A great local park. Nice management a great local gathering place. Nice beach. Mostly respectful tourists. Mostly local peps during the week. Great early am river time with the geese. My CA. Zen. Spot. read more

We have our pass to come here whenever we want. We got a pass a few years ago as well, back when they still gave a disabled discount with my disabled card. Now they don't. But it was $30+ and worth it this time. We took our dog and let her frolic around with other people's doggies. The water feels so good when it's hot weather. Getting in the water was a breeze! I don't have to go lower and lower walking in slowly because it was too cold. No, the water was perfectly cool. But not icy. I also like to enjoy the big field of grass with my little girl doggy. But only thing is you should arrive early for a good table. read more

I love the quote "time is like a river, you never touch the same water twice". This is yet another spot on the American river I visited for the first time on land. We were in the area and wanted to picnic on the water. The parking lot is large and there are baseball fields and other park stuff but if you venture down the rocky somewhat steep hill there are little areas on the shoreline. We spent the entire day listening to the water and swimming and stacking rocks. We watched all the rafters go by but they couldn't see us. I saw 3 people go down the rapids on paddle boards standing!! That was impressive! I was absolutely content watching them from the shore in the shade eating my lunch with my legs in the water.. great day! read more

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The main park sits along the South Fork of the American River in Lotus, CA (FYI - The Gold Rush started a few miles down the road). On the main park side, there are two parking lots. Between the lots are natural grass soccer fields. There are several mobile soccer goals free to use. Around the lawn and park perimeters is a paved walking trail, the full loop is .4 miles. Easy, flat ADA path. I enjoy walking it. Near the boat launch are public toilets. The boat launch area is for rafts and kayaks. Don't expect to launch anything bigger than that. Right now, in December, the river is swift and fast with rapids. The current conditions are only for highly skilled pro kayakers. In the summer, the water's edge is calm enough for folks to dip their toes in but it's wall to wall folks here especially on the weekends. There are more park facilities across the street. There are lighted baseball fields (Field A for little league and kiddo play and Field B for adults), children's playground, parking lot ($10 parking fee), and trail access to the Gam Saan (Chinese translation Gold Mountain) trail that connects to the Monroe Ridge Trail in Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. The trail just opened last February. If you paid for parking across the street, you don't need to pay again. There is a pedestrian crosswalk. But please do be careful, majority of cars don't stop and rumble on through regardless if folks are in the crosswalk. The speed limit is 25 mph in front of the park but not a lot of drivers adhere to that. The parking fee increased to $10 from $5 since this past summer. 100% increase... ouch. Parking is self pay and cash only. You have to take an envelope from the pay station box and fill it out with your vehicle info. (I know... I can hear ya' all saying who carries exact cash or even a pen... where the app). Anyhoo, the slip goes on your car dashboard and the envelop with the $10 into the locked bin. The penalty for non payment is a $25 fine. Also the light for the ball fields are not free and only takes tokens. Tokens are sold from the El Dorado County Parks & Rec Department. You have to call the Department to set up an appointment at the offices to purchase the tokens. The times I've been here, I notice a lot of folks aren't paying the parking fee and I don't see enforcement of it. Hmm so does increasing the parking fee increase compliance? read more

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Whether you want to jump in the cold refreshing water on a hot summer day or play a quick game of softball, this park is for you! Yes You! Like others have mentioned the $5 help to maintain the clean facilities and play structures this park has to offer. I've never really seen anyone enforcing the parking permits, but its always better to relax than worry about a citation. The river has a small main beach, but the trails around the river offer the best swimming spots. Please be careful though because this is a FAST moving river, life jackets are a must for kids and even adults who are rafting. I don't think I've seen bbq pits at this place, which is a bummer but in the summer it can be quite the fire hazard anyways. The 2 diamonds and playground is across the street with plenty of parking in itself. A few of those spots are free to use the playground only. Let your kids run around and tire themselves out. If that's not enough check out the awesome Gam Saan Trail which leads you Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. read more

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I absolutely love this park. I usually come down in the mornings and pick up trash on the trails by the beaches. Today my heart was broken though somebody obviously had a kid birthday party here yesterday, and there was literally trash everywhere by the day use area. After living in the area for 12 years, I have never never seen anything so disgusting take care of the beauty in the world people. Keep your messes at home. read more

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A great river access park. Long field for soccer, public bathrooms, great calm spot to put in and head to more agressive, or land from upriver, $10 day entry, $30 season. Smooth enough to paddle board here, or wade, put still can move swiftly at time read more

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This park is the perfect place to spend some time cooling off with your family... and if you have dogs bring them along too! There are tons of different little spots along the river to sit and hangout. This was our first time coming here but it won't be our last! read more

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Absolutely love this spot. It's so spacious and open that it is great for any occasion. read more

This park is clean with clear water.Im falling in love with this place .Love it will coming back soon! read more

Henningsen Lotus Park - Lotus park river - Parks Near Me - Lotus, California

The lovely couple at the Sutter Center Market http://www.yelp.com/biz/sutter-center-market-coloma#hrid:89oqq_OlA7i0t-bNuOJKyA/src:self on Hiway 49 directed us to Lotus when we were looking for a spot to go fishing. Henningsen Lotus Park is located at the South Fork of the American River. We didn't catch anything but we had a great time. The parking is ample in their lot and the $3 fee is reasonable. They are on the honor system, and I think we were the only ones to honor it. We munched on the yummy sandwiches that we picked up at the Sutter Market and then gathered up our gear and headed out to look for a spot. After we found a location, we scrambled down the rocks and parked ourselves along the waters edge. The kids cast their lines and I just dipped my feet in the water and enjoyed the view. Lots of kayakers, rafters and tubers drifted past us in their colorful boats. It was fun to watch them try to avoid the big boulders that were in the middle of the river. The area is really too busy to catch anything, but it was really nice to watch everyone, talk with the locals and enjoy the beautiful day. I suggest that this is a great spot when you are in the area sightseeing to stop and take a breather. If you are traveling with kids, they will love stretching their legs and playing in the playground. read more

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A great place to spend a day with family. Pixnic, BBQ, sports, river rafting, boating, etc. $5 parking, but definitely worth the fee to support such a clean park. read more

Quiet and beautiful park next to the river. I came on the perfect day... warm fall afternoon with gorgeous vibrate fall leaves Lots of picnic benches to choose from, CLEAN and well maintained restrooms read more

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Awesome spot on the river. I drive the family there from grass valley! I have a 14 month old and the water is shallow and calm! Great spot for kids! Especially this time a ear when the rivers are rough and people are dying. This is the spot to be. Don't swim to far out! But like a said. Really great spot read more

Henningsen Lotus Park - Parks Near Me - Lotus, California

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River Zen and dog friendly. Love spending time here enjoying nature and solitude. A lawn chair, a good book and it's a mini vacation for me. Heaven. read more

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Nice county park. Good place to get away for the day with the family. Kids love this park. Has a trail to hike, playground,river access, beach area,restrooms, large grass area, baseball fields and benches and bbqs. Staff is awesome. Park is maintained very well. read more

Fee for a city park ? Went to take the dog for a walk and saw the fee station and left. We stayed a week at thousand trails, bought food, gas and propane and paid taxes on all. read more

Henningsen Lotus Park is a beautiful place and we have loved hiking, rafting or just sitting at one of the many picnic tables or secluded spots to enjoy the view. Mostly we have enjoyed walking our dogs there in the large open grassy area just inside the park entrance. Unfortunately, that pleasant experience has come to an end for us as it is sadly apparent that there are some people who do not think they need to obey the park regulation that all dogs are to be leashed. We always steer our dogs well clear of others to avoid any possibility of unwanted interaction. A week ago, another dog walker politely called out to us from a distance asking if their leashed dogs and ours could play. We thanked them and said it wouldn't be a good idea, because our dogs tend to get excited (which is why they are always leashed, whether required or not). Today, an unleashed dog ran across the width of the field and rapidly approached us getting to within inches, causing our dogs to become agitated and difficult to control. We have seen this dog unleashed before with the same human companion - not the dog's fault at all, but the behavior of this human/canine pair obviously follows a pattern. We had changed our visiting time to avoid them, to no avail. The person had no control over the dog today as they repeatedly called him/her back and the dog did not respond, only leaving after we pulled ours away. There was another person sitting in a folding chair by the river's edge near the picnic area throwing a ball for their unleashed dog. Perhaps the dog was well trained and would respond on command (unlike the one who ran across the field), perhaps the dog was gentle and friendly, but we were not about to take our leashed dogs down to the river to find out, nor would we have taken small children. So the selfishness of the ball-thrower denied our dogs the brief swim in the river (still on their leashes) which they so much enjoy. We did not attempt to engage either of these people because we came to the park for peace and relaxation, not to argue with those whose actions make it clear that they are not concerned about behaving responsibly in a recreational area open to public access. There was no one in the entrance booth to whom we could complain. While the majority of the people who visit Henningsen with their dogs observe the simple courtesy of using leashes there are a minority who use the field as an open run dog park in spite of the leash rule posted at the entrance, a rule that was enacted for the protection and peace of mind of everyone visiting the park, humans and dogs alike. It's too bad that some people just don't care and that in spite of the $5.00 entrance fee, the park does not enforce the leash rule. We don't plan to renew our season pass. read more

Beautiful Park! Excellent for personal rafting! :) Water was not too crazy going down, just enough excitement!

One of my favorite summer hang out spots. Rope swings, grills for bbq, cool beach spots and a good spot to run into friends.

Perfect park for the family to swim, BBQ, hike and play a little soccer or football. The parking in $5 all day.

Nice park on the river with picnic tables, bathrooms and a sandy beach. Perfect for Family and friends to spend the day together and float, kyack,raft,tubing or just cooling off. No trash noted on the paths and the recycle and refuse containers were emptied by the staff before it overflowed. There were some blackberries still on the vines and delicious! Lots of laughter and fun had by all. It was 105 degrees today. The water temp was 62. Refreshing! read more

I love this park...It is a place I can be one with nature...beautiful flowing river, the trees, the silence, the warm caring people I have met there...I take my dogs after work and sleep so well on these evenings... We swim and play ball under the blue sky . The park is beautifully maintained. The users of the park care about this place...so now, don't everybody rush there all at once....ok??? This is all yoga, a blissful practice just to be here... read more

To whom it may concern, . The past three times i have gone with my friends/ family and dog I have been very disappointed. I have lived here for 25 years and have never had so many issues with other people and dogs. I have a 7 month old dog, who I keep on his leash the entire time. My dog is very friendly, roughly 30 pounds, and loves people and dogs. I have no fear of him hurting anyone else but I follow the leash law and keep him on the leash the entire time. However, the last time in particular, there were at least 4 very large & aggressive dogs that were running around without a leash, their owners were not watching and came running after my dog and me. I am pregnant and feared for my health & safety as well as my dog. It is disgusting that so many people do not follow the leash rule when they have aggressive dogs. I should also note this was by the water, not on the grass area where a dog running would be appropriate. I have no issue with well behaved dogs that are controlled by their owners. I would like to see someone patrolling the park to ensure the safety of visitors. This last incident was before Memorial Day weekend so I am not sure if there is someone there full time now;but it is also not the first time I have had this problem. We purchased a season parking pass and are so frustrated by our experiences that we don't feel safe. I hope this issue can be fixed to allow EVERYONE to enjoy the river with their beloved pets. I would hate to see a young child being attacked by a dog, or someone like myself who is pregnant put in a dangerous position. If you have any questions I am happy to answer them. read more