Great spot to paddle board!!! Very lowkey but if you don't get there early enough you won't find parking!

Downgrading my stars on this spot because the rangers do not enforce access fees for parking and the last two times I've come here I could not find a parking spot and most of the people parked do not have a pass. As a golden poppy pass holder who pays his annual fees, this is becoming increasingly frustrating. read more

Great place to launch a kayak! We went for a paddle today, and launched at Willow Creek. We arrived at about 9:15 am on a Friday morning, and although there were a number of people already there, there was still plenty of parking. Willow Creek has a small dock, and a small launch area, which is very easy to access. We paid our $10 parking fee, put in the water, and had a great paddle. We paddled east today, and saw some geese, a few nice-sized fish in the water (a carp and a trout, I believe). Someone told us there was an eagle nest along the way, but we didn't see it. It was great to get out on Lake Natomas again. Just a note, when we left at about 11:00, the parking lot was full. read more

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Such a great spot, but as many note, the parking lot is pretty small. Weekdays aren't too much an issue, but weekends certainly are as you approach mid-morning. Get there early! $10 to park, and if you don't have cash there's an online option. Has restrooms, cleaner than average, and helpful people if you don't have a pump or something like that if needed. read more

Willow Creek is a fantastic place to launch your kayak or SUP and is the halfway mark along the length of Lake Natoma. It's a much smaller access point than Nimbus or Black Miners Bar (formerly Negro Bar) and has considerably less water traffic, likely due to the tiny dock and shallow cove. Larger watercraft, like sailboats, can't launch from here. Parking can be challenging because the lot is so much smaller compared to the other launch points and fills up very early. If you snooze you might lose, so I recommend getting there before 9am on a weekend. If you're launching your kayak or SUP from Willow Creek it's a breeze for staging. You are mere footsteps from the parking lot to the dock, with bathrooms and trash cans also close by. There are two large, covered group picnic areas and also a couple of shaded picnic benches at this recreation area to enjoy your lunch. Or better yet, paddle across from the dock to the island and climb up to the top to have a great panoramic view of Lake Natoma. Don't forget your Golden Poppy Pass to be able to park for free! read more

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First time iSUP during the BIG melt this season. We listened to the experienced paddlers in our area and opted to stay away from BMB until the water slows down. We ended up at Willow Creek and I am proud to say we had a great first time experience. The lagoon is calm and a great place to get around if you're afraid or weary to go out towards the bigger areas. Lots of wildlife, even in that small area. The launch area is small so please be patient and courteous- especially if newbies. We're an awkward bunch lol As recent transplants to this town, we are excited to enjoy the great outdoors & recreation Folsom has to offer. You can pay for parking using your phone. Check the bulletin board at the entrance of the lot for instructions- &10/day - it's an honor system. I didn't see any rangers checking but they may sneak in and ticket you if you're on the water. Better to just pay IMO. Don't forget your PFD, leash, water and a Buddy if you can. Be safe. read more

Willow Creek Recreation Area - Parks Near Me - Folsom, California

The hiking trails surrounding Willow Creek are just lovely-- who doesn't love a well-shaded walk by the river? In a few weeks, the wooden bridges will be coated with yellow leaves. A few weeks after that, all kinds of mushrooms should be popping up on the paths. In Spring, Willow Creek is one of my favorite places to find turtles and beavers, both of whom seem to be particularly fond of this domain. I love Willow Creek Recreation Area. The reason I'm giving it four stars is that I feel that the day use prices are inaccessible for poor families, which, in my opinion, makes it a less valuable community resource. Natural resources should be accessible to everyone. To the best of my knowledge, it is still free to walk, hike, or cycle in, but there aren't any great nearby places to park, as the only entrance is a poorly marked road on Folsom Blvd, with no adjacent public businesses. Personally, I tend to access Willow Creek Recreation Area from the Lake Natoma Bike Trail, which spans the river between Nimbus Dam and Sutter Street. As other people have mentioned, the bathrooms are not well-maintained, especially considering the day-use fee. This is likely because of its ideal pit-stop location for cyclists, whose restroom options only deteriorate as they continue to ride west. There aren't many great picnic options at the actual recreation area, but there are several private shaded tables in every direction on the trails. read more

I am new to the area and love to kayak. This is a great launch point we arrived a little after 8 and took a few to get into the water. It costs $10 to park in the lot, just like other reviews the lot is small but it was wide open at 830, by the time we left at 1130 the county had put a sign on the road saying lot full. I mean take a chance because there were three spots from us early birds. read more

Willow Creek Recreation Area - Lots of birds on the water from swan to Canadian geese. - Parks Near Me - Folsom, California

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Willow Creek is a smaller and less busy access point to launch your paddle board or kayak onto Lake Natomas. There is usually of plenty of parking available, but it does fill up on the warmer weekends. You do have to pay for parking (honor system $10 I believe $, or if you have the poppy parking pass it is valid here . The have a bathroom available and the usually have some life vests by the dock you can borrow. Dogs are allowed on Lake Natomas. It's a pretty perfect way to spend a warm lazy afternoon floating about. :) read more

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Small parking, clean water and bathrooms available. No sitting areas near water (all rocks). This place is better for kayaking.

First time kayaking. It's pretty decent. Limited parking so be aware. Cost $10 cash (no change; have to put in an envelope). Be aware that only certain parking passes cover this place. Easy walk to the dock to get into river. I doubt you need a life jacket, but always recommended. Currents aren't too strong but careful on the way back. We ended up kayaking and paddle boarding. Saw the sunset. Nice and relaxing. They have recycle bin near by as well read more

Willow Creek Recreation Area - Kayaking around sunset time - Parks Near Me - Folsom, California

This was a great place to come for my first time kayaking. I got here on the perfect day. Pay for your permit people, if you are new like me, there is a little Mail box like thing where you open it and you fill the permit out $10, daily, and you put CASH in this little envelope. Make sure you have a pen. Anyway umm people are super friendly and you can go ahead and ask anyone. read more

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Great place to kayak! Very uncrowded on a weekday in November. Great place to see some fall colors! Lots of ducks and geese to watch. Has a boat launch for easy launching and a large parking lot. Has a bathroom and picnic tables on site. read more

Willow Creek Recreation Area - Parks Near Me - Folsom, California

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This is my favorite spot to launch paddleboards from. There usually is enough parking to accommodate vehicles even if it's a busy day. There is a place to rent kayaks and paddleboards here on the weekends in the summer. Watch out for rocks and branches though when the water is low at the lake. I wasn't paying attention once and I hit one with the fin of my paddleboard and went in. You can also access the bike trail from here as well. Oh ya and slow down when you turn in it's only a single lane road with a couple spots to move over if there is another vehicle coming in your direction. Move over if you are the closest to the spot where you can move out of the way. The golden poppy pass works here otherwise you pay $5 i think? read more

Willow creek is a great mid point stop between the Folsom bridge and nimbus flat. Parking is $10 so if you visit this area a lot, season pass is totally worth it. Nice dock to launch kayaks and paddleboards. read more

Willow Creek Recreation Area - Parks Near Me - Folsom, California

We've been launching our paddle boards and kayaks from Nimbus Flats last for years. Recently launched from here b/c a special event at the aquatic center closed that area to day traffic. This will be our go to spot from now on! So much quieter and easier. Can unload the car steps from the water instead of walking across the beach. Overall quieter and less chaotic. read more

This is usually my last choice as a put in onto Lake Natoma. The bathrooms aren't the cleanest and only one was open today, of the two. This is a State Park and day parking is $10 per car. Buy an annual pass for $125. If you launch here, you are midway to Negro Bar or to Nimbus Flats. There isn't much for picnic areas here. read more

This is an awesome spot to launch kayaks and paddle boards etc. The walk from the parking lot to the water couldn't be shorter. If you want to get in the water and swim off the shore you'll have to walk a bit and hike over a bed of rocks. I didn't see a very good area to setup a picnic at this location. read more

Willow Creek Recreation Area - Parks Near Me - Folsom, California

Tried this place for the first time, seemed like a nice, quieter access to launch kayaks in the river except for the organization. Returned from a day of kayaking to find my car ticketed for staying past closing. I had never seen a sign stating the closing time and assumed it was at dusk like parks usually are. Little did I know they have arbitrary closing times that change frequently, and can vary depending on each recreation area in this region. Later did I learn that when I went in early July, closing time was deemed to be 8:00 pm. I was 20 minutes after that, far from it being dark, and could see the ranger writing the ticket as I was kayaking in. Once she saw me, she quickly drove off. I feel lucky at least she left the gate open for me to leave, since according to a man loitering in the lot, they lock your car overnight in the lot if you're late! I tried challenging the $100 ticket through their mail and telephonic appeals process, but not surprisingly, lost. Make sure to check the Specific Lot's closing time for the Particular Day you go. read more