both are part of the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, but Lake Natoma is smaller (about 500 acres vs. Folsom Lake’s 11,450 acres) and is primarily managed for non-motorized recreation with a 5 mph speed limit.
Is the Nimbus Fish Hatchery free?
Yes, admission is free, but the hatchery and visitor center are open to the public only from Labor Day through Memorial Day and are closed to visitors all summer. In season, hours are Monday through Friday 8 AM to 3 PM and weekends 9 AM to 3 PM, with the raceway ponds closing around 2:00 PM. The best time to visit is November through mid-December for the salmon run, or January through February for steelhead.
How much does parking cost at Lake Natoma?
Parking is $10 per vehicle at all three fee lots: Nimbus Flat, Black Miners Bar, and Willow Creek. The Gold Lake Dr. Put-In is free. Drivers 62 and older get $1 off. The Golden Poppy Annual Pass ($125/year) and California Explorer Annual Pass ($195/year) both cover day-use entry, as do the $3.50 Disabled Discount Pass, the free Distinguished Veteran Pass, the free Golden Bear Pass, and the $20 Senior Golden Bear Pass.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Article Updates
October 10, 2026: Rewrote the opening and reworked the swimming, water temperature, and launch area write-ups. Edited for clarity. Removed the July 2026 E. coli advisory box and corrected the direction of the Wire to northeast. Corrected one mention of the bald eagle nest to the north-side bluff between Willow Creek and Black Miners Bar.
October 2, 2026: Added SUP California’s Folsom store as a third rental option, plus its inflatable boards, with a note on my connection to the shop. Fixed the race guide link, which pointed to the accessories guide.
September 30, 2026: Corrected the drive from downtown Sacramento to Nimbus Flat to about 19 road miles and 25 minutes. The page had given the 15-mile straight-line distance and, in one place, 15 minutes.
September 14, 2026: Added the PaddleSplash paddle race to the activities section, covering the September 11 through 13, 2026 event at Black Miners Bar and linking the race report. Corrected the SUP Stretching Guide link in the related guides list, which pointed at the paddleboard accessories article instead.
August 7, 2026: Corrected every parking fee on the page. Day use is $10 at Nimbus Flat, Willow Creek, and Black Miners Bar; this guide had listed $12 and $15, and repeated the wrong numbers in the Key Takeaways, the comparison table, two section write-ups, and the FAQ. Replaced the invented “April 1 to October 15” season dates with the actual rule, which keys to daylight saving time, and corrected Black Miners Bar’s summer close to 10 PM. Added the 30-minute inbound gate rule. Corrected the pass lineup (the Limited Use Golden Bear Pass was retired) and the directions, since Black Miners Bar is reached from Greenback Lane and Douglas Boulevard serves Folsom Lake instead. Flagged that the Nimbus Fish Hatchery is closed to visitors every summer and updated its production figures after the October 2025 funding cut. Corrected the Sac State Aquatic Center hours and added SUP rates, corrected Lake Natoma Paddle Rentals hours, rates, and address, and moved the Full Moon Paddle to the operator that actually runs it. Added the clean, drained, and dry requirement that applies to paddlers, the alcohol and diving prohibitions, the group campsite capacities and reservation line, and Karen’s Bakery’s Monday closure. Standardized the spelling of Black Miners Bar to match State Parks.
August 4, 2026: Added the California State Parks health advisory posted July 1, 2026 for elevated E. coli at Willow Creek, Nimbus Flats, and Black Miners Bar Day Use Beach. Those are three of the places this guide sends people to swim and to let dogs in the water. Added the affiliate disclosure this page should have carried.
February 24, 2026: Added Key Takeaways, launch area comparison table, 2025 trailered boat ban (golden mussel prevention bollards), history section, expanded Nimbus Fish Hatchery details (hours, salmon/steelhead stats, best times), Sac State Aquatic Center hours and rental prices, Lake Natoma Paddle Rentals, Sunset/Full Moon paddle info, dogs policy, Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail details, FAQ section with 12 questions, FAQ schema markup, paddling distance tables, consolidated duplicate fishing section, internal links to paddleboard and Lake Clementine content.
September 23, 2025: Added paddling distances.
May 2, 2024: Added flora and fauna, new photos, and where to stay. Edited rowing information.
May 1, 2024: 2024 summer season updates. Added additional wildlife info, clarified hours. Added fishing section. Added temperature.
