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    Browns Ravine

    3.6 (12 reviews)

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    Jennifer S.

    If I had to choose only one trail to hike in Folsom for the rest of my life, I would choose Brown's Ravine. Parking/day-use is $12, but it's free to hike, cycle, or ride in, if you're a local just passing through. This is probably the best place in Folsom to see the lupine bloom, and right now (early spring) is the best time of year to see it. In just a few more weeks or so, it will be gone until next year. Other wildflowers I've seen here include irises (in multiple colors), shooting stars, tritelea, wild onions, monkey flower, poppies, and so many more. I usually see more mushrooms and wildflowers here than anywhere else in Folsom. In trail miles, Brown's Ravine is about 3.5 miles from Folsom Point, or 5.5 miles from Folsom Dam. However, I personally feel that the hike between Folsom Dam and Brown's Ravine is relatively boring. I would actually recommend skipping that section. My favorite section of trail is in the opposite direction-- the 12 miles between Brown's Ravine and Salmon Falls. This is also the direction you should hike if you are trying to get a good view of the lake or the lupine bloom from above. The hike itself is relatively easy, to moderately challenging, at most. There is a lot of climbing up and down, and the footing can be steep or tricky in places. Most people should be able to handle the first 3 miles without too much difficulty, though. After the first three miles, there are often downed trees to climb over. Sometimes, there are marshes to be waded through. Once, on Christmas, I found a creek to be raging so badly that I actually had to turn around. Overall, though, on most days, it's a relatively safe trail. There are plenty of wild animals out here, including deer, coyotes, bobcats, and probably even mountain lions. There are also lots of birds, but my favorite are the giant herons, which nest high in the trees in a grove near the ravine. Last time I was there, the herons were having a huge fight. This one heron kept attacking another heron's nest, and kept getting sent flying over the edge, only to right itself mid-flight, and go right back to the attack. It was crazy. Anyway, this is a great place to see what Folsom has to offer, nature-wise, and experience the outdoors. Very highly recommended.

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    8 months ago

    Helpful 8
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    1 month ago

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    1 year ago

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    4 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    7 years ago

    Helpful 8
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    2 years ago

    This a great place to launch a boat. I love near here and I appreciate you adjusting your lights.

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    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    7 years ago

    Great place with lots of trees. Close to boat ramp for easy launching of the jet skis.

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    Anchored Eats

    Anchored Eats

    4.5(35 reviews)
    4.1 mi

    If you're ever looking for a fun time in the water but worried about meals, Anchored Eats has you…read morecovered. From amazing prices, THE BEST COSTUMER SERVICE, to a bundle of options in drinks & meals ! BELIEVE ME, they have you covered to stay cool this summer ! Shoutout to Asher, Miles & Nicole, we felt like we're doing the most & being extra when it came to returning our paddle boards an hour early & worried about wasting our money, due to no refunds. However, these fantastic team members assured us that not all was lost & that we were able to exchange it for food! YES, you read it right ! EXCHANGE for food ! There are more options in exchanges, such as changing it for a different rentals but WARNING prices may vary. ‍ in the pictures below is what we chose & it was all under $20!!! We thank these team members for a wonderful experience, making us feel welcomed & for the patience they had! SHOUTOUT to ASHER, whip cream on a slushy is FANTASTIC! We will definitely be back! Hope to see you there

    We're so happy that there's real food at Folsom Lake now! We came over Memorial Weekend. Their…read moremenu includes burgers, fries, hot dogs, snow cones, and shakes. We got a regular burger, the yeehaw burger, and truffle fries. The burgers were a little pricey but good quality and huge. We couldn't event finish them between our family of 4. They were cooked well and loved all the toppings on the yeehaw burger. We also got snowcones after and those were a great treat after being in the sun. Other than food, they rent out different stuff for the lake like giant floats. They're definitely a great addition to the lake!

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    Anchored Eats - Floaties for purchase!

    Floaties for purchase!

    Anchored Eats - Folsom Blues Dog

    Folsom Blues Dog

    Anchored Eats

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    Sacramento State Aquatic Center - Plenty of Kayaks.

    Sacramento State Aquatic Center

    4.1(236 reviews)
    8.6 mi

    My husband and I rented a tandem kayak early on a Saturday morning, and we had so much fun. The…read morerental and launch process was straightforward, which I appreciated because this was only my second time kayaking. We did not make reservations ahead of time; we arrived right when the center opened. We explored about two miles at a leisurely pace in just over an hour. We went north across the lake to the pond area and felt like adventurers as we wove in and out of the watery passageways. We saw many swans and even a beaver. It was beginner-friendly, but it still felt novel and cool. We brought our own life vests, but they have plenty available for anyone who does not bring one. All the college-age students working there were very friendly, and they seemed genuinely happy to be there. The parking lot became busy later in the morning, so we were glad we had arrived early.

    Heaven for watersport lovers!!…read more This is the nicest and biggest aquatic rental facility in the Sacramento area. Parking: $10 if you don't rent their equipment, with plenty of spaces in the complex. Otherwise, you can park for "free" at the State Park area if you have the Golden Poppy Annual Pass ($125). The park also has plenty of picnic tables and a small beach area for sunbathing. Restrooms: Women's (5 stalls), Men's (5 stalls), plus 2 unisex restrooms. There are plenty of rental options, including single/tandem kayaks, SUP boards, and canoes. If you are in a group, all renters must sign in at the same time because the rental period starts once you sign in. They also have CREW and CANOE clubs! All rentals must be returned by 8 PM or you may be fined. No cycling or weight training on the premises, but there is a basketball court on the side. All life jackets, equipment, and docks were clean and in good condition. The payment line moves quickly. If possible, print the waiver at home to save time. You also need to create an account on their website before they can place your order; otherwise, you'll need to create one on the spot when purchasing tickets. After purchasing, you leave your driver's license and car key with them. There is a 15-minute courtesy buffer deducted from your total rental time for walking to the dock, restroom breaks, setup, etc. Service: friendly and efficient. If you change your mind: for example, from a SUP board to a kayak: they simply call the front desk and let you switch at the dock. Lake Natoma is perfect for kayaking or paddleboarding because it starts wide and gradually narrows. The current is almost nonexistent until around 4 PM. It's about 2 miles to the small island near Willow Creek Recreation Area, which makes a perfect scenic picnic spot.

    Photos
    Sacramento State Aquatic Center - SAFETY FIRST!  All Renters and students must wear a properly fitted Life Jacket!

    SAFETY FIRST! All Renters and students must wear a properly fitted Life Jacket!

    Sacramento State Aquatic Center
    Sacramento State Aquatic Center - Photo of the Aquatic Center from Nimbus Flat State Park

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    Photo of the Aquatic Center from Nimbus Flat State Park

    Lake Natoma Paddle Rentals

    Lake Natoma Paddle Rentals

    4.0(7 reviews)
    4.1 mi

    Just enter Black Miners Bar in your GPS to get to the rental location…read more Parking: $10 California State Parks parking fee. Kayak Rental: $15 per hour. You'll need to complete the liability waiver online before renting. There are two unisex public restrooms nearby. Service: Fast and efficient. No wetsuits are provided. The rental includes only a kayak, paddle, and life jacket. Bring your own water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and water shoes or sandals. Dress expecting to get a little wet. Swimsuits or shorts work well in warm weather, while lightweight layers are better on cooler days. Avoid cotton since it stays wet and can make you feel cold. Rental Policies: Cancellations made within 48 hours of your reservation or no-shows are charged the full rental fee. Rescheduling is allowed between 14 days and 48 hours before your reservation. We paddled from Black Miners Bar to the Folsom Prison water boundary ("the wire") and back. The round trip was about 5 miles and took us around 2 hours at a moderate pace. One nice surprise is that if you return your kayak before your reserved rental time ends, they refund you for the unused time.

    I've rented here a few times and had really good experiences. I recommend reserving online before…read morehand as it makes it much easier when you check in. To get into the kayak you will have to get into the water a bit then sit in the kayak. I've been to other places where I have to get into the kayak off a dock and I find getting in the water is a lot easier.

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    Lake Natoma Paddle Rentals - Prison water boundary

    Prison water boundary

    Lake Natoma Paddle Rentals
    Lake Natoma Paddle Rentals - Finish line

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    Finish line

    SUP California - Stand Up Paddle Board Store & Rentals - Great selection

    SUP California - Stand Up Paddle Board Store & Rentals

    4.9(111 reviews)
    6.3 mi

    My paddle board was leaking. The young man on the phone quoted me a small fee to repair. I brought…read moreit in. Jamie repaired in 3 minutes. She showed me what to do if it's leaking from the valve and didn't charge me anything. She said she was just educating me for the future :) Super great service and value!! Thank you Jamie!!

    I made an online booking and called throughout the week to ask questions since it WOULD HAVE been…read moremy first time paddle boarding. Great customer service over the phone. It made me excited to rent from this business. My booking was for 4th of July and even before I booked I did speak with them about booking and they gave me their advice. Day of, I called to let them know I'd be running a little late past my booking time, I spoke with Jamie and she said thank you for the heads up, we'll see you soon." I arrive for her to tell me that all state parks are full and she blocks bookings off after 11, knowing that I booked for 11:30. I do understand that it's a holiday and a weekend, so state parks being at full capacity is out of her hands. What I do not appreciate was her tone and attitude with us versus other customers, her not giving us a heads up knowing we were running late, and she still gave people more of the options of getting their rentals and where they can try versus what felt like she was simply dismissing us. May try to come again, but for a 2 hour drive and to receive customer service like that in person versus whoever I previously spoke to on the phone- to be determined.

    Photos
    SUP California - Stand Up Paddle Board Store & Rentals - We're ready to bring you the best paddle boards in the area!

    We're ready to bring you the best paddle boards in the area!

    SUP California - Stand Up Paddle Board Store & Rentals - New Year's Day Paddle

    New Year's Day Paddle

    SUP California - Stand Up Paddle Board Store & Rentals - New Year's Day Paddle

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    New Year's Day Paddle

    Browns Ravine - hiking - Updated September 2026

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