Folsom Lake and other large reservoirs are magnets for water birds and can function almost like inland seas. As many as 100,000 gulls may be found roosting on the lake in winter. Most of them are California Gulls, along with many American Herring and Ring-billed Gulls. With persistence, you can find Short-billed, Iceland, and Glaucous-winged Gulls. With luck you might find a Glaucous Gull or something truly rare. Common Loons are expected in winter, sometimes a dozen or more, while Pacific Loons are seen occasionally. Rarities have included all three species of scoter (fall, winter), Sabine’s Gull (fall), and Common Tern (fall). There are often huge rafts of Western Grebes, which usually include many Clark’s Grebes. Eared Grebes, and, more surprising for an inland location, Horned Grebes can be found in good numbers as well.
In addition to the lake habitat, there are large sections of oak woodland and chaparral ringing the lake, with many miles of trails to provide wonderful birding access. The lake and its surroundings are managed as Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (FLSRA) by California State Parks.
Parking fees for the 16 different parking lots range from $10 to $12 depending on the location. California State Park passes are also accepted at Folsom Lake SRA locations. For the latest on fees and other information, call the district office at 916-988-0205, or visit the FLSRA website.
Cars have been broken into at remote lots. Natural hazards include ticks, poison oak, and rattlesnakes. There are occasional reports of mountain lions.
Folsom Lake - Northwest Area
