Location: Fair Oaks, CA; Folsom Lake State Recreation Area
Distance: 2.8 miles
Type: Day-hike; Out-and-back
Rating: Easy to Moderate
Permits & Fees: No parking fees or permits!
Driving Directions: Click HERE for driving directions. Please note that parking is located along the road. The trailhead is located at the meeting point of Sunset Avenue and Main Avenue in Fair Oaks (I attached a screenshot of Google Maps and the AllTrails Map below):
Preparation: Water, sunscreen and good hiking shoes. Arrive early to ensure a parking spot; parking is extremely limited.
Dog Friendly? Yes! Please note that there have been reports of ticks on the trail, so be aware.
The Hike:
AllTrails Map – CLICK HERE
After parking at the intersection of Sunset Avenue and Main Avenue, locate the following sign (note that there are a few trailheads at this parking point). Take the trail to the right of the sign:
A few starting notes about this trail:
- The trail follows along the ridge of a hill for a majority of the hike and is very narrow.
- This is a very popular mountain biking trail, so be aware of your surroundings!
- The trail is mostly shaded. Bring extra water during the summer months.
- We did not see any, but there have been a few reports of Bald Eagle sightings in the area.
There are several points along the trail where Lake Natoma comes into view:
After about 1.4 miles of hiking, the final destination is reached, marked by a large tree that offers shade, an amazing view and a place to take a rest:
After spending some time under the tree, take the same trail back to the trailhead. This hike is perfect for all age groups and is a great weekend outing!
